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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-24 Conservation Commission Minutesy rH 0 Town of Reading RECEIVED x Meeting Minutes TRECEIVED oav HADI G, MASS. Board - Committee - commission - council: 1115 MAR 23 P lll� 59 Conservation Commission Date: 2016-02 -24 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Session: General Session Attendees: Members - Present: Rebecca Longley, Chair; Michael Flynn; Jamie Maughan; Al Couillard; Harry Curtis; Chuck Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Annika Scanlon Others Present: Others Present: Gretchen Baker Steve Erikson, Norse Environmental Service Ron Baker Adina Weisman Prabha Sankaran Karen McCadden Pat Shields Steven Baczek Vis Sankaran Jim Martinelli Francis Coleman Adam Stuart Pete Shields Mary Stuart Michele Winsor Donna Walsh Mark Winsor Sean Ewald Vicki Donovan Debbie Harries Steve Donovan John Dick, Hancock Assoc Jeff Letendre John Feudo, Recreation Ann Letendre Bob Owen Melodie Fox Kathleen Owen Bob Prokop, WCS George Zambouras, Eng Pat Lloyd, ROLT Douglas Neary Rosalie Dyer Potter Laurence Potter Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: APPROVED: March 9, 2016 Ms. Longley called meeting to order at 7:00 pm Conservation Commission welcomed new member Harry Curtis Continued NOI 270 -0654: 20 Dean Road, Map 46, Lot 143, Rosh Ms. Longley reopened public hearing. Page I 1 Mr. Rosh followed up wtth arborist report and filtration system plan. Report numbered trees with description of each tree. Photos of trees were provided. Trees numbered 1, 2, 3 are oaks, g leaning toward house, 3'a has large stress crack. These are scheduled to be removed. Plan to grind stumps. Tree 4 is dead, 5 is dying, being removed; 6 and 7 are cedars that are dying, they will be removed. Tree B is an oak, would prefer to leave it and trim it back. Tree 9 is an apple tree which is staying, 10 is black cherry, mostly dead, being removed, 11 is close to construction, being removed. Board questioned even if trees are dead in 35 ft no structure and 25 no disturbance area, why are they taking them down. Owner would rather take them down due to possibility of falling but will leave stumps for habitat In conclusion, trees being removed are 1 -7,10 and 11; 8 is being trimmed. Seven live trees are to be removed. Board would like to see 1 to 1 replacement for live trees. Ms. Longley suggested owner contact Mr. Tirone about replacement species and location of new trees. Order of Conditions would need to include planting plan, showing species, location and size of new trees. Order of Conditions will be changed from 6 to 7, and base left on trees in 35 foot zone. Motion by Mr. Maughan to Issue Order of Conditions to include planting of 7 trees, leaving 4foot stumps in area of 35' zone and planting plan to be submitted and approved by Board before Agent signs off on Building Permit for pool. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 Mr. Maughan made Motion to close hearing. Mr. Lynch seconded. Vote 5 -" Continued NOI: 270 -0655: 240 Grove Street, Map 38 Lot 2, Letendre Board received planting plan and detail on location of septic system, crushed stone to be left in place. Board had previously approved removal of several mature trees. Board requested plan on septic tank being pumped and removed, an arborist report, and planting plan. Board would like the Latin names of species making sure they are native species and not ornamental species. Owner asked if hay bales can go in after trees cut down, near time of construction. He would put hay bales in when root balls come out. Board is okay with this. Owner unsure of retaining wall project as originally planned. Mr. Tirone advised that if he decides to put in retaining wall, that would be a modification on this Notice of Intent. Mr. Couillard made Motion to accept plan. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Mr. Couillard made Motion to approved Order of Conditions. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 5 -" RDA 2016.3 Main Street Intersection, Boston Gas, Coneco Engineers Amanda Neville, Coneco, consultant for Boston Gas Company, made presentation for relocation of gas line on Main Street. DPW is replacing some of their water mains and there are encroachment issues with Boston Gas mains and requested Boston Gas relocate. Less disturbing to cut and cap old main and abandon in place. 450' length being relocated, 200' of which is riverfront near intersection of Avon and Minot Streets, shown as perennial stream on usgs maps. Not crossing riverfront, work ends just before. Ms. Longley asked how Coneco handles pumping/dewatering7 Ms. Neville said not typically necessary since they don't go very deep, 3-0 feet; won't know for sure until Boston Gas start digging. There are provisions written into contract for pumping. A small vac truck would be used remove any water as they work. Pa9e 1 2 Mr. Maughan suggested Order of Conditions include dewatering statement Ms. Neville stated if they have to side cast soil, it is put back at night, just side casted during day. Boston Gas has guidance for work crews to call environmental engineers If they smell gas. Project is being coordinated with Mr. Zambouras, Town of Reading engineering dept. Coneco will be installing silt sacks, provision to sweep every day and then again when done, project is anticipated to take longer than one week to complete. Mr. Flynn made Motion for negative determination pending additional Information as amended. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 Continued ANRDA 270 -653: 25 Springvale Road and Randall Road, Map 10, Lot 294 & 296, Map 15, Lots 5,6,7,8,9; Hall Bob Prokop, of Wetland Consulting Services, presented the observations and findings of his third party review via slide show presentation. He indicated he reviewed the property off Springvale and Randall Roads to check delineation submitted as part of MG Hall's ANRAD application. Mr. Prokop went on an initial site walk with Mr. Tirone then another site walk with Steve Erikson of Norse Environmental, and members of Commission. On the second site walk the group marked up areas that need to be re- evaluated. Mr. Prokop suggested expansion of wetland area B between the flags B3 to B5 based on soils observations. In addition to area B, two new series of wetland flags were flagged and surveyed. The areas were located off the cul de sac, (wetland markers series C and D). These areas appear to be small pockets, 48 sq ft (Area C) 336 sq ft (Area D) which is too small to be considered wetlands based on Town Bylaws. Mr. Prokop also indicated that there may have been several other interspersed areas, but the areas appeared even smaller and were not flagged. Mr. Prokop indicated that based on soil samples taken throughout site and available geology maps, the predominant soil is udorthent (disturbed) soil. Also added Wareham (poorly drained) soil. Remaining soil Scituate (moderately drained) suggests water table 15 -40 inches below surface. Scituate included poorly drained and moderately well drained. Disturbed soil area subject to interpretations. Hypothetically, he tried to reproduce what it would have looked like soil wise in 1970's. Mr. Prokop addressed possibility of a vernal pool. He indicated based on his experience, he would like to see 15 -18" water to be considered functioning vernal pool. This probably is not a vernal pool. There are not characteristics of a vernal pool present. Area is barren, without much shrub layer. Could be surveyed again in spring. If project goes through, an option for mitigation could be building a vernal pool on site. Ms. Longley questioned if warm winter this year would cause animals migrate this early. Mr.Prokop advised that animals start migrating to vernal pool once we get early spring warm rain. The depth of area in question indicates it is probably not a vernal pool in his opinion. Ms. Longley had question on area off of cul de sac. Board looked at wetland "d" series, did some soil cores a bit further to south, discovered redoximorphic soil and put up another Rag in that area to connect 3 and 4. The Commission noted that this appears consistent with the 252 contour In this area. Mr. Flynn reported the Board scaled area into pdf that they had and indicated jurisdictional (500 sq ft.) Board feels area in question is bigger than 336 sq feet. Mr. Maughan reiterated Reading's regulations for determining wetland has to have either preponderance of wetland vegetation, or have 2 additional conditions; both hydric soils within a foot and substrate covered by shallow water during growing season. Pape 13 Mr. Couillard suggested Mr. Erikson, Mr. Prokop and Board look again at "d" flags. If Mr. Erikson agrees, he could accept 500 sq ft as wetland now. He could replicate to another area of site. Mr. Erikson prefers to take another look at site first. Public Comment: Pat Lloyd, ROLT: referred to guidelines on page 43, if wetlands were altered, revised report from 2/16/2016 Melodle Fox — 35 Randall Road: observed wet, mucky area, and skunk cabbage popping up just outside of 252 contour Peter Shields -31 Randall Road: has photos of skunk cabbage he is willing to share with Commission Frank Coleman —26 Randall Road: Questioned if rainfall was below normal, would level of water in a vernal pool it be lower than a typical year. Mr. Proko p explained features of a vernal pool. Water level would only be as high as rim. Mr. Maughan made Motion to continue hearing until March 9, 2016. Mr. Flynn seconded. 5 -0-0 RDA 2016-4 Roadway maintenance resurfacing. Map various, Town of Reading DPW Mr. Flynn advised Board he Is an abutter of this project, but is not going to recuse himself at this time. Chris Cole, Engineering Division, made presentation for spring and early summer resurfacing. Work to start in April. 11 streets scheduled, 4 of which are in Commission's jurisdiction. Portions of streets fall within 200 ft of resource area. Two are mill and overlay and two are reclaimed. Intervale Terrace and Birch Meadow Drive are mill and overlay. Mill and overlay, a sweeper behind milling machine, crack seal, and new coat of asphalt on surface. Reclaimed are Larch Lane and Green Street between Eaton and John, pulverize to gravel surface and regrade road then add new layer of asphalt Any catch basin within 200 ft of resource area will received silt sack, and curb Inlet protection. Any areas of these 4 streets that abut resource areas will receive straw waddle. Would like Commission to defer to Mr. Tirone to make decisions for erosion control at she. Inlet protection would be piece baled hay or straw waddle in front of inlet. Mr. Maughan requested Engineering put straw waddle on down gradient side of staging areas. Mr. Tirone advised that road reclaiming has been running well over last several years, no issues with DPW and Engineering. Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street, asked what part of Green Street was being worked on. Mr. Cole said between Eaton and John Street. Mr. Flynn made motion to issue negative determination as amended. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 N01270-0656; Birch Meadow Park, Map 33, Lot 52, 54, 55, 56, 57 & 58, Town of Reading DPW Mr. Zambouras, Town Engineer, made presentation for project at three fields at Birch Meadow complex. The goal is to light 2 softballs fields adjacent to Birch Meadow Drive, replace lights at men's softball field, install new lights at Morton field, install new lights at little league field, and rehab and Install new lights at turf a2 soccer field. Castine field getting feed underground, floodlight will remain. Pape 14 Multiple light poles are being installed, three at Morton field within 100 buffer zone and one on edge, one at men's softball inside 100 buffer and one adjacent, and one at softball field at 100' buffer zone. Light poles vary in height from 60 to 70 ft. Ground -water average 5 -7 feet deep based on borings. Foundations vary 36 -48" diameter and depths vary 10- 19'deep. Excavations will be done with auger. Drawing show roughly where conduits go. Transformer has steel pad protection around it. Straw waddle to be used for erosion control. 2- 3 precast jersey barriers to be used further protect resource area. Estimates project would take about 1 month and a half, going to complete as much as they can with the money available. Mr. Zambouras will require casing on foundations within 100 buffer. Frac tank will be kept in parking lot. Engineering will designate what can be allowed on field. Trying to keep all work on perimeter of field. Imagination Station to be used as staging area for augers, excavators, stockpiled conduit, washout area for concrete trucks. Layer of protection with straw waddles and concrete barriers. Will go outside 100 foot buffer zone. Mr. Maughan reminded Engineering that Conservation Board has to issue variance for pole 3 and for conduit to and from it. Cost of project is just under $1 million, already spent some on borings and geotechnical work. Order of priority is first the 2 softball fields, little league field, Morton, men's softball, and turf field. Lighting plan — lights shine directly onto field. Mr. Feudo, Recreation Director, reported a light use policy to be developed by Recreation Committee, lights will probably be on until about 9 — 30. Mr. Tirone mentioned lights affect wetlands. He received Inquiries from residents asking if lights will be turned off when it rains. Mr. Tbone was advised that there is a difference between horizontal and verticallight. Resident has asked for vertical lighting plan. Resident has issue with vertical lighting and would like to see more trees along first base side of Morton field. There will be some areas of mitigation necessary on this site so trees could be part of it. Board requested alternatives for common good, public benefit, and minor conduit relocation. Tony D Arezzo -130 John Street asked how much higher new lights are than existing, currently about 40 -50 ft. going up to 70 ft above ground, 10 -19' below ground. Asked about Frac tank, R will be used to filter sediment Mr. Maughan made Motion to continue until meeting on March 9, 2016. Mr. Flynn seconded. S -M NOI 270 -0657: 73 Fairchild Drive, Map 45, Lot 19, Jacobs Presentation given by Tom Hughes, Hughes Environmental Consultants. Owners converting existing deck into three season room. Came before Commission last year for pre - planning discussion. Keeping same footprint, removing stairs from wetland side and placing on other side of house. Plan to inflitrate runoff to 500 gallon shea shallow pit. Applicant proposing to removed buck thorn with weed wrench. Will be using mini excavator for bigfoot sonotubes. No stock piling within 35' of wetland prefers to use compost filled sock. Minimal disturbance on this project, three season porch will be less disruptive to habitat than deck. Ms. Longley had question on buckthorn removal, larger stem. Mr. Hughes recommends dabbing glycosate, which is not restricted and safe for use near wetland. Easy to contain buckthorn. Mr. Maughan made Motion to approve Order of Conditions based on plan submitted. Mr. Coulllard seconded. Vote 5 -" Page 1 5 Mr. Maughan made Motion to close hearing on 73 Fairchild Drive. Mr. Coulliard seconded. 5 -0-0 RDA 2016 -5:1 General way, Map 54 Lot 1, Jamie Shaw, Danis John Dick gave presentation. Reviewed proposal from last year for Notice of Intent which was withdrawn. Pared down project. First plan to cut down poplars in dike at stream bank. Second will remove poplar and remove phragmities in mitigation area. Third plan Is to remove poplars along property line. Trying to get poplars off dike. Manage poplars by cutting them flush and mow 3 -5 years. Maintain slope with perennial meadow. Could plant shrubs later on once poplars are under control. Hayes Engineering prepared plan in 2004 for storm water management system in basin and all pipes through site. No disturb buffers were signed in 2004 and not been properly maintained since, now proposing to maintain an artificial system. Was exempt from state regulations. Mr. Dick read state regulations on storm water system, General Provisions 10.02 3 CMR Ms. Longley has problem with calling wetland resource area a storm water detention system. How does stream to north of detention basin get called resource area. It is but is an urban drainage system. She Is concerned with structural integrity of bank after removal of poplars. Mr. Dick said they are going to cut stumps fairly flush so they can mow after cutting, plant a fast growing mix, wildflower mix with winter rye, very little de- stablilization. Two areas of mitigation proposed —one by parking lot where they will remove phragmities, other is removal of poplars Ms. Longley would like Danis to apply for Notice of Intent since there is a lot of work in resource area. Mr. Couillard suggested monitoring plan - 2 yr for planting, 3 yr for removing invasive. Suggested board go she visit and come back to next meeting with negative determination with stipulations. Mr. Tirone would like have a clearer plan from Danis. If Board tells Danis what they want maintained, Mr. Dick will incorporate into plan. Board discussed pros and cons of RDA vs Notice of Intent. Operation and maintenance plan under RDA protects Board. Douglass Neary -155 Village St — questioned how far down General Way is removal of poplars. Answer - Only working on side of General Way that is closer to parking lot in mitigation area. Jodie Haywood, Danis rep. She will continue to answer questions and work with the Board. Would like to maintain positive communication with Town. Mr. Tirone recommended dredging of detention basin. Board members agreed to continue until next meeting. CDC 270 -0625: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 3, Albert Couillard COC 270 -0626: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Lot 2, Albert Couillard CDC 270-0627: Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn Lane, Roadway, Albert Couillard Mr. Couillard has recused himself from discussion on Mariano Drive. Mr Flynn reported on site visit. Concrete debris and trash in wetland area. Some can be removed easily. Not able to issue COC at this time. Pape 1 6 Mr. Vaughan proposed that Mr. Couillard not be required to remove large pieces of concrete, but is to remove metals, plastics that are visible. Metal pipe, if imbedded in concrete, remain. If loose, it should be removed. Pipe could be cut, fence that is visible could be cut. Mr. Curtis suggested items be removed by hand and use bolt cutters for fence sticking out. Mr. Couillard has battery grinder and would cut where visible as much as possible. Mr. Tirone could come by same day as work being done. Laborers could remove hems by hand. Then they could use hand equipment, bolt cutters to remove other items lodged. Mr. Tirone could spray paint items that need to come out. CT has list of items to be taken care of: Retaining wall Erosion Bocce Grass Mr. Tirone mentioned tree at Bethune that Mr. Couillard is to put in. Mr. Couillard reported swamp maple already planted. Bills Approved MACC invoices $115 Mr. Maughan made motion to approve bills. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 Minor Project: 22 Garrett Road irrigation well, Approved Possible unauthorized activity within protected wetland resource No reports received by the conservation office between 1/7/2016 and 1/21/2016 Administrators Report: Annual Report Minutes for approval: January 27, 2016 Mr. Maughan made motion to approve minutes. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 North Reading Draft Environmental Impact Report Mr. Maughan made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:05 PM. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 5 -0-0 Page 1 7