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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-09 Conservation Commission Minuteso�N OF 1hj V. �_ Town of Reading a Meeting Minutes rr, I O'639IN�OPpO�P� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2014 -04 -09 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM ECEIVED "NN CLERK SING, i1i A SS. I4 "PR 2u A 8: 38 Location: Board of Selectmen Room Brian Sullivan, Co- Chair; William Hecht, Will Finch, Jamie Maughan, Terre Selle Members - Not Present: Annika Scanlon Others Present: Charles Tirone, Administrator David Brabeck, 68 Sanborn Lane John LoRusso, RR &R Club Mark Sleger, Alan Engineering Pat O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Joanne O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Tom Hennings, 38 Belmont Street Noah Hennings, 38 Belmont Street William McInerney, 39 Pilgrim Road Jerry Hearly, 14 Ridge Road Gordon McIntosh, 14 Plymouth Road Mike and Cindy Hanson, 17 Plymouth Road Anna & Chris Nolty, 35 Plymouth Road Ralph Cefcli, 10 duston Road John Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road Chuck Salemi, 374 Lowell Street Bill Manuell, 364 Lowell Street Warren McFarland, 13 Percy Ave David Jamieson William Crowley John Russell, 23 Plymouth Road Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved April 23, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEW BUSINESS - 7:00 29 Gavin Circle - Mr. Tirone met with John Rockwood at site. He stated they heard 1 or 2 wood frogs. Mr. Tirone believes the vernal pool still has value. The applicant will spread salt marsh hay in the area that is not done. The applicant will be submitting a planting and vegetation plan. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know that Engineering will not allow planting on the 30' easement that is on the property. Friends and Family Day — Mr. Tirone reminded the Commission the Lions Club Friends and Family Day will be June 14th at 11:00 -3:00 p.m. Page 1 1 2013 -09.03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Motion made by Mr. Maughan to pay the suggested donation of $10.00 for Friends and Family Day. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Pondmeadow Drive — Mr. Tirone let the Commission know there are trees obstructing the culvert on Pondmeadow Drive, which is causing flooding in the parking lot. Mr. Zambouras would like permission to cut the trees and remove the stumps. The Commission has concern regarding bank stabilization. The Commission agreed that Mr. Maughan and Mr. Hecht would need to do a site visit before they can approve. RDA 14 -4, 68 Sanborn Lane, Map 56 Lot 1, Brabeck — Mr. Brabeck discussed with the Commission his project. He would like to make the existing deck on the dwelling a 2 season porch. He stated the following: wetlands are 53' away one side and 100' away on the other side of the porch, hay bails will be installed, contractors will be entering from the other side of the yard, no heavy machinery, and the footings will be hand dug. The Commission agreed with the applicant regarding the wetlands. They asked that gravel be used at the base instead of a gutter. It was suggested instead of hay bails, compost filter tubes be installed. Motion made by Mr. Se/le to approve the RDA with condition regarding the erosion control Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. Continued RDA 14 -3, 50 Bay State Road, Map 23 Lot 205, McInerney Mr. McInerney went over his Eagle Scout project at Peter Sanborn Place. He would like to build a playground. He stated the playground would create more relationships with residents and youth (family and neighbors). He staked out the area for the Commission. The project is 20' away from the wetlands. The material will not affect the wetlands. The applicant stated he would like to remove a tree and overhanging limb to prevent future hazard. The limb will be trimmed by the contractor who Peter Sanborn Place utilizes. The commission approved the limb removal but explicitly stated the tree must stay in place. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the RDA for 50 Bay State Road with modification of leaving the tree, but removing the limb as discussed. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Continued RDA 14 -2, Reading Rifle & Revolver Club, John LoRusso Mr. Slager went over the plan changes for the 300 yard firing line, as discussed at the last meeting. He said the total replication area would be 576 square feet. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the RDA as modified. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 NOI 270 -: 306 Main Street, Map, 11, 11 Lot, 226, Simpson The DEP number is #0624. Mr. Sullivan opened the public hearing. Mr. Simpson asked that the Commission continue the hearing. He would like to have more time. He is looking into scaling back the project to build a restaurant. He also asked CPDC to continue their hearing. He would like to come back to the Conservation Commission after May 19th. Mr. Maughan asked the applicant if he could revise the plans and pull back out of the 35' setback. A variance would not be needed if he could. He also stated the plans submitted to Conservation can be' /2 sizes; only one full set is needed. The Commission talked about the parking spaces; and if 2 can be for compact cars? This could make the project be out of the 35'. If the parking spaces should be pervious or impervious was also discussed. If the spaces are impervious would seal the contamination underground? Mr. Simpson is still investigating what is best for the site. A letter from EBI Consulting was forwarded to the Commission requesting 2 wells be eliminated. The rain gardens and where it could drain was talked about. The Commission agreed the site is not riverfront. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the public hearing until May 28th. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Mr. Tirone will forward his concerns to Mr. Simpson regarding the project. Bills approved: - No bills at this time Minutes for Approval: March 26, 2014 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the minutes as edited. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0- 0. The Commission discussed Earth Day at Mattera Cabin. They thought it was a good event. A boy scout, who took a tour with Mr. Finch, proposed trails over the wet areas. Mr. Selle said residents were asking about recreation uses on Town property. Page 1 2 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Noah Hennings w/Troop 702, Eagle Project, Town Forest Mr. Hennings talked to the Commission about his Eagle Scout project. He would like to replace the Cranberry dam bridge. Mr. Tirone let the Commission know the applicant is filing a RDA. The applicant asked for the fees to be waived. Mr. Maughan stated since the project is on Town Forest land, they should pay for the legal fee. Mr. Zager is a co- applicant to this project. The fee will be waived because it is a Town project. Mr. Hennings said the bridge will have a curb to accommodate wheel chairs. Mr. Finch let the Commission know the project is a challenging engineering project. The Commission will make a site visit and the project will be on April 26`h's agenda. Continued NOI- 270 -0620: 364 Lowell Street, Map, 26 Lot, 157, Jamieson Properties, LLC Mr. Sullivan stated at 7:20 p.m. the public hearing will need to be continued to the end of the meeting. Applicant was not present. Mr. Sullivan reopened the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. Mr. Manuell introduced Mr. Jamieson and Mr. Crowley. He talked to the Commission about alternatives. He said the project started out initially a 5 lot project. After a discussion with the Town, the project was dropped to a 4 lot. If the project had one less lot, he believes it would not be a good business proposition for the applicant. If it became a 40B project it could become a 12 -16 unit project. He stated the project would be an improvement to the neighborhood. He would like the Commission to support the request for the waivers. Mr. Tirone said he talked to Ms. Merrill at MassDep. She is still unsure if the infiltration is going to work. Mr. Manuell stated he talked to her about an alternative solution; and believes she is all set now with her concerns Mr. Finch questioned if there is a vernal pool on the site. He talked about the wood frogs he heard while at the site. He stated he had a recording of them on his I -phone and recorder. The Commission discussed vernal pools and the frogs with the applicant and agreed they would need to do a site visit to check for egg masses. Mr. Hanson let the Commission know the sand that was previously talked about by Mr. Manuell, stays in the ditch. The Commission discussed the flow of the water. Ms. Nulty thanked the Commission for their time and consideration for this project. She discussed her concerns if there would be flooding once the gigantic trees are gone. Motion made to continue the hearing pending the vernal pool verification to the April 23rd meeting. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0. The abutters were reminded to check the Town website for the next meetings agenda. Old /New Business Minor Project: Mr. Tirone stated no minor projects 9 Smith Ave — Mr. Tirone let the Commission know the owner of 9 Smith Avenue would like to trim a tree and put up cables. She will be filing a RDA. The project is 5' from the resource area. Mr. Sullivan let the Commission know how busy Mr. Tirone has been; and Mr. Tirone agreed. Mr. Hecht reminded the Commission another meeting can be schedule if needed, to help the applicant meet their goals to start a project. Mr. Tirone said there is a new billboard on Walkers Brook Drive. It is located in the Town of Wakefield. He had Engineering go out there, and take pictures. There is cement everywhere. He talked to Town of Wakefield, and they said Clear Channel installed it. The footings were there from a previous billboard. Mr. Tirone wants DEP to know what was going on. The Commission talked about the site visits being on Monday night. Mr. Finch let the Commission know the Trails and Forest Committee are meeting on Sunday at 2:00 to look at joint projects. OOC 270 -0623: 101 Willow Street, Map 26 Lot 74, J. Hickey /Austin Preparatory School Mr. Maughan asked the Order of Conditions for Austin Prep., with his comments, be forwarded to the applicant. Open Conservation Commission Discussion — The Commission discussed the open seats. Has there been notice in the Reading Chronicle or Reading Advocate? Do the Selectmen know that there is a vacancy? It was noted the process of being recruited and interviewed has changed. Mr. Finch recommended a Page 1 3 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Facebook page be setup. The Commission questioned if this would be a conflict with the "Open Town Meeting Law ". They said no discussion could be posted, only agendas, events and Commission openings. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 5 -0 -0 Page 1 4 2013 -09 -03