Minutes of Conservation Commission

June 13, 2007

 

 

Present were: George Kingston, Chair; Jody O’Brien and Michael Salvon.  Martha Hamilton and Steve Niec were not present.  Mary Swords and Colleen Foerster recused themselves due to a conflict of interest.

 

Public Hearing regarding consent order for 714 Parker Street (former Bluebird Acres) 

 

At 7:10 p.m. The Chair, George Kingston continued the hearing due to lack of quorum and lack of a response from National Heritage.  He then asked Ms. Comee if she could briefly explain what they going to be doing.

 

Ms. Comee, Pioneer Environmental said the area was previously used as a paper recycling area and DEP issued a notice of non-compliance, a consent order and are forcing them to clean it up and take all of the piles of paper out of there.  She said then they have to restore it back to natural and in the mean when they placed all the piles of paper it blocked the natural flow of water and puddles formed and vegetation grew up in the puddles.  She said that the puddles are very stagnant, it’s non-diverse and is just disgusting and if the Commission wants to go out there to take a look they can access it through Apple Blossom Lane.  Ms. Comee said that they are proposing to excavate the piles of paper and then put it in a giant shifter and any of the smaller chunks that have broken down will fall through and the big chunks will be taken off site.        

 

Mr. Kingston asked what about the stuff that goes through?  Ms. Comee said that she thinks they are going to keep it and let that recycle as long as it can fit through the screens.  She said that segregation areas will be set up for the metal and wood and be trucked out and some of the paper that had plastic coating on it will be caught up in the screens.  She said the that the sheds, the pavilion/warehouse and water tank will all be taken out and the owner is responsible for the fee’s.

 

Mr. Salvon asked if it was a consent order to avoid fines?  Ms. Comee said yes.

 

Mr. Kingston asked where they are proposing to dispose everything?  Ms. Comee said the dump.  Mr. Kingston said that in the special conditions the Commission will probably request to see the receipts to ensure the proper disposal.  He asked Ms. Comee if Pioneer environmental had a contract with them to monitor it?  Ms. Comee said that they were just presenting it.  Mr. Kingston said that he would like to require an environmental firm of their choice, monitor the removal of the material and give the Commission a weekly report on it and also see some soil test after the material is removed to ensure that there are no residual environmental issues as a result of this.  He said one of the reasons for the monitoring would be if they uncover anything else while they are doing it and that the Commission would want to know about it.  He said all the Commission is asking is some assurance that it’s cleaned when it’s done and put in the conditions that an LSB supervise it and give the commission weekly reports, other than that he thinks it’s the right thing to do.

 

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Commission voted to continue the hearing until June 27th at 7:15 p.m.     

 

 

Miscellaneous

 

Mr. Kingston said that there continues to be an emergency order for the culvert on Porter Road where the beavers are working faster then DPW.

 

Mr. Kingston said that Nationalgrid is replacing poles between Parker Street and

Kibbe Road and have put in swamp mats which are basically giant pallets about 12 feet across to make a plank road across the wetlands.  He said that they are within their rights to do that and remove them once they are done. 

 

Order of Conditions – Excel Dryer, 357 Chestnut Street

 

The Commission signed and issued Order of Conditions and Special Conditions for Excel Dryer, DEP file #150-368.

 

 

There being no further business and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Commission voted unanimously to close the meeting at 7:30 p.m.

 

For the Commission,

 

 

 

George Kingston, Chair