Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes

• Meeting Called To Order at 6:00PM

• Public Input for items not on the Agenda: None

• Review of Meeting Minutes 10-11-2022, & 11-8-2022: Huntoon motions to approve Meeting Minutes for 10-11-22, & 11-8-22, Litchfield seconds, Vote 3-0, Mitchell abstains.

• Discussion and Vote to authorize the Conservation Commission Chair to sign a letter document certifying/designating important Agricultural land of importance by identifying important farmland soils in the Town of Hinsdale: Mitchell motions to allow Chair of Conservation Commission to sign Farmland of Local importance for Agricultural Land Easement for Town of Hinsdale, Huntoon seconds, Vote 4-0.

• File #181-0077, Request for Extension for Ashmere Lake Herbicide treatment. Applicant is Town of Hinsdale: Huntoon motions to issue 3 year Extension with all conditions remaining valid and in effect, Litchfield seconds, Vote 4-0.

• Discussion with Nat Aril, GZA Consulting firm representing DCR/Office of Dam Safety and presentation of tentative plan for an Emergency Permit to stabilize the Earthen Dam above Ashmere Lake.  The Dam is considered a hazard at this time.  There were discussions with MASS DEP already regarding the plan.  Huntoon motions to authorize Conservation Agent to issue an Emergency Permit to DCR/Office of Dam Safety to alleviate the earthen dam breach hazard contingent on submission of a final plan and contingent on obtaining legal access to complete the work, Litchfield seconds, Vote 4-0.

• Update of Enforcement Order for alteration of resource areas for property located off Middlefield Road (Map 411, Lot 140): Mitchell states that he has no further update at this time.

• Update of Enforcement Order for alteration of resource areas for 961 East Washington Road: Mitchell states he spoke to property owner’s consultant, and the matter will be on hold until the Spring.

• Update of Enforcement Order for Ashmere Road (Map 112, Lot 157): Commission met with the property owner, who agreed to meet with the Commission at the site on 12-20-22 at 2PM.  

• Utility Maintenance Notification, Eversource Energy Substation:  Mitchell provided information submitted to the Commission from Eversource which allowed them an exemption from filing a permit application to conduct maintenance activities at the Substation off New Windsor Road.

• Adjournment: Huntoon motions for adjournment, Boudreau seconds, Vote 4-0.