04/19/1990 CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes

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April 19,, 1990 Page 1 . NEW SEABURY CO . LTB PARTNERSHIP, for the control of nuisance vegetation and construction of a dock. Brian eppenfeld presenting with Allen Abrahamson, landscape i architect . This is the pond across from the real estate office in New Seabury. Part of their landscaping plan has been to snow along the edge of this pond as well as the bridle trails throughout New S e abu ry. No f e rti l i i ng is done . S orae overzealous youngsters, with a walk-behind Gravely, went in and over the bank and took down most of the growth never touched in the past. Thee were dead branches that were pruned and a dead oak tree taken down. Mr. Abrahamson advised in the area that was violated there was clear evidence that from that point on up the existing vegetation consisted of native fescue- grasses, not lawn type . Upon close inspection, he could see the existing shrubbery in most cases was under one inch caliper, or less, and was cut to the ground or three inches above . He identified the species by the stubble that was left. he listed those . The stems are green and he suggested the best approach to get the area to revegetate as densely as possible is to do nothing . There are latent buds that will branch out. There are some areas where the, Gravely actually went down t ground level and not only cut off the taps but got down t the crown and the dirt. - "hose three areas are shown on the plan and it is proposed to put in new plant material . on the other side of the pond it looks like within the past - years a staggered row of Autumn olive, improperly placed, was planted . A fungus has developed from sitting in a damp area and they show then to be removed. They propose to replace these with a conservation seed rix grassed area. 14s Behrman stated they are increasing the monoculture of lawn in that area . She asked if her interpretation of their implication that their lawn type areas are of value as wildlife habitat is correct. Mr. Zeppenfelt stated they have been rowing and wish to continue to mow. Hs Behrman stated they are saying that this mown area is of value to wildlife . Mr. Abrahamson stated this area is not a lawn, it ' s only mown once a year in the fall so it gets high and grass does go to seed providing food s , yes , it is a resource area. Mr. *fork disagreed. The mown area is more of a wildlife habitat than the unmown area. The greater value would be not to moil it at all . 14r. ZePpenfeld stated it has been mowed once a year; to stop mowing is to alter what exists .