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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-11 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Meeting Minutes April 11, 2012 Approved 04/25/2012 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 11, 2012 Present: William Hecht, Chairman, Jamie Maughan, Barbara Stewart, Thomas Loughlin, Annika Scanlon, Brian Tucker Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Dana Salem, Builder John Arena, Selectmen Rachel Baumgartner, resident Jim Strack, resident Jessica Strack, resident Tessa Senders, Girl Scout Joanne Senders, resident Kevin Senders, resident Absent: Brian Sullivan Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting opened at 7:00 PM Old /New Business Bills approved There were no bills to be approved Camp Curtis Guild approve license Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue license, per letter by Town Counsel, for Camp Curtis Guild. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 (Mr. Loughlin and Ms. Scanlon absent for this vote). Poison Ivy at Kurchian Woods Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that Rodeo will be used to spray for Poision Ivy at Kurchian Woods; as discussed at last meeting. Cross Street Drainage Ditch general maintenance follow up Mr. Hecht talked about the site visit. How construction debris, junk toys and trash was seen on site. He stated there was little or no damage from when the Town worked there. Mr. Tirone stated that the Town is going back to pickup the railroad tires and debris. It was asked that Mr. Tirone work with Engineering and DPW about sediment removal. Mr. Maughan talked about the Bolton Street area wetlands; maybe putting something in the stream to trap sediment. RDA 12 -5: 532 Pearl Street, Map, 46 Lot 58, Walsh Mr. Salem represented the applicant. He stated the owner's would like to build a two story addition. The foundation will need to be excavated. The new frost foundation is bigger than the original block foundation. Mr. Tirone stated how he measured the wetland line; and how there was other work done in this area before. The dumpster location was talked about. The ground will have to be raked and seeded before the erosion control is taken out; if the location of the dumpster is in the back yard. The applicant will think about the best location for dumpster. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative determination. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 (Mr. Loughlin absent for this vote). Conservation Meeting Minutes April 11, 2012 Approved 04/25/2012 Mr. Tirone added the erosion control to the conditions and the Commission signed. Minutes for Approval: There was a discussion on the changes that Mr. Tirone recommended. The plans for Forest Street subdivision was talked about and how it is a sketch not an Engineer plan. Austin Prep was talked about and how the project will be done; no heavy equipment will be used. The concern if the culvert collapses was discussed; Mr. Tirone said they are being very cautious. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept March 29, 2012 minutes, as amended. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -1 (Mr. Maughan sustained) Mr. Tirone talked about the email from Mr. Hechenbleikner regarding having the minutes signed. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Mrs. Saunders or Mr. Tirone to sign meeting minutes. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Girl Scouts Silver Award Project Ms. Sends discussed the Girl Scouts Silver Award project she is doing with her troop. They would like to do it at Mattera Cabin on April 28, 2012. They are looking for volunteers to help. They will plant flowers and trees (donated by the Arbor Day club she belongs to) on the first and second terrace. They will remove invasive. They will have a class on April 25, 2012 to discuss safety and what the volunteers will be doing on the 28th. They talked about a bench they would like to donate (Dunkin Donuts is willing to work with them). It was suggested to the Girl Scouts to work with Mr. Fuedo about the requirements to do this project. Ms. Sends will email a copy of the flyer to Mr. Tirone and he will distribute to the Commission. Mr. Tirone to send an email stating the project was approved with either a bench or a picnic table. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to endorse project. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Regulations Fees: The following was discussed regarding fees: • Mr. Hecht talked about his proposal that was presented at the last meeting for fees; and the spreadsheet on the history of fees between 2001 and 2010. • Different options with fees and how much to charge based on who is doing the work(homeowner or builder) and the size of the project(residence, commercial or subdivision). • Should fees be charged for variances • Should the applicant be charged if the Conservation administrator does the delineation? Should the administrator's hours increase to offer this service? Would this be a conflict of interest? • What does the Town use the fees for — the administrators salary? Or is the administrator overhead and already in budget? • No Caps for single family The following changes to the Calculation fee form was talked about: • A to $125.00 and F- K does not apply • B to $600.00 and F -K does not apply • C to $600.00, plus $125 per dwelling and F — K applies • D to $1000.00 for roadway, plus $600.00 per house and F — K applies • E to $1000.00 and F — K applies • The same per square fee for F — H $1.25 (take out the $.03 per square foot of Buffer Zone) • 1 — K should be $11.00 per square foot Mr. Arena asked if the fee increase is based on mitigation expense, revenue generator or to drive away bad behavior. The Commission discussed this. Some Commission members thought if there was a fee, maybe the applicant would be a serious applicant. Or if there was a Conservation Meeting Minutes April 11, 2012 Approved 04/25/2012 fee, the applicant might change their plans. The fee structure will be written up by Mr. Tirone and Mr. Hecht. Mr. Tirone will distribute; and the Commission can vote next meeting. Wetlands Definition: Mr. Hecht stated if the State definition was only accepted, there would be wetlands not protected in Reading. What is a wetland was discussed. Would a wetland survive if no hydraulic connection? Mr. Hecht's proposed definition was discussed. It was suggested that "and" be added between bullets one and two (I don't have the definition that was talked about to put exact wording). The size of a wetland was discussed; should it be 500 square feet? Mr. Tirone said a couple of other towns have 5000 square feet. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the States definition in addition with Mr. Hecht's definition. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5 -1 -0. The next meeting the definition sheet, Mr. Loughlin created, will be looked at. Mr. Loughlin asked if he could have an explanation in writing why at the last meeting the variance was waived for the Forest Street subdivision. It was discussed by the Commission. The meeting minutes from March 28th was looked at. It was told to Mr. Loughlin the variance was not waived. It was not accepted. Mitigation was added and voted on by the Commission. Mr. Arena asked the current state of the Adhoc Committee. Mr. Maughan let him know the Adhoc Committee completed their charge; and a report was submitted to the Selectmen. There is no more Adhoc Committee. They told the Conservation Commission to review, revise, and enhance regulations; which is what they are working on now. Mr. Arena asked for a document with the changes made. Mr. Tirone will get the information to Mr. Arena if not the week of the 16`h, but the 23 d Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn @ 9:45. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary