The February 1 meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission agenda was already light on public hearings when the two that were scheduled were not heard.
A Request for Determination of Applicability filed by William Clapp for property located at 0 Clapp Road for work outside resources areas was withdrawn by the applicant to be filed at a later date as a Notice of Intent. A Notice of Intent filed by the same applicant for the same location for the construction of a single-family dwelling with associated septic system, freshwater well and utilities was continued to February 15.
That left plenty of time for the commission to meet with Brian Wallace of JC Engineering regarding the vernal pool and drainage outfall pipe that predates the ongoing subdivision project at Plumb Corner.
Wallace offered a change in the approved plans to an existing outfall pipe after making a site visit with the town’s peer-review consultant, Ken Motta of Field Engineering and Conservation Commission Chairman Chris Gerrior. Wallace explained that approved plans allowed the existing 27-inch pipe to be cut back but otherwise left as is, given that calculations show virtually no change in water flow.
“But it would disturb the area to cut it back,” Wallace said. Gerrior confirmed that some vegetation would be impacted but believes it would rebound in subsequent growing seasons. Wallace said the pipe could be left as is with possibly a few rocks being placed at the opening to slow down water flow.
Commissioner Dan Gagne questioned the ability of the pipe to perform adequately given it was partially clogged with sediment. He also said that planned cleaning of the pipe would cause an increase in flow into the wetland systems, possibly coming in conflict with wetland regulations. Gagne also pushed forward the need to have updated engineered plans if the approved plan is to be changed. “You need to show us what you are going to do,” he said.
After further discussion including more thoughts on whether the pipe, which has been part of a subsurface drainage system for some 30 years, should be cut off or left as is, discussion came full circle.
Wallace said several times that he could revisit drainage calculations for either leaving the pipe as is or cutting it back and cleaning it out, but in the end when asked by Gerrior if he’d prefer to leave the approved plan as is, Wallace opted to leave the permitted plans in place.
In business matters, it was brought to the commission’s attention that some members had not signed permits, some of which were 21 days old as of Tuesday.
Commissioner Ben Bailey said he does not want to call anyone out but suggested that emails are sent reminding commissioners their signature is needed and that they be named in the email. He said it is unfair to applicants to delay permits in this way. A motion was made and carried to include the names of missing commission signatures. “It’s part of being on the commission,” Gerrior reminded all.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell