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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-25 Conservation Commission MinutesF k v B'li; !►F�OK *- Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2016 -05 -25 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM L ,C tG. Mass. i lk ti ..a'U P b:22 Location: Selectmen Meeting Room Session: General Session Rebecca Longley, Chair; Michael Flynn, Harry Curtis, Annika Scanlon, Vice Chair; Al Couillard, Amy Scicchitani, Jamie Maughan, Chuck Tirone, Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Lori Doughty, Jay Doughty, Charlotte Harlan, A J Jerrett, Bill Manuell, Guy Fodera, Karen Herrick, Doug Neary, G.Guy Fodera, David Raucci, Lisa Raucci, Tammi Magazzu, Sal Magazzu Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julia Rodger Topics of Discussion: Approved: June 8, 2016 Ms. Longley called meeting to order at 7:00 pm Extension OCC 270 -0547, 14 Strawberry Hill Lane, DeAngelo Commission signed the Order of Conditions Extension Friends and Family Day Board discussed manning table during Friends and Family Day on June 11, 2016 Suggestion made to raffle free 2 hour event at Mattera Cabin and raffle for blueberry bush. Library program, an evening stroll through Bare Meadow, Miksis Walk thru Bare Meadow, June 27th, led by Rachel Baumgartner Mr. Maughan made motion to approve walk. Mr. Flynn seconded. 7 -0 -0 Storywalk at Bare Meadow Conservation Area from July 1, 2016 to July 15, 2016 Bare Meadow Storywalk from July 1 -15. Walk from Mattera parking lot to Bare Meadow. Theme is "On Your Mark, Get Set, Read ". Ms. Scanlon made motion to approve. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 NOI 270 -310 South Street, Map 4, Lot 144 Doughty Applicant gave presentation. Jay and Lori Doughty are planning to remove existing detached garage, part of asphalt driveway, deck, entryway, and mudroom. Adding new attached two car Page 1 1 garage with entry, and master bedroom above garage. No permanent fencing, construction fencing only, construction access will be on left side along with stockpile for excavated material. Site is flat between area of erosion control and wetland. Proposed infiltration for roof runoff is trench covered with stone, with lawn over it. Overall there is net increase in infiltration. New driveway will drain toward street. Old deck location will be loamed and seeded with grass. Work that is within 35' zone is on underground 6" pipe; no above ground structure. Mr. Couillard made Motion to issue Order of Conditions. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 Ms. Scanlon made Motion to continue to next meeting. Mr. Maughan seconded 7 -0 -0 ANRAD 270 - 0660:116 Van Norden Road, Map 39, Lot 72, Gately Herrick Commission had site visit to focus on upland wetland series flags. Commission needed to confirm 100 foot buffer zone. Ms. Longley made suggestion to connect 1e to 10b. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue an ORAD in conformance with most recent version of plan. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote 6 -0 -1. Ms. Scicchitani abstained. NOI 270 -0662: 154 Green Street, Map 17, Lot 214, Fodera Bill Manuell made presentation. Submitted revised plan incorporating changes requested at last meeting. Added silt sack to catch basin in street. Infiltration system adjusted, sidewalks shown on both sides of house, Elm tree to be removed, deck steps now shown, line of temporary erosion control around concrete slab being pulled out. Not pouring concrete for deck supports; deck supports will be precast deck piers. Public Comment: AJ Jerrett - 102 John Street: his backyard faces 154 Green Street. Concerned about proposed driveway and light reflecting into his home. After seeing plan he is satisfied with location of driveway. Mr. Flynn made Motion to issue Order of Conditions for 154 Green Street. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0. Mr. Maughan made Motion to close hearing for 154 Green Street. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0. NOI 270 -0661: 1 General Way, Map 41, Lot 1, Danis discussion Mr. Tirone finished Order of Conditions; forwarded to applicant and consultant. Amendments had more to do with original permit incorporating parking lot, storm drains, and checking for sediment. This is for fore bay and detention basin. Old permit is still in effect. Operation and maintenance plan are under new Notice of Intent. Mr. Tirone requested weekly inspections for debris. Commission discussed some of the conditions. They wanted some language to be more specific. The purpose of this order is to permit mowing but as infrequently as possible to maintain the habitat. Directive for mowing preferably in late fall. Page 1 2 Mr. Tirone asked for qualified profession to provide report once per year for first 3 years. Order to include removal of phragmities. Removal has to be done by a licensed applicator. Mr. Maughan suggested plan be submitted in advance for Commission's approval. Typically phragmities are treated in the fall. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue Order of Conditions for 1 General Way as modified by Commission. Mr. Curtis seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0. Mr. Flynn made Motion to close hearing. Mr. Couillard seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 Austin Prep School: Wetland Replication Area Discussion Commission had site visit to look at everything in Mary's report. Plants in good condition and appear healthy. Base is very flat, organic hydric soil. Dead cedar trees may be due to too much standing water. Mr. Tirone reported under previous Certificate of Compliance Austin Prep did some additional grading which activated whole area. He requested tree stump be removed to get more connectivity. Hay bales were not removed; they were broken up and spread out. Ms. Scanlon would like to see hay removed relatively soon, just the hay that is able to be removed without damaging vegetation. Mr. Flynn feels tree stump should not be removed. It could cause more harm than good. ORAD 270 -0668: Low Meadow, off of Ardacia Avenue, map 14, Lot 15, Haskell Commission reviewed latest plan and verified wetland flags a1 -A14 and checked that these have been modified on plan. Also checked Riverfront flags RF1— RF6. Included series 131- B6 and C1- 05. Mr. Tirone did not receive gps file yet. Sal Maguzzu —105 Arcadia Avenue: questioned location of flags that were not marked which the Commission had asked applicant for Commission is comfortable with flags; there were 2 other areas that could have been marked. There was a request for more flags at site visit. It became evident to Commission that more flags would not make a difference; they would be less significant to resource area. If there is a future filing for more work, the Commission could ask that additional riverfront flags be put in. Mr. Maguzzu asked what if owner refuses to put flags in at that point. Commission responded that future filing would be refused. He wanted to know what neighbors could do if neighborhood wants second opinion on flags. Commission advised there is an appeal /challenge process. Ten residents can pursue appeal for DEP to check lines. That process cannot begin until after Commission's approval. Then the applicant cannot move forward with project until any appeal is settled. The residents would mostly likely need an Environmental attorney for representation. Information on process of appeal is available on DEP website, along with fee schedule. Mr. Maguzzu reported that the consultant, Mr. Erikson, said that it was a waste of money to go out to place 2 more flags that would have been more on neighbor's property than on subject property. Commission indicated that will be dealt with at property owner's next filing. David Raucci -107 Arcadia Avenue: Asked for clarification on process of establishing bvw lines. Page 1 3 He took photos and there is a lot more growth Ms. Longley explained how lines are determined. The site has been looked at several times. Commission asked for flags to be moved slightly upland. Lisa Raucci -107 Arcadia Avenue: She is not in agreement with the line. BVW does not go back far enough. Mr. Maughan restated that presence of vegetation does not make it a wetland. Experts have come to a consensus; vegetation upland from the line is dry. Charlotte Harland - 69 Arcadia Avenue: asked if a plan for building is proposed. Commission advised that the owner would have to come through Conservation Commission for approval to build. Mr. Maguzzu asked if Commission typically requests soil samples be taken. Ms. Longley replied that there are some criteria, such as if there is preponderance of wetland plants, they don't have to do soil core. There were cores taken on this project. The data sheets were provided to Commission. The very steep slope, topography, and elevation of slope marks the wetland. Commission is even more certain of that line because of the slope plus or minus 1 foot. Mr. Maguzzu asked if data indicated location where soil was taken from because he would like to know exactly where the samples were done. He requested sample be taken in the potentially buildable area. Mr. Flynn commented Commission has done due diligence on where theses points are. Mr. Curtis commented Commission is very confident the lines are correct based on Commission's site visits. Mr. Maughan suggested applicant be asked to take some soil cores in area Mr. Maguzzu is asking for to satisfy the neighbors. Wondered if applicant is willing to address neighbors' concerns. Tammy Magazzu —105 Arcadia Avenue: she stated Commission is signing off on something they don't have all the facts on as far as soil samples. She requested the following information: When were samples taken? What were results? Where are the locations? Mr. Tirone reported he will be requiring gps coordinates on plan and soil probe locations on plan. Mr. Couillard feels neither of these requests will change the lines. Mr. Flynn reported Commission should be consistent in what they are asking for. Mr. Maguzzu stated Commission asked for gps, Commission changed its consistency by asking for gps and gps report Ms. Scanlon stated items requested don't yet rise to level of denying line on the plan. Additional data is valuable and worthwhile, it helps substantiate line, but the bottom line is that the work has been done, line has been drawn. Most of those involved are satisfied with the work that has been completed and the line as determined. Information to be provided: Gps flags Page 14 2 more Riverfront flags Location of 2 soil samples gps would be for file, would not hold up moving forward Soil samples — Commission needs to decide if it would keep them from making decision Riverfront flags — Mr. Tirone stated he knows they are not going to change Mr. Maughan made Motion to inform applicant that abutters have asked for additional soil samples and to give applicant opportunity to address abutters. Commission would then issue ORAD at next meeting. Mr. Curtis seconded. Vote 5 -2 -0. Mr. Flynn and Mr. Couillard opposed. Mr. Curtis stated he is confident in lines as delineated. If it takes a couple more weeks to help settle neighbors' minds, then so be it. COC 270 -0625: continued Mariano Drive, 92 Sanborn land, lot 3, Albert Couillard Mr. Couillard recused himself. Mr Couillard is to pick up signed Certificate of Compliance. Continued COC 270 -58: 244R Ash Street, Northeast Cutlery Continued until next meeting Continued COC 270 -0643: 1261 Main Street, Ahearn Grass is robust. Certificate of Compliance will be on next meeting agenda. Admin: Girl Scout troop planted butterfly garden at Bare Meadow. Needs to be watered occasionally Meeting Minutes for Approval Mr. Maughan made Motion to approve minutes as edited by Mr. Curtis. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 Emergency permits Mr. Tirone got notice of a tree that fell and caused damaged. Property owner not in attendance New Items Thomas Carroll - 260 Grove Street Applying for minor project permit approval to open back of kitchen and extend 7 feet. Cutting out deck framework. No full foundation, footings and sono tubes to carry single story. Outside 50' foot with deck. No offsets are changing. Excavation by hand, no machinery. Steel beam oversized. Working within an approved footprint. Members discussed whether it is necessary for minor project if addition or work is within existing footprint. Excavation controlled, adding footings, if it went to an RDA what would Commission gain. Mr. Curtis checked state regulations. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue minor project permit. Mr. Flynn seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 Mn Maughan made Motion to adjourn at 9:40 pm. Mr. Curtis seconded. Vote 7 -0 -0 Page 1 5