Present:

• Ron Brouker, Chair
• Joe DeGiorgis
• Lisa Bozzuto
• Jamie Minacci
• Sally Underwood-Miller, Secretary

1. Minutes approved as written
2. Tom Ingersoll for “The Terrells” with respect to a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) regarding the cutting down of trees in a wetland. Ingersoll thought ConCom determined too much was proposed for removal. In an effort to get some work approved and done this winter, he was proposing:
   1. Scaling back amount to be cut down
   2. Limiting cutting to buckthorn, ash and honeysuckle
   3. To disturb ground less, not grinding/removing stumps
   4. Leaving some trunks where they fell to retain moisture, control erosion
   5. Using no herbicide
   6. Chair agreed it was a much better plan and asked if they would also replant
   7. Ingersoll said they would plant native groundcover
   8. Chair wanted guarantee of plantings
   9. Bozzuto appreciated how Ingersoll was taking care of the land
3. Site visit to 3 Ice Glen Road
4. 8 Hawthorne Road at the NE corner of Stockbridge Bowl — next to White Pines beach
   1. Property represented by an engineer and an attorney (neither gave a name)
   2. Remove existing house and septic replace with larger house and new septic system. In order to do that, cut down 61 trees.
   3. Underwood-Miller said it was tantamount to clear cutting and was concerned about the canopy. If 50% or more of canopy removed, it is of concern
   4. Bozzuto was concerned about erosion — wash into lake if so many trees removed- “roots absorb water” — and about habitat
   5. Underwood-Miller mentioned that it was habitat for nesting eagles. (bald eagles?)
   6. Attorney asserted ConCom could not stop the removal because it was “Not a protected resource area.”
   7. The attorney was relying on Commonwealth Wetland Protection Act. Underwood-Miller and Bozzuto were relying on that and a Town Bylaw that included habitat protection
   8. Lisa said ConCom had a role if there was the “likelihood of adverse impact”. Adverse impact could be on habitat as well as wetland or lake. The attorney seemed to think the Commonwealth Act — which apparently did not mention habitat — took precedence over the Town Bylaw.
   9. Minacci asked about coverage of the lot. It is 1/3 of an acre and a substantial size house is proposed (with a 3700 sq.ft. roof?).
   10. The lot is predominantly ledge so unclear how it would perc, how it could be built on, or how new trees could be planted if trees removed. DeGiorgis said in light of all that, it seemed prudent to poke a stick in the ground and find out how much soil there is.
   11. Engineer said they would “blast the ledge”
   12. ConCom agreed the cumulative effect of all this would have “adverse effect on habitat and lake”
   13. Seemed some agreement to review and amend tree-cutting plan
5. Upcoming business: Certificates of Compliance requested by Hill Engineering seemed to apply to a septic system at 1 Ice Glen; White Pines bridge okayed, and a document had to be signed; 2 Christian Hill Road will be coming before ConCom for RDA — building a pool and pool house
6. Performance Standards: to finish the standards, need an “editable” copy to edit and complete. Underwood-Miller suggested it then be sent to PB for coordination. Marie Raftery, VP PB, present and agreed to that process.

Meeting adjourned

Editor’s note: The Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) determines whether the Wetlands Protection Act applies to a proposed site or activity.