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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-23 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes 5J9'1 NCO Kvo tECEIVED CWN CLERK ' ,DNG, Mass. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission 1014 MAY 15 A 4 32 Date: 2014 -04 -23 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; Will Finch, Terry Selle, Jaime Maughan Members - Not Present: Brian Sullivan and William Hecht Others Present: Charles Tirone, Administrator Jana Gararro, 9 Smith Avenue Christine Helsel, 9 Smith Avenue Steven & Lindsay Baker, 241 Pearl Street Don & Stacey Shimkus Cindy & Mike Hanson, 17 Plymouth Road Anna Nolty, 35 Plymouth Road Pat O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Joanne O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Kathy Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road John Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road Ralph 7 Barbara Cafi, 10 Dustin Road Matt Watsky, Attorney Al Couillard, 92 Sanborn Lane Aurianne Lopatka, 64 Ashley Place Susan Stathoulopoulos, 80 Sanborn Lane Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved May 14, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEW BUSINESS - 7:00 Ms. Scanlon stated 364 Lowell Street and 306 Main Street was continued per request of the applicants. The Dividence Road project will be on the May 14`h agenda. The Commission agreed they would not discuss the site visit at 364 Lowell Street without the applicant present. DOA 68 Sanborn Lane, Map 56 Lot 1, Brabeck Mr. Maughan questioned why the crushed stone at the drip line of additions that was agreed to at the last meeting by the applicant was not added. The applicant agreed to place the stone. DOA 50 Bay State Road, Map 23 Lot 205, McInerney Mr. Maughan asked if the tree that was not to be cut was added as a condition. After the Commission discussion, Mr. Tirone stated he will amend both DOA's. Page 1 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes RDA 14 -6, 9 Smith Avenue, Map 22 Lot 190, Helsel Ms. Helsel recapped that there is a tree on her property that over hangs on her neighbor's property. She previously came to the Commission to inquire if she could remove the tree at the request of her neighbor. She forwarded a report from an arborist giving different options for the tree. At that time, she did not own the house. The Commission indicated that an approval to cut down the tree would be inconsistent with past practices in such situations; and suggested she come back if it was still an issue. Mr. Cignetti, let the Commission know that the tree is an ongoing problem. He has concerns if the limbs or tree falls it will damage his addition or pool. He disagreed with Mr. Maughan's suggestion to leave the tree as is. The Commission discussed the maintenance of option #2 in the arborists report and agreed future professional maintenance of the cable's and trimming will be added as a condition. Motion made by Mr. Finch to issue a negative determination for the tree work at 9 Smith Ave. This will allow option #2 on the arborist report. Mr. Se //e seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 RDA 14 -7, 16 Puritan Road, Map 27 Lot 24, Shimkus The applicant requested that a fence installation be allowed on his property. The Commission discussed the back yard and how the fence would be installed. Ms. Scanlon asked that no mowing take place between the fence and the wetlands. The applicant agreed to the condition. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue a negative determination for 16 Puritan Road for fence installation. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 Mr. Tirone discussed why the applicant filed for a RDA and not a minor project. Mr. Maughan stated for future reference, if a project is 35' from resource area it should be considered a minor project. Continued NOI 270 -0620: 364 Lowell Street, Map, 26 Lot, 157, Jamieson Properties LLC At the applicants request the meeting will be continued NOI 270 -0624: 306 Main Street, Map, 11, Lot. 226, Simpson At the applicants request the meeting will be continued OOC 270 -0623: 101 Willow Street, Map 26 Lot 74, J. Hickey /Austin Preparatory School The Commission discussed and made changes to the comments from Gale Associates regarding the Order of Conditions. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the draft order of conditions as discussed. Mr. Se //e seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. RDA 14 -5, 241 Pearl Street, Baker The applicant requested permission to install a 4' cedar fence on his property. The posts will be hand dug and no trees will be cut. The Commission discussed and agreed the resource area would not be impacted by the proposed action. Motion made by Mr. Finch to issue a negative determination for 241 Pearl Street. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was4 -0 -0. The applicant asked about natural plantings and a website was referenced. Mr. Finch talked about sand he had seen dumped in the wetlands at Austin Preparatory School. Mr. Tirone will follow up and let the Commission know. Continued NOI 270 -0627: 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 1 & Roadway, Map, 56, Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Watsky, representing the applicant, stated the application is for construction of lot 1; and drainage and utilities associated with a subdivision road, within 100 -feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. Mr. Maughan questioned why the applicant filed 3 NOI's for one subdivision. Mr. Watsky went over the proposed plan. He stated the following: • The pavement is outside the 100' buffer zone except for the storm water management system. • The project is a 3 lot subdivision • DEP requirements were followed because it is in the Aquifer Protection District • The applicant met with George Zambouras, Town Engineer, before the storm water management system was designed • When the Town accepts the road, they will accept the storm water management system • The trees being removed will not be in the buffer zone After a prior discussion with Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Tirone asked about Zone 2 well head protection. He wanted to know if the infiltration rate should be 1 not .5. He questioned if the Town views Zone 2 differently than the Aquifer Protection District? The commission could not answer the question but indicated it should be brought up again with Mr. Sullivan present. Mr. Tirone requested 3 copies of the storm water report be forwarded to him. The applicant stated even though he has no preference about the debris within the preexisting fill on the site, he would be willing to remove if it can be done in a reasonable way. He will work with the Commission regarding the removal. Mr. Finch asked if the applicant would also be willing to Page 1 2 2C:3 -C9 -�3 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes eradicate the Knotweed on site. The Commission questioned the test pits and asked that colored pictures of the pits be forwarded to them. The Commission discussed the installation of the infiltration system and how it works. Test pit 6 was discussed. Mr. Watsky will let the Commission know why the storm tech will be installed so deep. Ms. Scanlon questioned the modeling for the storm water report and requested that the Cornell rainfall data be considered. Mr. Tirone asked if the infiltration chamber could be moved and questioned the velocity at the exit. It was suggested Mr. Sullivan look at the infiltration system. Mr. Zambouras will be asked to attend the next meeting. There is a concern how the Town would maintain it. Mr. Finch had concerns regarding the vertical granite curbing being installed. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the public hearing to May 14'h. Mr. Selle seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0626: 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 2, Map, 56 Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Ms. Scanlon questioned the rip rap in the 35'. The Commission agreed this is not a structure. Mr. Tirone questioned where the trees are located; he would have liked to see them on the plan. The rips rap might have to be moved. The procedure of a site visit was discussed and if the area should already been staked out. Mr. Couillard confirmed that the drain coming off the NE side of the house is an extension of a drip drench. The Town easement was discussed. Mr. Tirone will confirm with Engineering that no planting is allowed on easements. Mr. Finch requested concrete bounds on the 25' line. Mr. Maughan reminded the applicant the order of conditions will state no cutting of healthy mature trees within the 35 no structure set back. Ms. Scanlon stated at the site visit flag 7a had skunk cabbage. This is a wetland indicator. She asked if anything could be pushed further upslope. She asked for a schematic /detail for the rip rap overflow area. She questioned if it will be lined with fabric to prevent trees and debris to grow. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the public hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 Ms. Stathoulopuls had concerns about the runoff and privacy. The Commission and applicant discussed this and reassured her there were no increase in runoff volume or velocity. Mr. Tirone asked about the retaining wall and what is to be expected. Mr. Couillard confirmed he will be leaving it natural as it can. NOI 270 -0625: 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 3, Map, 56 Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. It was stated there is an easement on lot 3 to allow access to the infiltration system. The deck is 38' from the wetlands. Mr. Couillard explained the deck is cantilevered. Ms. Scanlon asked if the deck could get moved. The Commission discussed with the applicant if the house could be smaller or moved away from the wetlands. Mr. Couillard stated the house on the plan is the biggest it would be; it might be smaller when it is actually built. The Commission questioned if the sidewalk can be on one side of the road. They made other suggestions for the house and deck. Mr. Couillard agreed to look at other designs for the property. Mr. Tirone asked for a planting plan and tree inventory. Mr. Couillard stated he did not agree with replacing every tree he cuts down. The Commission stated any trees that are 6" dhb within the buffer zone has to stay. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the public hearing. Mr. Se //e seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Administrator Report- 46 County Road — Ms. Clay did a site visit and the site is cleaned up. The Commission does not think this is a Conservation issue. — The Commission congratulated Will Finch for his "Green Leadership" award from the Town of Reading. Middlesex Mosquito Control — aerial spraying over the fields and wetlands will begin. Biological Specicide will be used. Border Road — a site visit was discussed. Silt fence was tied in the uphill side with sand. Engineering has been contacted to fix. It was stated the silt sack might not be the best product; future road projects might have to be modified Coolidge Road — a site visit was discussed. Silt fan was going into the stream and hay bails are needed. Both Border and Coolidge Road are schedule to be reclaimed. Minutes for approval: April 9, 2014 Page 1 3 KOWN-T-Kn Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4- 0-0. Mr. Maughan talked about his site visit at Pond Meadow Drive with Mr. Hecht. The trees need to come out. He wanted to make sure the bank is protected. Mr. Tirone discussed the Town permit and if this project would fall under the permit. (Mr. Maughan left the meeting) Bills — none at this time Earth Day Raffle — Ms. Scanlon picked out the winner for both books — Maureen Fenecy Mr. Finch talked about property on Pearl Street; work being done in Bare Meadow. Mr. Tirone requested Engineering do a survey of the property at 745 and 739 Pearl Street. Mr. Finch did a site visit. There is a shed being installed. There were limbs being cut and a freshly turned garden. Mr. Finch said a neighbor would like to have trail access to Bare Meadow. They would like it located at the corner of the house. The Commission agreed a written agreement would be needed. Mr. Finch talked about the wood frogs recorded while at 364 Lowell Street. He will play it at the next meeting and submit it as evidence. Mr. Tirone is going to ask Mr. Manuell to continue one more meeting. Mr. Selle will not be here for the June 11 `h meeting Mr. Tirone asked if Button Bush was present at 364 Lowell Street. This is an indicator of a Vernal Pool. Ms. Scanlon let the Commission know Mosquito Control will be doing drainage ditch work under the Mosquito regulations. It was noted dredging is hard to do if not part of the Mosquito regulation. Mr. Tirone stated 29 Gavin Circle has contacted him. The project is coming along. Artis Living — This project is in good shape. The Environmental Monitor is required to get a report once a month. Perfecto's — They are starting the project again. The erosion control is in tack - not many issues. There will be planting and bank stabilization. A schedule and Means and Method are still needed. PAC Material — The Commission discussed this material and if it would be a problem for trees. Why is this material being used? It was suggested Mr. Finch contact Eric Pederson in Reading Recreation regarding the PAC material. Motion made by Mr. Finch to adjourn at 11:00 p.m. Mr. Se //e seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 Page 1 4 2013 -09 -03