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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-13 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Approved 06/27/2012 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 13, 2012 Present: William Hecht, Chairman, Jamie Maughan, Brian Sullivan, Barbara Stewart, Annika Scanlon, Brian Tucker, Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Mr. Robert Griffin, Griffin Engineering Mr, Grimmer, applicant Mr. Russ Berman, resident Mr, Aaron Weenies, AECOM Mr. Tom Touche, AECOM George Zambouras, Town Engineer Absent: Thomas Loughlin Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting opened at 7:00 PM Old /New Business ME RMLD Motion made by Ms. Stewart to appro ve light bill for Mattera Cabin. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 (Ms. Scanlon wasn't present at vote) MACC Membership Motion made by Ms. Stewart to pay for 8 members; 7 for the Commission and one for Mr. Arena, Selectmen liaison. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Field Guide Motion made by Ms. Stewart to pay for 2 copies of Sediment Field Guide. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Water & Sewer Bill Motion made by Ms. Stewart to pay Water and Sewer bill for area on Pearl Street. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to pay Water and Sewer bill for 1481 Main Street, Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Conservation Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Approved 06/27/2012 Mr. Hecht told the Commission that the concrete pad is necessary for the picnic table the Girl Scouts are putting in at Mattera Cabin. He stated the DPW will make the forms and Woburn RediMix will be the cement company. He would like Conservation to pay for this. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to pay for concrete pad. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0 Mr. Hecht reminded the Commission that Friends and Family day is on Saturday, June 15th. Ms. Stewart and he will be setting up. He would like everyone take a shift. He will send out an email to remind everyone what shift they will be taking. Continued NO1270 -0600: 311 Haverhill Street, Map, 41 Lot, 37 Grimmer Mr. Griffen presented a revised plan. He believes the concern's the Commission had have been addressed. There was improvement on the infiltration; which will improve conditions behind the school house. The Commission let the applicant know a variance is needed for work being performed in the 25' setback; and needs to submit a letter stating that they meet the 3 criteria's. Ms. Scanlon went over the discrepancies between the old and new plans — to make sure the new plans were correct. Mr. Tirone asked if other surfaces were investigated for parking area; and why are they paving the whole area as noted on the plan? Mr. Griffen let him know the cost was the main reason for surface chosen. He has no problem not paving the small section talked about; but would vegetation grow there if cars do ride on it? Mr. Tirone also questioned the snow storage area; will people still park in that area? There was no draft OOC, the Commission voted to continue the Public Hearing at the next meeting on June 27, 2012. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue Public Hearing. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. There was also concern of grass dumping in the Wetlands the Commission saw at the site visit. A letter will be sent by Mr, Tirone, to remind the neighbor no waste in the resource area. AECOM — Consultant Study Mr. Zambouras stated the Town awarded AECOM to do a drainage study in four different areas. These are areas that the Saugus and Aberjona River runs through; also where the town has flooding problems. The company is in front of the Commission only for an informal discussion; they were not asking for any permitting as of yet. They wanted to get the Commission's input and areas of concern. They will submit a draft next week with existing conditions, suggestions on improving the areas, and implementing a schedule. They did site visits and collected information. The issues vary; deteriorating structures, extremely high water, erosions control and backyard flooding. Some things that the Consultants and the Commission talked about were: • They evaluated bridges in the Track Road area. The Town is still considering what to do with them. • The Beaver Dam was talked about. Mr. Hecht stated that Town and Conservation need to discuss how to appropriate clean the culverts. • Bank stabilization was discussed • Grading and scaling back might be an option in the Walker's Brook area • How an NO1 might be needed on some projects • Need to cover channel on Bolton Street and reinforce concrete — where else can be day lighted if this is done • Danis Properties /Hayes Engineering file discussed, and how they protected the Wetlands when that area was built 2 Conservation Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Approved 06/27/2012 • Sunnyside Ave /Fairview Ave area piping would need to be increased • If pipes are increased in Avon Street area, there was concern with flooding with businesses on Main Street • Whittier Road area to increase size of culvert, increase drainage pipes or increase channel and dredging it out. • Railroad culverts needs to be fixed. • Sediment needs to be controlled • The pipes were talked about are they wrong on Lowell Street? • Residents on Bond Street having their land go into the Wetlands. This needs to be addressed by the Commission • It was asked that when presentation is made to the Selectmen, AECOM or Mr. Zambouros let Conservation know. 15 Lucy Drive — Complaint The homeowner came in and presented pictures of his back yard. He has a stream in his back yard. There are grass clippings and trash bags by the Wetland. The culvert is lined with rocks. The neighbor planted trees close to the Wetland. He would like to put a fence up. The Commission suggested getting a surveyor in advance of the meeting he will be attending for his application. The fence will go inside the neighbors land. The Commission will follow up with the neighbor. Minutes for Approval: On a motion made by Mr. Tucker to approve the May 9, 2012 minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4 -0 -2 (Mr. Hecht, Ms. Stewart absent) Mr. Maughan suggested putting the exact wording of the Regulations that were discussed in the meeting minutes. It was asked for accuracy reasons, to give the recording secretary exactly what they would like. On a motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the May 23, 2012 minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 4 -0 -2 (Mr. Tucker and Mr. Maughan absent) Regulations Mr. Hecht presented some Regulations changes: (red means changes, blue means deletion) Extension Permit The Commission may issue an Extension Permit for an Order of Conditions, RDA, or Extension Permit for a period of up to three years to an applicant who has demonstrated reasons for such a permit. The Commission may deny an Extension to a project that has not commenced within the original time limit. The applicant must apply in writing for an Extension Permit at least 30 days prior to expiration (note: application for an Extension Permit may trigger a re- delineation of the wetlands). Soil Preparation g. Excavation and soil preparation timing of the replacement area shall be specified as needed in the Order of Conditions completed prior to the commencement of alteration of Conservation Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Approved 06/27/2012 the area to be destroyed, except for the purpose of replacement in an area being temporarily altered. Where soils and vegetation are to be transferred from the area to be destroyed into the replacement area, said transfer shall immediately follow excavation and soil preparation in the replacement area. Where soils and vegetation are to be imported from sources other than the area to be destroyed, they shall be installed properly in the replacement area prior to commencement of alteration of the area to be destroyed. Flooding 1. Proposed work that may alter land subject to flooding shall not adversely affect the interests protected under the Bylaw, including the flood control capacity of said area. Work must be on a single lot and may not alter more than 10% of the land subject to flooding on said lot. Mr. Hecht reminded Mr. Tirone he needs to check with Legal Counsel about some Regulations questions that were previously brought up. Mr. Hecht talked about accepting the States Regulations and only add to the Town Bylaws when they differ from the State's. Mr. Maughan would like the Commission members to take ownership to the Regulations that were already discussed and will need to be presented to the BOS. He suggested everyone use a template; to use strike through and not color to note changes made. To make sure the section # and page # is stated that represents which regulation is being presented, Ms. Stewart volunteered to read the changes to the BOS. The Commission members will send to Mr. Tirone and he will bring back at the next meeting. The Public Hearing will be in early September. Areas of regulations which specify submittal requirements Partial Bill — Mr. Sullivan 2) Fee Structure Bill — Ms. Scanlon 3) Methods for determining jurisdictional wetlands Jamie — Mr. Maughan 4) Vernal Pools Bill — Ms. Scanlon 5) Wildlife Habitat —Mr. Sullivan 6) Exemptons for Limited Projects Jamie — Mr. Maughan 7) Requirement for rip rap slopes Bill - Mr. Hecht 8) Maintenance in developed area Jamie — Mr. Maughan 9) Isolated Wetlands Bill — Mr. Hecht 10) Soil Preparation Bill — Mr. Tucker 11) Land Subject to Flooding Bill — Mr. Tucker 12) Variance Bill — Mr. Hecht 13) Minor Projects Bill — Mr. Hecht Ms. Scanlon talked about the MACC conference. She stated that it maybe a requirement of applicants to design quantity of Stormwater. Ms. Scanlon will create a draft. There were concerns from members where it would fit into the Regulations; and would it be to time consuming to the applicant. 4 Conservation Meeting Minutes June 13, 2012 Approved 06/27/2012 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn at 10:00 pm. Mr. Sullivan seconded. The vote was 6 -0 -0 Respectfully Submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary