Con Com 9-24-24 City of Beverly Conservation Commission
September 24,2024
Meeting Minutes
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CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: City of Beverly Conservation Commission
DATE: September 24, 2024
LOCATION: Virtual via Google Meet
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Berton, Tara Duffy, Grace Charles, William
Squibb, Robert Buchsbaum
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Amber Redmond
OTHERS PRESENT: Conservation Agent David Spidaliere, Conservation Field
Inspector Scott White
RECORDER: Lucy Goss
1) Chair Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 6:30 p,m. and conducts a roll call. There is a quorum of
seated members. Bertoni reads the public notice regarding holding meetings remotely due to
COVID-19.
2) Certificates of Compliance/Minor Modifications/Extensions/Tree Removals/Emergency
Certifications
a) Certificates of Compliance
i) New: 3 Pilgrim Heights, DEP File#5-1360
Michael Paige of Griffin Engineering is present on behalf of the applicant. An Order of Conditions
was issued on March 28, 2022 for the construction of a 3-car garage addition with deck, driveway
expansion, and drainage and landscaping improvements. Paige states that the work was completed in
substantial compliance with the approved plan, 16 mitigation plant shrubs were installed along the
foundation of the addition, and the invasive species area was cleared and replanted with 13 shrubs.
Paige confirms that the fencing installed to prevent rabbits from eating the plants seems to be working,
the plants are currently healthy, and the site seems stable.
Bertoni asks about the following deviations from the approved plan:
- The retaining wall was slightly altered from the original proposed plan and the area it
surrounds was filled with crushed stone instead of mitigation plantings.
- No infiltration trench was added at the front of the house.
- The mitigation and restoration areas in the backyard appear to be oriented differently than on
the approved plan.
It is unclear whether the restoration area was actually restored or if it was just replaced with a
line of hostas.
Paige replies that the deviations were limited. Paige explains that the applicant decided to use crushed
stone and relocate the mitigation plantings around the foundation because of concerns about drainage.
The retaining wall was altered to allow water to go around the building and down the slope of the
yard, in order to improve drainage. After beginning construction,the applicant determined that an
infiltration trench would not be necessary to capture runoff. Bertoni explains that this is a change that
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could have been brought before the Conservation Agent before a decision was made to deviate from
the plan.
Field Agent Scott White states that he conducted a site visit on September 17, 2024 and the site
appears stable.
Bertoni asks about the applicant's failure to comply with special condition#5, which requires that
mitigation plantings exhibit 75% survivorship for shrubs and 100%for trees, for not less than two
growing seasons after their installation. Paige and Spidaliere explain that the Conservation office
inadvertently failed to include the page that listed this special condition when sending the applicant the
Order of Conditions back in 2022. Paige states that the mitigation plants have now been planted,
which is reflected in the revised plan the applicant submitted in September 2024.
Buchsbaum shares his opinion that it would not be fair to find the applicant to be out of compliance
with special condition#5 because of the clerical error, adding that the deviations do not seem critical.
Buchsbaum: Motion to issue a Complete Certificate of Compliance under the Act and
Ordinance. Duffy takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
ii) New: 1025 Hale Street, DEP File#5-1344
Evin Guvendiren of DeRosa Environmental is present on behalf of the applicant. Guvendiren explains
that an OOC was issued on September 29, 2021 for the construction of two additions to an existing
single family house within the 100-foot buffer zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (BVW). The
work was never started and the OOC will expire on September 29, 2024. The property is in the process
of being sold and the new owners do not want to proceed with this project, so they are requesting an
Invalid OOC.
Spidaliere states that he has looked at imaging and visited the site fairly recently and it appears that no
work has been completed.
Duffy: Motion to issue an Invalid Order of Conditions under the Act and Ordinance.
Charles takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
W) New: 110 Hart Street, DEP File#5-1393
Evin Guvendiren of DeRosa Environmental is present on behalf of the applicant. An OOC was issued
on June 28,2023 for the construction of a patio, two pea stone paths with granite steps, a retaining
wall, grading, a dry riverbed, and associated landscaping. Guvendiren displays the as-built site plan,
explaining that the work was completed with the following minor deviations:
A. The new fence was extended to the street, instead of the middle of the front yard, when it was
discovered that the partial fence was rotted and needed to be replaced.
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B. The pea stone walk on the left side of the house was extended into a landing and granite
steppers were added to accommodate the topography, after the applicant determined that the
slope was steeper than anticipated.
C. Two Winterberry Shrubs (Ilex verticillata)were moved to the far end of the dry riverbed,
rather than the bottom.
D. The pea stone walk on the right side of the house was moved to abut the house with stone
steppers to accommodate the slope in the ground. Additional plantings were added to the space
between the new wall and the new fence.
Guvendiren confirms that the mitigation plantings were installed according to the plan requirements,
and that they exhibit greater than 75% survivorship within the mitigation area. Scott White states that
he conducted a site visit on September 19, 2024, during which he observed that the site is stable.
Buchsbaum: Motion to issue a Complete Certificate of Compliance under the Wetlands Protection
Act and Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance with perpetual conditions as discussed. Charles
seconds. Berton takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
b) Minor Modifications
1) New: 478 Rantoul Street, Local Isolated Vegetated Wetlands (IVW)
Evin Guvendiren of DeRosa Environmental is present on behalf of the applicant. An OOC was issued
on June 28, 2023 for the construction of a 5-story condo building in the buffer of an Isolated Vegetated
Wetland(IVW).
Guvendiren explains that the applicant is requesting a minor modification after receiving comments
from the Beverly Planning Board, which include requiring that the entrance driveway be widened to
accommodate emergency vehicular access. The proposed modification includes a 24-foot entrance
driveway that increases impervious surfaces within the outer 100-foot buffer zone to the IVW by
approximately 350 square feet. Because this change reduces the number of units within the
development, the proposed modification also reduces the number of parking spaces. This area of
around 800 square feet is now proposed to be planted with native plant species. The applicant has
submitted an updated planting plan dated September 10, 2024.
Guvendiren states that in order to accommodate the Planning Board requirements for mixed use
development, the applicant is also requesting a minor modification for an underground tunnel to be
constructed within the outer 100-foot buffer zone. The tunnel will connect the existing dwelling to the
new multi-family residential building. Guvendiren explains that the tunnel will not increase any
impervious surfaces as it will be constructed beneath the entrance driveway, and there will not be any
changes to the stormwater runoff system.
Brendan Pyburn, the project engineer, clarifies that the tunnel is 8 feet wide and 10.8 feet tall.
Guvendiren and Pyburn explain that, other than adding the tunnel, the scope of construction planned
for this project remains largely consistent with the original OOC.
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Buchsbaum: Motion to approve the minor modification for 478 Rantoul Street as requested
under Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance. Duffy seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call
vote. Motion carries (5-0).
3) Recess for public hearings
Squibb: Motion to recess for public hearings. Charles seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call
vote. Motion carries (5-0).
4) Notices of Intent/Abbreviated Notices of Intent/Requests for Amended Orders of
Conditions/Abbreviated notices of Resource Area Delineations
a) Cont.: Multiple Addresses,DEP File#5-1409—City-wide Beach Management Plan—City of
Beverly
Spidaliere explains that Eric Barber of the Beverly Department of Public Works (DPW) is requesting a
continuance to incorporate additional edits to the Beach Management Plan (BMP)based on
Commissioner Bertoni's comments. Spidaliere offers that if these remaining issues are not resolved
after the next meeting, it might be worthwhile to schedule a special meeting of the Commission to
focus on the City BMP. Bertoni explains that she had several concerns about the language in the latest
BMP draft, and her comments were intended to address these concerns so the BMP can be approved
and DPW can move forward.
Duffy: Motion to continue the hearing to the October 15, 2024 meeting. Charles
seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
b) Cont.: 0 Trask Lane,DEP File#5-1407—Request for Amendment to ORAD—Corcoran
Trask Lane LLC c/o Peter Mahoney
Elizabeth Wallace from Hayes Engineering speaks on behalf of the applicant. An Order of Resource
Area Delineation (ORAD)was issued for wetlands on this property in April 24, 2024, but at the site
visit a portion of the wetland flags were inadvertently missed and were left out of the initial ORAD.
The Commissioners conducted a second site visit on August 10, 2024 to confirm these wetland
boundaries. After the site visit, the applicant sent over a revised plan dated August 14, 2024.
At the August 27, 2024 Commission meeting, concerns were raised over whether this revised plan
accurately depicts the changes the Commission requested at the second site visit. Wallace and Miranda
Siemasko of Glovsky&Glovsky LLC explain that, due to confusion on the part of the applicant, the
flags near the pond were initially plotted incorrectly. Siemasko explains that the revised plan does
depict the changes requested by the Commission, and shares a marked-up version of the site plan
showing that the flags have been moved to the correct locations.
Spidaliere adds that it appears the revised plan inadvertently failed to indicate the location of Wetland
Flags 1-16 on the site plan imaging. These flags were included in the original site plan and their
location was approved during the first site visit. Siemasko clarifies that the applicant's request for an
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amended ORAD includes Flags 1-16 as depicted in the original plan, and Bertoni agrees that this will
be reflected in the amended ORAD.
Buchsbaum: Motion to approve the amendment to the ORAD as discussed,under the Wetlands
Protection Act and Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance. Charles seconds. Bertoni takes a roll
call vote. Motion carries (4-0). Duffy abstains.
e) New: 5 Curtis Paint, DEP File##5-1427—Seawall Bulkhead—Carmen L. Pope Trust
Spidaliere reads the legal notice. Jed Hannon of Atlantic Coast Engineering is present on behalf of the
applicant for the construction of a coastal bulkhead. Hannon explains that the coastal bank has
experienced significant erosion and states his belief that the bulkhead is necessary to stabilize the
coastal bank and safeguard the property from further erosion and storm damage.
Spidaliere states that the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has reached out asking for an
extension on their comment period, as they have not yet received feedback from the Massachusetts
Office of Coastal Zone Management. Spidaliere shares comments the Commission received from
MassDEP,which state that the proposed work is not permittable as it does not meet the performance
standards in 310 CMR 10.30(3). These comments express concerns that a bulkhead would destabilize
the coastal bank, adversely alter the beach and adjacent properties from wave reflection and refraction,
cause beach erosion, and lower the beach profile. MassDEP has recommended that the applicant
consider using coir logs and native vegetation in lieu of a vertical wall.
Hannon shares his opinion that a hard coastal protection measure is the only viable option to provide
long-term stability and they are not in favor of softer options like coir logs, as these are only temporary
fixes. Hannon states he will need to talk to the applicants, their contractor, and attorney, to determine
how to move forward in light of the MassDEP comments.
Squibb asks how this project would interact with the abutting property at 40 Prince Street. Hannon
explains that the bulkhead would interface well with the abutting property because 40 Prince Street has
a preexisting concrete wall that the bulkhead could be drilled into. Hannon clarifies that there is not
currently a structure on the subject property's coastal bank.
Charles and Duffy suggest waiting to conduct a site visit until the Commission is presented with an
alternative solution that would be permittable by DEP, for the sake of efficiency.
Bertoni opens the discussion to members of the public.
Greg Halle,the applicant's general contractor, expresses support for this project and attests to the
severity of this issue. Halle explains that his team has already conducted a couple of emergency tree
removals on the property, which were necessary because of the erosion due to increasingly powerful
storms. Spidaliere confirms that the tree removals were approved by the Commission. Halle shares his
opinion that a"soft" solution is extremely inadequate and will be destroyed within the first couple of
years of installation. Halle states that he will work with the applicant to look at alternative soft
solutions, but he does not believe they will be effective. Halle agrees to provide the Commission with
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data about any potential impacts of this project on wave action on the abutting property that does not
have a seawall.
Spidaliere shares an emailed comment the Commission received from Lisa Zahn and Carl Soeder of 1
Curtis Point, expressing support for this project. The email states that there are many such bulkheads
along the immediate and adjacent coastline, including one that abuts the applicant's property, and as
such the commenters see no reason to deny this request.
Commissioners agree to continue this matter to give the applicants time to submit alternative solutions
before a site visit is scheduled.
Buchsbaum: Motion to continue the hearing to the October 15, 2024 meeting . Duffy
seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
5) Reconvene Regular Meeting
Charles: Motion to reconvene the regular meeting. Buchsbaum seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call
vote. Motion carries (5-0).
6) Requests for Determination of Applicability
a) Cont.: 36 Cole Street—Install above-ground pool—Bruce& Johanna Johnson
The applicants are not present at the meeting. The Commission decides to continue the matter.
Charles: Motion to continue to the October 15, 2024 meeting. Duffy seconds. Bertoni takes a
roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
b) New: 933 Hale Street—Replace deck that fell off house—Betsy Richmond
Spidaliere reads the legal notice. Michael McNiff is present on behalf of the applicant. The proposed
work is for the in-kind replacement of an existing deck and stairway that have rotted and caved in. The
homeowner is trying to sell the house and wants to replace the deck before putting it on the market.
This work will require the replacement of 5 sonotube footings. The closest edge of the stairway is just
outside of the 50-foot NBZ and the entirety of the work is within the 200-foot Riverfront Area. McNiff
explains that there is a mix of dirt and crushed stone under the deck, and the new deck will still allow
rainwater to filter through to the ground. A dumpster will not be used for this project.
Bertoni reads the following conditions:
1. All excavated soils or other related debris shall be stored or stockpiled outside jurisdictional
resource and buffer zone areas, if not immediately removed from the site and shall be
appropriately disposed of off-site.
2. All materials shall be cut off-site or outside of the jurisdictional buffer zones.
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3. The use of timbers pressure treated with A.C.Q. (Alkaline Copper Quats) or the equivalent is
permitted as construction material. Creosote treated timber is prohibited. Wood preservative
must be dry before any treated wood is used in construction.
4. All areas disturbed during construction shall be immediately stabilized against erosion and
revegetated with appropriate fast growing erosion control species or native plants within thirty
(30) days after construction is complete.
5. During the work, construction equipment shall be located on existing paved areas or as far
from the wetland resource areas as possible.
Buchsbaum: Motion to issue a Negative 2 & 3 Determination under the Wetlands Protection Act and
Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance,with conditions as discussed. Duffy seconds. Bertoni
takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0),
c) New: 275 Hale Street—Permitting existing concrete seawall—Jared Bartok
Spidaliere reads the legal notice. Jeramy Packard of lwoth Infrastructure and Environment, LLC is
present on behalf of the applicant. Packard explains that this application is intended as an initial step in
a project for the maintenance of a failing culvert that leads to a salt marsh. Packard clarifies that no
actual work is being proposed as part of this application. The applicant is in the process of obtaining a
Chapter 91 license for an existing concrete seawall on the property,which was constructed prior to
1947 so does not have any permits. There is no record or visual evidence of improvements to the
seawall. The sole purpose of this application is to satisfy the Wetlands Protection Act review
requirement to obtain approval from the MassDEP Waterways Division for a Chapter 91 license.
Packard explains that although the existing seawall is not in great shape, it still provides the
applicant's home with some degree of coastal protection. Buchsbaum states his belief that the water
running through the culvert is a perennial tidal stream. Packard clarifies that the applicant has no plans
to cut off the salt marsh from the flow of water.
Buchsbaum: Motion to Motion to issue a Negative 2 Determination under the Wetlands Protection
Act and Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance,with conditions as discussed. Charles seconds.
Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
d) New: 6 Evelyn Road—Removal of 11 trees—Michael and Sheila Driscoll
Spidaliere reads the legal notice. Homeowners Michael and Sheila Driscoll are present and explain
that the project is for the removal of 11 hazardous trees in the hack and side yard of their property. The
closest trees are roughly 35 feet from an intermittent stream. The Driscolls explain that they have hired
Cicoria Tree Service to perform the removal. These trees are hanging over the house, are very tall, and
Cicoria has determined that they are cracked and dangerous.
Scott White states that he conducted a site visit on September 17, 2024. White notes that they are very
tall trees and he noticed dead wood on top. White comments that it is a small property that does not
have much vegetation. The stream was dry at the time but White states he has seen it full of water at
other times.
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In response to questions about trimming the trees as an alternative to removing them,the Driscolls
state they did not discuss trimming with the arborist. The arborist's opinion was that the trees need to
be removed. The Driscolls explain that they are willing to add native plantings in place of the trees,
based on the Commission's recommendations. Their preference is to plant bushes or grasses as
opposed to new trees.
The Commissioners schedule a site visit for October 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
Charles: Motion to continue to the October 15, 2024 meeting. Duffy seconds. Bertoni takes a
roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
e) New: 719 Cabot Street--Install footbridge over Intermittent Stream—The Trustees of
Reservations
Spidaliere reads the legal notice.Ned Darling is present representing the Trustees of Reservations. The
proposed work is for the installation of a small footbridge over an intermittent stream on a portion of
the Moraine Farm property. The bridge is proposed to be 10 feet long and made of wood. The footers
on either side of the stream will be hand dug and will be 2-feet outside of the bank. The bridge will sit
8-inches above the stream and will not be anchored.
Bertoni reads the following conditions:
1. All excavated soils shall be stored or stockpiled outside jurisdictional resource and buffer zone
areas, if not immediately removed from the site and shall be appropriately disposed of off-site.
2. All materials shall be cut off-site or outside of the jurisdictional buffer zones.
3. The use of timbers pressure treated with A.C.Q. (Alkaline Copper Quats) or the equivalent is
permitted as construction material. Creosote treated timber is prohibited. Wood preservative
must be dry before any treated wood is used in construction.
4. Hand tools shall be used for on-site installation. No heavy construction equipment, gas
powered tools, or vehicles are permitted during bridge placement.
5. Any area that is disturbed during placement is to be revegetated immediately, or as soon
thereafter as the growing season commences,with appropriate native vegetation.
6. The bank shall not be altered.
Squibb: Motion to issue a Negative 3 Determination under the Wetlands Protection Act and
Beverly's Wetlands Ordinance, with conditions as discussed. Charles seconds. Bertoni
takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
7) Enforcement Matters/Potential Violations
a) Enforcement Orders
i) Cont.: 342 Old Essex Road—Klaudio Boka
Spidaliere explains that the applicant was unable to attend today's meeting. At the.Tune 24, 2024
meeting, the Commission voted to amend the Enforcement Order(EO) to require the submission of a
restoration plan to include the removal of the retaining walls and restoration of the inland banks. The
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Commission instructed the applicant to submit the restoration plan by September 17, 2024 and to
attend the September 24, 2024 meeting to discuss the plan.
Spidaliere explains that he has spoken with Mr. Boka, who indicated he has contacted wetlands
scientists but he cannot afford to pay the prices quoted for the work. The applicant is requesting an
extension of the deadline to submit the restoration plan by at least a few months.
Bertoni requests that White coordinate with Mr. Boka to conduct another site visit to check on the
stability of both retaining walls and evaluate any action downstream as a result of the retaining walls.
White agrees to do so.
Commissioners discuss the options for amending the EO to extend the deadline for the restoration
plan. They decide to amend as follows:
1. The restoration plan shall be submitted by December 10, 2024 so it can be discussed at
the December 17, 2024 meeting.
2. The applicant shall attend the October 15, 2024 meeting and be prepared to discuss his
progress and a timeframe for completing the plan.
Duffy: Motion to amend the Enforcement Order as discussed. Buchsbaum seconds.
Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (5-0).
b) Potential Violations
i) New: 16 Pond View Lane—Alex Wang
Spidaliere was informed by the previous Conservation Agent(Jenna Pirotta) that she observed an
unpermitted stone retaining wall that appears to have been installed on the bank of an intermittent
stream and a patio that appears to be built within the buffer zone to the bank. Pirotta made these
observations on August 13, 2024 from a walking trail that runs behind the property. Spidaliere did not
find records permitting this work, so White went out on August 15, 2024 and took photographs which
showed the retaining wall and patio. In White's estimation, this work was not completed recently so it
is unclear how long these have been in place. A violation letter was sent out on August 28, 2024.
Property owners Alex Wang and Stella Lee are present. Lee explains that she discovered Japanese
knotweed, boulders, rocks, and debris on the other side of the fence on their property line,which they
think may have been dumped there by contractors 7 or S years ago. Wang states that she and her
family members have been removing the knotweed and other items, and that her father built the wall
using the boulders they found,because he was concerned that the debris would disrupt the intermittent
stream. Wang confirms that they stopped this work after receiving the violation letter.
Wang explains that the patio is another area where knotweed was removed from the property. Wang
clarifies that the space was intended to be a zen garden. Bertoni explains that if the property owners
want to keep the patiofzen garden or retaining wall, they will need to obtain permits from the
Commission. In the meantime, the applicants are directed to cease and desist.
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White confirms that he has seen the property and the land appears fairly stable. The Commissioners
decide to conduct a site visit on September 28, 2024 at 8:00am.
Buchsbaum: Motion to continue the potential violation at 16 Pond View Lane to the
October 15, 2024 meeting. Squibb seconds. Motion carries (5-0).
ii) New: 18 Brimbal Avenue- Kathleen Downey
Spidaliere explains that the Commission previously approved an OOC for this property. 13 trees were
taken down to allow for solar panel installation and the OOC included 8 small trees be planted as a
replacement. At the August 27, 2024 meeting, the Commissioners decided to send a potential violation
letter to the applicant because of concerns about whether the newly planted trees are a sufficient
replacement for the cut-down trees. The applicant has asked Bob Griffin to assist with this matter, and
since he is not available to attend today's meeting, the applicant is requesting a continuance.
Duffy: Motion to continue the potential violation at 18 Brimbal Avenue to the
October 15, 2024 meeting. Squibb seconds. Motion carries (5-0).
8) Old/New/Other Business
a) Commission Business, correspondence, and other matters
i) Piping plover monitoring at West Beach
Spidaliere explains that this is a request for the Commission to fund Mass Audubon's monitoring of
West Beach for piping plover activity via the Local Wetland Fee Fund. The Coastal Waterbird
Program Coordinator has quoted a general base rate of$7,000 (presumably per year) for this work,
which would include monitoring 3-4x/week, outreach and education to the public, required reporting
to MassWildlife's Natural Heritage &Endangered Species Program(NHESP),weekly reporting to
landowners, equipment including signage and fencing, management, oversight and training from Mass
Audubon, and mileage from Mass Audubon sanctuaries. This quote does not include monitoring of
beach raking activities.
Spidaliere shares his recommendation that since this would be on private property, that it is not the
responsibility of the Commission to cover the costs of wildlife monitoring. Spidaliere recommends
that the Commission consider requiring any such beach cleaning or raking to be monitored by NHESP
at the expense of the property owners.
The Commissioners discuss whether it is appropriate or feasible for the Commission to take on the
annual cost of piping plover monitoring. The Commissioners and staff discuss the Commission's role
in providing outreach and assistance to homeowners related to cleaning and raking on private beaches,
and specifically addressing the concerns related to endangered species on West Beach. Bertoni
suggests adding language addressing this topic to the website.
The Commissioners share their understanding that the piping plovers had a successful brood this year
with 4 chicks. They also discuss access to the beach rake at West Beach.
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b) Expenditure Approvals
i. Conservation Agent August mileage- $25.26
ii. Conservation Field Inspector August mileage - $16.48
iii. Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) expenditures
a. $455.00 for MACC Fundamentals trainings for Amber Redmond
b. $135.00 for MACC fall conference attendance for Christine Bertoni
Buchsbaum: Motion to approve the August Conservation Agent mileage reimbursement in
the amount of$25.26, the Conservation Field Inspector mileage
reimbursement in the amount of$16.48, MACC Fundamentals trainings for
Redmond in the amount of$455.00, and MACC fall conference for Bertoni
in the amount of$135.00. Squibb seconds. Bertoni take a roll call vote.
Motion carries (5-0).
9) Orders of conditions, if any
a) 0 Trask Lane,DEP File#5-1407—ORAD—Corcoran Trask Lane LLC c/o Peter Mahoney
Duffy: Motion to issue the amended ORAD for 0 Trask Lane as discussed earlier in
the meeting. Buchsbaum seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion
carries (5-0).
Bertoni recognizes Patrick Knight, member of the public who lives in the Cherry Hill Condominiums,
expresses concern that the conversation earlier in the meeting related to the changes in the location of
flags on the property was confusing. Knight asks whether there should be another site visit to ensure
any confusion has been cleared up. The Commissioners state that they do not believe a site visit is
necessary, as they are satisfied that the correct changes have now been made. Bertoni apologizes that
Knight did not have an opportunity to comment during the discussion earlier in the meeting.
10) Approval of minutes
a) August 27, 2024
The Commissioners review and offer edits to the August 27, 2024 draft meeting minutes.
Charles: Motion to accept the August 27, 2024 meeting minutes as amended.
Buchsbaum seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion carries (4-0).
Duffy abstains.
Duffy suggests that the Commission consider methods for streamlining future meetings to shorten
their length, noting that the late night meetings can be difficult. The Commissioners discuss the issue
and agree to explore it further. Charles suggests sending applicants advance instructions for testing
their Google Meet audio. The Commissioners discuss the possibility of returning to in-person
meetings in the future, although there are no plans to do so at this time.
11) Adjournment
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Duffy: Motion to adjourn. Bertoni seconds, Bertoni takes a roll call vote. Motion
carries (5-0).
Meeting adjourns at 10:05 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, October 15,
20245 at 6:30 p.m.
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