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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-26 Conservation Commission Minutes0 639 ?1NCOk40� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes DECEIVED OWN CLERK ' )ING - MASS. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission -_'4 MAR 13 A C� 01 Date: 2014 -02 -26 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Board of Selectmen Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Annika Scanlon, Chairman;Brian Sullivan, William Hecht, Will Finch, Terry Selle Members - Not Present: Jamie Maughan Others Present: Charles Tirone, Administrator Tom Wise, 181 South Street Tom Hagan, 3 Ivy Lane Lauren & Frances Bradford, 6 Ivy Lane Maureen & Nick Falcione, 119 Libby Ave John Pember, 7 Heritage Drive George Zambouras, Town Engineer Curt Young, WPI Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved March 12, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NIEw BUSINESS - 7:00 • Minor Project - No minor projects • 29 Gavin Circle - The stockpile is still there and frozen solid. There seems to be no activity • Bills approved- No bills to approve • Earth Day is on April 5th at Matera Cabin 10:00 a.m. — 2:00 p.m. Ms. Scanlon will forward the invitation from the Climate Committee. Mr. Finch will be there for the Trails Committee as well. The Commission members attending the MACC Conference will pick up extra items to display on Earth Day. Mr. Selle will not be able to attend to the Conference. Ms. Scanlon asked if anyone on the Trails Committee or Town Hall would be interested in attending; could a refund be possible. The Commission will post the announcement of the open Conservation Commission seats on Earth Day. It was asked if the announcement can be put into the Town water bills. • Minutes for Approval: February 12, 2014 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the minutes as amended by Mr. Maughan. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4-0 -1 (Mr. Sullivan abstain from the vote, was not at meeting) Continued RDA 14 -2 Reading Rifle & Revolver Club, John LoRusso The applicant has requested the RDA to be continued to March 12`h. Mr. Tirone asked for clarification for the applicant. The applicant was not sure if he would need unstamped engineered drawings; or would better drawings with dimensions be sufficient. After a discussion the Commission agreed that drawings with Page I 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes dimensions are acceptable. If the wall is staying cross sections are needed. Ms. Scanlon let the Commission know she spoke to Dave Adams at the NE DEP Group regarding the asphalt that is on site at RR &R Club. She stated using the asphalt on a current access road would have no impact to the wetlands. If a new road, it is requested to stay out of the 35' area. It shouldn't be used to construct a berm on the firing range. NOI 270- 181 South Street, Map, 3 Lot, 13, Wise Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing for NOI 270 -0622 at 181 South Street. Mr. Smyers represented the applicant. He stated the applicant is proposing to construct additions off the rear of his home and the side of his garage. The work will take place within the 200 foot riverfront area. There will be a new driveway. He stated it is an existing yard; the use doesn't change. The increase is 1300 square feet total; this is within the limits of the Riverfront Area Guidelines. Ms. Scanlon asked if there were any preplanning regarding the access during the construction. The homeowner stated he has not finalized a contractor but will let the contractor know the concerns. Mr. Tirone asked the following questions: if planting is needed; did the homeowner consider having the driveway be porous; if rain water would be captured; and if a variance is needed. Mr. Hecht stated he didn't believe a variance or planting was needed; the plan is straightforward and there is no substantial grade difference from the first house on Walnut Street. Mr. Hecht motioned to approve the NOI with the addition to the rain barrels as noted in the NOL Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. The Commission will sign at the next meeting. NOI 270- Salem Street/water main, Map, 28, 29 Lot, 194 &5, Town DPW, Engineering Division Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing for NOI 270 -0612. Mr. Zambouras did a general overview of the project: • He stated the water main needs to be replaced • The easement was authorized a year ago at Town Meeting. The Town will donate property to Conservation equal to this property. • Gravel access road from previous construction • The project is from Belmont Street to Ivy Lane — 820' • A new 8" water main pipe will be installed • Dewatering will be needed • The project will start at Belmont Street and up to the crossing. The contractor will move to Ivy Street and work towards Belmont Street. • Will not cross with the equipment in the stream • Sedimentation control — silt around the entire area • 19 trees will have to be cut or removed • Will do the project in the driest part of the season • Sandbags will be used to catch sediments • Contractor will use steel plates • A small pump should be able to maintain • Pipe installation should be 3 days — whole project approximately 2 weeks • Will bring in clean fill and bedding • Will need to maintain to get in the area periodically • Wanted directional drilling, but not feasible per DCM Smith letter Ms. Scanlon asked Mr. Zambouras to discuss the directional drilling. Mr. Zambouras said the sewer was installed mid to late 60's and was cleaned 2 years ago. Mr. Sullivan stated the lower the amount of time the stream work takes, the better. The sheeting will stay in place to stabilize the area. Mr. Young reviewed the project and the wetland areas. He did not flag the area; he believes the whole area is considered wetland. They will reseed with upland seed mix. There will be limited activity at the crossing. The dirt bags will be removed as they become filled and will be disposed of offsite. Ms. Scanlon questioned if straw mat will be needed to stabilize the slope. Also where will the material be stockpiled as the excavation is happening? Mr. Zambouras stated he will do whatever it takes to stabilize. Some material will be on the side for backfilling; the rest loaded into a truck and brought out. Abutters to the project had the following questions or concerns: • Mr. Hagan wanted to know the amount of time for shutting off the water. Mr. Zambouras said limited time. • Mr. Pember questioned if the water line will be going down A, B, C or Heritage Street. Mr. Zambouras answered that it is being looked into — some are private roads and legally the Town cannot maintain them. Page 1 2 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes • Mr. Pember asked about the truck traffic and stated his concern for the kids in the neighborhoods. Mr. Zambouras said the equipment is left on site, and the truck traffic should be minimal. • Mr. Hagan wanted to know when the project would start. Mr. Zambouras said July, August and September time. • An abutter asked how long the project would take. Mr. Zambouras believes the whole project 2 -3 weeks. • Mr. Bradford questioned if the debris will be picked up. She stated on the last project it was not. The boulders were put in place because people thought it was a road and dumped trash. Mr. Zambouras assured her the debris will be picked up and the boulders will be put back into place. • Mr. Hagan wanted to know when the paving will begin. Mr. Zambouras said temporary trench pavement will be installed and will be doing the street over the following spring. Ms. Scanlon asked for a timeline of the project and Mr. Zambouras agreed. Mr. Zambouras told the abutters if they would like information on the project to email him and he will send the information to them. Mr. Tirone had the following comments /concerns: • He would like detail on the bank • Questions the planting • Why isn't GeoTech being used • DEP asked for the whole site to be restored • DEP questioned why the dirt road isn't being used • Why isn't a variance needed • Why the area wasn't flagged • Wants to see a wetland restoration plan in writing • How are the trucks going to go in there and not sink Mr. Zambouras and Mr. Young discussed the concerns with the Commission. It was noted that Mr. Young will monitor the project; and will let the Commission know when the project is done. Mr. Tirone asked that someone on site know how to use the dirt bags. The abutters were reassured the boulders will be put back. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the Public Hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Mr. Tirone will have a draft prepared for the next meeting. Mr. Zambouras talked to the Commission about the West Street construction project. The Gas Company does need to replace their pipes. Will the Commission allow their project be included in the Engineering filing? After a discussion, the Commission agreed a letter from Mr. Zambouras and a plan will be acceptable. The Gas Company does not need to file or do a presentation. Mr. Hecht told Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Finch to meet him at the Town Hall on Saturday; he will drive to the Conference. Mr. Tirone said there has been no interest on being on the Conservation Commission. The Board of Selectmen will mention it at their meeting. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Page 1 3 2013 -09 -03