The Assistant Chair Lisa Bozzuto ran the meeting in Chair Ron Browker’s absence.
Terry Smith of MassWildlife attended the meeting to discuss the work proposed at the Boat Launch on Stockbridge Bowl. As a great pond, The Bowl is the property of the state. The work was first proposed some years ago when the Town voted $25,000 to augment the state’s work. Then there was the wait and now it is our turn.
Smith said he and his office paid close attention to the suggestions by ConCom and individual residents about the work proposed. They not only listened, Smith said, but revised the proposal to meet the demands and doubling the budget.
At issue were run off, impermeable surfaces, trees, and storm water in the case of “the 100 year storm.”
Sally Underwood-Miller pointed out the 100-year storm appears to be occurring annually.
In her letter, abutter Jane Iredale, wrote runoff goes from road unimpeded into the lake and is a pollutant. Iredale and her husband were also concerned about the trees as were Kate Fletcher and husband, Tom Stokes, also lake property owners.
The Chair thanked Smith for attending, for his diligent work, and desire to be responsive to local concerns.
Runoff was also an issue on Dugway Road. It is so severe, it is damaging the roadbed and now running into the brook across the road. Bozzuto asked that the issue be marked an emergency for immediate action.
Runoff is also a problem at The Marian property on Prospect Hill Road. However, ConCom consultant David Cameron reported that apparently there was remedial work done because, during a recent rainstorm, runoff was not a problem as it was earlier. However, Cameron could not confirm what was done as he has received no responses to his inquiries.
The greater problem apparently relates to The Bog on the property. Kampoosa Bog is a large, rare, and ecologically significant calcareous fen with one-of-a-kind species. With some heat, Bill Loutrel and Bill Resetarits said it seemed its importance was being ignored, and plans were “boilerplate.” With Sally Underwood-Miller, they reported that uncovered dirt was too close to the bog and not screened. Cameron said he would visit and report.
Finally Underwood-Miller said Jess Toro said there was a Conservation Restriction on the property not being honored.
National Grid will plant 23 trees next to Town Offices — on the perimeter — leaving the center free for other uses. In removing trees, per our bylaws, Nat Grid was responsible for planting replacement trees. Only 23 are needed so Nat Grid will reimburse the Town for trees not planted at a cost of $600 per tree.
Editor’s note: The Dover Amendment exempts religious and nonprofit educational uses of land from some local zoning restrictions, protecting them from prohibitions or regulations on their use of land or structures for these purposes. The law’s scope is broad, allowing for reasonable regulations. For example, wetland protection can be enforced and perhaps size and location of buildings but cannot prohibit or restrict the religious or educational purposes of the buildingis 2. Jess Toro is co-owner of Native Habitat Restoration.
