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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-22 Conservation Commission MinutesMeeting Minutes May 22, 2013 Approved June 12, 2013 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 22, 2013 Present: Jaime Maughan, Chairman; Brian Sullivan, Annika Scanlon, Will Finch, Kevin Scott Charles Tirone, Administrator Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Jason LeBovidge, 107 Forest Street N cm W; Carl Swanson, 23 Buckskin Drive D o M Geert Lievens, 14 Bunker Avenue 2*� Yano Amara, 89 Maple Street, Stoneham Thomas Skenderien, 64 Pasture Road > 3 Andrea Norton, MassDOT IF >=U Stephen Kasper, 54 Martin Road (NAB Jaime Miron, 54 Martin Road A Absent: William Hecht Call to Order, OldiNew Business - 7:00 RDA 13 -6, 107 Forest Street, Map 39 Lot 102, LeBovidge Mr. LeBovidge talked to the Commission about his application. He would like to do an addition, garage, deck and driveway. The porch will allow for the second means of egress. The majority of the work is outside the 100' buffer zone. There is 10 -15' of the porch addition that is within the buffer zone. Mr. Maughan stated they did a site visit and feels that the erosion control would be more damage than protect the resource area. Ms. Scanlon questioned if the vernal pool in the area would be impacted. The Commission questioned the accuracy of the map of the vernal pool and took the time to check out another website. After discussion, the driveway of the applicant is 141' away from the vernal pool. The applicant asked for permission to vegetate the area if he chooses to remove the old driveway. The Commission agreed and stated he would not need to file again. The Commission asked that the applicant put up a snow fence to maintain the construction material. The driveway was discussed; the applicant stated he is using the same curb cut. The Commission discussed if the erosion could hit the street and go into the vernal pool; but decided the run off would go to the north. Motion made by Mr. Sullivan to issue a negative determination of applicability as amended. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. RDA 13.7, Route 28, Main Street, MassDOT Meeting Minutes May 22, 2013 Approved June 12, 2013 Ms. Norton talked to the Commission about cleaning out the entrances and exits of 10 culverts. The following was discussed: • Repairing the gutter side of Route 28 — ponding is occurring • They will put in a pipe, mill it down and repave the section • All different locations — 2' wide • The road will go back to original grade • They will use either a Vactor truck to reach over and suck it up in to a tank; or reach over with an excavator and put in a dump truck • Nothing will be left on site • At location 1,3,4,5,8 and 9 a shovel will be used • The banks will not be disturbed • They will not touch granite edging • All culverts will be jetted one side or the other; nothing will go south — this will make sure it is flowing • At the location of the white plastic fence this area will be done by hand. She stated the fence is on State land, but is allowing it • They will not go below the invert of the existing culvert • A resident engineer will be on site and will be monitoring the contractor • An excavator will have to do some trimming in the Home Goods area so they are able to lean in • No vegetation will be cut except for the necessary trimming • Turbidity curtain is not necessary The Commission discussed the cleaning of the culverts. They asked: • The Conservation administrator be notified 48 hours before the work to begin • A site visit will be needed • The administrator will let them know about erosion control. • The work should not be done in high flow • No work be done unless there is 7 days with out rain (i.e. no event with more than % inch of rain) • The resident engineer and contractor should be at the meeting before work can begin • No cutting of trees • If bank erosion happens, to use Jute mesh to help stabilize Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to issue a negative determination of applicability. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5-0 -0. Mr. Maughan stated that negative 2 and 3 should be checked off Ms. Norton let the Commission know that the State will start repairing the Ipswich River Bridge in June. The procedure on how the work will be done was discussed; it will take a month to shore up beams and then the 4 lanes can reopen on the bridge. She stated no need for Coast Guard, Army Corp or Water Quality because the water is not being impacted and the raft is not being anchored into the stream bed. She told the Commission MassDot does not have to file a N01, this is an emergency action and they are exempt from the Wetland Protection Act. This is the only notice that the Conservation Commission will get. Meeting Minutes May 22, 2013 Approved June 12, 2013 Mr. Tirone questioned if a turbidity curtain should be required. Ms. Norton stated this will delay the project and she believes the project is a public safety issue. RDA 13 -8, 14 Bunker Ave, Map 28 Lot 163, Lievens The applicant presented his application. He would like to construct a 16 x 12 two story back porch with storage underneath, portions of the work is within 100 -feet of a bordering vegetated wetland. The Commission discussed the site and if his property contains a vernal pool. Mr. Maughan questioned if anything would need to be issued since the wetlands were far enough away from the project. The Commission asked the homeowner for erosion control just to make sure no sediment goes onto the neighboring property. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to issue a negative determination of applicability. Mr. Finch seconded Vote was 5 -0 -0. RDA 13 -9, Sledge Woods & Kurchian Woods, Map 45 Lot 53 &60, Reading Trail Committee Mr. Finch stated since he is on the Reading Trail Committee he will recuse himself from the vote. He explained that the application is for construction of a new trail and approximately 30 feet of boardwalk to connect Sledge Woods with Kurchian Woods portions of the work is within the resource area and 100 -feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The site for the bridge was picked out because it is the narrow and it helped that there was already a makeshift bridge there. The Commission talked with Mr. Skederian. He stated he has an easement on his deed to allow three parking spots. People can park there and be able to enter the woods. He thinks this is a great project; the more people walking through, less people will hang out and be destructive. Mr. Swanson questioned how they are going to get the material to the site. Mr. Tirone asked if the Trail Committee would consider adding a small guard rail. Mr. Finch stated they would like to start the project on June 22. It was asked that Mr. Skederian receive an email to remind him about the work. Ms. Scanlon complimented the design the Trail Committee is using. Mr. Finch stated the design came from the Town of Acton. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve RDA 13 -9. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Notifying abutters will be added to the condition. Amended NOl 270 -0603, 54 Martin Road, Map 38 Map 115, Miron Mr. Maughan opened the public hearing. He stated there was a site visit and this amendment is after the fact of a NO1. There were three changes from the plan and as built. The applicant did increase the size of the proposed deck from 12 x 18 to 17 x 18, there is a concrete footing under the steps that extends the activity further into the 35 foot no build zone, and installed a 3.3 x 5.3 concrete apron just outside the 25' ZNV all work is within 100 -feet of a bordering vegetated wetland. Mr. Tirone stated that the property is also in the Aquifer Protection District. Mr. Sullivan noted that the work does not increase the impermeable surface beyond allowed limits. Mr. Kasper stated the Town Building Inspector requested the footings. A letter from Jack Sullivan, Engineer was presented. The Commission discussed their options; and if a variance should be requested. They discussed plantings and alternative mitigation. Some ideas were a rain garden, rain barrel, evasive removal, markers installed and /or a garden under the downspout. The Commission decided to continue the hearing and told the applicant to submit variance letter and a planting plan. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to continue the hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0.0. Meeting Minutes May 22, 2013 Approved June 12, 2013 Old /New Business Minor Project: 34 Joseph Way, Pool Mr. Tirone stated the owner wanted to install an above ground pool. He believes it falls under a minor project because the work is 65' away from wetland. He did tell the owner he needed to come up with an 0 &M plan. The Commission discussed this. Mr. Maughan questioned why the Forest and Bunker Street were not considered minor projects also. Mr. Tirone stated the minor project list needs to be updated; and he wanted be better safe than sorry, Bills approved No bills to approve Last call for New England Caterpillars, Samuel Jaffe Ms. Scanlon talked to the Commission about Samuel Jaffe. He identifies caterpillars; and specializes in caterpillars in the Northeast. She would like to look into a fundraiser and invite him to Reading. Maybe have him present at the Mattera Cabin. She talked to the Rachel Baumgartner, Town Librarian. She stated there is grant money geared for educational programs. Ms. Scanlon will contact him about Friends and Family Day; maybe to promote him. Emergency Certification - rte 28 catch basin The Commission talked about the emergency certification for Route 28. Mr. Tirone stated he asked for erosion control and a 72 hour notice before starting the job. Mr. Tirone did not believe the work started because he has not received a call. Continued Clear Channel Billboards, 0 &M Discussion, Mike Auterio review 0 &M Plan Mr, Amara represented Clear Channel in Stoneham. He distributed the maintenance plan the company proposes. He stated they would like to trim and prune vegetation that obstructs view from the billboards. He suggested flagging areas; and stated the company will abide by the rules submitted. The Commission decided to do a site walk with Clear Channel. Flag it right then and there and then have Clear Channel survey the area. The plans will stay on file. It was decided to use green pickets to flag the area. Maintenance should not be done more than once a year. Mr. Tirone asked that the company gives a 72 hour notice before work can be done. Mr. Maughan asked that a letter goes to Clear Channel letting them know the Commission is comfortable with the maintenance submitted. Mr. Amara stated Mike Auterio is still the point person for this project. Minutes for approval: May 8, 2013 Motion made by Mr. Finch to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 (Mr. Scott was absent for this meeting) Mr. Maughan asked the administrator if the applicants are aware when the site visits are going to be. Mr. Tirone stated he does not personally notify the applicants but does tell them at the counter. He feels that this is an additional step he would have to do and believes that it states it in the Wetland Protection Act. Mr. Maughan asked that a phone call or email be sent Wednesday or Thursday before the site visit; just to remind them. Meeting Minutes May 22, 2013 Approved June 12, 2013 Mr. Maughan questioned the Order of Conditions for 10 Pasture Road, He asked that Mr. Tirone to check the Order of Condtions to determine what restrictions were placed on the front yard and if there was a violation to write a letter to the homeowner and let them know that mowing is not allowed; and the wetland vegetation should be left in his yard. Mr. Maughan wanted to know when Friends and Family Day is going to be this year. Mr. Finch stated that the Trails Committee will be there; and the Conservation Commission can share with them. The Commission talked about the sign for Conservation. Mr. Maughan asked that Mr. Tirone get the signs posted for Castine Meadow by Friends and Family Day, June 15th. He asked that Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Tirone coordinate the table for Friends and Family Day, maybe a raffle? Ms. Scanlon let the Commission know she got in touch with Andrew Friedman regarding the 306 Main Street site. She forwarded him the summary of the report she received; Mr. Friedman encouraged her to keep monitoring the site. Mr. Tirone talked to the Commission regarding the Perfectos Cafe site. He let them know the owner is getting back on track with the building and there is going to be a DRT meeting. Mr. Tirone went to the site; and went over the placement of hay bales with the contractor. The back of the building is blocked off; only the site supervisor is allowed back there right now. When demolishing the building only two people will be allowed. The new contractor has to come in with a demolition plan. The contractor also knows a fence will be needed around the site; and excavation will not happen on the other side of the wall in the back of the building. Mr. Maughan asked when the DRT meeting is scheduled to let the Commission know. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that the builder of 160 Charles Street is getting ready to sell. He is looking for his occupancy and will file for a Certificate of Compliance. He stated a fence was installed that was not on the plans. The bounds that the builder installed are pressure treated and might have to be changed to concrete. He questioned the Commission if the builder could leave the hay bales and spread out the hay? Mr. Tirone said this site will be on the next site visit and wants to know if the changes the builder made should be considered a minor modification or amendment to the Order of Conditions. Mr. Finch questioned Mr. Tirone on: • If Kiley Drive surveying was done — Mr. Tirone said it has. • If the letter to Mr. Ray Boyd has gone out yet? Mr. Finch commented on the recent bird walk in the meadow; he believes it should have been done. If the Maple Street dumping letters have gone out; and all residents should receive one? Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to adjourn at 10;00 p.m. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, ` Kim M Saunders