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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-11 Conservation Commission Minutesoak Town of Reading Gt Meeting Minutes 5J9'lNCORQ�P Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2013 -12 -11 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Board of Selectmen Room Annika Scanlon, Chairman;Will Finch, Jaime Maughan, Terry Selle Members - Not Present: William Hecht and Brian Sullivan Others Present: Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator George Zambouras, Engineering Al Couillard, 92 Sanborn Lane Leah Basbanes, Basbanes Wetland Consultant John LoRusso, Reading Rifle and Revolver Club Joe Benassi, 98 Sanborn Lane Mike & Dot Hayes, 97 Sanborn Lane Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved January 8, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEW BUSINESS - 7:00 Minor Project: 34 Batchelder Road, Shed Mr. Tirone stated he issued a minor project permit for a shed. The applicant wanted to put a shed 65+ feet away from the buffer zone. Request to waive the RDA filing fee and pay the $75.00 for the newspaper legal notice, Ben Westerman Mr. Tirone stated a Scout would like to have the fee waived for both RDA filing and newspaper legal notice. The Scout will present in January, he is not completely ready. The full project was not discussed, but it was mentioned it is for park benches at Sturges Park. Mr. Feudo, Reading Recreation, has met with the Scout and has approved the project. Mr. Maughan questioned why the Reading Recreation Department is not filing the RDA. Town project fees get waived. He also asked if the Recreation Department has maintenance plan like the DPW does. Mr. Tirone will follow up with Recreation. He will also look into if a Scout can partner up with someone to fulfill their Eagle Scout award. ANRAD 270 -, 92 Sanborn Lane, Map 56 Lot 16, Couillard Ms. Basbanes represented the applicant. She reviewed how she established the wetland line. Ms. Scanlon talked about the construction debris seen at the site visit. She speculated the trees were 20+ years. Mr. Maughan questioned if construction debris was present in the test pits. Mr. Zambouras stated Engineering witnessed the test pits and the results were in his office. Mr. Tirone had concerns regarding the fill and how accurate the wetland line is because of the time Page 1 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes of the year. He also asked that either he or the Commission be contacted when a test pit is being done in the Conservation jurisdiction. Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Tirone questioned if the wetland line was naturally generated or was it because of the fill. It was asked that the applicant look into the historical data of the fill from 1987 and after. The applicant questioned if the Commission was asking for information regarding what was in the fill material that was out of the ANRAD scope. He thinks the questions can be answered when and if a NOI is filed. This meeting was only to ask for approval for the wetland line. Ms. Scanlon reiterated she would like more information before voting. An abutter questioned the impact the construction would be on his property. His property already gets wet. Mr. Maughan said if a NOI is filed infiltration and flood storage will be addressed at that time. Motion made by Mr. Finch to postpone voting until the January 8rh meeting. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Reading Rifle and Revolver Club (RRR) Update Mr. LoRusso updated the Commission regarding the enforcement order issued to the RRR. He stated the offending fill was removed under supervision as requested. He has not heard from Ms. Martin, Environment Specialist, since the fill was removed. He would like to move forward with the enforcement order without the supervision of Ms. Martin. He asked the Commission for permission to order the seed mix and spread it, so it can freeze during the winter. The Commission agreed, but warned him he might have to put more down in the spring. He also asked about the puddle at the site, he would like to remove the debris. The Commission discussed and told him to contact them with a target start date. They would like someone at the site while doing this. He agreed and stated the area will be stabilized with a fabric mat. Minor Plan Change 270 -552, RGB #2009 -9, Engineering Department Mr. Zambouras stated the West Street project has already been permitted. He is requesting a minor plan change so MWRA can replace 36" of water main at the same time the project is ongoing. The Commission decided they do not need a weekly report from the resident engineer, but asked that if an issue arises in their jurisdiction they be contacted. They asked that they be notified of the start of work. Mr. Maughan made a motion to approve the minor plan change. Mr. Selle seconded. Vote was 4-0 -0. Mr. Zambouras said the Walker's Brook Drive bus stop won't be started until spring. Mr. Maughan reminded him of the removal of phragmites. This was agreed upon when the bus stop was approved. Mr. Zambouras also let the Commission know they will be receiving 3 future filings; one is for Castine Field. The Commission discussed the borings at Ivy and Belmont Street. Mr. Zambouras informed the commission that the borings indicated a peat layer and thus trenchless construction was not possible. It was asked if this could be done in the winter when the ground is frozen. COC 270 -0597, 100 Van Norden Road, Finnegan Development Ms. Scanlon said the site looked fine. The posts were installed and grass was down. Mr. Tirone asked if the trash was still on site. He told the contractor to remove the trash at his last site visit. Motion made by Mr. Finch to issue a COC. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4-0 -0. Harold Ave. Conservation Restriction Mr. Tirone asked the Commission to sign the three (3) duplicated documents. It should be ready to go to the State now. 29 Gavin Circle, Discussion Page 1 2 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Mr. Tirone said he got calls from the neighbors at 29 Gavin Circle. At the site there was fill and clear cutting of trees. He told the homeowner to stop work November 19, 2013. The owner complied with the request to stop work and the erosion control. The homeowner thought he had permission from Engineering to do the project. Engineering supposedly made a comment that the project would make it easier for access to a manhole. A Wetland Scientist determined the wetland line under the fill using a hand auger. Mr. Tirone confirmed the line is accurate. He issued an enforcement order to remove the fill-, however, no date for compliance was specified. He thought it was understood with Mr. Latham, homeowner's attorney that he authorized the fill to be removed. The Commission read the enforcement order. It was asked that on future enforcement orders to make sure there is a date so there will be no misunderstanding. The Commission discussed if the homeowner was in violation and reached a general consensus that there was a violation. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to ratify the enforcement order. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4-0 -0. After reading the email from Mr. Latham requesting a continuation, it was decided this could be considered a restoration plan. The Commission decided another enforcement order should be issued. They stated the material should be removed as soon as possible and a re- vegetation plan submitted. Mr. Tirone stated the neighbors at the site had concerns about flooding. Mr. Finch asked that on the removal of the lowest 6" of fill a wetland scientist be on sight to make sure the 25' buffer is maintained. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue a 2"d enforcement order for replanting plan by January 2nd and fill removed by December 20'h. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4-0 -0. (Mr. Maughan left the meeting) 2014 Schedule Approval The Commission approved of the dates. Year in Review — Clear Channel Billboards, O &M discussion, Mike Auterio O &M Plan, 10 Pasture Road Meadow Management Plan discussion End of year rap up — Ms. Scanlon asked the Commission to think about this and will revisit at the next meeting. Were there any smaller projects during the summer that the Commission should review? One thing she would like to do is create aids to hand out to the public to help them understand the importance of the wetlands. Walking Book Funding and Revolving Fund Ms. Scanlon showed the guide book that Grace Stroman created for Reading's Town Forest, Conservation and Open Lands. Mr. Tirone questioned if a revolving fund should be setup for this book. The Town would like to have more to distribute. It would cost around $500 for 100 books. Mr. Selle stated the Trails Committee gave Ms. Stroman $80 for the cost. The concept if the book should be given out or sold to is still in the talks. Bills approved — No bills at this time. There were two, but they belonged to Reading Recreation. Minutes for Approval: November 13, 2013 The minutes will need to be approved at the next meeting Mr. Finch stated he went to the first meeting that the ad Hoc Zoning Committee had at the Pleasant Street Center. At the meeting the wetland bylaw and the Aquifer Protection District was questioned. He thinks that these meetings should be on the Commissions radar. The next meeting is Monday, December 16th at the Town Hall. Motion made by Mr. Finch to adjourn at 9:40. Mr. Selle seconded. Vote was 3 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Mr. Hecht seconded. Page 1 3 2013 -osa3 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Vote was 6 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary Page 1 4 ]013 -09 -03