Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-06-24 Consevration Commission Minutes RECWD TOWNECLER ADI REING, MA. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting 1815 MAR —8 PM 1: 28 Selectmen's Room,7:00 pm Wednesday,June 24,2015 Members Present: Brian Sullivan,Vice Chair; Rebecca Longley,Jamie Maughan,Alison Stager, Michael Lynch, Charles Tirone,Administrator Others Present: Tony D'Arezzo Joe Prew David Marchant Scott Berger Tom Walsh John Dick, Hancock Associates Cheryl Neary Doug Neary Respectfully submitted by Julia Rodger Mr.Sullivan called meeting to order at 7:00 pm RDA 2015-11: 87 Avalon Road, McMullin Steve Basik,Architect for McMullin proposing to remove and rebuild existing deck in basically same location and 40%smaller in size than original. New deck footings for deck will go back in same locations. There will be one foot additional cantilevered. Second aspect of project is to remove and rebuild living space above garage. Would use the same footprint as currently exists. Staircase would be relocated to move activity further away from wetland. Ms. Longley performed site visit. Observed wetland and deck,wetland vegetation except at flags 8A and 7A, which is has lawn. There a lined fish pond with no fish. She also observed that deck was in poor condition. Mr. Maughan mentioned that since project is moving six additional feet away from wetland no variance is required. Board was in agreement. Mr.Sullivan made Motion to issue Negative Determination of Applicability. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5- 0-0 Minor Project DOA 2015-08: One General Way, Map 45, Lot 1, Danis Reading Realty Trust Conservation Board signed Positive Determination Form 2 of RDA. Mr.Tirone advised Board that John Dick, Hancock Associates would be coming in under Citizens Open Forum later tonight. Will be making a presentation to pay 1%of total fee or approximately$4,714.00. New Board Member The Conservation Commission welcomed new member, Michael Flynn to the Board. RDA 2015-12: 258 Lowell Street, Marchant Mr. Marchant would like to install a 27 square foot multi-purpose patio in back yard. Southern border would be 10' from fence, beyond fence is wetland. Closed area of patio is approx. 25' from wetland. Not using any cement, leveling lawn, using a mix of sand and gravel with 6" x 9" pavers.Will be using concrete only to set post for basketball hoop. Cobblestone and asphalt was discovered upon excavation. Would like to remove and replace with clean fill. Would like to reuse some cobblestones for landscaping. Owner contacted Dig Safe to determine if gas line is active. Dig Safe will be sending someone out to check Ms. Longley observed wetland right at fence line, excavated earth and bobcat, shed on property. Mr.Sullivan made Motion to issue Negative Determination. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0. Enforcement Close Out, 29 Gavin Circle Conservation Commission to visit property to determine if expectations were met for restored wetland area. Ms. Longley observed granite posts 25', dense vegetation, established wetland grasses. Owner wanted to know if silt fence and haybales should be taken out. Owner picked up plaques for granite posts. Board is satisfied with condition of area except for tree area that needs to be restored. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to release Enforcement Order for 29 Gavin Circle and to have Mr.Tirone issue a letter to owner. Enforcement Order includes removal of silt fence and hay bales. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Continued NO[270-0641: 306 Main Street, Map 11,Lot 226 Simpson Hearing for Pizza World is continued until next meeting on July 8, 2015. NOI 270-0647: Oak Street near Oak Ridge Road, Roadway right-of-way, MWRA Board discussed and reviewed and then signed Order of Conditions document including revisions, edits, and amendments. Mr. Maughan made Motion to issue Order of Conditions as amended tonight. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0 COC 270-170: 39 Lindsay Lane, Prew Ms. Longley went on site visit. Observed 24 year old silt fence in the field at ground level. More damage would be done by asking for the silt fence to be removed. At time of this order bylaw called for 20' of natural vegetation. This is a Partial certificate of compliance under subdivision. Mr.Sullivan made Motion to issue partial Certificate of Compliance for 39 Lindsay Lane. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Continued NOI 270-0643: 0 Main Street, Map 51, Lot 95,Ahern Public hearing on this case was closed at previous meeting, so no further public comment will be allowed. Board discussed and reviewed Order of Conditions. Order will be prepared for signing at the next meeting. Mr.Tirone reported lack Sullivan is looking into gravel strip; none shown on new plan. Flagging in the field, red maples, saving of 30 trees, drywell was added to the plan. Orange construction fence to be added as a condition. Work is outside of 35' area so no variance will be needed. Tom Walsh, abutter, arrived late. Wanted to be sure new wetland lines were marked in the field. Mr.Tirone assured they would be marked. Danis Properties John Dick, Hancock Associates;Jamie Shaw,Jodie Haywood representing Danis Properties in attendance. Mr. Dick presentation is to make an argument for waiver of considerable reduction in filing fees. Danis was given a positive determination of applicability at last meeting. Notice of Intent is 20 pages. Mr. Dick went over each of the fees in detail as it applies to this wetland restoration project. The current filing fees would equal $471,472.50. Danis Properties budget is about 1/30 of that or approximately$40,000 to$50,000 but could be as much as$100,000. Danis is asking the Board to consider a fee of$1%of this total or$4,714.72. Danis will not file if they are required to pay the total fee. Board members discussed how the fees could be reduced. Mr.Tirone feels that commercial developers should pay more in fees than homeowners and they also should give back to the community. Mr.Tirone would like to see this project be sustainable and have a bond beyond 30 years. He has heard from neighbors in this area that have not been happy,a lot of things were allowed because of the shading. This project is not just an eco-restoration,the primary purpose is to open the site for visibility. Mr. Sullivan commented that the fee schedule was never intended for restoration. Mr. Maughan felt the 1% is arbitrary. They should apply for Notice of Intent. He would like to see the stated fee for lineal feet of opening the levy and have Commissioners assign different value per square feet for bordering vegetative wetland based on type of alteration. Possibly%value for removal of poplars. Jodie Heywood reported that Danis is trying to draw new tenants to the area and also wants to be more business friendly. They have made improvements to the site. They shielded lamps in driveway and want to work with the community. Conservation Board is in agreement that project needs to be sustainable,there needs to be some community benefit in exchange, and a 10 year bond is required. Ms.Stager suggested Trails Committee check the site for a trail at Bolton Street and cost thereof for a community benefit. After much discussion,the Board still did not have an exact fee decided upon. Board feels$10,000 in fees is too high and $5,000 is low. Danis is proposing to file Notice of Intent. Abutters will be notified of public hearing and get to see plans. Danis needs to advertise in "Environmental Monitor" fourteen days before filing. Earliest date for public hearing would be July 22, 2015. Mr. Dick asked again what the filing fee will be. Mr.Tirone suggested Board could request$5,000 in filing fees, $10,000 for trail, $10,000 for Bond. Board agreed on $7,000.00 filing fee. The $1,000 basic filing fee, plus linear foot prorated amount to open bank. That would be equal to approx. $.10 per square feet. Emergency Permit There are no Emergency Permits at this time Administrators Report Mr.Tirone advised that a member of Trails Committee,John Parsons, discovered an area in of debris in Pinevale Conservation Area. Found fire pit,table,and chairs on trail. This area needs to be cleaned up by DPW. Mr.Tirone confirmed that work at 28 Summer Avenue was at least 25'feet away from resource area. Minor Project 104 Scotland Road—Owner is putting in above ground pool with deck 70-80 feet away from resource area. Mr.Tirone will be issuing permit. Birch Meadow-A"no mow" area has been established at the ball field. Cemetery Dept is there once per week mowing lawn. Plantings will not be done this fall. Mr. Keating suggests waiting until next year early spring because arborvite may not survive winter. Four light poles to be installed,three are more than 50' away from wetland. One is within 35'of(28')of wetland setback in center field next to Aberjona River. For exploratory borings a variance may need to be filed. The Commission needs to be as strict with the Town as they are with residents or there will be problems. If the pole can be relocated 35' away they don't need to file variance. Mr. Sullivan made Motion to reduce Minor Project requirements specifically for borings from 50'to 35'. Mr. Lynch seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Friends and Family Day The Board has received positive feedback Bills Approved Water and Sewer bill for$11.83. Dues bill of$764.00 Mr.Sullivan made Motion to approve payments of$11.83 for water and sewer and$764.00 for MACC annual dues. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Minutes for Approval Mr. Maughan made Motion to approve minutes of lune 10, 2015 as amended. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 5-0-0 Mr.Tirane reported Board has funds of$6,312.00. Board will be asked to offset$4,000.00 to supplement Mr. Tirane's salary at end of year. Mr. Tirone would like to create a deck at Matera Cabin. He has approached Home Depot for donation. He spoke to contractors who would donate their crew for a day to build. Mr. Ms. Stager advised the Board that tonight is her last meeting. She will be moving to Boston. Mr. Sullivan made motion to adjourn meeting at 9:44 pm. Ms. Langley seconded. Vote 5-0-0