2012-03-26CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Conservation Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE: March 26, 2012
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: David Lang, Chairman, Tony Paluzzi, Vice Chairman, Kate
Glidden, Bill Squibb and Robert Buchsbaum
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Anne Grant
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Amy Maxner, Environmental Planner
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDER: Jane Dooley
Lang calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Beverly City Hall, 3 rd Floor Council Chambers,
191 Cabot Street, Beverly.
Certificate of Compliance
Cont: 400 Hale Street, DEP File #5 -463 — construct baseball & soccer field — Endicott College
Applicant asked Commission to move this to later in the meeting.
Recess for Public Hearing
Paluzzi moves to recess for public hearings. Seconded by Squibb. Motion carries 4 -0.
Notices of Intent
Cont: 400 Hale Street, DEP File #5 -1070 — athletic field improvements
John Amato and Joe Orzel are present representing the applicant, Endicott College. Orzel notes that
at the last Conservation Commission meeting he provided an additional report and information from
Amato's February 10th memorandum regarding zinc and secondary stormwater, as well as the
planting plan and areas proposed for planting, and maintenance /removal of invasive species and
management. He also provides details as to planting within the rip rap slope by findings suitable
pockets to add soil and place plantings.
In response to Lang, Orzel states there is four feet in the rip rap wall where soil would be added in
between the rocks in areas. He summarizes the goal is to find natural soil and supply material for
plantings to grow. He notes that there is vegetation growing in the riprap.
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DRAFT March 26, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 4
Orzel describes information about chromium levels at the football field. After discussion with their
consultant, the area was tested for natural /background chromium and found to be very low at one
part per million, so this is below a reportable threshold condition.
In response to Maxner, Orzel mentions that there is a memo describing this information that was
supplied to the Commission. He addresses revision from February 16, 2012 that includes this memo
with chromium data on page 6 and is in summary that Gulf of Maine prepared that was also
submitted via email.
Lang inquires about revision from January 30 and subsequent February 16 memo that contained
statement and assumption about 80% removal of zinc from stormwater discharge surface waters on
page 7 of 7 above conclusion section. Amato explains assumption was based on University of New
Hampshire stormwater report that contained their analysis and reinforced that institutions have
found similar results. The suspended material can be filtered off with retention and sand filters in
the leaching system and it is also diluted. He notes that this reinforces their conclusion of non -
reportable limits.
In response to Maxner who asks if they have recommendations in the conclusions that could be
used for special conditions, Amato says there is one outlet with a sand filter and they could be
called back depending upon the results.
Orzel also mentions the upgrading in 100 -foot buffer zone at the bottom of the slope that would be a
combination of sand and rock berm for filtering. Also in the 25' NDZ they are reducing the impact
in an already disturbed area. The leachng basin has been widened improving the distance water goes
before reaching wetland.
He highlights areas outlined in memo, rip rap slope where wetlands are at the very base of the rip
rap. Maxner mentions protocol where cutting of the invasive plants call for a cut two inches above
surface grade. Orzel says all invasive plants would be manually cut and removed by hand, and the
protocol is the same for all species.
Orzel notes that he heard wood frog chorusing activity within the wetland to the east in the vicinity
of Wetland Flag B 12, thus indicating a potential vernal pool. Lang asks if runoff from construction
and the cell tower access roadway could be rerouted away from vernal pool. Amato notes that based
on the elevation he thought this was possible with culvert installed at front of driveway and
connected to drainage system to the wetst. Discussion ensues about blasting needed for gravel
roadway (2 percent slope) and swale and small amount of flow expected.
Maxner reads an email from Sylvan Menezes of the Harbor Management Authority and Open Space
and Recreation Committee stating his concern that the Conservation Commission needs to ensure
that any lighting installed on the Endicott College fields are shielded. Menezes states in his writing
that he believes Endicott College's current ball field is the worst light polluter in the region. Also,
that these unshielded lights creates a hazard to navigation and hinder night views of the sky.
Maxner mentions that navigation and night views of the sky are not wetlands related problems but
notes the current lights are similar to a beacon that can be seen for miles.
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DRAFT March 26, 2012 Meeting Minutes
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Amato provides a illumination map that shows light levels at certain distances from the light
stanchions noting that the new lights will be shielded and as old lights are replaced they will be
equipped with shields also. He states the college campus does not leave lights on when they are not
being used. Lang says the ball field lighting is not a Conservation Commission issue but is a
legitimate concern for the neighborhood. Orzel mentions that new lights would be shielded and
replacement lights would get shields to reduce light leakage and reduce operating cost.
Maxner reviews the draft special conditions and asks about Special Condition # I. a., which would
include pre - construction installation of monitoring wells. Discussion ensues about grass samples at
the discharge point, and rigorous surface water program versus groundwater. Lang agrees that three
grab samples of surface water should be analyzed rather than substrate but states monitoring wells
might not be needed in this instance. He notes the conditions would apply to heavy metals. He
provides language to Special Condition #2 and #3.
Lang suggests ongoing special conditions include samples from manholes, and cleanout within
drainage system for total discharge with surface water sampling for same constituent in wetland
area where pipe discharges. He notes there should be three rounds the first year and must be taken
during a rain event. He notes that after that the Commission will reconsider in the second year based
on what is found the first year. Orzel mentions that construction is expected to finish in September
and 12 -month out sampling will be used from when construction is complete.
In response to Maxner, Amato explains that the O &M plan for drainage system states that all runoff
water that came to the field is filtered. The system has a catch basin with a sump that is cleaned out
yearly. System with catch basin would be outside the field with a sump that would be cleaned and
could be tested as well. Discussion ensues about terminal manhole and monitoring of drainage
systems at field.
Maxner mentions that Commission's findings will state that work is in the No Disturb Zone, that
comparative analysis was done relative to conditioning of field and rationale about waiver criteria
of work in the NDZ and mitigation to restore NDZ. She stresses that heavy -duty, (i.e., 18 -inch with
silt fence and trenches within limits of ledge) effective erosion control at the base of the wall must
be done. Mulch will be used to fill voids. Another condition discussed would require a culvert and
catch basin or sump at the base of the gravel access drive to bring water to drainage system away
from wetlands along the B series flags. Maxner asks a question about the special condition that
speaks to the specific gravity of cryogenic rubber of 1.1 %. Amato recommends a better protective
condition is to require that less than 5% of the infill material passes a number 40 sieve.
Squibb moves to close the hearing. Glidden seconds motion. The motion carries 4 -0.
Buchsbaum arrives.
Certificate of Compliance
Cont: 400 Hale Street, DEP File #5 463 — construct baseball & soccer field — Endicott College
Conservation Commission
DRAFT March 26, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 4
Maxner mentions it was difficult to gauge if the limit of work was violated with additional grading
and installation of rip rap for this project and it was determined that mitigation for the overextended
work needed mitigation. She notes that the proposed planting mitigation as part of the synthetic turf
field seems to have addressed that issue.
Paluzzi moves to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Squibb seconds motion. The motion carries 4 -0.
Order of Conditions
675C Hale Street, DEP File #5 -1070 — proposed gas line
Maxner states that the Commission inadvertently missed voting on this Order of Conditions, which
is for a proposed gas line that will be installed along existing wood road. She suggests special
condition would be that immediately after backfilling the trench they need to lay down native seed
grass and hay in at least the steep part of not whole area to stabilize it. Members agree.
Paluzzi moves that the Commission issue the Order of Conditions with Standard Conditions and the
special condition as discussed. Seconded by Buchsbaum. The motion carries 5 -0.
Other Notes of Business
Maxner asks Buchsbaum to review draft letter regarding the Commission's review of the proposed
Forestry Management Plan for Thissell Street, owner Vaughan. Buchsbaum agrees.
Maxner reminds Commission about its site visit on Wednesday night at 50 Dunham Road. Also on
Monday, April 2 there will be an honoring of Dr. Johnson for his service to the Conservation
Commission with the City Council and the Mayor with a proclamation and invites the members to
attend if they can.
Maxner notes that the next Conservation Commission meeting is on April 3 rd and the Commission's
newest member, Chris Bertoni, will be starting her tenure at that meeting.
Adiournment
There being no further business to come before the Commission this evening, Paluzzi moves to
adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Glidden. The motion carries 5 -0.
The meeting adjourns at 8:00 p.m.