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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-08 Conservation Commission MinutesN OFR O� r a. e 0 6�9 +1NCORPOPP Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2014 -01 -08 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ADING. Mt SS. iJ4 FEB -b A & 23 Location: Board of Selectmen Room Annika Scanlon, Chairman;Brian Sullivan, Williamn Hechtmm Will Finch, Jaime Maughan, Terry Selle Members - Not Present: Others Present: Charles Tirone, Administrator Brad Latham, 643 Main Street Leah Basbanes, Basbanes Wetland Consultant Matthew Watsky, Esquire Al Couillard, 92 Sanborn Lane Joseph & Alana Fustulo, 29 Gavin Circle Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved January 22, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEW BUSINESS - 7:00 7:05 Continued ANRAD 270 -0619, 92 Sanborn Lane, Map 56 Lot 16, Couillard Mr. Couillard stated, at the request of the Commission, he investigated the history of the fill at the property on 92 Sanborn Lane. After reading the documents that was passed out to the Commission, Mr. Watskey summarized the findings. It was agreed the fill happened well before 1986. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to approve the wetland line as delineated on the November 26, 2013 submittal. Mr. Hecht seconded. Mr. Tirone questioned where the data was for the test pits. He stated Engineering did not have the data as stated at the last meeting. It was noted that this information will be needed if a NOI is filed. Mr. Finch questioned if the Commission could approve flags 7a -16a. This was discussed and agreed the fill was pre - jurisdiction. Vote was 6 -0 -0 approving the ANRAD. The document will be signed at the next meeting. Old /New Business 29 Gavin Circle, Discussion Mr. Latham asked the Commission to move up the discussion on 29 Gavin Circle. The homeowner is paying for professionals and was hoping they could discuss their property sooner than the agenda stated. The Commission agreed. The Enforcement Order(s) had been previously approved by the commission and were signed by the Commission. It was confirmed by the owner they received the Orders by mail. Mr. Latham represented the homeowners. He stated to the Commission that the homeowner was not aware of the jurisdictional resources on the property. Before he bought the property he came in to the Town Hall. He was directed to the Engineering department regarding the easement. Engineering did a site visit and it was thought that he was Page 1 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes given the okay to clear trees. They did not know they had to file with Conservation. They had to hire a lawyer and a wetland scientist to help fix the problems. They just wanted a yard for their children. Dr. John Rockwood, Wetland Scientist, let the Commission know he was on the property on November 21St. The fill was already frozen. He excavated 8 trenches and augured down under the trench. He flagged the wetland line, but stated because of the disturbance it made the flagging complicated and may not be accurate. He believes the restoration would be done in 3 stages. Weather permitting the contractor should start on Friday 10 January 2014. It should only take 2 -3 days. He apologized for the late start, but because of the weather and Holiday's the deadlines were not met. The first stage will be removal of fill material. A contractor will remove all but 6" with a toothless bucket. Mr. Rockwood will be on site to supervise around the 6" removal. If the contractor has any questions or concerns he is available. The elevation will be returned to what it was prefill. The planting will be done around May. He would like to see how the area floods. He will fit the plants to the hydrology. Erosion control will be installed March to May. As soon as the fill is removed, mulch and leaf litter will be put down. He stated the leaf litter will allow wildlife resources to be able to scurry. He is proposing an outer silt fence with salt mash hay. The 2nd erosion control will be moved down to the 15' mark, and grading will be done at the 10' mark. Mr. Latham asked that the Commission consider a waiver for the buffer zone requirements. He would like it be under the Enforcement Order. The owners would like a yard. The Commission discussed and agreed before anything else is considered, a site visit is needed once the fill is removed. They would like to make sure the delineation is accurate. Once the ground is thawed, they would also like to see how it floods and the hydrology. A memo from the Town Manager was discussed. He stated he had a meeting with the homeowners and Town Hall staff. He made a change to the Town policy, effective immediately. A Conservation handout will be given to any resident, realtor or business owner who visits engineering or requests a site visit. Mr. Tirone discussed his concern. He would like to visually see a plan of the restoration and what the yard would look like. The deadlines of the Enforcement Order(s) were his concern and what was concentrated on. He wanted to make sure the Commission understood how much fill would be left once the fill that was discussed was removed. Mr. Rockwood showed on the white board the 15' wetland line; what he is removing, grading and planting. This will provide a dense buffer to the wetland. Mr. Maughan mentioned that the bank might need to be sloped in that area. Dr. Rockwood confirmed that all fill within 25 feet of the resource area will be removed and inspected before any grading or filling is done between the lines 15 and 25 feet from the resource area. Mr. Finch asked that caution be used when removing the fill; there might be sprouts. Hand removal might be needed rather than using the bucket. Mr. Rockwood let the Commission know that the contractor has a detail list to get the project done. He can contact Mr. Rockwood anytime. The homeowner will let Mr. Tirone know before the work is started. If the work cannot be started on Friday they will let him know. The fill will be removed and site stabilized. The Commission will do a site visit on January 19th pending feedback. When stage 2 is done, an email will be sent to Mr. Tirone. The Commission will do another site visit at that time. Mr. Finch noted that the Town Manager did a good job summarizing what happened and getting involved. Mr. Maughan asked the homeowner if their misunderstanding involved the presence of a wetland or a wetland regulation. The homeowner stated he did not know there was either; he would not have purchased the property if he did know. The Commission agreed they need to educate homeowners, brokers and Town departments. Page 1 2 201309 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes The homeowner questioned if the easement is effected by what is going on? The Commission told him it is part of his property; it just allows the DPW to have access if they need to. Request for change of quarterly inspection report to biannual inspections 88 -98 Walkers Brook Drive Ms. Scanlon reviewed the letter requesting the change. She asked who signed the page. She had concerns on what they were requesting. She stated she has no issue moving the storm sector to 2x a year; if there is buildup they can be moved back to quarterly. She did question the oil and water separator. This was discussed with the Commission. There was a concern about spill over from the tank. Mr. Sullivan will review the as -built and maintenance plans and get back to the Commission. 2014 Schedule change for 09/24 Mr. Tirone stated that there is a meeting scheduled on 09/24/2014. The Town does not allow meetings on a holiday. The meeting will be moved to 09/17/2014. Minor Project — there were none discussed. Request to waive Sturges Park RDA filing fee and pay the &75.00 for the newspaper legal notice, Ben Westerman /DPW Department, co- sponsored application Mr. Tirone stated the Eagle Scout has contacted the DPW and they will co- sponsor the RDA application. The Scout will like to put benches in Sturges Park (the agenda originally had Castine Field). Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve to waive the fee and pay the $75 newspaper legal notice. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Year in review — Clear Channel Billboards, O &M Discussion, Mike Auterio O &M Plan, 10 Pasture Road Meadow Management Plan Discussion Clear Channel Billboards - Mr. Tirone stated he made contact with Clear Channel. Mr. Auterio is no longer the contact. Clear Channel was under the impression this was closed. Mr. Tirone let them know they are waiting for a plan and the language in the O &M needs to be tightened up. The Commission discussed what they thought was still outstanding with Clear Channel. 10 Pasture Road — Mr. Tirone made contact with the homeowner. The plans are not made up yet; he will have something in the future. Mr. Maughan believes that the area has been cut 5 -6 weeks ago. Approve budget ConsCom to approve the salary support in the amount of $4000 (from the State Revolving Fund Balance) Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the salary support. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. The Commission discussed if the administrators hours have anything to do with the current violations that have occurred in Conservation. Bills approved- Water and sewer Bill, Pearl Street Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the water and sewer bill for Pearl Street. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Minutes for Approval- November 13, 2013 and December 11, 2013 Motion made to approve November 13, 2013 meeting minutes as amended. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to approve the minutes for December 11, 2013 as modified. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 40 -2 (Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Hecht abstain — not at the meeting) Page 1 3 20.3 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Mr. Tirone told the Commission he is having a monthly meeting with Ms. Delios; and asked if Mr. Sullivan or Ms. Scanlon could attend. They both agreed to go and decided the best time would be Tuesday 01/28th at 1:00. Mr. Selle let the Commission know that an Eagle Scout came to the Forest Committee regarding benches in the Town Forest. The Scout was told to come to Conservation for approval. The Commission discussed the type of benches allowed by the Town. Mr. Tirone reminded the Commission that the project at Maplewood Village is still open. Maybe a Scout could take it over. The walkway will be removed and turned and will be connected to the path. He is not sure where the project is at; but remembers it being agreed to by Town and Maplewood Village. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 6 -0 -0. Respectfully submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary Page 1 4 2013 -09 -03