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Friends of Tully Lake

Minutes of Meeting, Sunday, November 16, 4 pm at the home of John and Joyce O'Hara.

Attending:  Maureen Blasco, Ann Cutler Russo, Aaron Ellison, Dave Small, Elizabeth Farnsworth, Carl Kamp, Kim MacPhee, John O'Hara, Joyce O'Hara, Rudy Perkins.

Topics covered:

1) Update on the recent determination by Worcester Department of Environmental Protection.  Following a site visit to the Duquette quarry on November 5, the DEP issued a decision the next day to require that the landowner submit a full Notice of Intent to the Athol Conservation Commission.  Such a Notice of Intent will entail a much more detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of the proposed quarry operation, specifically the impacts that the proposed project will have on the adjacent wetland.  Mr. Duquette has only a few days in which to appeal this determination.  If he does not do so, he will be required to submit the NOI within a specified time period.  The group discussed various points that should be brought to the attention of the Conservation Commission when it considers the NOI, and the conditions on the quarrying that should be recommended.  These conditions include: 1) the need to specify a timeline for extraction; 2) the need to specify the quantity of material to be extracted; 3) the need to calculate amount of run-off from the work area into the wetland and to develop a stormwater management plan; 4) the need to specify an accurate finish grade (to minimize erosion into the wetland; 5) the need for plantings to stabilize the slope nearest the wetland; and 6) the need for regular monitoring to ensure compliance.  The group agreed that an engineer could bring a lot of essential expertise to reviewing the NOI when it is submitted and in advising on any other conditions that should be ordered.  The Conservation Commission can also request an independent assessment of wetland impacts by an engineer, the costs of which must be borne by the applicant. 

Next actions:

Aaron Ellison and Maureen Blasco will check on the Wetlands regulations to determine when the deadline for the NOI filing would be.

John O'Hara will look into the possibility of engaging an engineer who can examine the NOI and review our suggestions for the Order of Conditions by the Athol Conservation Commission

As soon as the NOI is submitted, we will obtain a full copy of the application from Town Hall.  The group and an engineer will review the application carefully and submit a written list of recommendations for orders of conditions to the Conservation Commission, with a copy to the Athol Planning Board.

AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE should attend the Conservation Commission meeting at which the NOI is reviewed, particularly abutters to the Duquette property but also any other interested parties.  A strong showing will send a strong message that the impacts of the current quarry, plus the planned expansion and the proposed development on 200+ acres are of concern to a large number of people.

2) Update on the treasury.  Joyce O'Hara reported that $1,310 in donations has come in to Friends of Tully Lake.  These donations will be handled through the Miller's River Watershed Council, and as such become tax-deductible.  In addition, the Board of the Miller's River Watershed Council voted recently to donate $500 to the Friends of Tully Lake, with an extra $1,500 that will be held in reserve in case of special needs for expenditure.  The group extended much gratitude to the Watershed Council for their generosity and logistical support.  In the event that this particular development issue is resolved, it was decided that the funds will be turned over to conservation organizations working in the region.  While an impressive amount of support has been raised to date, more is needed: to hire necessary legal and engineering expertise, to publicize the values of Tully Lake and the need for intelligent development strategies, etc.  The group discussed ways to raise these funds and to keep interested members of the community involved.

Next actions: 

Dave Small will check with Mason Phelps (Treasurer of the Miller's River Watershed Council) about the best way to convey the funds already collected to their account.  When that is determined (soon), Joyce O'Hara will turn over the funds, which are currently in safe-keeping.

Elizabeth Farnsworth will draft a fundraising/community awareness letter in the next few days, which will be reviewed by John O'Hara.
Once finalized, this letter will be mailed to all those attending the initial meeting of Friends of Tully Lake and all neighbors on the relevant roads. 

Maureen Blasco will contact The Trustees of Reservations to see if they will feature an article on this issue in their next member newsletter, and/or if they are willing to contact past users of the Tully Lake Campground (who are bound to be concerned about negative impacts on Tully Lake ).

Carl Kamp kindly offered his talents as a professional classical guitarist to participate in a fund-raising concert for Tully Lake .  Given a wealth of musical talent in the group and the area, this seemed like an excellent future project to consider.

3) Addressing the preliminary plan for the subdivision with the Athol Planning Board: 

A preliminary subdivision plan was submitted to the Athol Planning Board in April, 2003.  This plan, for "Grand View Estates," was prepared by William Berry, and shows a 44-unit subdivision on the property.  The Planning Board approved the preliminary plan without the detailed review by the Planning Board, Board of Health, and Department of Public Works as specified in Athol’s own subdivision regulations. The Trustees of Reservations appealed this decision, but the Athol Planning board has not yet responded to their letter.  However, a definitive plan is required before any work can proceed on "Grand View Estates."  This definitive plan will have to be carefully reviewed by the Planning Board and by members of Friends of Tully Lake to examine all the ramifications of the proposed construction. 

Next actions:
Joyce O'Hara will obtain a copy of the letter to Mr. Duquette from the Zoning Board of Appeals that specified the conditions pursuant to their approval of the gravel operation. She will also find out if there is a time limit by which Mr. Duquette must file a definitive plan (from the time of approval of the preliminary plan).  

Kim MacPhee will obtain a copy of the zoning map for the area of Athol covering the parcel, and will research stormwater regulations to see what might be applicable.

As soon as a definitive plan is submitted, all abutters must be notified.  At that time, FOTL will move quickly to obtain a full copy of the plan and to consult with legal, engineering, and hydrological experts to review all the details of the plan with respect to public safety, zoning regulations, road-building, public infrastructure requirements, pollution control, stormwater management, conservation, wildlife, and other impacts. 

Next meeting will be held Sunday, December 14 at 4 pm at the home of Joyce and John O'Hara.  Maureen Blasco will make reminder calls to encourage continued good attendance, and minutes from this meeting and announcement of the next will be publicized by Dave Small on the FOTL web site and through email.

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