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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-13 Conservation Commission MinutesOP$ O r c Town of Reading Meeting Minutes ,639,/NCOA90� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2015 -05 -13 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM LIiLIYCU 1-0 WN C! ER'K V .,ONI 1G.'., H " SS. HIS ,!UN 2Li P 3: 53 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session Annika Scanlon, Chair; Brian Sullivan, Vice Chair; Rebecca Longley, Jamie Maughan, Charles Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Alison Stager Others Present: Steve & Mary Duffy Michael Flynn Danielle Farnkoff John Bugden Eileen Gorham Nancy Kohl Jim Kohl Michael Morelli Steven Baker Cameron Melo Carleton Pendexter Alex Durso Andrea Morelli Richard & Karen Chase Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: May 27, 2015 Ms. Scanlon called meeting to order at 7:05 pm Cailtin Brewer & Travis Mosca Remo & Frances Arekusi Scott Berger Daniel Aretusi Debbie Reed Kevin Dyer Ron Petrin Tom Walsh Karyn Carr Tom O'Neill George Zambouras, Engineerin Catherine Giangregorio Michael Bloom, CJW Continued Cameron Melo, 27 Dustin Road, leaf pile up Dumping /cleanup discussion from meeting on 1/14/2015 Continued discussion with Mr. Melo in attendance. Board wanted to make him aware of illegal fill in wetland area, some is on his property, some in easement area, some at end of street. The Board realizes this is not all from Mr. Melo. Conservation is hoping to get him and his neighbors to help remedy the dumping problem. Mr. Melo explained he is new to Reading and wanted to beautify his property. He was not aware of the regulations when he first moved to Reading, but now that he aware of the law, he agreed not to dump in the wetland area. He is not sure how to go about removing the fill that has already been dumped. Page 1 1 Mr. Maughan advised of the town's compost center and how to get a sticker for its use. Ms. Scanlon explained how drainage is reduced when fill gets added to wetlands and explained how some of the problems created by dumping fill in wetland areas such as wet basements. Mr. Tirone advised Mr. Melo that it's not that he can't fill, he cannot add fill without a permit. Conservation Commission will be watching this area and will issue enforcement orders if the Board feels it is necessary. Continued NOI 270 -0641: 306 Main Street, Map 11, Lot 226, Simpson This case is continued until next meeting on May 27, 2015. As an aside, Mr. Maughan had a question on the location of the new bus stop on Walker's Brook Drive in front of Stop and Shop or whether it was supposed to be in front of Longhorn Restaurant. Mr. Zambouras and Mr. Sullivan confirmed the location at Stop and Shop is correct. This mitigation for riverfront will be discussed further at a future meeting. Continued NOI 270 -0634: Sturges Park, Pine Ridge Road, Map 4, Lot 88, Town of Reading, Engineering Dept. /DPW Ms. Scanlon reopened public hearing. Mr. Zambouras gave the presentation. Major change since February is to wing wall. Original intent was to reset last 12' of wing wall. WPI's (Wetlands Preservation Inc) report indicates it is impossible to reset and now plan is to completely replace. Proposing to take granite stones out and install concrete gravity wall using larger concrete stones. Last 8' of westerly wall to be reset. Resetting east wall requires that one, possibly two trees, need to be removed to gain access. Board discussed erosion controls, placement of the rip wrap, vegetation, and re- establishing natural habitat through the stream as soon as possible. Mr. Zambouras will provide maximum velocity report at Ms. Scanlon's request. Mr. Tirone asked if contractors were brought to see the site and look into softening the bank. It would be good to have a second option other than the rip wrap. Mr. Zambouras reported this is the plan WPI came up with. Mr. Zambouras said Board can go back and look at alternatives if they want. Mr. Zambouras reported the work will be done during July — August, and will go out to bid beginning of July so plans need to be done by second week of June. Conservation Commission will conduct another site visit during week prior to next meeting on May 27, 2015. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing to next meeting on May 27, 2015. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. NOI 270: 115 -119 Howard Street Ms. Scanlon opened the public hearing. Mr. Zambouras gave presentation. Near West Street a channel runs between 115 and 119 Howard Street; the runoff from Howard Street drainage. Channel is approx. 2 -1/2 ' wide, open area, then next 100' lined with stones, saplings at edges and top of bank, roots, dislodged stones. Two issues this filing should correct, the minor issue of stones that have come loose from bank impeding the flow; they need to be moved back to the walls of the stream. The major issue is the large sections of concrete from an old structure in the sluiceway at rear of #115 that has become a choke point. Concrete pipe will remain as is. Engineering will remove concrete pieces and create an earth channel. Abutters will have to be notified. Plan is to remove stones by hand and put them back in the bank and using a mini backhoe for the concrete. Page 1 2 Ron Petrin, resident of 119 Howard Street asked if when paving project is complete, will there be increased water flow down West Street. Mr. Zambouras replied there is no change to the amount of previous area so the flow will not be increased. Mr. Tirone asked about access to the channel. Mr. Zambouras replied that no trees will be cut down to gain access. They will be going through private property and will replace any fencing or grass and sod as needed. Mr. Maughan made Motion to approve Notice of Intent and issue Order of Conditions. Part of Order of Conditions specifies that no trees will be taken down. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan made Motion to close the hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0644: 241 Pearl Street, Map 34, Lot 131 Baker Ms. Scanlon opened the hearing. The applicant, Steve Baker, is proposing an addition 11' x 15' and continues south to add a deck; all to be built on footings. Corner of property touches the buffer zone. This project is almost the same as project proposed in 2003 by previous owner which was never done. This project has no foundation, just the footings which are being hand dug. Grading will be added fill from excavated soil. Project is 52' feet from resource area. Mr. Maughan suggests taking requirement of hay bales and silt fence out. Board agrees the plan is straightforward. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue approve Order of Conditions. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan made Motion to close hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0642: 629 Pearl Street, Map 52, Lot 50, Morelli Ms. Scanlon opened the hearing. The applicant, Mr. Morelli, is proposing to tear down existing house and rebuild. Would like to start work mid -June or July. Intending to grade left back area with fill. Using hay bales and silt fence around perimeter. Using rocks from excavation to bring grade up. Proposed retaining wall 3' -4' high at left side. Mr. Maughan reporting findings of his site visit: 1. Retaining wall is definitely needed; slope is very steep and eroding. 2. Driveway drainage and whether it drains to resource area it. 3. Tree in east corner, right side, to be removed and later replaced with native vegetation. 4. Healthy mature trees in back north and east side should not be cut down. The Board supports this plan. A planting plan should be submitted and approved by Conservation Commission near time of issuance of certificate of compliance, containing as least 2 or 3 native shrubs or trees. James Krol, 607 Pearl Street, voiced concern with runoff and fertilizer from yard draining to detention basin. Board discussed contour lines and grading. Nancy Krol, 607 Pearl Street, is in favor of the new house but voiced concern that drainage will affect vernal pool. Mr. Tirone confirmed the nearest vernal pool is 400' feet away. Mr. Maughan made Motion to close hearing. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Ms. Longley made Motion to issue Order of Conditions as amended. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0643: 0 Main Street, Map 51, Lot 95, Ahern Ms. Scanlon opened public hearing. Steven Ericson, Northeast Environmental Services, represented the potential buyer /applicant and gave presentation. Proposing to build a single family home 26' by 36' on this lot. Project includes building a retaining wall. Driveway will be on Main Street. Some of Mr. Maughan's observations of site visit: Page 1 3 This is a heavily vegetated lot with mature trees with no existing structures. Wetlands flags boundary (which were set in March) need to be re- checked. Steep change in grade 6 -8' at driveway not reflected on plan. Mr. Ericson will have engineer recheck grading at driveway. Many concerned residents from Main Street, Pearl Street, Rocky Road and Nelson Avenue, were in attendance. Some residents made public comment with regard to flooding and blasting. Karen Carr, 1257 Main Street, lives next to this property and expressed concern regarding fill, drop in grade to street, and flooding of neighboring properties if this home and retaining wall are built. She also had questions regarding blasting of ledge to connect to town sewage and the effect on her foundation. She was advised that Conservation Commission has no jurisdiction on ledge blasting for sewer systems. Tom Walsh, 532 Pearl Street, discussed wetlands delineation and the effect of water flow to neighboring properties. His property abuts wetland. Richard Chase, 11 Nelson Avenue, spoke on behalf of Nelson Avenue residents. They already have wet basement issues and are concerned those problems will become worse with the weight of this home and retaining wall on underground streams. He is also concerned with disruption to wildlife. Catherine DeGregorio, 15 Rocky Road, voiced concern over the wet basements of some her neighbors and wanted to confirm that stream in her neighborhood would not be blocked. She was advised it would be illegal block it. Kevin Dyer, 524 Pearl Street, concerned about rain water that is now absorbed by the natural vegetation and whether a detention basin or infiltration system is being considered. Scot Berger, 1301 Main Street, expressed concern over roadway debris from Main Street funneling down new driveway with runoff and entering wetland. He was advised this is will not change from existing situation with debris along Main Street. Debbie Reed, 525 Pearl Street, wanted to know how wetland lines are determined. Two methods of delineation explained by Mr. Ericson was consistent with Conservation's bylaws, in which 2 of 3 characteristics are present, vegetation, soils, presence of water. She also voiced concern over water in basements in her neighborhood. Ms. Scanlon advised neighbors that even if they are opposed to the project, Conservation Commission cannot stop it from being built. They can be sure that applicant takes proper measures. If the owner can meet Conservation's performance standards and avoid impacting neighbors' basements, then the home can be built. The Commission could request an infiltration chamber to capture extra water that would then slowly seep into ground naturally. The wetland line review is the starting point to determine the correct setbacks and no build area. The retaining wall will be reviewed very intently as it is right on the property line. Board needs the following items determined: Verification of wetland line that it is compliant with State Wetland and town bylaws; Number of trees to be cut down identified by species, diameter and height; Drainage plan for retaining wall and driveway and proposed infiltration plan; East -west and north -south cross section of retaining wall between homes; Drawing showing drop from Main Street; Understanding of fill and topography; Page 1 4 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing until May 27, 2015. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0- 0. RDA 20015 -4: 45 Causeway Road, Map 25, Lot 57, RMLD Mike Bloom, from CJW the environmental consultant for RMLD gave presentation. Responsible for counter measure plans, oil containment measures or spill prevention. Installing a low permeable berm around transformer. 65 — foot long 12' angle to keep released oil from getting into ground. Need to be able to retain worst case scenario. Just need to impede flow. Material is crushed stone and roadway base. Project is 52' feet from resource area. Transformer on pad with gravel around it. Distance from wetland is approximately 55'. Material will be raked in so there are no plans to break any ground. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue Negative Determination for detention area for RMLD. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. RDA 20015 -6: 7 Adams Way, Map 51, Lot 46 Farnkoff Danielle Farnkoff, owner, is making request to remove and replace pool fence in order to enclose playground area with additional new fencing outside of 25' buffer zone area. Board requested that any plantings be native vegetation. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to issue Negative Determination with conditions as discussed tonight. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0 RDA 20015 -5; 147 Pearl Street, Map 28, Lot 207, Duffy Steve Duffy has existing three season porch on concrete slab. The footings are no longer sufficient for structure. New footings to be Building Department approved. Work is already underway; a permit was originally issued by Building Department, then a neighbor notified Conservation work was near wetland. Owner intends to put in slab under porch 10 —15' from wetland to bring it up to code. Items to be done: Emergency Permit Conservation issued an emergency permit for tree at 28 Lindsay Lane 29 Gavin Circle Mr. Tirone reported he received a letter from attorney for 29 Gavin Circle asking for enforcement order to be dropped. Conservation needs to receive severability report. Attorney will prepare and drop it off. DOA 2015 -3: 10 & 12 A Street, Map 23 Lot 184 & 185, Boston Gas Company d /b /a National Grid Minor Project: None at this time Minutes for Approval 4 -22 -2015 Mr. Maughan made Motion to approve minutes of April 22, 2015 meeting. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0 Conservation Board discussed rewording /revising some of the Conservation Regulations Timberneck Swamp Hunting Update Page 1 5 Mr. Tirone reported that 19 signs were approved at the Board of Selectmen meeting. Funds are coming from Town Manager's discretionary fund. Signs shall read " No discharge of firearms per order of property owner" and "No discharge of firearms per order of Conservation Commission ". A new firearms committee has been formed to review regulations. Administrators Report Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon met with property owner of 104 Scotland Road. Property was purchased from Reading Open Land Trust. The owner claimed to be unaware that his property is a regulated wetland. Mr. Tirone is going to supply a sketch of field plan showing jurisdictional area and would indicate "no touch zone ". Property owner would need to file for a permit or talk to Conservation Commission for any activity. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to adjourn at 10:46 pm. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0. Page 1 6