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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-22 Conservation Commission MinutesFR O o �o 39r1NCOao °� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2015 -04 -22 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: l,i_.IV�� W4 CCEi,''� ;'k u Is, G, M;, S'S . -. i5 jUN 2LI P 3: 52 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session : Annika Scanlon, Chair; Brian Sullivan, Vice Chair; Rebecca Longley, Jamie Maughan, Alison Stager, Charles Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Adam Sperling Amanda Neville, Coneco Dorothy Marshall David P Johnson Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: May 13, 2015 Ms. Scanlon called meeting to order at 7:00 pm Administrators Report: Dustin Road Continued discussion from meeting of January 1/14/2015 of Cameron Melo, 27 Dustin Road, and the leaf pile up Dumping /cleanup. This item is being tabled because the resident from 27 Dustin is not present. Site visit performed by Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Longley. It appears residents of the whole street are dumping in this area. It will be a neighborhood effort to take care of this problem. Old /New Business 118 Belmont Street Adam Spurlane introduced himself. He is under agreement to purchase this property. He is looking for guidance from Conservation Commission to put in an in- ground swimming pool. There are three criteria involved: determine if it is a wetland; determine the wetland line; then the pool would have to be 35' from that line. The Board hesitates to offer advice without knowing the wetland line. Board recommended Mr. Spurlane hire a wetland scientist to flag wetland and get his /her professional opinion. Scientist would translate findings to a plan. This may also involve a surveyor marking up plot plan. Mr. Tirone's opinion from a site visit could be helpful. Variances have been granted for smaller lots, and are less commonly granted for pools, ice rinks, etc. Owner would be filing a Notice of Intent. Page 1 1 Continued NOI 270 -0638: Stormwater General Permit, Reading Public Works Department — Engineering Division Public Hearing was re- opened by Ms. Scanlon. Mr. Tirone reported that Mr. Zambouras is not present but he had viewed the permit and had no additional comments. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon corrected several typos. Board discussed recording vs. not recording General Permit. Mr. Tirone is making request that Permit not be recorded at Registry of Deeds. Sometimes he receives calls from property owners and attorneys and it becomes a problem with requests for Certificate of Compliance. Mr. Tirone will check with Town Counsel regarding not recording Permit. Town's regulations say recording at the Registry of Deeds is at the Conservation Commission's discretion. Board members signed permit. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to close hearing. Ms. Stager seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 RDA 2015 -3: 10 and 12 A Street, Map 23 Lot 184 and 185, Boston Gas Company d /b /a National Grid Amanda Neville from Coneco, Environmental Consultant for National Grid, introduced herself. Boston Gas proposing to install new lines within 100' of buffer zone. Plan is to extend existing main to service 10 and 12 A Street. This project should last approximately one week. They will be saw cutting pavement, laying new pipe, reusing soil as much as possible. Connections are changing from 4" plastic pipe in street to 2" to homes. There will be erosion controls measures during project. Silt sack to be used in catch basins, as well as straw waddles or hay bales. Boston Gas will reseed grass. Trenches will be approximately 3' — 4' deep. Trenching of street first, then backfilling and repaving. Mr. Tirone reported on behalf of Engineering Department that the timing for this project came in very late and may not happen because DPW is getting ready to pave the road. Suggested Ms. Neville contact Engineering Dept. as soon as possible to coordinate. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue Negative Determination for extension of gas main as per filing by National Grid. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 NOI 270 -0641: 306 Main Street, Map 11, Lot 226, Simpson Public Hearing was opened by Ms. Scanlon. Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering made presentation on behalf of Brandon Simpson from Pizza World. Mr. Tirone requested tracking confirmation for green cards from certified mail receipts. Pizza World is moving to 306 Main Street, which is a former gas station. Mr. Simpson came before Board approximately one year ago and is now returning with slightly revised plan. Mass DOT approved curb cuts and utility connections. Two story building proposed, first floor pizza restaurant, second floor for storage. There will be 18 parking spaces, bike rack, and 3 rain gardens. New filing has improvements, a patio in the front, concrete bollards at dumpster and near air conditioning unit, solid 6' white PVC fence. Mr. Simpson had withdrawn his CPDC and Conservation Commission filings and now submitting new filing and is asking for waiver for this submittal. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to waive fee. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 Mr. Sullivan reported Pizza World is not asking for approval tonight, just the Board's input. Project has to go before CPDC first and is under review with DEP. Board discussed and is in favor of improvements such as landscaping plan, crushed stone, and rain gardens. Mr. Tirone had questions on dumpster storage area and would like to see more detail on this plan. Dumpsters will have flip covers and be completely enclosed. Fencing will go to ground with gate on front. Board wanted to know about grease removal process. Mr. Tirone requested copy of lighting plan. Mr. Tirone felt variance should not be difficult to obtain since the site is being improved so much for public benefit. Board requested maintenance plan be included in Order of Conditions. Page 1 2 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing until next meeting on May 13, 2015. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0640: 30 Whittier Road, Map 33, Lot 148, Johnson Public Hearing was reopened by Ms. Scanlon. Board and Mr. Tirone revised, discussed, and modified draft of Order of Conditions. Mr. Johnson reviewed removal of trees; the 8 ", 5" and 10" and two 10" in driveway area. Planting plan is sufficient. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to close hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to approve Notice of Intent as amended tonight. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0. Timberneck Swamp; Hunting Update Dorothy Marshall is here to view sign design and present some of her concerns. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Marshall went on a site visit, found two tree stands and game camera. Locations were marked on GPS, one is on Conservation Land and one is on private land. Mr. Tirone used metal detector; did not find any shells or arrows. Ms. Marshall found hand truck, ladder, and a cut log. No visible signs of trapping were noticed. Property owner, John A Pica, Trustee, has agreed to not allow hunting on the private property any more. Mr. Tirone suggested tagging items found in conservation land and asking owners to remove them. Mr. Maughan suggested putting notes on items requesting owner of said item come before Conservation Commission by a date certain or the item will be removed. Mr. Maughan requested copy of Rules and Regulations for Conservation Land. It was suggested that regulations be amended so that permission is required to use wildlife cameras. Other items to be addressed are wildlife, trapping, hunting, photography, and observation in conservation regulations. This will be an agenda item on a future meeting. Timberneck Swamp is an agenda item at the next Board of Selectmen meeting on April 28, 2015. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon plan to attend to present sign plan which will read "No Hunting per Order of Property Owner ". Request to approved a plan change as insignificant, 5 Mariano Drive, 270 -0625, Couillard Ms. Scanlon went on site visit. She had previously requested a site plan from Mr. Couillard. He did not have a site plan for her review. If one is submitted, Board can review. Otherwise request for plan change will not be granted. Trails Committee, Bare Meadow trail maintenance discussion Approximately 2" more crushed stone is needed on trails. Ms. Scanlon will meet with Kim Honetschlager and Mr. Tirone to create plan before Trails Committee comes before Conservation Commission. Town wide Cleanup Day Mr. Tirone reported that a resident has requested a cleanup day. All boards, committees, and commissions are being asked if they would like to participate. Ms. Scanlon volunteered to contact resident and help with organization. East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project Update Mosquito control is using BTI instead of pesticides. This is a much targeted approach to kill mosquito larvae in large wetland areas. It is reported to be less harmful to humans. Page 1 3 364 Lowell Street 40B comment letter needed 4/22/2015 Mr. Tirone forwarded e-mail looking for comments from Board. Plan is for high density housing. This project will come before Conservation Commission for state Notice of Intent. It will be exempt from town zoning bylaws, unless there is some overriding reason Conservation Commission regulations must be upheld. ANRAD issued, natural vegetation is at discretion of Board and how close to wetland area Board approves structure. Reading Portable Classroom Plan Mr. Tirone visited site and none of the classrooms are within 100 feet of jurisdictional wetland area. Proposed Gas line relay project discussion Gas line on Forest Street and Forest Glen Road are being replaced. Board discussed whether project is exempt from Conservation Regulations. Cited exemption 301 CMR 1002 2A2 — utility service for public good is exempt. Forest Glen Road work is within 100 foot buffer zone or within 200' of open waterway. Changing from 4" steel main to 6" plastic pipe. Board discussed whether RDA is required. Starts at Rice Road and Martin Road and goes up to Main Street and across to Pearl Street. Project will be within 100' of resource area at Dunbar Road. Engineering's policy is to have contractors always get permit from Conservation. They need to follow best trade practices. How do they apply with just the town and not the state? They would check C and D on application. Contractor should come before Conservation Commission, discuss work with Board, and file permit for RDA with the Town. Update the member contact info sheet Member contact information was updated Emergency Permit — Ratify Emergency Certificate, 40 Glenmere Circle Board signed ratified Emergency Permit for 40 Glenmere Circle Bills Approved — Water & Sewer Bill — Pearl Street — Correct amount $20.05 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to approve revised storm water bill in the amount of $20.05. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0. Administrators Report: Artis Senior Living site visit Mr. Tirone reported Artis Senior Living project is starting on retaining wall, expecting to move forward soon. Contractors are being selected. In three weeks there will be an I & I assessment. Administrators Report: Scotland Road This is an enforcement issue. Resident on Scotland Road has been pumping out wetland into catch basin. Mr. Tirone contacted chairperson of Land Trust and checked deed that states land is to be kept in natural state. This information is to be forwarded to owner. Resident's attorney told them it is not wetland. Land Trust should follow up with deed aspect. Mr. Tirone reports this is not a simple process. To be effective correct background information is required. First step is to send resident a letter informing them of violation. Then request they come to a Conservation Commission meeting. If they do not conform next step is enforcement order. After that fines of up to $300.00 could be imposed. Mr. Maughan made Motion to send letter to resident on Scotland Road asking them to attend next meeting. Seconded by Ms. Longley. Vote 5 -0 -0. Administrators Report: Dustin Road Mr. Tirone reported an enforcement order is to be issued because resident of 27 Dustin did not show up for meeting. If letters and meeting are not working to bring residents into meetings, perhaps posting a sign in the problem area would work. It would be a permanently posted letter. Page 1 4 Minutes for Approval: March 25, 2015 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to approve minutes of March 25, 2015 meeting. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0. Ms. Scanlon wanted to remind Board members of Friends and Family Day on June 13, 2015 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to adjourn meeting at 10:43 pm. Ms. Stager seconded. Vote 5 -0 -0 Page 1 5