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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-29 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Meeting Minutes February 29, 2012 Approved March 14, 2012 MINUTES T 0 W N CLERK Reading Conservation Commission Meeting f,,U,PiNG, �a ;SS. Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 29, 2012 ZOiZ MAR 2� P L[: 43 Present: William Hecht, Jamie Maughan Barbara Stewart; Thomas Loughlin, Brian Tucker, Annika Scanlon Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary William Bergeron, Engineer Brad Latham, Attorney Bill Jacques, US Army Jason Krukas, US Army Ryan Bianchetto, Engineer Scott Castiglia, resident Anna Demeter, resident Philip Christensen, Engineer Mathew Watsky Attorney Al Couliard, applicant Absent: Brian Tucker Call to Order: There being a quorum the Chairman opened the meeting at 7:00 PM Old /New Business Minutes for Approval: January 25, 2012 Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the January 25, 2012 minutes. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 (Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Scanlon not at this meeting) February 8, 2012 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the February 8, 2012 minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 (Mr. Hecht and Mr. Maughan not at this meeting) Maplewood Trail Mr. Tirone let the Commission know there is money in the account and the Town would like Conservation to draw it down. Mr. Hecht suggested that Mr. Tirone talk with the Trails Committee and Scouts to see if they have any needs; also check to make sure Mattera Cabin has not outstanding costs. Mr. Maughan suggested a detail support on the trails boardwalk; similar to Kurchian Woods. 20 Fox Run Lane Mr. Hecht talked about the site visit and how it looks. The applicant is doing phase IV of his Order of Conditions. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that he okayed the fence application; but the Building Department is holding it up for more information from the applicant. Reading Woods Recharge Basin #2 & #4 Mr Tirone talked about the recharge basins being installed and the depth. 62 Oak Street. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know this is not a Conservation issue. The resident spent money on landscaping. The DPW removed rocks that were used for landscaping. He now has 3 pools; it is between Engineering and the resident. Conservation Meeting Minutes February 29, 2012 Approved March 14, 2012 Continued NOI 270 -0591: 468 West Street & Longwood Road, Map, 19 Lot, 3 & 4, Moore Mr. Chairman opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Bergeron represented the applicant. He believes that the questions that the Commission had from last meeting were answered. He stated he forwarded the submittal with changes on February 1St. To mention a few things he went over: he is going to get the Trails Committee involved when the trails are being done in this phase. He recognized the Trails being for the community not private. The Conservation Commission will get reports that are given to Engineering for the Maintenance Plan and the Storm water Check list is updated. The Commission talked about working with Engineering and CPDC to work on an Operations manual; and how it should be very specific. The Order of Conditions that were drafted was discussed. Mr. Latham feels some things that were noted for phase I is not necessary for phase II. Mr. Tirone will work out the housekeeping with Mr. Latham for the Order of Conditions. The 25k bond for phase I was talked about. It was stated the Final Compliance was not done yet so the bond has not been returned. Once the Final Compliance is done for phase I the returned bond will not be the full 25k; the Town will keep some for phase 11. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the Order of Conditions. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 6 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan talked about his understanding that the Order of Conditions was going to be sent out before the meetings to the applicant and the Commission for their review. Mr. Tirone said he doesn't like to draw up the Order of Conditions unless a Public Hearing is closed. Mr. Hecht stated that he will sit down with the Administrator and discuss. Continued NOI 270 -0596: 97 & 101 Forest Street, Map, 39 Lot, 102 & 104, Caroline Florence LLC Mr. Chairman opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Christensen represented the applicant. He talked about the changes that were made after the last meeting. He stated that the CPDC and Town Engineer approved the subdivision on Monday night. After working with Engineering the waivers that were originally asked for are no longer necessary. There will be no activity in the 25' of ZNV. Mr. Tirone questioned and discussed this statement. The retention pond was talked about and if it was necessary; and how the storm drains could be underground. The Commission questioned if the Storm Sector could handle multiple outlets; and would like documentation proving this. Mr. Christiansen stated that the Town will be responsible for maintaining and mowing; which was questioned by the Commission. Mr. Tirone will ask the Town Engineer to submit a letter to the Commission why he approved the wet basins and the 3" pipe. The Commission talked about the grading and getting detail from the applicant on grading. The material being used for the driveways was talked about; and the difficulties to maintain. It was asked that the mature trees that are on the land be saved rather than just planting new ones by the road. The Commission will review what was presented to them and forward Mr. Tirone any questions or concerns by Monday. Mr. Tirone will forward them on. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the Public Hearing to March 14, 2012. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. NOI 270 -: 25 Haverhill Street, Map, 30 Lot, 20, Allen & Major (no number has been assigned as of yet) Mr. Bianchetto represented the applicant. He talked about how half this land is in Wakefield. There are two locations in Reading he would like to change. One location is bordering wetlands and the other one is bordering an isolated wetland. It is combined 5k square feet. He would like to remove old buildings and pavement that can not be repaired. There is also a rope and ladder area that is no longer used. They will replace with Shrubs and seeds. They will minimize disturbance. The Commission talked about the AUL and how an underground oil tank was removed. How the contractor will have a soiled management Conservation Meeting Minutes February 29, 2012 Approved March 14, 2012 plan. There was concern that the contaminated soil might go into the Wetlands. A wooden structure that they would like to remove in the erosion control area was talked about. The fee that was collected from applicant was discussed. Should a fee be collected when an applicant is volunteering to do a replication? Also the fee sometimes gets waived when it is an institution. It was suggested to the applicant to request a reduction in fees for the replication, not demolition. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to Continue Public Hearing to March 14, 2012. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 6 -0 -0. Mr. Tirone talked about current Minor Projects. Unsafe trees need to be removed at 187 Bancroft Ave, 21 Buckingham Drive and 50 Oak Street. Mr. Chairman discussed his presentation to the Selectmen on Tuesday night. He was told the Wildlife Definition was not passed at a previous Conservation meeting because it was not a majority vote. Mr. Tirone to find out if this is accurate; and what is considered majority. Mr. Chairman let the Administrator know the Selectmen were pleased with how he deals with the Public. Regulation Discussion: The Commission talked about the wildlife habitat definition that they thought they passed at a previous meeting. It was decided additional research needs to be done before voting. It was suggested that the States definition be accepted; unless the Town of Reading has a unique definition. Setbacks and why they are a good idea; fees and capping residence and freshwater wetlands; and variances were discussed. At the next meeting the Commission would like to finalize wildlife habitat, define wetlands and talk about fees. Any recommendations that the Commission has before the next meeting send to Mr. Tirone. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that the residences are the applicants who take up his time. Mr. Chairman talked about how it was suggested at the Selectmen meeting that Mr. Tirone can delineate for the resident for a fee. The Commission talked about their concerns. Mr. Maughan suggested that the Regulation Discussion be on a different day than the regular Conservation meetings; so the discussion won't start so late in the evening. Mr. Maughan motioned to end meeting @ 10:30 pm. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6 -0.0