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10-20-20 Con Com Minutes - FINAL Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page1of6 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission  SUBCOMMITTEE:  DATE: October 20, 2020 LOCATION: Remotely held meeting through Google Hangouts Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum, Stephanie Herbster, David Dines, Richard Grandoni,  William Squibb  MEMBERS ABSENT:  OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta RECORDER: Sarah Scott-Nelson Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and reads the virtual meeting guidelines, noting that the meeting is being held in accordance with temporary Open Meeting Law adjustments due to the State of Emergency associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. Approval of Minutes September 9, 2020 The Commission reviews the draft minutes and offers edits. Buchsbaum moves to approve the  September 9, 2020 minutes as amended. Seconded by Grandoni. The motion carries 6-0.  September 29, 2020 The Commission reviews the draft minutes and offers edits. Buchsbaum moves to table the minutes for September 29, 2020 until the Commission can double check the discussion under 32  Dunham Road. Seconded by Dines. The motion carries 6-0. Recess for Public Hearings Buchsbaum moves to recess for public hearings. Seconded by Herbster. The motion carries 6-0. Notices of Intent/Abbreviated Notices of Intent/Requests for Amended Orders of Condi- tions Cont: 5 Salters Avenue, DEP #5-1311 construct a garage addition, deck, and associated appur- tenances at an existing residence Andrew & Lori Glazier Bill Manuell of Wetlands and Land Management, representing the applicant, recaps the project and the Commission site walk. Buchsbaum asks about the pruning protocol and why the appli- cant would not cut and remove the invasive plants. Manuell explains that while there are some invasive species on the slope, they do serve to stabilize the bank, and their removal could cause deterioration of the bank. Buchsbaum suggests shade-tolerant pollinator plants for the front yard to be discussed as a condition. There were no comments from members of the public. Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page2of6 There being no further questions or comments, Buchsbaum moves to close the hearing. Se- conded by Herbster. The motion carries 5-0-1, with Grandoni abstaining. New: 55 Ober Street, (No DEP file # as of posting) City of Beverly, c/o Michael Collins Pirrotta reads the legal notice. Eric Barber Beverly City Engineer, representing the applicant, ex- plains the plans to repair the existing seawalls and walkway and install new walkway. Mike Col- lins, City of Beverly Commissioner of Public Services and Engineering, explains that the seawall damage at Lynch Park is from a past and that the repair will be for durability and en- hancing access for guests. Collins states that the project will use FEMA funding and that ideally the wall at Woodbury Beach would be rebuilt, but may be repointed only, if enough funding is not received. In response to question, Collins clarifies that the repointing work will be done by hand and from the upland side where possible. Squibb asks about the plans for repairing the carriage house. Bertoni asks whether there is an existing Chapter 91 li- cense for the seawalls and Collins notes that the Woodbury Beach seawall is located just above the mean high water line. There were no comments from members of the public. The Commission schedules a site visit for Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Buchsbaum moves to continue the hearing to Novem- ber 10, 2020 meeting. Seconded by Dines. The motion carries 6-0. Reconvene Regular Meeting Grandoni moves to reconvene the regular meeting. Seconded by Bertoni. The motion carries 6-0. Requests for Determination of Applicability Cont: 22 Hobart Avenue retain and remove portions of existing turf, walkway, and driveway Joseph Grein George Zambouras P.E., representing the applicant, explains changes to the plan following the site visit looking at infiltration. Zambouras states that the best option for infiltration is to remove the artificial turf area and restore to natural lawn and limit runoff by installing a shallow drain. Pirrotta reads a letter to the Commission from Eric Barber, the City Engineer, which was re- ceived earlier that day. Zambouras states that he has not had time to review the letter yet but doesn't have a problem with it and comments that the sewer easement is shown on the current plan. Barber notes that there is substantial sewer infrastructure under the property. The Commis- sion agrees that comments should be received from the Southern Essex Sewerage District (SESD) before the Commission votes on the request. Grandoni moves to continue the request until the November 10, 2020 meeting. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion carries 6-0. New: Abbott, Atlantic & Washington Streets seawall repairs Michael Collins Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page3of6 Pirrotta reads the legal notice. Mike Collins explains the project to repair and repoint existing seawalls at the end of public rights of ways, resulting from storm damage over time. Bertoni asks if there is there are existing Chapter 91 Licenses for the walls. Collins reports that he does not know at this time and there are delays in responses from MassDEP Waterways. Bertoni asks about past maintenance and Collins reports that minor patching was done in the past. Bertoni reads suggested conditions. Dines moves to issue a Negative 2 and 3 determination with the conditions as discussed. Se- conded by Grandoni. The motion carries 6-0. Requests for Certificates of Compliance New: 728 Cabot Street, DEP File #5-1299 house renovations, landscaping, and sewer connec- tion Thomas Berube Bill Manuell of Wetlands and Land Management, representing the applicant recaps the com- pleted work and requests a complete Certificate of Compliance. Pirrotta reports that she held a site inspection and that the site was stable and the work was completed but there were some mi- nor deviations. Pirrotta asks the Commission about ongoing hand removal of invasives. The Commission discusses including the perpetual conditions as noted in the Order and that planting area be left to naturalize. Dines moves to issue a complete Certificate of Compliance with the ongoing conditions as dis- cussed. Seconded by Herbster. The motion carries 6-0. Old/New/Other Business Modification to Order of Conditions Cont: 59 Ober Street, DEP File #5-1278 Greg Hochmuth of Williams and Sparages, representing the applicant explains the changes to the approved project, including relocation of the fence line and addition of a landscape plans. Hochsmuth notes that the fence is within existing lawn and notes that a revised plan was submit- ted that shows the fence line more clearly. Dines moves to issue the minor modification as discussed. Seconded by Grandoni. The motion carries 6-0. Cont: 32 Dunham Road, DEP File #5-1300 Peter Ogren of Hayes Engineering, representing the applicant, explains the work requested for approval under the minor modification, including the repaving and catch basin improvements. The applicant, John Coughlin, expresses that the current plan is the best option to improve storm- water conditions. The Commission appreciates the improvements as part of the revised plan. Bertoni reads the proposed conditions for the modified project. Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page4of6 Squibb moves to approve the minor modification with the conditions as discussed. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion carries 6-0. Enforcement Orders Cont: 29 Roderick Avenue Pirrotta reports that there are no updates, but the Commission is expecting updated information by the next meeting, including a restoration plan. Potential violation 11 Bay View Avenue Pirrotta recounts an anonymous report of work occurring at the beach and along an intermittent stream and reports observing what looked like new sod. The Commission reviews suggested lan- guage to include in the enforcement order including receipt of a restoration plan by December 28, 2020 for review at the January 5, 2021 meeting. Squibb moves to issue the enforcement order with the conditions as discussed. Seconded by Grandoni. The motion carries 6-0. Minor Project Permits, If Any 95 Sam Fonzo Drive Pirrotta reports issuance of a Minor Project Permit for gas line installation within an existing paved area in the 100-Foot Buffer to wetlands. Conditions include immediate backfilling and re- storing to existing conditions. The Commission reported no objections. Cont: Waring School soccer field encroachment Pirrotta reports meeting with Mayor Cahill and discussing the encroachment. There seems to be no other options for shifting the soccer field on the Waring School property while keeping the same dimensions, due to wetland resource locations and other structures. Cont: Beverly Airport update on Vegetation Management Program Airport Solutions Group Pirrotta recaps a meeting with the Airport Manager and their consultant regarding filing a Certifi- cate of Compliance request for their vegetation management activities. This could allow the Air- port to conduct maintenance work under perpetual conditions to the approved condi- and require submittal of Yearly Opening Plans. Once the Commission receives the re- quest, a site inspection will be scheduled. Other: Discussion or Action Items Related to Commission Business, Correspondence, etc. Received/Issued After Publication of Agenda, If Any Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page5of6 Dodges Row Cemetery The Commission discusses a proposal for work at Dodges Row Cemetery including tree removal within the 100-Foot Buffer. David Perenchief, City of Beverly Agent describes the need for the work to identify burial areas and protect existing grave stones. The Commission agrees that an RDA would be appropriate for approval of the work. Buchsbaum notes that the re- source areas and buffers must be clearly shown on the plans. Thissell Marsh culvert Buchsbaum provides a recap for the Commission on the blockage of the culvert from Thissell Marsh to Patch Beach. It had become blocked and the property owner and Department of Public Services were looking to reestablish flow. Hand digging in combination with recent rains helped to remove the blockage. Orders of Conditions Cont: 5 Salters Avenue, DEP #5-1311 Andrew & Lori Glazier The Commission discusses including the following special conditions for 5 Salters Avenue, in addition to the standard general and perpetual conditions: 1.The mitigation planting area shall consist of a minimum of a 650 square foot area of con- version of lawn to a native planting area and the mitigation area shall be left to naturalize after planting. 2.The mitigation plantings shall exhibit 75% survivorship for not less than two growing seasons after their installation. A complete Certificate of Compliance shall not be issued until said survivorship is verified. 3.A species list for the pollinator gardens along with locations of the plantings shall be pro- vided to the Conservation Agent for review and approval, prior to installation. 4.Vegetation along the coastal bank may be selectively pruned by hand through targeted trimming at heights of no less than 4 feet, per the pruning protocol. This condition shall be on going beyond the issuance of a Certificate of Compliance. 5.The decaying tree stump in back yard may be removed. 6.Excess excavated soils from the garage foundation and fence post installation shall be re- moved from the site and properly disposed of at an appropriate facility. 7.There shall be gravel/crushed stone beneath the deck to minimize erosion. 8.Roof runoff from the addition shall be directed away from Coastal Bank. 9.The driveway shall be gravel/constructed using pervious materials. 10.The existing shed shall be relocated outside of the 25-Foot No Disturbance Zone. 11.Work on the existing steps within coastal bank including enlargement or repair is not ap- proved under this Order. Selective shrub pruning is allowed for safe access. 12.Yard waste and debris within the southeast corner of the coastal bank shall be removed and the area planted with shade-tolerant plantings to stabilize the bank. Beverly Conservation Commission October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes Page6of6 13.The two Norway maple trees to be removed near the garage addition shall be removed and replaced with a native species for review by the Conservation Agent, and the oak tree to the left of the driveway shall remain. Buchsbaum moves to issue an Order of Conditions under the state Wetlands Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Ordinance, with the conditions as discussed. Seconded by Squibb. The motion carries 5-0, with Grandoni abstaining. Adjournment Grandoni moves to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion car- ries 6-0. The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission is Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.