A site walk was held on the application of the Bosinger Family Trust, Eliot & Sandra Bosinger Trustees/David & Linda Dodds/Jacqueline Berg/Hickory Pond Partners LLC. This pertains to an application for a Lot Line Revision/Subdivision, for property located off Grant Road, Tax Map R4, Lots 57-9N & 57-6N, Zone R1. The proposal is to revise the lot line between lot 57-9N and 57-6N and subsequently create a six-lot subdivision on the newly created lot 57-9N. Areas “A” (4.481 acres) and “C” (1.018 acres) as shown on “Subdivision Plan for Hickory Pond Partners LLC and Lot Line Revision between Bosinger 2006 Family Trust and David & Linda Dodds”, will be transferred from Lot 57-6N to Lot 57-9N. Area “B” (0.779 acres) in turn will be transferred from Lot 57-9N -+ -to Lot 57-6N. Lot 57-9N will increase in size from 10.009 acres to 14.730 acres, while Lot 57-6N will decrease in size from 17.47 acres +/- (per tax map) to 12.75 acres +/-. Lot 57-9N will then be subdivided into six conforming lots per the Town of Newmarket Subdivision Regulations.
Members of the Planning Board and the interested public met in the vicinity of 244 Ash Swamp Road at the location of the proposed access road. The following Planning Board members were present: Acting Chairman Peter Roy, Rick McMenimen, Val Shelton, Chet Jablonski, Janice Rosa, and George Willant. Developers Scott Gove and Frank Catapano were present. The developers were represented by Bill Doucet of Doucet Survey Inc., Christian Smith, the engineer from Beal Associates, and Sergio Bonilla and Adele Fiorillo of New Hampshire Soil Consultants. Abutter Bruce Fecteau of 244 Ash Swamp Road was also present. Diane Hardy, Town Planner, was in attendance as well.
The Planning Board walked along the centerline of the proposed roadway, which extends about 750 feet off Ash Swamp Road. The lot to be subdivided is entirely wooded and contains no structures. Of particular interest, was the wetlands crossing about 350 feet from Ash Swamp Road. The impact to the wetlands includes approximately 2,200 square feet. The group observed standing water at that location. It was explained that that area is seasonally flooded. If the Board members recall, this area was dry during the time of the last site walk in November 2007.
During construction two (2) culverts will be installed at this location. Rip rap will be provided at the culvert opening. In addition to siltation fencing during construction, an 80 foot vegetated treatment swale, 75 foot filter strip, and a level spreader will be constructed to slow down the velocity of run-off to minimize erosion and sedimentation. It was noted that there is a break in the watershed at the wetland crossing. The southern portion flows toward Grant Road and ponds and eventually flows North. The surveyor had marked the corners of the proposed lots. Also, the edge of the wetlands were flagged, as were the test pits for the proposed septic systems. The Board observed the upland areas, which had been designated as potential house lots.
The applicants understand that they will need to file a special use permit application for the wetlands impact to be reviewed by the Conservation Commission. They also understand that a mitigation plan needs to be included. This can be achieved by doubling the size of buffers around the wetlands. It has been concluded that the pond on lot 1 is a vernal pond. Extra precautions need to be taken to protect this resource. This will be accomplished with deed restrictions. There are also wetlands on lot 3 through lot 6 that are considered of higher functional value. The special use permit for the wetlands needs to be reviewed at the same time the subdivision is approved.
As the Board walked, the topography got steeper. It was noted that the major cuts and fills would be in the vicinity of the proposed cul-de-sac terminus. The Board then walked downgradient to the rear of the 15+/- acre tract. The rear lots fall off to a more level flood plain and ultimately to the “unnamed brook” and a fairly extensive wetland, which was clearly wet and contained poorly and very poorly drained soils. Concerns have been expressed by the abutters that the proposed development would increase the flow of water on the adjacent property. It was explained that Mark West, a wetlands scientist, has been hired by the Town to evaluate the suitability of lots as building lots and advise the Board on additional wetlands mitigation measures. Also, Tobin Farewell an independent engineer has looked at the storm water management system and has several concerns and recommendations. His letter explains there are new stormwater regulations of the NH DES and recommends that they be followed. The site drainage will be designed to minimize “net increase” in run-off, which could exacerbate flooding impacts in the future. The site walk ended at 8:20 a.m.
