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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-12 Conservation Commission MinutesOF RHO O � / Town of Reading b' Meeting Minutes i�ECCEI VEjo] '6J9!1NCORPOPP -� CIT CLE(jK Board - Committee - Commission - Council: ,_ N'. G. mt�ss. Conservation Commission ! +;y FEB 21 Date: 2014 -02 -12 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;Jamie Maughan, William Hecht, Will Finch, Terry Selle Members - Not Present: Brian Sullivan Others Present: Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator Joanne O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Bill Manuell, Wetlands and Land Management John LoRusso, RR &R Club, Reading, MA Kathy Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road John Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road Mike and Cindy Hanson, 17 Plymouth Phil O'Donnell, 19 Dustin Road Gordon McIntosh, 14 Plymouth Road Annemarie Hunter, 35 Plymouth Road Barbara Crosby, 16 Dustin Road Barbara and Ralph Cefali Mr. Rotstein, 10 Pasture Road Mark Gillis, 10 Pasture Road Chuck Salemi, 374 Lowell Street Chuck Loeinger, 17 Gavin Circle William Crowley, 42 Locust Street David Jameson John Crosby, 16 Dustin Road Paula Boyle, 64 Batchelder Road Emily Hoyt, 375 Lowell Street Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved February 24, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEW BUSINESS - 7:00 Ratify Emergency Certification, 50 Mill Street Mr. Tirone stated he had to issue an emergency certification for 50 Mill Street. There were 5 dead trees 53' away from the resource area. He gave them permission to remove. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to ratify the emergency certification for 50 Mill Street. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Page 1 1 2C:3 -09 -03 TFwn of Reading - Meeting Minutes 29 Gavin Circle Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on 29 Gavin Circle. The 2nd row of erosion control has been installed. Ponding is still happening between the 1 st and 2nd erosion control. A neighbor submitted a photo of the mature trees prior to construction and what the area looked like after construction. Mr. Tirone had concerns with how slow the project is going. The ground might be too soft in the spring and work could damage the wetlands. The material is still stockpiled. A site visit is needed after the snow melts. Leaf litter is still needed. Mr. Maughan had concerns about the elevation. He does not want isolated pools created. He would like it to be the same as before the fill was done. A plan was requested. Mr. Tirone stated he passed out the subdivision plan at the last meeting. The plan showed the elevation. RDA 14 -2 Reading Rifle & Revolver Club, John LoRusso Mr. LoRusso read what his intent is for repairs and renovations at the RR &R Club. He would like to start the project in March before the competition begins. At the 300 yard range he would like to cover the wall rather than repairing it. This would create a sloping berm. The Commission had concerns about the slope-, would the material be stable to prevent erosion. They also wanted to make sure the project would stay out of the resource area. After a discussion the Commission agreed they needed specifics and would like measurements and cross sectional drawings of the wall showing existing and proposed conditions in 4 or 5 places. An engineered sketch with cross sections was asked for. The Commission reminded the applicant if the project is close to the resource area a variance will be needed. The Commission agreed the RDA could be modified if the applicant wanted to just tear down the wall. The applicant discussed the 500 yard firing line. He would like to make it wider with a little bit of a berm. The Commission had concerns about the material he wanted to use. It was material brought into the site from a road project. Ms Scanlon stated the State does not permit using asphalt where it is not generated. The applicant read the chain of custody of the material. The Commission explained that if the recycled material was used it would need to be covered with impermeable materal. After a discussion the applicant agreed to use clean gravel on either side of the road. The Commission asked for a plan, drawn to scale showing where the buffer zone and wetland line is located. Ms. Scanlon asked if the land use changed with these renovations. The applicant stated no, there will be no vehicle traffic to the firing range. The members park and walk the area. NOI 270 -2620: 364 Lowell Street, Map 26, Lot 157, Jamieson Properties LLC Ms. Scanlon opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Manuell reviewed the subdivision plan. Ms. Scanlon questioned if the flags were renumbered after some got omitted. Mr. Manuell will double check if the flags got renumbered. He stated the existing house will be renovated with an addition of a new detached garage. There will be three new houses. Each lot will have a rain garden to accommodate runoff. There will be infiltration pits for roof run off. The catch basins were discussed. Ms. Scanlon asked that the applicant consider current data for the design data. The rain fall intensity is happening more often. They asked that the applicant to have Engineering approve the detention /infiltration basins. Mr. Manuell stated waivers will be needed with this subdivision. However, the areas are already disturbed. He believes the suggested changes are an improvement not an expansion. A complete O &M and SWPP plan will be submitted. They are going to preserve as many trees as possible. He suggested removing knotweed or the peninsula of fill for mitigation. The certified vernal pool was discussed. Mr. Manuell questioned if the vernal pool was certified erroneously. Ms. Scanlon stated the Commission's intention was not to lessen the protection of vernal pools when the regulations were changed. Mr. Hecht questioned the size and location of the garage. The garage is encroaching on the 25' zone. Mr. Maughan asked that the cad file of the plan be sent to Mr. Sullivan. The criteria of a variance were talked about. The abutters spoke to the Commission about their concerns: Mr. O'Donnell spoke of a French drain he installed, but still pumps every spring. Ms. Mcnulty questioned the vernal pool behind her house and asked that it be reviewed to determine if it was eligible for certification. Ms. Crosby stated she sees turtles and believes the vernal pool is a breeding pond. The 100' vernal pool habitat line would need to be established. Ms. Tierney has concerns about water on Plymouth Road if this subdivision is allowed. She does not believe the subdivision is for the better for Plymouth Road residents. The Commission was reminded that the subdivision is in the aquifer protection district. Mr. Crosby discussed the flooding that has occurred. Mr. Hanson also had concerns for flooding. Ms. O'Brien talked about the deer, beavers and ducks in the area. Ms. Scanlon questioned the seasonal high water table results. Snow removal was questioned and where the snow would go. The Commission agreed the hearing should be continued. The following would need to be supplied to the commission by the applicant: 1. Verify high water at 364 Lowell Street 2. Formal request of variance 3. Tree inventory? — what is going to be cut down 4. Concurrence from engineering that detention /infiltration basin is okay 5. Have all structures out of the 35' zone 6. Determine if there is a certifiable vernal pool on the property and if so demark the 100' habitat line Page 1 2 2017 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes 7. Evaluation of the alternatives 8. Reconsider the Garage size and options to get it out of the 35 foot no build area 9. Snow removal — what is going to prevent the snow from going into the detention pond / /reduces the capacity of design storm Mr. Maughan suggested to the applicant to look at the AECOM model of the river that was part of the Reading River study that was done for the Town. Mr. Finch told the abutters if they have any pictures or documentation the elevation can be determined by them. The Commission agreed to a site visit on March 9`h. They would like to look at the high water in variety of areas. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing until March 12th. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Old /New Business Minor Project - None discussed 10 Pasture Road, Rotstein Mr. Rotstein reviewed the issue with his property. There is an order of conditions that was attached to his deed. He stated he would like to increase his mowing frequency for economic and health reasons. He was asked at a previous meeting to draw up a proposal. He reviewed the formal plan that Hayes Engineering created. The Commission discussed their concerns. They talked if the "no mow" area should have stone markers and be a bigger area. Ms. Scanlon asked the homeowner if he would be willing to do no mowing for 1 to 3 years. She questioned what would happen to the habitat if the area is mowed once a month. The use of a tick tube was recommended to the homeowner with regards to his concerns about tics. The Commission talked about the history of the property. The house was allowed to be built when a negotiated deal was made in regards to the resource area. Mr. Tirone said he talked to Greg McGregor regarding the steps on how to change an order of conditions. Mr. McGregor told him the Certificate of Compliance would need to be amended-, a NOI would have to be filed. The amendment would need justification. The homeowner remarked he hired Hayes Engineering because he thought the Commission was on board with this plan. He asked if there was a frequency of mowing that they would be comfortable with. After a discussion, the Commission agreed they need to do site visits in the spring and June or July. This way they would know what impact there would be if changes were made. Mr. Gillis stated the applicant did not want to change the function of the order of conditions. There is no adverse effect so a NOI is not needed. The owner will let Mr. Tirone know when the snow is gone. Bills approved- Daily Times Chronicle /MACC AEC Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the legal ad for the Scout for $121.20. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the MACC AEC application fee $690.00. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Minutes for Approval: January 22, 2014 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -1 (Mr. Maughan abstain from the vote, was not at the meeting) Mr. Tirone let the Commission know the Artis contractor has contacted the office. He is prepping to be able to do the demolition. They had a DIRT meeting with the contractor. John Tilton, the Environmental Specialist, was not on site. He agreed the building could come down, but no building permit will be issued until Conservation is contacted. The Commission reminded him the wetland final design is still needed. Mr. Tirone stated there are still outstanding items with this applicant. One item is the abutter's driveway. The applicant will be proposing a new plan. The driveway will be moved to the abutter's property. The driveway turnaround is still an issue. Mr. Finch let the Commission know he emailed Dorothy Marshall in regards to deer hunting. He gave the number to Mass. Wildlife. They might be able to help interpret the regulations. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Page 1 3 2013 -09 -C3