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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-27 Conservation Commission Minutesa� OFRt9 e� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes �N'IN[oPO P' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2016 -01 -27 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM RECEIVED , TOWN CLERK READING, MASS. .1016 MAR 23 p 12 431 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session Rebecca Longley, Chair; Annika Scanlon, Vice Chair; Michael Flynn; Jamie Maughan; Chuck Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Al Couillard Others Present: Judith Mieczkowski Anthony Mieczkowski Jr Nancy Coleman Vis Sankaran Prabha Sankaran Michele Winsor Rick Holly Mark Winsor Pat Shields Peter Shields Larry Potter Melodie Fox Frank Coleman Adina Weisman Janis Newcomb Scott Weisel Desi Harries Adam Stuart Bob Owen Kathleen Owen Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: February 24, 2016 Ms. Longley called meeting to order at 7:00 pm RDA 2016 -02; 213 Charles Street, Map 34, Lot 186 Holly Commission had requested information from arborist which was received 1/27/2016. Mr. Flynn reviewed arborist letter. J." tree, a large pine, is outside 50' buffer zone. New England Tree determined tree is 160' and 32 inch diameter. There are 3 pines alongside, middle one is Page I 1 dead, and three other trees originally proposed to betaken down are no longer being removed. Owner worried other two trees could be compromised since they are all so close to each other. Letter from arborist mentions cavity in large pine that could potentially collect debris and retain water. Board is asking for replacement from list provided by Mr. Tirone. Mr. Holly was advised white pines may not survive. Mr. Maughan said if they were planted a bit further from house near existing trees the soil would be okay. Mr. Maughan's opinion is to plant more white pines near existing white pines; they will do better near others of similar type. Mr. Tirone agrees with planting of one to one replacement white pines near tree 92 feet in flat area and two for one for large pine. The four replacement trees should be 4 -6 feet tall, 3 inch caliber, and must survive or be replaced. They should go on upland side of slope inclose proximity to white pines. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue Negative Determination for 213 Charles Street for removal of 3live and 1 dead white pines with conditions for replacement as discussed. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4-0-0. If there is any stump grinding there should be stabilization. If stump is ground and soil gets eroded that is a concern. Large pine being ground is not an issue. Grinding does not destabilize as much as removing roots. Ms. Scanlon suggested leaving stumps so they can be habitat for woodpeckers and other species. Mr. Tirone would like to be notified when trees are being taken down and again when new trees are planted in the spring. NOI 270.0654: 20 Dean Road, Map 46, Lot 143, Rosh Mr. Jack Sullivan made presentation on behalf of owner. Proposing an in- ground pool, surrounding paver patio, pool cabana, and small landscaped retaining wall approximately 2 feet high with 6" crushed stone base. Would like to remove some trees, some are dead, a few fall within 25' zone. Mr. Sullivan has marked some trees within 100 foot zone. Pool going in at existing site grade. Project is in compliance with new zoning requirements. Mechanicals located behind cabana. This is a no backwash system, environmentally friendly pool. One neighbor from Eastway requested plan from Mr. Sullivan. Pool is about 600 sq feet. Owner would put crushed stone drip trench toward wetland line if necessary. Pool is outside 35' no structure zone. There is no new grading downslope. Trying to match into existing grades as much as possible. New fence going within tree line - 4ft high open black chain link fence. Three trees are being removed at owner's request. At site visit Mr. Flynn observed a 20 inch tree to right is leaning over pool, the 24 inch leaning toward the house, and one other 22 inch. They are all red oaks with no obvious decay but some limbs are broken. Arborist report required. Two 28 "white pines downslope in tree line are not to be removed. Ms. Scanlon would like to see more detailed list of which trees are being removed, which trees are staying, and arborist opinion on health of trees being taken down. Page 1 2 Mr. Tirone requested more info: field data sheets, test pit for wetland line, impervious area mitigation, distance between wetland and proposed work. Mr. Tirone noticed one tree leaning a lot, possibly arborist could do limbing and cutting to prevent too may leaves from going into pool in fall. Mr. Tirone asked for detail on wall and slab. Mr. Sullivan advised soil could be stockpiled in front yard, rather than back. May backhoe right into truck and hauled off site instead of moving it twice. Mr. Tirone usually asks for seasonal maintenance plan for a pool. Mr. Tirone requested use of hay bales and silt fence for project. Silt socks not allowed for project of this magnitude. Board agrees better plan needed to reflect saving some trees and relocating some trees. Also report from arborist needed with proposal for replacement of trees being removed. Board requests leaving 4' stump. Mr. Flynn made Motion to continue hearing until next meeting on February 24, 2016. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 4-0 -0. N01 270.0655: 240 Grove Street, Map 38, Lot 2, Letendre Lentendre family recently purchased property and are proposing plan for landscaping. Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering Group, and Bob Moses, arborist, made presentation. Proposing to remove 6 trees within 100 foot buffer; five are hardwood, 1 is pine. Some other trees to be removed outside 100 buffer zone. Proposing 12" mulch sock for erosion control. Norse Environmental flagged wetland. Mr. Flynn reported site visit indicated steep slope, vegetation all along slope, 20 — 30' slope. Eight inch being removed because of grading, 30, 22,and 28. Bob Moses, Arbor Tree Service, went on site visit with Commission. 28" red oak is at 121' of buffer. Following trunk to crotch, leaves fall in and settle and compost and create a shear crack. This is evident on both sides of tree. Middle tree, eastern white pine 22" shows evidence of boring insects; he viewed saw flies around entire tree. Third three, left side red oak has horizontal cracking in bark which indicates structural damage. These are all close to house. Ground is level before slope drops off and should not be a problem with erosion. New plantings will give structural integrity. Three 8" trees are to be removed, if they are not will end up with fill over root structure which causes compaction, suffocates roots, and is slow death for trees. Landscape elevation to be raised would be a problem down the road. Plan for tie in to sewer needs to be included on plan. Town has to sign off on tie in. Mr. Tirone requested photos with application and wanted to know plan, are roots coming out or stump and grind. Mr. Moses suggests digging out, prep holes for landscaping. Board requested landscaping plan to be indicated on plan for stumps also Indicate type of plants going in. Slope is stabilized where stumps are removed. Erosion control would stay in place until landscaping complete. Page 1 3 Owner requested permission to take down three threes prior to landscape plan being submitted along with other trees being taken by right. Detail officers involved, needs coordination, cost, etc. Mr. Sullivan asked if they could come back before Commission to add planting plan stipulation as minor plan change. Ms. Scanlon indicated project is so far in outer buffer zone, at least 80 feet from wetland, so there is no objection even with excavation. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue until next meeting on February 24, 2016. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4 -0-0. Continued ANRDA 270 -0653 25 Springvale Road and Randall Road, Map 30, Lot 294, 296, Map 15 Lots 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Hall Ms. Longley reopened hearing. Site visit conducted with Bob Prokop, third party consultant, Al Couillard, Rebecca Longley, Chuck Tirone from Commission and rep from Norse. Mr. Prokop added some new wetland flags. Commission is still waiting for report from third party consultant. Therefore, there is nothing else to discuss until Commission receives a report. Ms. Longley suggested having one person from neighborhood contact Mr. Tirone several days before next meeting to see if we have received report and coordinate informing other interested parties. Public Comment: Peter Shields -31 Randall Road: Still concerned with color of flags. He was informed that the ones by third party have metal tag and are numbered. Pat Shields— 31 Randall Road: She knew the Dodge family, and was offended at last meeting that it was indicated someone from neighborhood may have moved or removed flags from the site. Frank Coleman, 26 Randall Road: At previous meeting, Ms. Scanlon indicated she was surprised by little hills and valleys, did anything come of that. Surveyors were asked to check height and depth. Ms. Scanlon reported the work of the third party has not been completed yet. Board members do not know status of survey. Mr. Coleman also had question on how conclusion is reached. Ms. Longley advised conclusion will be reached in open meeting, once final reports are received and discussed. Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing to February 24, 2016, Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0-0 Harry Curtis, 669 Haverhill Street, may be interested in joining Conservation Commission. He would like to give back to community. His background is in helping small businesses. He is a caretaker of a trail at Bare Meadow and is interested in outdoors and environment. Board shared their roles and made suggestions for Mr. Curtis to read Wetland bylaws. Mr. Maughan Page 1 4 explained appeal situations and appeals process. The next step would be interview process by Volunteer Subcommittee, then appointment made by Board of Selectmen COC 270 -0625: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn lane, Lot 3, Albert Couillard COC 270 -0626: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn lane, Lot 2, Albert Couillard COC 270 -627: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Roadway, Albert Couillard Mr. Couillard was not in attendance. Three houses, one is for sale, two are occupied. Mr. Tirone went to site with All Couillard and observed erosion, sparse grass, some material in wetlands. Mr. Couillard previously stated Commission may recall they told him to disturb will be worse than leaving it in place. Commission will allow concrete chunks to stay and debris needed to be removed. Board asked him to clean up slope. All trash has to be removed; removal of other debris that compromises slope is in question. If debris can be picked up by hand it should be removed but large concrete pieces cannot be removed by hand. Area is old landfill, Board does not want to unearth too much landfill and re- expose R. Mr. Tirone reported he did many site walks. Part of Certificate of Compliance on lot 2 includes extra items, bocce court, retaining wall, stairwell, different slope, all of which were done without permission of Conservation Commission. These extra items were outside 35' area, done without minor plan changes, submitted as Order of Conditions. Ms. Scanlon would like to review original Order of Conditions. Mr. Maughan suggested punch list to meet the Commission's approval before Mr. Couillard can get Certificate of Compliance. He would have to get mechanical vehicle to lift debris out and even more erosion would be created. Board would have to go into field with applicant and flag out items. Board is in agreement that loose stuff separated from slope to be removed by hand. If illegal from solid waste standpoint, it is better to leave in place, it is not Commission's jurisdiction. Mr. Tirone will start punch list and send out copy of Order of Conditions to members. Commission may go on site visit with punch list and edit as they go along. Tentative site visits are next Thursday or Friday, first visit for Commission to create punch list and second site visit with Mr. Couillard to go over punch list items needing attention. Minor Project None at this time Possible unauthorized activity within protected wetland resource No reports received by the Conservation office between 1 -7 -16 and 1 -21 -2016 Administrators Report Mr. Tirone asked for members input on Conservation Commission's section of Annual Report Emergency Permit None Page 15 Bills approved Water and Sewer Pearl Street, $13.44 Mr. Maughan made Motion to pay bill of $13.44 for Storm water Fund. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4-0-0 North Reading Draft Environmental Impact Report Mr. Tirone suggested members go to this meeting next Thursday, 2/4/2016 Envirothon Invasive This is a discussion for high school students on 2/11/2016. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Scanlon will be attending. Discussing how active Reading is at combatting invasive species. Ms. Scanlon found a free opportunity of glacier mapping project for high school girl and offered herself as a resource to high school. Ms. Longley would like to schedule strategic meeting at Mattera Cabin sometime in March. She will prepare discussion items, Board members to advise of their availability. 11 Bethune Avenue, Ed Calo, Detention Basin repair work request Mr. Calo made presentation. Proposing to bring Lot 4 up to existing plans levels, Measurement is 18" below grade. Will to bring back up to original grade where it should be, this happened due to settling. Going to fill with 1 /8" fill. Mr. Calo maintains area for the town, cuts grass, cleans drain. Approximately 400 sq ft area to be filled. Whole structure approximately 1200 sq ft. Mr. Zambouras has been to site and he agrees fill has to be brought in. Conservation issued Order of Conditions for this whole development and the detention basin would be in place and work as designed. Mr. Calo will produce an as built for Engineering Dept. Mr. Calo got verbal okay from Engineering that work can be done if Conservation is in agreement. Mr. Tirone would like something in writing from Mr. Zambouras saying he is allowing this repair. Money for repair would come out of bond. Need to check with Mr. Couillard to see if money should come out of bond or if Mr. Couillard is going to do the work. Mr. Tirone will be asking for written confirmation from Mr. Zambouras and as built plan with elevations. Mr. Maughan would like Engineering to spot check as builts. Minutes for approval None Discuss adding additional projects to the Minor Projects checklist Ms. Scanlon gave update on why board is drafting tree policy. Recently 2 permits were presented to Board regarding trees. There was some public comment questioning why healthy trees are being taken down. Some decisions seemed arbitrary and hard to understand. Board started discussion and Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Couillard volunteered to be working group and start drafting tree policy. Their meeting was cancelled because of town's power outage. Page 16 Mr. Tirone put together chart for guidance in creating draft policy. Working group is drafting policy for rest of commission to review. Board had discussion whether these meetings have to be conducted in public under open meeting law. Emergency Permit None at this time West Street Project Curbing in place, work has moved beyond Summer Avenue. Stock pile area on Summer Avenue. Mr. Tirone goes to site meeting every Thursday at 11:00. Storm drain open access into stream, clean up every Friday Mr. Tirone advised Board of upcoming projects: Morton Field light poles Gas project near Perfectos, right of way project Board discussed receiving third party consultant reports on Springvale Road in advance of public meeting so they can have chance to review and make their own comments. Market Basket wants to take down poplar trees in storm water detention are and revegetate. Fixing sign and new lighting possible. Project will be submitted as RDA. Trying to make it look good and add grass and regular plantings. Could be a Notice of Intent Mr. Maughan made Motion to adjourn meeting at 10:00. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 4-0-0 Page 1 7