3_22_2021 Con Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission
March 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: March 22, 2021
LOCATION: Remotely held meeting through Google Hangouts Meet
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum,
David Alden-St. Pierre, Richard Grandoni, Bill Squibb
MEMBERS ABSENT: Stephanie Herbster
OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta
RECORDER: Sarah Scott-Nelson
Call to Order
Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Bertoni reads the virtual meeting guidelines and
notes 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.
Orders of Conditions
60 South Terrace, DEP File 45-1318
The Commission recaps the project and previous discussion from the March 16, 2021 hearing.
Buchsbaum reads the proposed special conditions for the project site. Buchsbaum moves to issue
an Order of Conditions under the MA Wetlands Protection Act and Beverly Wetlands Ordinance
with the special conditions as discussed, as well and the standard general and perpetual
conditions. Seconded by Alden-St. Pierre. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 5-0.
91 Lothrop Street, DEP File 45-1313
The Commission discusses the project and recaps previous discussion from the March 16, 2021
hearing. Buchsbaum reads the proposed special conditions. Alden-St. Pierre moves to issue an
Order of Conditions for the project under the MA Wetlands Protection Act and Beverly
Wetlands Ordinance with the special conditions as discussed, as well and the standard general
and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Buchsbaum. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion
carries 5-0.
44 Prince Street, DEP File 45-1321
The Commission discusses the project and recaps previous discussion from the March 16, 2021
hearing. Buchsbaum reads the suggested conditions for the site. Buchsbaum moves to issue an
Order of Conditions for the project under the MA Wetlands Protection Act and Beverly
Wetlands Ordinance with the special conditions as discussed, as well and the standard general
and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Grandoni. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion
carries 5-0.
Beverly Conservation Commission
March 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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33 Kennel Hill Drive, DEP File 45-1322
The Commission recaps the discussion from the March 16, 2021 hearing and discusses the
proposed conditions for the project. Bertoni reads the proposed special conditions for the site and
adds that drainage will be drained outside of the 25 Foot Buffer and that plantings should be
approved by the Conservation Agent if they differ from those presented. Pirrotta notes that the
Commission previous discussed moving one of the markers to the edge of lawn. Buchsbaum
moves to issue an Order of Conditions for the project with the special conditions as discussed, as
well and the standard general and perpetual conditions. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll
call vote. The motion carries 5-0.
Requests for Certificates of Compliance
New: 44 Prince Street, DEP File#5-907—David Carnevale
Bob Griffin of Griffin Engineering, representing the applicant, explains the project to construct a
seasonal floating dock system with concrete anchors. The Commission asks about the special
condition of the float being stored off-site. Griffin confirms that the applicant hauls the float
away during the off-season. Pirrotta reports she conducted a site inspection and the property was
stable and the float was not located on the property at the time of inspection. The Commission
discusses adding the off-site storage of the float as a special perpetual condition.
Alden-St. Pierre moves to issue a complete Certificate of Compliance with the conditions as
discussed. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 5-0.
New: 44 Prince Street, DEP File#5-910—David Carnevale
Griffin explains the completed project which including construction of a house addition,
relocating the garage, and reconfiguring the pool and driveway. He notes that the work was
completed in 2006 and the site is stable with no signs of erosion, noting a few differences
between the As-Built and the Approved Plans. Griffin addresses the presence of the Bocce court,
which was not on the approved plan. There are no signs of erosion and the court is very well
protected. Pirrotta agrees that the site was stable and that the Bocce court is within the lawn area.
Bertoni notes that the Bocce court should be moved out of the 25-Foot No Disturbance Zone.
Griffin asks that the hearing be continued so that he can discuss this issue the applicant.
Buchsbaum moves to continue the discussion to the April 6, 2021 meeting. Seconded by Squibb.
Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 5-0.
Old/New/Other Business
Enforcement Orders
Beverly Conservation Commission
March 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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Cont.: 11113 Bay View Avenue
Pirrotta notes that the applicant previously asked to continue the discussion to a time in the
spring and schedule a site visit at the continued date. Griffin notes that the applicant offers April
3, 2021 as a convenient time for the Commission to visit. The Commission decided to schedule a
site visit once the Commission knows when other site visits will occur, at the following meeting
on April 6, 2021.
Tree Removals, If Any
7 Iverson Road
Pirrotta explains the proposed removal of a leaning Norway maple tree. The Commission
discusses that since it is leaning and an invasive species, it would be acceptable to remove.
Buchsbaum moves to approve the tree removal request for 7 Iverson Road with the standard
conditions as discussed. Seconded by Bertoni. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries
5-0.
30 Wed2emere Road
Pirrotta presents the request for the removal of seven white pine trees. Bertoni expresses her
concern about the amount of trees requested to be removed. Thomas Curran, the applicant,
explains that recently a large branch fell on the roof and branches fall on the property regularly.
The Commission agrees that this proposal should be reviewed under a Request for Determination
of Applicability and is not appropriate under the hazard tree removal protocol. The Commission
schedules a site visit for March 27, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. Curran notes that he will be there unless he
gets called into work.
Tree Removal Protocol Update
The Commission discusses updating the tree removal protocol. Discussion includes allowing
administrative approval of the removal one or two trees provided an assessment is provided by
an arborist and after consulting with the Chair and Vice Chair. This would allow approval
through a letter request and adding a cap of removing a maximum of four trees at a time. The
Commission also notes that Beech tree removal requests should always come before the
Commission. Pirrotta will create a draft for the Commission's review at a future meeting.
Other
11 Juniper Road, DEP File#5-1310
Pirrotta notes that the applicant has proposed a minor change to the approved plan which would
reduce the size of the patio and there would be an overall reduction in impervious surfaces within
the buffer. Edward Plummer, the applicant, notes that this plan does not change the original
intent of the project and wanted to confirm whether he would need to file a modification request.
The Commission does not have any objections to this minor change in work footprint and
acknowledges the reduction in work.
Beverly Conservation Commission
March 22, 2021 Meeting Minutes
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Beverly Golf and Tennis
Pirrotta reports that the Planning Department received complaints about tree-cutting and brush
removal at Beverly Golf and Tennis near wetlands. Pirrotta notes that there were less than 10
trees and some shrubs which were removed. Bertoni suggests an RDA be filed which can include
the additional work they would like to complete at the property.
128 Boulder Lane
Pirrotta reports she received complaints about work occurring at this site near wetlands and notes
that there are no plans on file with the City for any proposed work. There is no approved wetland
resource area delineation on the property to and the work spans a large area. In response to
Squibb's question, Pirrotta reports that there are certified vernal pools on site but a cease and
desist enforcement order has not yet been issued. Bertoni stresses the importance of a cease and
desist notification to the property owner and tree cutters and having a delineation before moving
forward. Squibb moves to issue a cease and desist letter for the tree-cutting occurring on this
parcel with the conditions as discussed. Buchsbaum seconds. Bertoni takes a roll call vote and
the vote passes unanimously.
Senior Center Community Walks
Pirrotta describes a series of walks that are being hosted by the Beverly Council on Aging and
invites any interested members of the Commission to volunteer to host a walk.
Adiournment
Alden-St. Pierre moves to adjourn at 9:17 p.m. Seconded by Buchsbaum. Bertoni takes a roll call
vote. The motion carries 5-0. The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission is
Tuesday, April 6, 2021 held virtual over Google Meet.