HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-09 Conservation Commission Minutes� Orq
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
FADING. MASS.
Conservation Commission 2u P 11 tb
Date: 2014 -07 -09 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, Will Finch, Jaime Maughan
Members - Not Present:
Terry Selle and Charles Tirone, Conservation Administrator
Others Present:
Michael Tine, 337 Ash Street
Alison Stager, 42 Autumn Lane
Marwan Kouki, 1102 Main Street
Ron & Carol Plotkin, 17 Curtis Street
Mark & Claire Melkonian, 5 Johnston Circle
Brad Fuller, 169 Walnut Street
Joanne O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road
Jennifer Fucarile, 37 James Road
Kim Angilarante,
Lance Tryder, 352 Ash Street
John Crosby, 16 Dustin Road
Fran Kiley, 370 Lowell Street
Chuck Salemi, 374 Lowell Street
Rich O'Connell, RI O'Connell
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders
Topics of Discussion:
Approved July 23, 2014
CALL TO ORDER, OLDINEw BUSINESS - 7:10
NOI 270-371, RGB#2002 -14, 26 Harrison Street, Map 87, Lot 33, Malinski
The applicant was not present. Ms. Scanlon stated the project was previously permitted in 2002, but never
recorded. The Order of Conditions has expired. After a discussion, the Commission agreed a NOI should be
filed. Mr. Tirone should follow up with the applicant.
• Continued NOI 270 -0620: 364 Lowell Street, Map 26 Lot, 157, Jamieson Properties, LLC — written
request to withdraw the Notice of Intent
Ms. Scanlon stated the application has been withdrawn; it is up to the applicant if they are going to move
forward. An abutter questioned if a decision was made on the vernal pool. The Commission stated it was their
consensus it was. Mr. Finch fled an application with Natural Heritage.
Continued NOI 270 -0628: 37 James Road, Map 6, Lot 38, Fucarile
Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. After reviewing the plans, the Commission agreed all concerns were
met. The work being done is totally out of the 35' area. Ms. Scanlon commented that Town Counsel has not
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reviewed the letter submitted regarding ADA Regulations and Town Bylaws. Mr. O'Connell asked that once
`reviewed he would like to know their opinion. The applicant agreed the hearing should stay open. The Order
of Conditions will be more specific regarding the 12 substantial new plantings.
Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue an Order of Conditions to include the revised plans and planting
plan. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4.0.0.
Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to continue the public hearing to July 2e. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote
was 4-0 -0.
Mr. O'Connell asked that he receive the Order of Conditions before the next meeting.
• OOC 270 -0616, plan change 1100 Main Street, Artis Senior Living
Mr. Kouki stated his concern of the driveway area. He would like the left of the driveway to have a grass buffer.
He discussed the maintenance of that area belonging to Artie Senior Living.
Motion made by Mr. Maughan to approve the minor plan change as submitted to the Commission on
June 24, 2014. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 4.0.0.
RDA 14 -11: 366 Ash Street, Map, 12 Lot, 80 & 90, DPW— Engineering Division
Mr. Zambouras, Town Engineer, discussed the plan. He stated in 2004 a water main was installed. A resident
at 147 Parker Street, Wakefield believes ever since the water main has been installed his property is sinking,
trees are dying and the wetland is becoming dry. Mr. Zambouras walked the area and saw that the water
levels are different on either side of the easement. The Middlesex Mosquito was contacted, but they are not
able to come out immediately. The Town would like to do a temporary fix until Middlesex Mosquito can look
into. They would like to install one swale to alleviate some of the high water levels on the eastern side.
Mr. Tine questioned if the brook has been dredged. He says his property gets flooded. Mr. Zambouras will
follow up with the homeowner. Mr. Tryder discussed if the project will make his property flood.
Motion made by Mr. Maughan to issue a negative determination on 14 -11, for one swale. Mr. Finch
seconded. Vote was 4-0 -0.
NOI 270-:162-166 Walnut Street, Map, 4, Lots, 101 & 102, DPW Engineering Division
Ms. Scanlon opened the public hearing. Mr. Zambouras discussed the plan; the Town would like to replace an
existing drain line. He slated the following:
• Part of the pipe is in the buffer zone.
• They will be using HOPE pipe.
• No trees should be removed; they will be bending the pipe around trees.
• Silt fence will be installed
• Maximum of 410 square feel will be disturbed — might disturb less
• Existing soil will be used
• Wetland seed mix will be planted
• Kurt Young can create a planting plan - or could use the same plan as the Belmont and Ivy Street plan
• Project will take place in the dry part of the summer
Ms. Scanlon questioned who owns the drywell and if it was clean and clear. Mr. Zambouras stated 156
Walnut Street owns it and the 12" concrete pipe. The pipe will be abandoned in place. The Commission
discussed mitigation at Sturgis Park. Mr. Maughan expressed his concerns about dewatering. He discussed
the positive of an open channel rather than a pipe. Mr. Zambouras agreed to look into an open channel.
The abutters had concerns about the open channel and who would maintain it. They also discussed flooding in
the area. Mr. Zambouras reassured the abutters the Town will maintain. He stated currently the catch basin
behind 156 Walnut Street is privately owned. The basin is just an inlet with no sump pumping.
Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the public hearing; Engineering will submit the analysis or
the channel and a planting plan. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4 -0-0.
Enforcement Order, 5 Johnston Circle, Melkonian
Ms. Scanlon reviewed why two Enforcement Orders were issued for this property; one for the homeowner and
one for the contractor. She stated the Administrator arrived at property and thought four trees were being cut
within the 100' buffer. There was communication difficulty between the contractor and Administrator. The
Administrator called her to let her know of the incident and what he wanted to do. The police were sought. The
homeowner took full responsibility; he disagreed with the Enforcement Order for the contractor. He said two
trees were cut down within the 100' buffer. They were ash trees that started showing signs of disease. The
other two were outside the 100' buffer.
The Commission discussed the site visit. They slated the stump showed no signs of rot. Ms. Scanlon asked if
the homeowner had the Arborists quote in writing. The homeowner stated he didn't. He received 3 quotes and
not one of them mentioned there being wetlands. He also let the Commission know the Dutch elm disease
starts in the branches not the stumps. The Commission talked about why the contractor received the
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Enforcement Order. After a discussion, the Commission agreed 2 shrubs and 3 trees can be planted in place
`of the removed trees. The stumps will need to stay. The homeowner agreed, and will update his plan with what
types of plants he will be planting.
The homeowner asked if he could replace some rotted panels on an existing fence post. The Commission
agreed, but said if any digging is required a minor project permit might be needed.
The contractor's Enforcement Order for 5 Johnston Circle was tabled until the Administrator is available. Ms.
Scanlon questioned why the contractor did not even show up for this meeting.
The Commission discussed their concern about contractors working in the wetlands without approval. It was
suggested contacting them, within a radius, to let them know about the Town's regulations. The letter can be
sent certified return receipt. This way there is proof they received it. Ms. Scanlon will contact the Town about
the best way of getting a list of contractors.
Old /New Business
• Minor project: 22 Pondview Lane, Shed
The applicant installed an 8x10 shed. The location is out of the 35' area.
Open position on the Conservation Commission, Alison Stager
Ms. Scanlon introduced Ms. Stager. She would like to become a Commission member. She graduated from
UNH and has worked at Hancock. She discussed her classes and qualifications. Mr. Maughan suggested
contacting Mr. Lel-acheur to move her application along.
Motion made by Mr. Maughan to endorse Ms. Stager to the Conservation Commission. Ms. Scanlon
seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Mr. Maughan reminded the Commission the chairman and vice chairman needs to be appointed. Mr. Sullivan
let the Commission know in advance, he does not have the time for the chairman position; but is willing to stay
as vice chairman.
The Commission discussed the NOI at 26 Harrison Street. They agreed the previous order of conditions has
expired. They can't issue a Certificate of Compliance.
• Administrators Report
Nothing to report
• Bills approved
No bills
• Minutes for approval: June 25, 2014
Motion made by Mr. Finch to approved the minutes for June 25, 2014 as amended. Mr. Maughan
seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
Motion made by Mr. Finch to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 4 -0 -0.
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