Townsend Conservation Commission Debates Starbucks Development’s Environmental Impact and Stream Classification Changes.
-
Meeting Type:
Environmental Commission
-
Meeting Date:
10/23/2024
-
Recording Published:
10/24/2024
-
Duration:
134 Minutes
-
State:
Massachusetts
-
County:
Middlesex County
-
Towns:
Townsend
- Meeting Overview:
During the recent Townsend Conservation Commission meeting, members and attendees engaged in a detailed debate over the environmental implications of proposed projects, including a Starbucks development and the reclassification of a local stream. The meeting was characterized by discussions on stormwater management and the potential impact on wetland areas, as well as the commission’s internal challenges, such as staffing and fee adjustments.
The meeting’s focal point was a public hearing regarding the redevelopment of 18 Main Street into a Starbucks. The proposal involves demolishing an existing commercial building and constructing a new restaurant within a sensitive wetland buffer area. Representatives of the project presented details on environmental considerations, including improvements to the parking lot and stormwater management systems. The commission raised concerns about protecting the wetland buffer, with discussions focusing on drainage strategies and the management of snow storage areas to prevent contamination of water resources. A participant noted that modifications to the site plan were necessary to ensure compliance with environmental standards, particularly regarding snow storage and litter management. This prompted an examination of the project’s impact on local litter levels, with concerns about increased debris such as coffee cups and straws from the new establishment.
Further complicating the meeting was a discussion on the reclassification of a stream at the rear of 76 Parker Hill Road. Jesse Chamberlain, the applicant, sought to have the stream reclassified from a perennial to an intermittent waterway. Submitted evidence included field observations and photographic documentation indicating a dry stream bed during non-drought periods. However, some commission members were skeptical about the validity of these observations, pointing out that stream conditions can vary from year to year. Despite the procedural challenges, the commission considered issuing a Positive 2A determination, recognizing the stream as intermittent for three years, based on the Department of Environmental Protection’s GIS mapping system.
The commission also deliberated on proposed fee structure adjustments for various types of construction and conservation-related applications. Proposals included increasing the fee for single-family home projects to $300, with discussions around the practicality of calculating fees based on square footage versus a flat rate. There was concern about the administrative burden of determining fees, with some advocating for a simplified structure to streamline the process.
Staffing challenges within the commission were a notable topic of concern, particularly in light of the resignation of a key agent. The commission’s effectiveness was questioned due to budget constraints that have hindered the hiring of adequate administrative support. Members expressed appreciation for the departing staff member’s contributions, acknowledging the vital role played in managing the commission’s workload.
Eric Slagle
Environmental Commission Officials:
James Gates, Kevin Smith, Patricia Jemiolo, James Deroian, Jessica Consolvo (Land Use Coordinator), Autumn Buck (Conservation Agent)
-
Meeting Type:
Environmental Commission
-
Meeting Date:
10/23/2024
-
Recording Published:
10/24/2024
-
Duration:
134 Minutes
-
Notability Score:
Routine
Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:
-
State:
Massachusetts
-
County:
Middlesex County
-
Towns:
Townsend
Recent Meetings Nearby:
- 10/28/2024
- 10/28/2024
- 141 Minutes
- 10/28/2024
- 10/28/2024
- 159 Minutes
- 10/28/2024
- 10/28/2024
- 42 Minutes