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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-14 Conservation Commission MinutesOFRp,. J9r l,4�ONp�P Town of Reading Meeting Minutes �`F�;irIVE0 3WN. CLERK ",1,,!�G, MASS. 4 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2014 -05 -14 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: MY 2 9 P 5: 3 8 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Board of Selectmen Room Annika Scanlon, Chairman; William Hecht, Terry Selle, Jaime Maughan Members - Not Present: Brian Sullivan and Will Finch Others Present: Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator Tom Gardiner, 182 Franklin Street Jerry Hegarty, 14 Ridge Road Noah Hennings, 38 Belmont Street John Archibald, 170 Forest Street Desiree Zicko, 170 Forest Street Chuck Losinger, 17 Gavin Circle Tom Wise, 181 South Street Chris Latham, 643 Main Street Michael McCourt, 46 South Street Susan Stathoulopoulos, 80 Sanborn Lane Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved May 28, 2014 CALL TO ORDER, OLD /NEw BUSINESS - 7:00 29 Gavin Circle — Mr. Losinger talked to the Commission regarding his disappointment about how 29 Gavin Circle has been being handled. He said the decision to remove the soil has left a mud hole. The Commission discussed the process of the enforcement order that was issued to 29 Gavin Circle. Ms. Scanlon stated she and Mr. Tirone met with the homeowners and they are still cooperating and will submit a plan. Mr. Losinger thanked the Commission and said the he and the neighbors will be submitting their thoughts for future meetings. RDA 14 -8, Dividence Meadow, Map 50 Lot 25, Hennings The Trails Committee and Mr. Henning's would like to build a bridge across the cranberry dam. The Commission discussed and agreed the RDA will have to be continued to the next meeting due to not having a quorum. Mr. Selle is on the Trails Committee and would have to recuse himself. The Commission talked about their concerns with not having a quorum when a Commission member has to recuse himself. The Commission disagreed when Mr. Gardiner asked if this project should be considered under the Town repair permit. Page 1 1 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes RDA 14 -9, 170 Forest Street, Map 33 Lot 81, Zicko Ms. Zicko reviewed her application. She would like to remove 3 pine trees, 1 maple tree and replace the existing concrete steps on the front of the house. She stated the RMLD came to her property and identified a,tree that is dying and hanging into the wires. She submitted a letter from the arborist confirming that the tree is dead along with three other ones. The pine trees will be taken down to the tree stump. The damaged steps were noted at home inspection and will be replaced in kind. The Commission discussed and agreed the trees should be removed. They asked that white pine or red maples be planted instead of norway maples. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to move to approve the RDA allowing the removal of trees with likely replanting of 3 trees. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Continued NOI 270 -0620: 364 Lowell Street, Map, 26 Lot, 157, Jaimeson Properties LLC, At the applicants request continued until May 28, 2014 NOI 270 -: 303 Salem Street, Map, 23 Lot, 20 &21, Cumberland Farms, At the applicants request continued until May 28, 2014 NOI 270 -0624: 306 Main Street, Map, 11 Lot, 226, Simpson At the applicants request continued until May 28, 2014 Continued NOI 270 -0626: 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 2, Map, 56 Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Waskley recapped what was discussed at the last meeting. He stated the comments /concerns the Commission members had at a last meeting was answered by Mr. Christenson in a document they received. Mr. Maughan asked if everyone had received the email from Brian Sullivan stating he was comfortable with the drainage plan. The Commission discussed and agreed the riprap would be a benefit to the wetlands at the suggested location on the plan. Mr. Waskley stated no trees on Lot 2 will be cut down that matched the requisite size that was agreed at the last meeting. Mr. Tirone questioned the riprap discharge point and the shape of it. Mr. Christinson explained how it worked to the Commission. Ms. Scanlon had concerns what would happen at a 15 -20 year storm. Ms. Stathoulopoulos questioned if the Contractor will be planting new trees, and if the road will be private. It was noted the road will be accepted by the Town once the street is established. The Commission discussed how to handle the motion; should the public hearing be closed before issuing the order of conditions. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the public hearing until May 28, 2014. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Motion made to issue the order of conditions on Lot 2, 92 Sanborn Lane 270 -0626. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan requested the order of conditions advance of the next meeting to review. Continued NOI 270-0625: 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 3, Map, 56 Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Waskey stated again the questions the Commission had at last meeting was answered by Mr. Christenson and forwarded to the members. The Commission discussed the tree plan. There is a 40' oak tree in the middle of the cul de sac that the contractor will put a tree well around and save. He discussed what trees that would have to be removed. Mr. Couillard said he will submit a planting plan for the next meeting. The Commission agreed that the same amount of trees should be planted in the 100' buffer, as the ones removed. Ms. Scanlon asked who will be responsible for the maintenance of the infiltration system. The contractor stated he will until the Town takes over the road. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the public hearing. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue the order of conditions. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4 -0- 0. Mr. Maughan wanted to make sure the 40' is added as a condition. Continued NOI 270 -0627: 92 Sanborn Lane, Roadway, Map, 56 Lot, 16, Couillard Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Waskey clarified the NOI 270 -0627 is not for lot 1; it is only for the roadway and drainage structure. Mr. Waskey agreed the property is in the Aquifer Protection District, but not the Zone 2 Wellhead Protection District. Mr. Tirone discussed with Mr. Christenson if the drainage in lot 3 would drain into the driveway. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the public hearing. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Page i 2 2013 -o9 c3 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue the order of conditions. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4- 0-0. Old /New Business • 37 James Road — Mr. Tirone stated he was notified by the Town Manager about work being at 37 James Street. He viewed the property from 46 South Street — the entire hill is gone along with trees being removed. There were wetland flags on the property. The administrator was contacted by RJ O'Connell. They were originally hired to just do inside the house; they are handling the whole project now. Mr. Tirone stated RJ O'Connell will be filing a NOI. The draft Enforcement Order was read. The Commission discussed the site and questioned if the erosion control was installed. They asked Mr. Tirone meet with RJ O'Connell to discuss the erosion control and insist it be put in immediately. A plan should be submitted by June 11th. The residents at 46 South Street discussed the property lines. They are not sure where their property ends. As suggested by Ms. Scanlon, they will look into the brush debris and leaves on top of the slope. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the Enforcement Order as discussed. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan suggested in the future, an owner should be contacted if their property is going to be discussed by the Commission. Administrative Report: • Minor Project: 22 Whittier Road — Shed, A minor permit was issued for a shed outside the 50' buffer zone. Minor Project: 30 Glenmere — Trees A resident wants to take down two substantial pine trees. Mr. Tirone told her she would need to file a RDA. He said the trees are healthy and are in the 25 -35' resource area. • 223 Haverhill Street — Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon went to the property after the Town was contacted about tree removal and trimming. There was a tree taken down and put into the resource area. They talked to the owner and she agreed to move it to her deck; she wants to make furniture out of it. • Stonewell Road — Mr. Tirone was contacted about logs on the side of the house. They appear to come from the back of the house; which is Cedar Swamp area. He contacted the owner and would like someone from the Commission to go to the site. Ms. Scanlon stated she will on Friday at 8:30 a.m. • 285 Main St — emergency permit Mr. Tirone issued an emergency permit to the Town. There was a tree on the bank of the river at the Perfecto's site that was deemed dangerous by the Town. Mr. Tirone spoke to the contractor at Perfecto's; and had him cut the tree but leave the stump. • 34 Glenmere — emergency permit — Mr. Tirone issued an emergency permit on the Town's property deemed dead by the Tree Warden. • Minor Plan Change — 11 Oak Ridge Road, Bishop The applicant would like to put a scalloped vinyl picket fence on their property. Mr. Tirone discussed the location. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a minor plan change to the existing order of conditions. Mr.Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. • Bills approved — Not discussed by the Commission. • Minutes for Approval: April 23, 2014 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve April 23rd minutes as amended. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0. • 364 Lowell Street — Mr. Tirone asked the Commission if they would like to do another site visit at 364 Lowell Street to see if there is a vernal pool. Mr. Finch forwarded an email to the Commission from Leo Kenney that stated that even though egg masses are not present at a vernal pool, tad poles might be. The Commission discussed the site and waterways around the property of 364 Lowell Street. Mr. Tirone stated he found site visit notes from Ms. Fink that identified a vernal pool location. Mr. Page 1 3 2013 -09 -03 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes Tirone also said he forwarded the River Report to Mr. Manuell; but Mr. Manuell said the property is not in the report. The Commission agreed another site visit will be necessary. • Due to Memorial Day, the Commission decided their site visit will be held on Tuesday. • Mr. Tirone stated the 306 Main Street applicant wants to discuss with the Commission what they consider a structure. • Open Conservation Commission seats discussion — Ms. Scanlon agreed to write a letter to the Town Manager to let him know the Commission had to turn away an applicant because the Commission did not have a quorum. • Mr. Hecht stated he is serving through the end of June, but will stay if 364 Lowell Street is extended. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0 Page 1 4 2013 -09 -03