Pelham Conservation
Commission
MEETING OF
Members Present:
Robert Yarmo, Chairman
Frank Culbert
Sanjay Kakkad
Sandy Kupcho
Christian Montminy
Marc J. Duquette
Deborah Waters, Open Space Committee
Chairman Robert Yarmo brought the
meeting to order at
HEARINGS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Dredge & Fill Permit Application Review – Tax Map 17, Lot 13-63, Gage Hill Road and prepared for Dave & Rachael Conrad – 56 Doriso Avenue, Lawrence, MA
Bob Yarmo reported that the
application was prepared by TFM Civil Engineers and is a minimum impact
expedited application. This involves a
couple of driveway crossings on
Pelham Conservation Commission –
Meeting of
Dredge & Fill Permit
Application Review, Town of
Bob Yarmo reports that CLD
Engineers completed the application. The
town is replacing a culvert and new headwalls on
Deb Waters, Open Space Committee
stated that the private group of donors for this purchase are very organized
and have raised about $63,000.00 as of two weeks ago. Deb met with them recently and they are
making excellent progress on their goal, which is $100,000.00. They have an expert from the
Update on Wolven Property:
Deb Waters: The subdivision plan has been approved. The parcel was a very large parcel with just one house on it. Ms. Wolven kept a portion of it for herself and the remainder is going to Conservation. This is ready for the closing, maybe next week. Bob Yarmo reports that Conservation looked at a piece of land being surrendered to taxes a couple of weeks ago – it’s wetlands and is about eight (8) acres.
Pelham Conservation Commission –
Member Marc Duquette met with a representative from the “Voluntary Assessment Program” on June 19th. The entire day was spent on Pelham ponds doing testing. Little Island Pond included a couple of men from the Little Island Pond Association. Other ponds tested were Gumpus Pond, Long Pond and Harris Pond (aka, White’s Pond). It takes a few weeks to get results of these tests. Once the data is available we will know what it means as far as water quality. It will be compared with historical data to see if there are any issues in these waters. There appears to be quite a bit of algae in Gumpus Pond. The ecoli bacteria was one of the tests performed for which there was a cost. The State recommends three (3) rounds of sampling per year – June, August and September, (or) June, July and September. The testing for the next round is not yet scheduled. Marc says he surrendered a vacation day to do this. We do have two (2) people who can assist with this, one from Gumpus Pond and the other at Little Island Pond. We have a need for volunteers to help us to do Harris Pond and Long Pond. They would have to be taught the process for testing. Mr. Yarmo asks, “If one of these tests comes back with a high reading, what action do we need to take?” Marc answered he believed it would be based on what the problem is, where we go, or maybe “they” (the State) would want to step in. There may be grants or programs at the state level that would be of assistance to us. There may be just a simple response of what actions the town could take to mitigate minor problems. It’s reported that the Little Island Pond Association does their own testing that they pay for themselves. Gumpus Pond was tested last year under this program. There isn’t any consistent water quality information at this time. Little Island Pond is very interested in setting up a program and has some equipment already. Most of the analytical work is done at the state level. Conservation may be able to split the costs of this equipment with the Association at Gumpus and Little Island Pond. More discussion is needed with the residents in those areas. There is a state program that handles water quality at public beaches; they test a couple of times a year.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mr. Yarmo: Met with staff at NRPC today re: Natural Resources. They went over a draft and minor changes were
made, mostly clerical and numerical corrections. The final draft of the natural resources
should be ready for review by next week.
Following the review it can be officially adopted. A series of maps were brought back to town
for our new Master Plan. It’s going to
take a lot more work. The challenge with
the map is to verify the level of protection as discussed before. This is as close to what we are going to get
without input from the town of
Pelham Conservation Commission –
Conservation Projects:
Sanjay Kakkad, vice chairman, typed up and submitted a list of three (3) elements of Conservation Projects: Immediate tasks, networks, and presentation for Old Home Day. The Conservation Commission plans to put out a plea for volunteers for the various projects.
Bob Yarmo reports on the Environmental Impact Communication Plan. He reports that Mark West had previously done some work for the Conservation Commission to develop a standard for the environmental reports for the Planning Board. Bob reports that he will be requesting a transition meeting with the selectmen and the new town planner
STATUS OF THE BACKLOG OF CONSERVATION MEETING MINUTES
Initially, Glennie reported that it would probably be another month before the backlog is caught up. After comments from Bob, it appears they could be caught up in possibly 2 weeks.
MOTION: (Montminy/Kakkad) to approve
minutes of
VOTE: approved (6-0)
Next Meeting: Pending receiving the natural resources information, the Commission may have to meet in two weeks. All agreed and were available.
There was discussion about the minutes being electronically posted. This will come through the Planning Board when they are received. It was reported that there are some reports available.
Sandy Kupcho is working on a brochure for the Commission. She questions whether NRPC would help with the mailing. She is all set with the brochure itself.
Christian Montminy was again appointed to the Commission at Tuesday evening’s session with the Board of Selectmen.
Meeting Adjourned
Respectfully submitted,
Glennie M. Edwards
Recording Secretary