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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-13 Conservation Commission MinutesOFR O , Town of Reading ! o Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2016 -01-13 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED TOWN CLERK ?EAOING. MASS. Nth MAR 23 A B 3b I Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session Rebecca Longley, Chair; Annika Scanlon, Vice Chair; Michael Flynn; Al Couillard; Chuck Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Jamie Maughan Others Present: Gretchen Baker Ron Baker Richard Holly Pat Lloyd (Reading Open Land Trust) Ken Kessaris Lauren Kessaris Paul Dodge Anthony Lalicata Anita Lalicata Mary Ellen O'Neill Elizabeth Wallis Andrew Litzenberg David Caggainello Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: March 9, 2016 Ms. Longley called meeting to order at 7:00 pm Continued RDA 201522: 27 Blueberry Lane, Map 44 Lot 102, Caggainello Mr. Caggainello would like to remove 4 pine trees 25 -30 feet from his home. If they fall they pose risk to his home. Home owner has letter from Tree Company recommending removal. Ms. Scanlon reported at site visit trees appeared tall and straight, no leaning observed. Trees appeared in fairly good health. Commission is not sure of reason owner would want to remove. Usually only sickest trees are removed. Board has granted relief for tree removal from homes with similar applications. Board is looking for replacement trees. Mr. Tirone reported prior owner of this home came before board asking for all trees to be removed. It was denied at that time because of integrity of stream bank. This time asking for Pape 1 1 four closest to house would be a compromise. One for one replacement trees would make sense, approximately 10-15 tall, 3 -6 inch diameter, planted closer to wetland area. Request for shrubs would maintain integrity along bank. Mr. Flynn made Motion to Issue Negative Determination with conditions of two replacement native trees 10.15'tall from list available from Mr. Tirone and 4 additional native shrubs along stream bank. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 4 - ". Public Comment: Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue, expressed concern with number of trees being taken down in Reading especially in sensitive areas. Concerned that Commission does not have tree policy. She would highly recommend that Conservation Commission put a tree policy in place. RDA 2016 -02: 213 Charles Street, Map 34, Lot 186, Holly Mr. Holly would like permission to removed 6 tall pine trees and one dead red maple. He bought his home last year. Tree in middle of property was damaged by termites and 25' off top fell backwards. He is concerned other trees may get termites. One 150'+ tall, owner most concerned about for safety of his home and family. Ms. Longley reported on site visit observed white pines to back left, middle one in poor condition, one near house in middle in decent condition, 2 on left in good condition. Red maple 92 feet away is not in bad condition. Mr. Flynn concurred. Yard waste was observed in back of shed being dumped into resource area. Mr. Holly said this has ceased and will not happen again. If there is the possibility of not removing all the trees, the Commission would especially like him to keep the white pines on right 50 and 87 feet away. Three in back on left and one in middle are priorities. Mr. Tirone estimated wetland line parallel to road near shed sloping down, 87 and 92 are in resource area. 84, 86, 91 are at edge of wetland. 86 is dead. Tree company will advise taking all down, when taking down one tree because root systems intertwined and support each other. No arborist has come to site; no report from arborist but Mr Holly is working with one. If any trees come down edge of lawn should stay the same. Ms. Scanlon is not opposed to 3 trees between sheds being removed if arborist can confirm removing one would kill off other 2. Would like to receive professional report. Tree in middle is of yard is healthy, adding habitat value, is also considerably taller than others, would like to see it stay. Public Comment: Mary Ellen O'Neill, 125 Summer Avenue asked if owner is willing to cut less than the 7 trees? When she reviewed the application, wetland delineation was not clear and should be clearer for public review. Asked if Commission has arborist, or consults with outside arborist, or if a staff arborist come out to site? In her opinion arborist hired by homeowner is not impartial regarding condition of trees. Mr. Tirone reported Bob Keating; town tree warden does not go on private property. Town does have arborist check strength of trees before they come down. The Conservation Commission understands applications and it is not for public to understand completely. Commission does site visits to see wetlands and compare to maps in applications. Applicant is willing to work with Commission and would agree to remove fewer trees than Page 1 2 indicated on original application Ms. Scanlon reported these trees are within 100 feet of wetland, most likely three are within 35' no build zone. Trees cannot be replaced in kind, but this is a resource and she would like to see residents become stewards of their property and be a bit more habitat friendly. She would be ok to see cluster of 3 and large 150' tree in center of yard removed if arborist can co- oberate that removal is necessary. Mr. Flynn concurs that a professional opinion is necessary and would like to see letter from arborist. Mr. Holly will get report from arborist. His opinion is that it's unfair to need professional opinion at this point of application process. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing on 213 Charles Street until next meeting on 1/!$2016. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4-0 -0. RDA 2016-01: 17 Springvale Road, Map 30, Lot 295, Lalicata Elizabeth Wallace of Hayes Engineering represents homeowner. Proposal is fora 33'fa x 22 one -story addition to back of house, partially within 100 ft buffer zone of bordering vegetative wetland but completely out of 25 and 35 ft buffer zone. Two entrances proposed, supported by sono tube at each landing, with a small open deck proposed next to addition. Wetland was flagged in December. Mr. Flynn reported on site visit and observed wetland delineation. Board in agreement it seemed like wetland may move closer to home, flags 2 and 3, 10-+ feet toward Springvale Road. Small landings from entrances of addition, closest to wetland, are still 80 feet away even if wetland line changes. Board noticed landscape yard waste deposited in yard. Owner is aware of this, it is from previous owner, and he will not be dumping yard waste back there. No trees are being removed, but one large bush is to be removed. This project is so far out of buffer zone, moving the wetland line would not affect it, but it should be noted in the Negative Determination that wetland line may not be correct; there is not a verified line. Mr. Flynn made Motion to Issue Negative Determination for 17 Springvale Ave. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 4.0-0 Continued —ANRDA 270 -0653: 25 Springvale Road & Randall Road, Map 10, Lot 294 & 296, Map 15 Lots 5 -9, Hall Mc A third party delineation review is starting within the next few weeks. There is nothing else to report at this time. Mr. Tirone suggested interested parties contact him on the Thursday before a Conservation Meeting to see if there are any updates that will be presented at next meeting. Ms. Longley gave overview of project thus far to those in attendance. There have been issues with original wetland delineation of resource area. Members of Commission visited site and concurred there is a lot of historical fill, took their own soil probes and saw some hydric soil Page 1 3 indicative of high groundwater table. Applicant is paying for third party independent review. Commission selected the third party wetlands scientist. Delination will be starting next week. Public Comment: Lauren Kessaris, 25 Springvale Road, and Paul Dodge, 27 Wentworth Road: reported wetland markers are being repositioned. Board advised that if people are moving flags who should not be on site, they are trespassing. If flags are being changed, locations are picked up by satellite, gps, or survey. If final surveyors pick up wrong flags, it will be obvious. Mr. Flynn made Motion to continue the hearing for ANRAD 270 -0653 until next meeting on January 27v. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4.0-0 Old /New Business DOA 2015 -20: 28 Oak Street, Green Street Holdings, LLC still waiting for planting bond Mr. Tirone gave update, work was approved and Board had concerns regarding planting. Plants went in, Commission received 2 year guarantee, and $1,000.00 bond was received Monday. CDC 270 -0625: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 3, Albert Couillard CDC 270.0626: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 2, Albert Couillard CDC 270.0627: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Roadway, Albert Couillard Continued until next meeting Bills Approved Mr. Tirone reported Cabin is being used frequently which is good. Building Inspector visited site and agrees building can be expanded. Parking lot not finished yet. DPW has offered fruit trees and some other trees. Commission is in receipt of bill for $17.42 for lights at Mattera Cabin. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to approved payment of $17.42. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4-0-0 Administrators Report: Annual Report, Mattera Cabin Mr. Tirone will be looking for input for Annual Report from each member. Commission Elections Mr. Sullivan turned in his letter of resignation. New Chairperson and Vice chair need to be elected to serve until July. Mr. Couillard suggested electing a chair and remaining members fill in as vice chair on rotating basis. Mr. Tirone reported standard practice is to have one vice chair for consultation, assistance, chairing meetings in absence of chair. Mr. Couillard made Motion to nominate Ms. Longley as chairperson and Ms. Scanlon as vice chair until July. Mr Flynn seconded. Vote 4 -0-0 Administrators Report Mr. Tirone suggested Board members sign up for MACC classes. Mr. Tirone suggested Wetland Value class, ID class, Soils class Possible unauthorized activity within protected wetland resource No reports received by the Conservation office between 12 -31 -15 and 1/7/2016 Page 14 Emergency Permit Minutes for approval: 12/9/2015 and 12/29/2015 Ms. Longley made Motion to approve minutes of 1219/15 and 12129/15 as amended. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4.0.0 Administrators Report Mr Keating, town Tree Warden, would like to remove some trees on Birch Meadow Drive just past intersection of Route 28. Mr. Tirone asked for Commission members opinions whether these should be taken down. Discuss adding additional projects to Minor Projects checklist Board had discussion on trees and applicants' requests to remove them. Board is not typically asking for reports from arborist. Ms. Scanlon appreciates Ms. O'Neill's comments that Board's decisions on allowing trees to be taken down are inconsistent. Board needs a policy or plan to codify typical standard practices that helps Board make determinations. The Board should have a strategic planning meeting to address this issue in more detail. Board needs to solidify their goals and intentions. Board discussed writing a tree replacement policy into the regulations. Ms. Longley indicated current practices seem inconsistent. Trees /shrubs at least one for one replacement is necessary. Outside 35'- 100 replace with tree /shrub from Board's list. Mature tree replaced with new tree, ground water will be higher that summer. Root zone will be different and could flood the basements. Mr. Tirone tells residents if they're 50 feet away they should file for RDA if they're within resource area. At 25' and 35' we don't have a policy in place. It is hard to change a Bylaw. Commission can make changes to Conservation Regulations. Board would need to post public notice and hold public hearing. Board would request the assistance of town counsel for approval of final regulation. Mr. Tirone suggested Mr. Couillard and Ms. Scanlon meet to start draft of tree policy. They agreed to start draft to be reviewed with Board at the strategic planning meeting. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to adjourn at 9:20 pm. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4 -0 -0 Page I s