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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-24 Conservation Commission Minutes Mwmg Minutes October 24,2012 Approved November 14,2012 RECEIVED MINUTES TOWN CLERK • Reading Conservation Commission MeefA 'G. MASS. Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday,October 24,2012 2012 NOV 19 P 2'. 58 Present: William Hecht,Chairman,Jaime Maughan; Barbara Stewart, Brian Sullivan,Annika Scanlon, Will Finch Charles Tirone,Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Mike DeBrigard, Reading DPW Jim Fitzpatrick, Northeast Tree Mr. &Mrs.'Fraske, applicant George Kalsoufs, resident John Feudo, Reading Recreation Dave Walsh, resident Mr. &Mrs. Kyle, resident Kevin McCadden, resident Rich O'Connell, RJ O'Connell&Associates Carolyn Whiting, resident Absent: Q Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting opened at 7:00 PM Old/New Business Bills approved Administrator stated no bills at this time Continued N01270, Lot 126,Azalea Circle&Continued N01270, Lot 125,Azalea Circle Per request of the applicant the above will be continued until November 14, 2012 Mr. Maughan slated the site visit they had with the Wetland Scientist went well; he feels the new line is accurate. Sturges Park improvements discussion Mr. Feudo represented the Sturges Park Adhoc Committee. He discussed what they found out from the last meeting. The hockey rink area was built when fill was taken out for the West Street project. He stated the hockey rink gets flooded, but the inlet does not work to be able to drain properly. The area stays wet and has become a wetland. They would like Sturges Park to be useable like Memorial Park and Castine Field. The Commission and Adhoc Committee talked about wetland replication options; and maybe improving the existing wetland could be considered ® mitigation. The administrator let the Commission know they do have an option of deeming the wetland of no value and then the Stales 5000 square feet rule would not apply. The Commission 1 Meeting Minutes October 24,2012 Approved November 14,2012 stated they would be reluctant to do this because of the apparent vegetation. The next step is to have the Adhoc Committee come back with a plan. Castine Field &Bare Meadow DPW, Mike DeBrigard The Commission and Mr. DeBrigard discussed how the cattails got mowed at Castine Field. It is the understanding that the Town will not mow when the cattails are in bloom or seeding. Mr. DeBrigard apologized and took full responsibility. Mr. Finch suggested that when the cutting is done that it should not go below 7"; and to let animals out, start mowing in the middle and work your way out. The administrator will send a letter to Mr. Keating and Mr. DeBrigard to remind them of the regulations. Mr. Maughan suggested to have signs will help remind everyone that it is Conservation Land and could be used for educational purposes. The signs can be bought out of the Wetland fund. Mr. DeBrigard agreed to the signs. The Town will also cut the Bare Meadow area. RDA 12.14: 64 Glenmere Circle, Map, 15 Lot 89, McCadden Mr. FitzPatrick represented the applicant. He reviewed the application he submitted. The applicant would like to take down 12 trees within the 35' off set of the stream: • Two are very tall pine trees; if they fall would destroy his new garage and pool. • Two are large Oak trees, should they fall there could be a lot of damage to the house • Three are dead trees • Five are Willow trees which are declining rapidly; every storm, branches fall off All work will be done using a crane so as not to cause any damage to Conservation area. The application was discussed: • If the trees are removed how would that impact the bank? • An abutter stated he had concerns about the flooding that it would cause down stream if the healthy trees are sacrificed? • The Commission talked about if they issue a positive RDA an NOI would be needed and the Commission would be able to enforce mitigation and restraints. • The understanding about taking down the dead trees; but are all the trees that are asked for necessary. If trees are removed, the bank could collapse and change stream flow. • The administrator suggested a 3 year permit: take out the Willow trees, have resident plant and wait for them to establish, and then take down some more. • The Commission talked about the applicant's 2007 request for his garage; an Order of Conditions was issued. At the site visit the bounds that were to be in place were not found. Lmmission Could the tops be taken off the big trees and survive? The asked for a continuation. The applicant should take a look and see if some of the trees could be saved. They should come back with a planting plan. The administrator can help the applicant with this, but the resident should take the lead. The Commission asked for another site visit. They would like to see the markers that were mentioned earlier. Mr. Maughan asked for a count of trees that would be left if those trees requested are cut down (in the silver area on plan given) RDA 12.15: 57 Old Farm Road, Map, 4 Lot 146, Fraske 2 Meeting Minutes October 24,2012 Approved November 14,2012 The applicant let the Commission know she would like to put in a 15' above ground pool in her yard. The pool will be installed in the area that is currently planted. They will move the bed of plants to existing areas. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Negative Determination. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Bond Street: Tree &Wetland clearing letter The resident apologized to the Conservation Commission for removing trees and mowing in Town Conservation area. He said he does have a shed on the property and has for years. The Commission discussed if the shed was installed before the Town land was bought. The shed is in two parts; one is fallen down and can be taken down easy the other is in stable condition. The Commission told him to stop mowing. They discussed letting him keep the shed that is in stable condition and when the property gets sold then the shed needs to be removed. The homeowner will need to: • Meet with administrator and show him the shed that is failing down • The planting area will be discussed • He is not to mow behind the shed, only a small path can be mowed • Rose bushes will need to be replanted The administrator will need to: • Meet with homeowner • Identify areas to plant • Draft a letter • Find out when the land was bought by the Town Perfecto's, RJ O'Connell Mr. O'Connell discussed the change in plans that Perfecto's is presenting. They will be buying property from eCars. The site will gain 10-feet of additional width in parking and provide for a more ideal parking situation. Perfecto's has a hearing with the Zoning Board and would like the Commissions to write an approval letter. The CPDC has already approved. The Commission discussed: • Drainage • Bank stabilization and extra planting • Amending the NOI—minor change • Cooling system—where will it go. Variance will be needed in the cooling system is installed on the"green"area of the new plan • Dumpster location Motion made by Ms. Stewart to draft a letter to the ZBA accepting the plan discussed. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Approval of Conservation Banner Design— No Banner submitted yet per Brian Sullivan Minutes September 26, 2012 meeting minutes need to be approved at next meeting; they minutes were not sent to the Commission to review. The Commission asked Ms. Saunders to send the Public Hearing minutes and September 26, 2012 minutes via email. 3 Meeting Minutes October 24,2012 Approved November 14,2012 Bylaw Change Discussion Mr. Maughan let the Commission know that there are a couple of issues with the Regulations. • There are typos, Jaime will look over the document and send to Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Hecht for them to review. He will not send in track changes. The typo regarding Vernal Pools-$100.00 needs to be deleted. The fines need to be put in Regulations and the Bylaws • The Commission will need to have a meeting to vote on the Regulations. The meeting will need to be posted and in the newspaper 7 days before the meeting. The vote needs to be done before the Town Meeting on November 13, 2012 Mr. Maughan talked to the Commission about changing the wetland definition. One comment that was brought up in the public workshop was one attribute should be enough to make a wetland. After discussion Mr. Maughan suggested to change: Section 12—Definitions: Wetland... "Wetlands must have preponderance hydrophytic vegetation or one of o the attributes:"and Section 2-C1 should read: "any fresh water wetland including marsh, meadow, or bog that supports preponderance hydrophytic vegetation or the substrate in the uppermost foot is predominantly..." Ms. Scanlon was hesitant on the change. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the Wetland Definition discussed. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-1-0. Article 14— Mr. Maughan discussed with the Commission why Article 14 is needed. The Town Counsel stated the Bylaw and Regulations are inconsistent—different laws, different values. The Bylaw fine is non-criminal. The change will allow the Commission to impose the fine. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to endorse the Bylaw Change. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn meeting at 10:30 p.m. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary 4