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10_26_2021 Cons Com Minutes - final Beverly Conservation Commission October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 3 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: Beverly Conservation Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: October 26, 2021 LOCATION: Virtual Meeting Access Only via Google Meet MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Christine Bertoni, Vice Chair Robert Buchsbaum, David Alden-St. Pierre, William Squibb MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: Environmental Planner Jenna Pirrotta RECORDER: Stacia Chamberlain 1. Chair Bertoni calls the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and reads the public notice regarding holding meetings remotely due to Covid-19. 2. Recess for Public Hearings Alden-St. Pierre moves to recess for public hearings. Seconded by Squibb. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 3-0,with Buchsbaum abstaining due to technical problems. 3. Notice of Intent/Abbreviated Notices of Intent/Requests for Amended Orders of Conditions a. New: 37 Paine Avenue,No DEP File # as of posting—repair and maintenance of seawall, retaining wall, steps, and patio with associated site work— Scott Patrowicz, P.E. Documents Reviewed: Notice of Intent application and site plans by Patrowicz Land Development Engineering, dated October 12, 2021 This item is taken out of order since the applicant for the first item has not yet arrived. Pirrotta reads the legal notice. The first applicant arrives and the Commission postpones the hearing on this topic until after the next item. b. Cont: 181 Elliott Street,No DEP File # as of posting—re-grade parking lot and install two storm water inlet structures—Beverly Commerce Park, LLP Documents Reviewed: Notice of Intent application and plans dated September 21, 2021 by Cummings Properties, Stormwater letter by Hancock Associates dated September 22, 2021 Charlie Wear of Hancock Associates and Steve Drohosky,Vice President of Cummings Properties, are present to discuss the proposed project. Drohosky itemizes progress made on the requested information from the Commission during the previous hearing on October 5, 2021. Drohosky recaps the proposal and notes that comments on the project were provided in an email to Pirrotta dated October 19, 2021 from Mike Collins, Beverly Department of Services Commissioner. Pirrotta reads the email for the record. Drohosky adds that Beverly Conservation Commission October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 comments were also provided by Eric Barber, Beverly City Engineer, dated October 5, 2021, which Pirrotta also reads. Bertoni solicits comments from Commission members. Buchsbaum asks about the size of the pipes and water capacity. Drohosky clarifies that there would be two new pipes in the general area that the City formerly proposed constructing a new drainage structure, one of which has already been installed without approval. Drohosky asserts that ultimately the water will still go to the same place into Shoe Pond, so there will be no increase in runoff. Squibb asks about grading; Drohosky clarifies that the grading in the parking lot will create a slight bowl to direct water into the catch basins and to shed water away from the buildings and into the pond. Drohosky adds that he hopes that Mass DEP will provide comments soon so that they will be able close the hearing at the next meeting. Buchsbaum asks about pond sedimentation and the need to remove it. Lee Yaffa, 201 Elliott Street, asks about the volume of water flowing into Shoe Pond during a storm. He is concerned with the work on the culvert leading out to the Bass River. Drohosky confirms that this proposal does not affect the outlet to the Bass River and that the previously proposed work in that area by the City is no longer going forward. Drohosky confirms that the volume of water entering Shoe Pond will be the same. Reuel Liebert, 201 Elliott Street, comments that he believes the quantity of water that Shoe Pond can hold has decreased over time. He refers to the letter from the City Engineer, recommending a consultant to be hired to look at the overall stormwater management and asks if one has been hired. Drohosky replies that they were not asked to hire a consultant to analyze the entire watershed. He adds that Cummings Properties has requested the City to clean the culvert to reduce sedimentation and that the City is aware of the request. Yaffa asks who owns the two ponds and Drohosky clarifies they are not owned by the City. Yaffa asks if Cummings Properties would dredge the pond; Drohosky answers that they would like the City to dredge it. Drohosky solicits the Commission to do anything further to acquire a DEP filing number and comments from DEP. At this time,there are several technical problems due to a tropical storm. Pirrotta has dropped out of the meeting. Squibb moves to continue the hearing to the next meeting on November 16, 2021. Seconded by Buchsbaum. Bertoni takes a roll call vote. The motion carries 4-0. a. New: 37 Paine Avenue,No DEP File # as of posting—repair and maintenance of seawall, retaining wall, steps, and patio with associated site work— Scott Patrowicz, P.E. The Commission resumes discussion on this item from earlier on the agenda. Scott Patrowicz of Patrowicz Development and Engineering representing the applicant discusses the proposed project including and describes the repair of the seawall and maintenance of the existing retaining wall, steps, and patio. Patrowicz notes that Collins Engineering will be overseeing Beverly Conservation Commission October 26, 2021 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 the seawall repair work. Bertoni asks if the seawall repair would provide habitat improvement. Bertoni notes that the Commission no longer has a quorum due to technical issues from the storm and the meeting cannot continue. She continues this hearing to the next meeting on November 16, 2021. 4. Adiournment Bertoni adjourns the meeting at 7:55 p.m. as there is no longer a quorum of the Commission in attendance due to technical issues from the storm. The next regular meeting of the Conservation Commission will be held on Tuesday,November 16, 2021.