The year 1982 proved to be a very active time for the Conservation Commission. Hermann Field has been hard at work developing and writing our Open Space Plan. An IEP (Interdisciplinary Environmental Planning) intern, Beth Arndtsen, was hired to research and draw the necessary maps. The plan was accepted by the Board of Selectmen and forwarded to the State for their approval. The plan is now in its final stage of development. Upon acceptance by the State, the town will then be eligible for self-help funding which would result in up to 80% reimbursement to the town for land purchased by the Commission.
A gas pipeline was proposed in January by the New England States Pipeline Company with Shirley on its alternate route through Massachusetts. Two meetings were held in this area and members from the Commission attended. For now the project has been postponed, but the Commission will keep close surveillance on this activity as it could create a serious impact on the town.
Due to our concern with potential resource pollution, the Conservation Commission was involved in the proposed landfill site on Townsend Road. An April onsite was attended by the State DEQE (Department of Environmental Quality Engineering), the Shirley Board of Health, interested abutters, IEP (our consulting firm) and members of the Commission.
In June, Anthony Tucker filed a Notice of Intent to erect a garage on Walker Road within 100 feet of wetlands and flood plain areas. A hearing was held and the garage approved for storage of vehicles only. (File number 284-54). The Commission was involved in a gravel removal request from Martin Distributing Company on Clark Road. The Conservation Commission would have jurisdiction only when and if the operation involved wetlands and/or a brook. The heavy rains in June created problems for many townspeople and the Commission. A bridge on the Mill Race Trailer Park property spanning the Mulpus Brook was washed away. The bridge was repaired immediately under emergency procedures. A letter was sent to Robert Gonyer, park owner, informing him that he has to file with the Commission before undertaking further restoration of the banks around the bridge in question. The Commission has not received a Notice of Intent from him and the problem still exists.
In July, the Lake Shirley Association requested the lowering of Lake Shirley's water level to replace a wall and part of the dam. Although the State Department of Waterways, the Army Corps of Engineers, and DEQE were notified and became involved, it was left to the Shirley Conservation Commission to make the final decision as the dam is in Shirley and under the jurisdiction of the Commission. The Commission was concerned with the possibility of the dam breaking and causing heavy downstream flooding of the Catacunemaug Brook. Divers confirmed the corrosion of the floodgate and the undermining of the wall. A possible break could cause a threat to private and public wells, factories and homes in the downstream area. The Commission consulted IEP for recommendations and wrote up a stringent Order of Conditions. (File number 284-56). The lake was drained, repairs made and the lake allowed to refill.
A hearing was held in August for George V. Moore on his request to remove gravel on Lawton Road. IEP was used as our consultant. It was noted that the plan submitted to the Commission was the most fully detailed of all the gravel removal plans thus far submitted to the Town. The Commission issued an Order of Conditions after a public hearing was held. (File number 284-55). The problem of the mysterious effluent issuing from a stream beside the Brookside Tavern (File number 284-50) still exists and is still being investigated. An effluent problem exists at the Brookside Apartments. A Notice of Intent was filed and an Order of Conditions issued. (File number 284-60). In August a Cease and Desist was issued to the Bull Run Restaurant on Rt. 2A for altering and filling within 100 feet of a wetland, a brook and a flood zone area. A hearing was held and an Order of Conditions was written. The fill was removed and the problem resolved. (File number 284-61). On the proposed 162 acre Pyramid Mall on Fort Pond Road in Lancaster, the Commission is working with the Montachusett Planning Commission to reduce the impact on our natural resources, traffic, air, noise and ground water pollution by the possible construction of a shopping mail.
The Commission was asked by the Board of Selectmen to look at Class II and Class III licenses in the Town. (junk and Used Car Sales permits). The Commission has jurisdiction over two due to wetlands, brooks, and/or flood areas. B and D Used Auto Parts located on Rt. 2A has debris piled on the edge of a brook. The Commission has requested that this be removed or a filing of a Notice of Intent will be required.
Newhall's on Rt. 2A is located within a flood area according to the new Federal Flood information maps. Here the Commission is concerned with the location of cars and parts within the floodplain. Mr. Newhall has been asked to file a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission.
Chester Wheeler filed a Notice of Intent to construct a garage within a flood prone area on Rt. 2A. A hearing was held, and an Order of Conditions was issued. (File number 284-57). The garage has been built and a Certificate of Compliance given. Herfco made a request to remove gravel from a site on Rt. 2A. A Notice of Intent was filed and an Order of Conditions given. (File number 284-58).
A Cease and Desist was sent to Ronald Sheridan on Rt. 225 for filling a wetland and flood. area. A hearing was held and the Commission determined that all fill within 100 feet from the brook and wetland area bad to be removed. (File number 284-62). Filling of the area existed not only on the Sheridan property, but also on an abutter's property. If the fill is not removed, the Commission is concerned that downstream flooding will increase.
Two new sodium lights were installed at the Fredonian Park illuminating the entire area. Hopes are high that the pond will now be used by the townspeople for skating. The lights were put in to reduce vandalism and the cost of existing lighting. The Commission would like to see the facility used by the public and private groups for various social gatherings.
Extensions on current Wetlands Protection Act Order of Conditions were issued during 1982 to: 284-11 Stanley McNiff on Catacunemaug Road, 284-22 Morey and Deloury on Patterson Road, 284-30 Phil Draleau on Catacunemaug Road and 284-45 Craig Erban for Lake Shirley Beach. It should be noted that the Conservation Commission signs all building permits and we are requesting that if anyone is planning to build in a wet or questionable area, that they get in touch with the Commission as soon as possible. Sorry to say too many individuals have waited until the last minute to apply for their permits and sometimes these matters take a bit of time to process. Anyone interested in looking over the Federal Insurance Flood Maps can find a set in the Town Clerk's Office. These maps should give potential builders an idea as to whether their land is within flood prone areas.
As can be seen from the matters dealt with by the Conservation Commission, our concerns are very simply; good water, clean air and a healthy environment. We ask that anyone proposing work in or within 100 feet of a wetland, brook, or flood area contact the Conservation Commission. It is only by working together that we will be able to effectively protect the Town of Shirley's natural resources.
Respectfully submitted,