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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-28 Conservation Commission MinutesOFq O� r Town of Reading Meeting Minutes � Q s�9.1HCOao °� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2015 -01 -28 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM I✓ U )W'1�ryj CLE- RK\� � 1 93 P b: 3S Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: Anika Scanlon, Chairperson; Rebecca Longley, Brian Sullivan, Terry Selle, Alison Stager, Chuck Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Jamie Maughan Others Present: Cori Barrett, MWRA Mark Ciampa, Caliacco Corp. Jerry Sheehan, MWRA Bill Beyer, FST Ed McColgan, 78 Whittier Road Matt Zani, 84 Whittier Road Jennifer Zani, 84 Whittier Road Dez Conte, 89 Sunnyside Avenue Tricia Conte, 89 Sunnyside Avenue David O'Sullivan, 87 Sunnyside Avenue Mary O'Sullivan, 87 Sunnyside Avenue James Hickey PhD, Austin Prep Sean Boyd, Gale Elizabeth Wallace, Hayes Engineering Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: March 25, 2015 Meeting called to order by Ms. Scanlon, Chair, at 7:00 pm Old /New Business: Minor Project: 15 Joseph Way, Deck Mr. Tirone looked at project where deck flooring being replaced except it looks like whole new deck and footings. Project is more than 80' away from wetland. Updated Zoning Project: Mr. Maughan is not in attendance to present update. Ms. Scanlon mentioned memo in last packet referred to new bylaw Section 10 - Aquifer Projection District. The deadline to submit comments is February 9, 2015. Section 10 is available on the VHB website. Page 1 1 RDA 2015 -1 - 84 Whittier Road, Map 33, Lot 135, Zani Jen and Matt Zani are proposing to build up adding 1ft cantilever in front. There will be no ground disturbance or excavation. Propose to enclose right side of property and make a mudroom. Ms. Longley gave site visit report; everything seems to be is straight forward. There are concrete bounds at edge of lawn. Staging will go in front of house. Deck in back is 41' x 14'. The decking will be open for drainage, 7' x 7' section covered. Timeframe for project is as soon as possible, weather permitting. Erosion control measures were discussed. Owner will be putting hay bales along wetland line. Board wants assurance construction workers will stay away from wetland. Silt fence or straw waddles should work, not good for a large excavation should be okay for this project. Mr. Tirone suggested the Zani's contact Conservation Commission when erosion controls are being put in place, if there is a lot of snow on the ground, erosion control may not be needed. Board requested owner stake out stock pile area. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to issue Negative Determination with conditions as discussed tonight. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0. 101 Willow Street, Austin Prep - Inquiry under already issued Order of Conditions Sean Boyd, Gale Construction introduce representatives for Austin Prep: Brad Latham, Latham Law; James Hickey, Austin Prep; Jamie, Quirk Construction. Sean Boyd gave presentation and overview of original submission. Austin Prep submitted Notice of Intent last April for track and field project. Now they are requesting a minor plan change with regard to the construction entrance. Austin Prep wants to relocate construction entrance and put in gravel ramp. Plan is to keep construction equipment and vehicles out of school access area. This would be safer for a very busy area trying to keep trucks out of school. Proposed ramp is within 100' buffer zone this is also. Gravel onsite with additional silt fence, and stone to keep debris off. Where does change fall within: 1. Amended Order of Conditions - amended so significantly abutters would need notification; 2. Minor Plan Change - Erosion Control, stamp by Engineer, updated Schedule; or 3. Administrator Action- Letter from Commission Ms. Scanlon stated Minor Plan Change seems most appropriate. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to institute Minor Plan Change. Seconded by Ms. Longley, Vote 5 -0 -0 Attorney Latham requested fee be waived. Mr. Tirone advised request to waive $50.00 fee needs to be submitted in writing. Austin Prep withdrew request Mr. Sullivan made Motion to issue Minor Plan Change with Conditions discussed tonight and allowing Mr. Tirone to sign off. Seconded by Ms. Longley. Vote 5 -0 -0 NOI 270 -0636 - 31 Curtis Street, Map 4, Lot 109, O'Sullivan Ms. Scanlon opened the public hearing. Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering Group gave presentation. Mr. Kieran O'Sullivan, owner would like to demolish a one -car garage and replace with a new two -car garage. He went before the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the side yard setbacks. ZBA approved and he was granted a variance to proceed. Decision has been recorded at Registry of Deeds Majority of work is within 100' of buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetland. Existing asphalt driveway will be extended. One large tree within 100' buffer zone is to be taken down. Three Page 1 2 other trees outside 100' buffer zone also need to come down. Little to no grading changes, hay bales and erosion control being put in, no work is being done within the 25' no disturbance zone to buffer zone. Mr. O'Sullivan bought the home in 2000. In 2002 a building permit was issued for an addition. In 2004 owner was granted a permit to put up a shed, no wetland at that time. In 2006 permit granted to add deck. Former Conservation Administrator, Fran Fink asked for minor project request be submitted. Property next door to Mr. O'Sullivan did a project, there were wetlands, and that may have triggered wetland on this property. Mr. O'Sullivan obtained 25 signatures in support of his project. Regarding drainage concerns, they are proposing a shallow 1,000 drywell tank in front to capture garage runoff. Conservation Board questioned if Mr. O'Sullivan needed to keep the shed. Mr. O'Sullivan wants to keep the existing shed. It would be a financial hardship to remove it. He has already spent more than he wants to on the garage project because of the ZBA application, legal ad, etc. in addition to the construction of garage itself. Ms. Scanlon advised no hazardous materials may be kept in the shed such as gas, oil, fertilizer, herbicides, lawn mower. The Board discussed determining the wetland line. Mr. Tirone commented that after 14 years of getting this wetland line wrong, the property should be surveyed by a certified wetland scientist for the purpose of knowing if wetland is 35' away, and knowing if shed is 25' away. Mr. Jack Sullivan reported he did the delineation last August based on vegetation and soils and lines that Ms. Fink had determined. Conservation Board's opinion is to accept the wetland line as is. Mr. Brian Sullivan made Motion to accept plan and issue Order of Conditions to NOL Seconded by Ms. Longley. Vote 5 -0 -0. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to close hearing on NOI 270 -0636, 31 Curtis Street. Seconded by Ms. Longley. Vote 5 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0637, 87 Sunnyside Avenue, Map 11, Lot 88, O'Sullivan Ms. Scanlon opened the hearing. Presentation made by Elizabeth Wallace, Hayes Engineering. Owners, David and Mary O'Sullivan want to add garage. Proposed plan to add pavement area to access driveway. Shed on cinderblocks, new fence defining pool and play area. Three trees being removed to protect structures, overhanging limbs being removed. Existing fence is within 25' of wetland. Proposed tree work is within 25' of wetland. New shed cannot be relocated outside the 35' area because it houses the underground electric lines from pool to shed. Ms. Scanlon asked that air conditioner be relocated on proposed screen porch, moved 8 -10 feet. Neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Conte of 89 Sunnyside Avenue were present and had questions about the driveway and grading as it relates to their property. Ms. Scanlon questioned that in order for variance for shed, fence and tree removal, Conservation has to find no reasonable conditions or alternatives. Three stipulations are: 1. No Alternative —This is met because of electrical lines to shed. 2. Mitigation Measures — None present, no opportunity for this. It is very shady, planting shade and water tolerant plants and management of invasive growth such as vines. Proposed invasive management could be considered mitigation. Page 1 3 Owners proposed to do planting as a buffer along 5 -6' back of fence. Mr. Tirone suggested cutting back bittersweet once a year. Ms. Scanlon would like to see siltation control out to the Conte property. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to issue Order of Conditions on NOI 270 -0637, 87 Sunnyside Avenue with conditions as discussed at tonight's meeting. Seconded by Mr. Selle, Vote 5 -0 -0 Mr. Sullivan made Motion to close hearing on NOI 270 -0637. Seconded by Mr. Selle. Vote 5 -0- 0. West Street Dewatering /Silt cleanup Discussion, Calliacco Corp At last meeting sediment remediation plan for Oak Street to Howard Street was presented. Laborers are to remove sediment to buckets on Oak Street, somewhat effective. Not effective on Howard Street due to resuspension. Mobilized vacuum truck, down brook 75' —100' to next culvert and removed 2 -3" sand. On West and Howard videos of lines taken. Pinevale Dumping — Corner of Riverside and Sunnyside Mr. Tirone reported he has not heard back from Chief Cormier regarding criteria for issuing a fine. Board discussed ways to remedy the problem with leaf dumping on Conservation Land. Suggestions made were having Town remove debris, installing chain link fence on Town's property, issuing fines, sending letters to those who are dumping, have resident who is allowing neighbors access put up fence in access area, take resident who is allowing access to court, taking photos of those dumping. Board decided not to issue fines at this time. Board continued this item until next meeting. Series of clear steps needed that will have an effective outcome. Administrators Report: Order of Conditions for Stormwater General Permit Mr. Zamboras asked that Sturges Park project presentation be postponed until meeting of March 11, 2015. Bills Approved There are no bills at this time Ms. Stager stated she will not be able to attend the next five meetings due to school commitments. Mr. Selle stated tonight is his last meeting. He is submitting resignation because he is moving. The Board'thanked Mr. Selle for his service to the Conservation Commission. Minutes for Approval: January 14, 2015 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to approve minutes of January 14, 2015 meeting. Seconded by Mr. Selle. Vote 5 -0 -0 Trails Committee will be repairing stainless posts that were stolen. Page 1 4 Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon are to make presentation to DPW on wetlands and conservation regulations. Ms. Scanlon mentioned budget and Jean Delios wanting more hours for Mr. Tirone. He has been given 8 more hours per week to manage the Matera Cabin. Hunting signs will be put up next season in Pinevale Mr. Tirone will write a letter for Rachel Baumgartner, Reading Library so she can advertise the Storywalk /Naturewalk activities. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to adjourn at 10:50 pm. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 Page 1 5