WESTMORELAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION

July 8, 2008Cersosimo Site Walk Through Minutes

 

 

On Tuesday, July 8, at 2 pm, Conservation Commission members Selena Gallen, Dick Schmidt and Russ Martens attended the site walk through given by Mike Cersosimo.

 

Russ Martens asked Mike Cersosimo if he had received by email the letter from Marshall Patmos with the recommendations from the Conservation Commission. Mike Cersosimo acknowledged that he had received it.

 

Mike Cersosimo initiated the walk through by showing the Commission the Chesterfield side of the gravel pit and the reclamation that had been performed. He explained the process they used in excavation and the steps taken in reclamation.

 

The Commission members were shown the new location to be excavated and discussed Cersosimo Industries plans for the new site.  Mike Cersosimo  explained that they wanted to start at both ends of the proposed expanded site.  The North end would be excavated for putting in the ponds and the South end would be used for production.

 

Mike Cersosimo stated that he had drilled on the east side in the pit to see where they would hit slab.  Slab was hit 20 feet below the pit floor and water was hit at 40 feet below the pit floor. Another test hole will be made further west on the same line to see if the findings change.  

 

Mike Cersosimo also mentioned that they plan to reduce the pit floor an additional 20 feet in the existing excavated area.

 

In asking how the ponds would work, we were told that the floor grade will have a graded slope to the two new ponds that will be installed at the North end of the proposed excavated parcel of land.

 

Russ Martens questioned Mike Cersosimo with regard to the 150 foot reduction of the 200 foot Buffer Zone that is required by Zoning in the Northern part of the parcel. It was pointed out that over 225 feet on the property line of lot 21 would be impacted by the full reduction of 150 feet and an additional 75 foot length would have a gradual cut to the 200 foot requirement.

 

Mike Cersosimo was asked if the property owner was notified of the change in the buffer zone and if Cersosimo Industries had approval from them?  His reply was no to both inquiries.  He said the abutter [Pam Wallace] was at the June 10th Planning Board meeting.  Russ said he attended that meeting and there was no discussion by him or the Planning Board regarding a variance to our town’s existing zoning ordinance of a 200 foot buffer. Russ said the matter would have to be addressed at the next Planning Board meeting being held that night.

 

Mike Cersosimo was advised that the Conservation Commission was retracting the letter of approval until we checked further into State and Town regulations and that any variance in town ordinances would have to be referred to the Zoning Board.

 

On departing the excavation area, a request to see the pond sites on the Chesterfield side was made and we were shown the upper pond along with the runoff areas.

 

The walk through was completed at 3:10 pm

 

Russ Martens,

Secretary    

 

Unapproved minutes