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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-11 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012 Approved January 25, 2012 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Present: William Hecht, Chairman; Jamie Maughan, Brian Tucker, Brian Sullivan, Annika Scanlon; Thomas Loughlin, Barbara Stewart; Charles Tirone, Interim Conservation Administrator Kim Saunders; Recording Secretary Mr. William Bergeron, Hayes Engineering Mr. Latham, Latham, Latham & Lamond, PC. Mr. Paul MacDonald, resident Ms. Christine Levesque, resident Ms. Bernadette Quigley, resident Mr. Orazio Guevara, resident Ms. Kimberly Nichols, resident Mr. Guevara, Architect Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chairman opened the meeting at 7:00 PM Old /New Business Bills to be Approved Mr. Tirone stated none to be approved. RDA Closeout Request RGB 2008 -39: 57 Longwood Road, Gargano /Moore Commission talked about the cellar window with the drain pipe. They saw no reason not to closeout the RDA. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to closeout the RDA. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 National Grid: gas line replacement letter Wilson and Ide Street Commission talked about the site visit on Sunday. Half of the work was done. The gas line is well away from the resource. Ratify Emergency Certification: removal of 2 beaver dams on Track Road. The Commission talked about where the beaver dams are located and the removal of them. It was asked by the Commission that a GIS map is brought next time so it is easier to understand the location. Mr. Tirone talked about how the 10 Day Beaver Permit was not issued by the Health Department; they believe the beavers are not there. The Health Department called it a drain easement; they were however, concerned about the flooding. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to Ratify Emergency Certification. Mr. Loughlin seconded. The vote was 5 -0 -0 RDA Closeout Request: RGB 2011: 32 Catherine, Divecchia The Commission stated the work is complete. The work was done outside Buffer Zone. Mr. Tirone stated that the Developer thought the septic would encroach; but didn't. The Developer used the RDA to grate instead. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to Closeout RDA. Mr. Loughlin seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Tucker arrived. Continued: NO] 270 -0591: 468 West Street & Longwood Road, Map, 19 Lot, 3 & 4, Moore Conservation Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012 Approved January 25, 2012 Mr. Bergeron represented the applicant. He reminded the Commission that this is the second phase. How he met with the CPDC for a minor modification; but it doesn't effect Conservation. He stated that there were no changes in the resource area. He talked about what was discussed at the CPDC meeting: the decorative stonewall and the planting, Engineering wanting manholes on top of roof drains; parking lot drainage and how the catch basins are now off of Taylor Lane; that there is a modified drainage document per the Town Engineering Department, and the fitness trail being in the same location. The Commission talked about the fitness trail. They would like the Trails Committee be contacted. They discussed that no heavy equipment is to be used; grating should be done naturally. The trail is based on the first one already done and approved. The wording of the trail was talked about. Is it fitness or a pedestrian path, public or private and why is it exempt? There was a discussion about the gas traps being installed and if they are efficient. The Operation and Maintenance was talked about; how it should be required not recommended. The "supplement" that was issued by Hayes Engineering has missing information. A Commission member talked about his frustration of what gets presented to the Conservation should be accurate. He feels that an Order of Conditions should not have to be issued to fix the information. The Commission should be able to look at accurate documents from the applicant. It should be seen as an investment for the applicant; and the Commission can use it as a tool in the future. It was decided that Mr. Bergeron will present a response to the questions that the Commission has and forward it to Mr. Tirone. Mr. Bergeron stated that the Town Engineering Department gets an Annual Report and he will make sure that Conservation will get one too. This case will be continued to 02/29'". Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 7 -0 -0. Minutes for approval: November 30, 2011 Motion made by Mr. Tucker to approve the minutes for the November 30, 2011 as amended. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 6 -0 -0 (Mr. Chairman was not present at this meeting). December 12, 2011 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes for the December 12, 2011. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 4 -0 -0 (Three Commission members were not present at this meeting) RDA 11 -21 (now 12 -1): 7 Harvest Road, Map 23 Lot 3 Guevara The applicant arrived late; he thought it was Thursday night. The applicant would like to build a small addition to have more space. This land is protected by Local and State By -Law; it is built on a riverfront. The house was already in front of the Conservation Commission. The Order of Conditions letter went out January 2003 and a Certificate of Compliance was issued. A variance was also issued. The work was completed in 2005. This house is built on two narrow lots. There was a court case involving these lots. It was allowed before the 1996 Riverfront Act was in effect. There was no formal site visit by the Commission; but Mr. Tirone stated that he saw by satellite that it was nicely vegetated. The applicant stated there is no erosion and he has a landscaper clean the area often. The Commission stated their concern about it being in the Dam area and if the bank is stable. The plans that the applicant presented was talked about by the Commission and the applicant. The abutters discussed their concerns regarding the addition. One concern was the addition being tall and his privacy being gone. The applicant said he is willing to go smaller and not build a two story if the addition is allowed. The Commission is going to do a site visit on January 22 to see if an addition is even possible, before a NOI is filed. The Commission asked the applicant to put stakes out. Mr. Tirone is going to forward an as -built to the Commission. The applicant asked about the gravel driveway being paved. It was decided by the Commission to table this case until the January 25, 2012 meeting. Conservation Meeting Minutes January 11, 2012 Approved January 25, 2012 Regulations Discussion Mr. Maughan stated that the Board of Selectmen would like an update at the February 28t° meeting on how the Commission is doing with the Regulation changes. Vernal Pools was discussed. Mr. Maughan suggested that the Town change their definition to refer to the Natural Heritage definition. The Natural Heritage checklist will be used. Mr. Tirone will get the Commission the most current checklist. It was decided that Mr. Chairman will rewrite the Vernal Pools definition based on what was discussed and send to Mr. Tirone. Wildlife Regulation will be discussed at the next meeting. . A new procedure was talked about when making changes to the Regulations. The Commission let Mr. Tirone know that they did not have the ability to accept documents in Acrobat. Mr. Loughlin said he is willing to compare the State Regulations with the Towns if Mr. Tirone would send the document to him in Word. Mr. Tirone asked the Commission why the Town sends out the legal ad to notify the abutters, and not the applicant The Commission talked about amending the procedure. They can not just change it; it is in the Regulations. They would like the applicants to send out certified letters and to bring the green cards to the meeting. The expense was talked about. It was noted the applicant has the option to go to the Post Office and get "proof' they mailed out the letters; which is cheaper than a certified letter. This will be discussed more at the next meeting. Motion made by Mr. Sullivan to adjourn @ 9.57. Mr. Tucker seconded. The vote was 7 -0 -0