No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-23 Conservation Commission Minutesi c lowde�-k ✓ RECEIVED Meeting Minutes January 23, 2013 TOWN CLERK Approved February 13, 2012 READING, MASS. 7013 FEB 14 P i 29 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 pm Wednesday, January 23, 2013 Present: William Hecht, Chairman, Jaime Maughan, Barbara Stewart, Brian Sullivan, Annika Scanlon, Will Finch Charles Tirone, Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Steve Pimotti, 22 Whittier Road Rob Ahearn, 1198 Main Street Don Richardson, Atkinson, NH Maria Richardson, Akinson, NH Dan and Ed Staffer, 45 Hancock Jason LeBovidge, 107 Forest Street C. Jay Pedersen, 443 Salem Street, Wakefield Bill Andrews, 34 Roma Lane Joanne Eramo, 100 Van Norden Road Jack Sullivan, Engineer Ben Finnegan, Builder Amy LaBrecque, 92 Van Norden Road Bill Carouse, 87 Walkers Brook Drive Rick Camuso, 87 Walkers Brook Drive Chris Sparages, Williams & Sparages Absent: Call to Order, Old/New Business Bills approved — No bills at this time 87 Walkers Brook Drive, discussion Mr. Sparages represented the owners of 87 Walkers Brook Drive. He stated they would like to put a Dunkin Donuts with a drive - through. The restaurant will have no seats for customers. The building footprint will increase slightly to accommodate the drive -up window and a refrigeration unit on the south side of the building. A small amount of pavement will be removed and replaced with a landscape area. The pavement will be re- striped. Mr. Sparages stated he had a DRT meeting with the Town. Mr. Tirone made a suggestion at that meeting to remove a narrow strip of asphalt at the edge of the puking lot and replace it with crushed stone. Mr. Sparages said that his clients are willing to do. Mr. Sparages is asking the Commission what type of filing his clients will need to do to be able to do this project. The Commission and the applicant discussed the resource area and how the closest activity is 70' -80': The owners stated that the Town .IL Meeting Minutes January 23, 2013 Approved February 13, 2012 Planner asked at the DRT meeting that the fence be replaced. The owners will replace the links not the posts. Mr. Tirone asked that an O &M plan be submitted to show how the area is going to be cleaned and how often. After discussion the Commission decided this project falls under the new rules; and no filing will be needed. Motion made by Mr. Maughan that the applicant is not required to file. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0 Proposed larger bat houses at Symonds Way, Nathan Terry Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that Mr. Terry would like to make the bat houses bigger than what was original proposed. The new size will be 18x24. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the new size bat houses. Mr. Finch seconded Vote was 4 -0 -0 1 General Way Danis Properties would like to remove 8 trees. The Commission talked about their site visit. They had a hard time knowing where the trees were located. The map was not accurate and they could only find 4 trees which were located exiting the road on the right. The Commission asked that Danis Properties be contacted to find out exactly what trees they would like to be removed; and to make sure all the trees are dead. They can remove the 4 trees that were flagged. The Commission asked that the forebay be cleaned; it is full of sediment. Danis Properties will need to present to ConsCom their plans before cleaning it. It is okay if they wait until spring to do this removal. Dan Staffier, Eagle Scout Project approval Mr. Staffier presented the Commission with a slide show. He finished his project at the Linnaea Thelin Bird Sanctuary. - The project was started on November 23 and was finished on December 23. It was a total of 150 hours. He stated that he contacted the school to do a bake sale fundraiser but was told he couldn't. He also said the Mass. Audubon was not willing to help with this project. He ended up doing his own fundraiser. He let the Commission know that Lowes, Atlantic Construction, the Parks and DPW and Benevento's donated either material, man power and/or truck time. Mr. Hecht asked that Mr. Tirone send thank you cards to who donated. The Commission let Mr. Staffier know he did a superb job and thanked him for coming back and showing them the work that was accomplished by everyone. RDA 13 -1, 34 Roma Lane Map 12 Lot 36 and 78, Andrews The Commission talked about their site visit. They stated there were Buttress trees on the property. The proposed tree clearing might be in the resource area. There was nothing flagged showing the wetlands location. Mr. Tirone will take a look at the property. The project may have to wait until vegetation in the spring. Continued NOI 270 -0610, 38 Cross Street, Map 12 Lot 36 & 78. Pacillo Mr. Tirone stated he did a site visit. He met Mr. Sullivan and went over the wetland flagging and there was not agreement as to the resource area boundary. He feels that it was inconclusive le Meeting Minutes January 23, . 2013 Approved February 13, 2012 and a 3rd party will need to be contacted. Mr. Sullivan said the applicant understands this, but just to let them know the fee. The Commission stated they will get 3 bids. They will give the 3rd party the 2 different lines and see what they believe it should be. NOI 270- 96 Van Norden Road, Lot 8, Map 39 Lot 94, Finnegan Mr. Hecht opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Sullivan represented the applicant. He staled the project was flagged on January 7, 2013. There is an existing house on the lot that will be demolished. The material will be removed right away; no stockpiling. A single family dwelling is proposed with utilities, paved driveway and site grading with a portion of this work taking place within 100' of a bordering vegetated wetland. The applicant already went to ZBA for a variance for lot frontage. The trees removed are outside the buffer zone. There were 5 test pits done. They hit rock at 6'. They will use hay bales for erosion control. Mr. Sullivan stated the back corner will change and a revised plan will be submitted. Mr. Tirone asked that the deck on the plans show where the steps will be. There is not record of a cess pool. The Commission asked that if one is found to let them know; as well as the Health Department. A resident was concerned with the new plan of pushing the house back and how this will affect her property line. The drainage and flooding was also discussed with the residents. The Commission suggested to the residents to work with builder and contact the town DPW regarding the flooding. Mr. Thone asked: if any of the trees can be saved, if the builder would consider a construction entrance, putting fabric in the catch basin, and crushed stone be placed around the house with a pad rather than a gutter. The builder stated they ask the homeowner if they want gutters; but always do the splash pad. He asked that Mr. Sullivan respond to the questions/concerns of the Commission in writing. Mr. Sullivan said he will state them on the new plans that will be submitted. There is no DEP number issued as of yet or draft OOC's; it will need to be signed at the next meeting. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to close the Public Hearing for 96 Van Norden Road Ms. Stewart seconded Vote was 6-0 -0. The applicant was asked to sign a waiver for the next meeting will bring it over the 21 days allowed. NOI 270- 100 Van Norden Road, Lot 8, Map 39, Lot 94, Finnegan Mr. Hecht opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Sullivan said this house is similar to 96 Van Norden Road. He said the demolition of patio and shed and the landscaping is within the 100'. The trees removed are outside the jurisdiction of the Commission. There is no work proposed beyond the hay bales; if so he will come back for a minor modification. He let the Commission know the DEP has been in contact with Mr. Sullivan and believes more money is owed for this project; he is in contract with them. Mr. Tirone stated he would like the same that he mentioned for 96 Van Norden Road — for example, stairs, new plans, showing the construction entrance etc. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to close the Public Hearing for 100 Van Norden Road Ms. Stewart seconded Vote was 6-0 -0. Meeting Minutes January 23, 2013 Approved February 13, 2012 A waiver was signed; it will be issued at the next meeting. COC 270 -0498 RGB 2007 -5: 22 Whittier Road, Map 140, Lot 19 & 51, Pizzotti Mr. Hecht stated there was a site visit and before issuing the Certificate of Completion a couple of conditions are needed; the slope needs to be matted and deep rooting plantings be placed. The slope was steeper than 3 to 1. The current Bocce court be vegetated once removed; it is within the 35' no structure zone. Mr. Pizzotti will discuss with Mr. Tirone what plantings he will be doing in the spring. Once the plan is in place with conditions the homeowner will get his certificate. Partial COC 270.0589: Lot 2,1198 Main Street, Map 195, Lot 6 & 7, RKACO, LLC. Mr. Hecht stated there were concerns with this site visit. The hydro seeding was done late or there were heavy rains; there is no sprouting. The slopes need to be stabilized. There was erosion and a lot of waffles in finish grade. Matting needs to be done — burlap mat etc. He also stated on lot 1 there is erosion up against silt fence. Partial COC 270 -0589: Lot 3,1198 Main Street, Map 195, Lot 6 & 7, RKACO, LLC It was stated there was erosion under the gutter line that needs to be filled; maybe the gutters are to low? The lot needs a splash pad on downspout on the southwest point; the gutters are not catching the water. Crushed stone was suggested. The applicant asked if a partial could be issued, but the Commission slated they were not willing to do this. Once everything is fixed another site visit is needed. Mr. Tirone questioned a letter he received from the Engineer, Meisner Brem Corporation. The Commission stated they will need an amended letter from Engineer noting the changes. Mr. Tirone stated he should look at the approved plans and compare it to as- built. This letter is needed before the Commission will do a site visit. The builder talked about the moving of the tree line and stated they had to, to comply with the Town and Mass DOT. Bus Shelter Mr. Tirone talked about a warrant that is on the next Town Meeting. The Town is asking for an easement They would like this land for a bus shelter. The location is by Super Stop and Shop. He stated Mr. Zambouras will file with the Commission and has proposed native planting. Mr. Tirone suggested replacing the storm scepter as this time? Mr. Sullivan questioned if this would be a good location for a tree box filtration. This option was discussed by the Commission. Minutes for approval: December 12, 2012 — Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the December 12, 2012 meeting minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6 -0-0 January 2, 2013 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the January 1, 2013 meeting minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded Vote was 5 -0 -1 (Mr. Sullivan abstained, be was not at the meeting) Meeting Minutes January 23, 2013 Approved February 13, 2012 Mr. Tirane let the Commission know that a Scout contacted him for a list of ideas for projects. Mr. Finch stated there was a Trails Committee meeting and there are a couple of locations that the committee is going to start working on: a bridge is needed on the short trail from Nichols property to Kurchian Woods; at Johnson Woods 70' of boardwalk with a couple of 20' bridges are needed. Mr. Moore, owner of Johnson Woods, is donating the material. The Town just needs to donate the labor; and sprucing up deteriorating boardwalks at Pinevale. Ms. Scanlon questioned the boardwalk at Linaea Bird Sanctuary and if it could be raised. The Commission believes it is a sewage easement. Mr. Hecht stated either of the bridges are a good project for a Scout. Mr. Finch stated there is a scheduled walk at I:00 on Superbowl Sunday starting at Johnson Woods. Mr. Hecht let the Commission know that Ms. Stewart is retiring and moving to Florida. He would like to have the Commission vote to congratulate her on her time served for the Town of Reading. Motion made to congratulate Ms. StewarL Vote was 5 -0-0 Mr. Hecht let the Commission know they are meeting at Bertucci's on Saturday for a lunch with Ms. Stewart. MACC Conference Registration It was suggested by Mr. Finch that the Commission coordinate the workshop sign up. The conference will be funded by the Commission. An email should be sent to Mr. Hecht stating 1" and 2nd choices. The applications should be brought to the February 5d' meeting. Mr. Hecht stated he had a meeting with Mr. Hechenbleikner, Mr. Maughan and Ms. Delios, Ms. Delios will meet with Mr. Tiome monthly and some members could be invited to some. It was reminded that the Commission members look for new member; the Commission is down two. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Ms. Scanlon seconded Vote was 6-0 -0. Respectfully Submitted / Kim M Saunders