Conservation Commission Meeting: August 19, 2025

Note: this public meeting and public hearing were conducted in person at the Annex, with a remote teleconferencing option available for public participation. Public participation details were posted with the agenda.

Members in attendance: Holly Palmgren, Brian Keevan, Bonnie Hirsh, Jennifer Vuona, Jeff Hoodlet

Members in attendance remotely:

Applicants and others in attendance: Larry Greene Jr; MaryAnn DiPinto; Luke Maalouf

Applicants and others in attendance remotely:

Votes taken in the following actions are “all in favor” unless noted otherwise.

Holly Palmgren called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

Item 1: 7:02 P.M. Continuation of a public hearing for an NOI for 175 Brooks Station Rd Lot 1 Driveway – Three Oaks Environmental has filed an NOI (DEP File #267-0467) on behalf of Pickoff Properties for a new driveway off an existing common driveway at 175 Brooks Station Rd to access the newly created backlot. A site visit was held on August 17, 2025 (Holly, Bonnie, Brian, and Jeff attended with MaryAnn DiPinto). Revised wetland flags were installed; stakes were installed along the centerline of the proposed driveway and at either end of the proposed culvert under the driveway; stakes were also installed along the perimeter of the proposed wetland replication area. There was one flag #9 that was missing. In the field there was some discussion about the wetland line and whether the proposed culvert was enough for the visible flow pattern. A revision to the 6/16/25 plan was presented to the commission at the meeting. Another culvert has been added in the second flow path; both culverts will be 24” HDPE pipes embedded 6” with a natural bottom.  The footage of wetland impact expanded a small amount with the change in the wetland line to include the low area along the driveway that does see water flow, but the replication area is larger than 1:1.  There was discussion about the feasiblilty of installing silt fence and the consensus seemed to settle on the idea that 12” wattles would suffice. The commission voted to close the hearing at 7:44 p.m. Discussion commenced on conditions: 1 Wetland scientist must be on site during construction and seeding/planting of the replication area; 2 applicant shall submit a revised plan (for approval by the PCC by vote at a public meeting) showing additional erosion control on the north side of the crossing area portion of the driveway, the limit of work in the buffer zone of any work including the driveway and any clearing, and all erosion control shall be minimum 12” wattle instead of the silt fence/10” combination;  3 no work shall occur in any wetland buffer zone or resource area that is not shown on the final approved plan. The commission voted at 8:05 p.m. to issue an Order of Conditions with the standard special conditions and the additional conditions as discussed.

Item 2: 8:07 P.M.  Continuation of a public hearing for a Notice of Intent filed (DEP file number 267-0468) by American Tower Company for repairs to an existing access road including culvert replacements and vegetation management for Princeton MA 1 Tower Facility Site No 35 off Thompson Road. Applicant requested a continuation to September. Members voted to continue the hearing at the September 16, 2025 meeting at 8:07 p.m.

Item 3: 8:08 p.m. Request for a Certificate of Compliance for file 267-0439, 22 Old Brooks Station Road.  A site visit was held on Monday August 11, 2025 (Holly, Brian, Paul G, and the current homeowners). The area was more than 75% stabilized with grass cover but the site was very dry and there is more need for seeding.  The members voted to issue a Certificate of Compliance at 8:11 p.m.

8:12 p.m. Not an agenda item.  Town Hall received a call from Martha Upton about work on 5 Rhodes Road. Workers showed up to start construction and apparently they were working from a different site/septic plan than the one that was approved under the Order of Conditions. Holly will email the current landowner and copy Linda and Terri.

Item 4: Potential new member discussion. Jeff Hoodlet says he is ready to join as a voting member. The PCC voted to recommend to the Select Board that they appoint Jeff to a position as a full member at 8:38 p.m.

Luke Maalouf had emailed Holly asking about joining the commission. He has lived in town for 9 years, has a degree in civil engineering and has worked as a water engineer for a year. We will include him on the next meeting emails and have him come on the next site visits so he can see the process.

Updates on ongoing projects: 8:49 p.m.

• Holly updated the PCC on her site visit to NEADS on July 30^th at their request to review a minor change to the electrical supply equipment. She explained that the change was very minor and did not change the footprint of the work area.
• The PCC visited Sam Cobb Lane on August 17 and reviewed the site restoration work on the downstream side of the road performed as part of the road resurfacing project and the Order of Conditions. We noted that more fill may need to be removed to get to the original soil. Holly will email Ben.
• The PCC visited the Wachusett Mountain ski area on August 17 with Larry Greene Jr. to inspect the work on the lift pole bases within the areas reviewed under the RDA. The bases have been poured but were not yet backfilled.  Lar sent Holly pictures showing that the holes have since been backfilled.
• Holly has received a farm plan for Four Corners. We will add review and discussion to the agenda for September.

Item 5: Minutes.  9:00 p.m. Policies and procedures discussion. Tabled for tonight.  Jennifer will draft a snow and site visit policy. Jennifer and Bonnie will work on website design needs.

Item 6: Minutes.  9:03 p.m. PCC voted to approve the minutes from 6/24/2025 as drafted at 9:07 p.m.

OTHER BUSINESS

• Building Permit subcommittee update: Bonnie is up to date.
• Forest Cutting plans: None received.
• Commission business; correspondence; mail; procedures; etc..

The next meeting of the PCC is scheduled for September 16, 2025.

Commissioners voted to adjourn at 9:07 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Keevan