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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-07-11 Conservation Commission Minutes Comservajm MminB MmJuly 11,2012 Approved 0-25-2012 RECEIVED TOWN CLERK MINUTES READING, MA. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM 2011 MAR -8 PM 1: 27 Wednesday,July 11,2012 Present: William Hecht,Chairman, Jaime Maughan, Brian Tucker, Brian Sullivan, Thomas Loughlin, Barbara Stewart,Annika Scanlon Charles Tirone,Administrator Dan Blomerth, intern Kim Saunders, Recording Secretary Sean and Keri McCrenskey,applicant Robert McCrenskey, resident Stephen Kasper,contractor John Seger,engineer Donald Golini, resident Ed McColgan, resident Kathleen Golini, resident Charles Keniston, resident Margaret Keniston, resident Jaime Miron, applicant Absent: Call to Order: There being a quorum the meeting opened at 7:00 PM Old/New Business Bills to Approve: Mr.Tirone stated that there are none COC 270-0574: 56 Mill Street, Map 55, Lot 60,Sabed Trees are planted. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-". COC 270.0265: 200 Grove Street, Map 32, Lot 164, Keniston The yard is stable. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5.0-0 COC 270.0567: Lot 3 Kylie Drive, Map 34, Lot 142, McCrensky The site was fine. As-built plan had some changes. There is now gravel under the deck and 2 small walls exist The silt fence needs to be pulled up and the hay bails removed. 1 Conservation Meting Mmums July 11,2012 Approved 07-25-2012 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mr. Loughlin and Mr. Sullivan arrived. Friends and Family Day Drawing Ms. Susan Bowe is the winner for the Friends and Family Day drawing. She received a membership from Mass.Audubon Society donated by Mr. Sullivan. Site Visit: Emergency Order: Scotland Road, Reading Open Land Trust Mr.Tirone told the Commission he did a site visit with Mr. Blomerth. The trees were rotted. For safety reasons the trees are being removed. At the site he saw trash and dumping from neighbors. Mr. Hecht asked that a letter be sent to the abutters and remind property owners about illegal dumping. Mr.Tirone should send a letter to Reading Land Trust too. Eagle Scout candidate plans to install 2 entrance sings in the Town Forest Mr. Maughan told the Commission he did a site visit. He is having the Eagle Scout put the signs 45-55'from Vernal Pool Motion made by Mr. Maughan to accept the location for the 2 entrance signs at Town Forest Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Continued NOI 270.0602: 78 Whittier Road, Map 33, Lot 126, McColgan The Public Hearing was reopened. It was stated that the applicant was able to move the bulkhead, as requested at last meeting. Mr.Tirone said the OOC's states that the planting needs to be put in by 2013; and if by 2014 the plants have died they will need to be replanted. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue an Order of Conditions as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-3(Mr. Loughlin, Mr. Maughan and Mr. Sullivan abstained—they were absent as last meeting). Mr.Tirone let the Commission know he received two copies of the Abedona River Study. He can send them electronically if any member would prefer. NO1270-0603: 54 Martin, Map 38, Lot 115,Miron Mr. Hecht removed himself. He is an abutter to the applicant. Mr. Maughan became the acting chairman and opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Kasper spoke for the resident.The resident would like to repair existing sun porch and construct a new 12'x18'rear yard deck. The landing point will give access to the back yard. He feels the proposed plan is an improvement to the structure. They are using the same footing that is already there. The following was discussed: 1. The reason a variance is needed 2. Can the location of the steps be moved 3. Could a smaller deck be built so it doesn't go into the 35'zone; but the contractor was worded he wouldn't be able to pass the building code. It was suggested by Mr. Sullivan that as a mitigating factor there is some lawn that could go back to natural vegetation. The owner and contractor agreed. They will revise the variance letter stating this and send it to Mr.Tirone. The Order of Conditions will be updated to add shmbsiblueberriesinative vegetation be planted in place where the lawn is now. An abutter stated 2 ConwNat n Mce ng Minutes July 11,M12 Approved 0'1 -2012 that what the applicant's project is not outside of the scope of what the surrounding neighbors have. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the variance with changes discussed. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5.0-1 (Mr. Loughlin abstained) Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept Order of Conditions with changes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-1 (Mr. Loughlin abstained) Motion made by Ms. Stewart to close Public Hearing. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0 OldlNew Business 107 Main Street—Operation and Maintenance Report The Commission noted that at the site visit there was: debris in the area; pile of turf and a large plastic tank. Mr.Tirone to contact owner and do a site visit. it was suggested by Mr. Hecht to look in old files to see what was specified. Ms. Scanlon asked about gravel she saw; Mr.Tirane to question owner at site visit. The debris in trench was discussed. The Operation and Maintenance needs to be looked at and find out at what point should the debris be removed? GIS Tennessee Gas Row: update from Dan Blomerth, 2012 intern Mr. Blomerth let the Commission know he finished 1-1/2 weeks ago with this project. There were no additional wetlands compared to last year. He marked pipes. There are some spots that are overgrown and need to be cut. He also has been working with the Town Forest Committee; interviewing people for the Town survey. The majority of people he has talked to walk their dogs in the Town Forest. He slated that people do not follow the carry intcam/out rule with their pets. This was discussed by the Commission. The Town does not have a practice to dispose of pet waste. Mr. Blomerth said the people interviewed do not want development. Mr. Blomerth is meeting with Ms. Honetschlager on Monday regarding this survey. It was asked that Mr. Tirone follow up with the Town Forest Committee. Conservation Commission Banner Mr.Sullivan presented his design for the banner. It should be a vinyl full colored 30 x 72. The price should be around$50.00 Castine Field Mr. Maughan talked about how nice Castine Field looks with the cattails. The Town has let the cattails grow rather than mowing them; Mr.Tirone to send a short note thanking Mr. Keating, Mr. Zambouris and Mr.Zager. Minutes for Approval: June 27, 2012 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept June 27, 2012 minutes. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 40.3(Mr.Loughlin, Mr. Maughan and Mr. Tucker absent at last meeting). Minor Project—Trees Mr.Tirane stated that he received a letter from a tree company stating there are some diseased trees that need to be removed. 3 Conarve w Me g Minutes July 11,2012 Approved 07-25-2012 Regulations Mr. Hecht let the Commission know that Conservation will make a presentation to the Selectmen on August Th. The ownership process was talked about. Mr. Finch, Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Stewart will look over the draft Regulation changes before presentation. The Town's definitions were discussed. Mr. Loughlin previously created a spreadsheet with definitions that do not exist in Slate Regulations that need to be defined by the Town (so the won't be left out). Ms. Stewart reviewed this list. The Commission discussed only putting in a definition in if the State does not define and the Town needs to address—example minor projects and protected wetlands. The Definitions that are going to be kept are: Conservation Commission- Hydraulic Soil—Mr. Maughan to draft Hydraulic Vegetation—Mr. Maughan to draft Quorum—Four or more members of an authorized 7 person Commission Rare Species—Ms. Stewart to draft to include plant species Ms. Stewart will also draft an introduction accepting 3.10 cmr with exceptions. The drafts should be done like the Regulations with strikeouts Ms. Scanlon talked about her progress with drafting something for collecting data of Stormwater quantity. Should the Commission think about this while changing the Regulations? Mr. Tirone will find out if the Stonnwater Advisory Committee still exists. Mr. Hecht asked that the members try to go to the Selectmen meeting on August Th. Duplication concerns were talked about; and if the Commission should take the time to check. Mr. Loughlin talked about his concerns with'Activities Outside the Buffer Zone", pg 5 part 4 in the Regulations. Is this beyond authority that the Commission should have? Maybe residents in a single family home should be excluded? It was asked that the Commission think about Mr. Loughlin's concern and bring it up at the next meting. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn at 9:20. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Saunders Recording Secretary 4