Conservation Commission – May 13, 2025
May 13, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom only
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81307558816
Meeting ID: 813 0755 8816
ALL ARE WELCOME
Agenda:
Railroad herbicide spraying: Berkshire and Eastern Railroad will start herbicide application along the ROW and around switches and signals on or after May 1, 2025 and finish on or around October 31, 2025. The certified applicator is Asplundh Railroad Division (215) 478-7264.
Open Space and Recreation Committee reports: Dan Leahy will provide an update on the 2023 OSRP; an update on the Landowner Outreach project in 2024; an update on the unfinished Judy Hall Conservation Restriction to be placed on lands she purchased from the Town and now owns at 78 Wickett Pond Road; and an update on mitigation for the Eversource Right-of-Way widening project (Transmission Right-of-Way Reliability Project or TRRP or WT-11) which we asked the OSRC to negotiate (see agenda packet for Dan’s email exchange with Eversource rep, Becky Weissman of SWCA).
FRCOG: Starting on May 1, 2025, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments took over the job of Building Inspector and Zoning enforcement for the Town of Wendell. As before, FRCOG will require that the Conservation Commission sign off on building permits.
The FCCIP (Building Inspector program with FRCOG) would like our input as to what types of building projects require a sign off from the Con Com. Please see the attached chart.
Jake Doody’s solar project: Receipt of 2nd OOC extension recording confirmation for Doody’s solar project on LV Rd. See attached.
47 Locke Hill Rd./Roylance property: Mary signed off on a building permit for a large shed.
Renewable Energy Facility Siting Clinic at MIT: Ward’s report on his discussion with Sophia Campbell, a Masters in City Planning student at MIT. Mary’s report on the MIT students’ meeting with Wendellites and National Grid on May 2.
Minutes and mail
Received the Road Commission’s bill from the Greenfield Recorder. I spoke with Suzanne in advertising (413-772-0261) who asked that the bill be given to the Road Commission, which I did. I asked her to inactivate the Con Com account since we now require applicants to pay the paper directly for their legal ads.
Received from National Grid notice of footer repair projects, which are considered normal maintenance. NG Maintenance 3.5.2025 info will post on May 12 if the new office scanner can be convinced to cooperate.
Received a Forest Cutting Plan for property on Gate Lane & West Main Street in Wendell and New Salem. The FCP will be provided subject to the above condition.
Please review and comment on the attached March minutes for approval.