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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-03-26 Conservation Commission Minutes OTown of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVizDTOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: 2019 MAR -8 PM 1: 31 Conservation Commission Date: 2014-03-26 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Board of Selectmen Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Public Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Annika Scanlon, Chairman; Brian Sullivan, William Hecht, Will Finch, Jamie Maughan, Terre Selle Members - Not Present: Others Present: Charles Tirone, Administrator John LoRusso, RR&R Club Mark Sieger, Alan Engineering Gordon McIntosh, 14 Plymouth Road Cindy and Mike Hanson, 17 Plymouth Road William McInerey, 39 Pilgrim Road Bill Seymour, Gale Associates Sean Boyd, Gale Associates Pete Hajjar, Austin Prep School Mark&Katie Ottariaro, 28 Plymouth Road Charles Salemi, 374 Lowell Street Joanne O'Brien, 27 Plymouth Road Kathy Tierney, 33 Plymouth Road James Hickey, Austin Prep Colin Mckinnon, 10 Plymouth Road Anna Nulty, 35 Plymouth Road John Crosby, 16 Dustin Road Todd Perrault, 20 Dustin Road Ralph & Barbara Cifoli, SO Dustin Road Chris Latham, 643 Main Street Nancy Dockar, 371 Pearl Street Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Kim Saunders Topics of Discussion: Approved April 9, 2014 CALL TO ORDER,OLDINEW BUSINESS - 7:00 • Minutes for approval: March 12, 2014 Motion made by Mr.Maughn to approve the minutes for March 12,2014. Mr.Hecht seconded. Vote was 6-0-0 Page I 1 Town of Reading - Meeting Minutes • 29 Gavin Circle - Mr.Tirone stated the property is still the same. The owner is waiting for more melting before the next step. The fill that is still on the property is not in the wetlands. The original subdivision plan was given to the homeowners to base where the elevation should be. The Commission discussed the pictures taken by Mr. Tirone. • Administration Report Mr.Tirone stated when he was at 29 Gavin Circle, he noticed a DPW truck doing work.After investigating he found out a tree was removed that had fallen over the easement. The DPW did not have permission from Conservation. If the DPW had asked,the tree would not have been removed in entirely; maybe cut into chunks. He talked to Mr.Zager,and he said he hired new employees. Ms. Delius told him to write a memo and"cc"the Town Manager. The Commission commented the Town should follow the same rules as the homeowner. Mr.Tirone will draft a letter to the DPW. Ms. Scanlon said she is willing to meet with the DPW if necessary. • RDA 144, 50 Bay State Road, Map 23 Lot 205, McInerney Mr. McInerney talked to the Commission about his Eagle Scout project. The project is located at Peter Sanborn Place. It will be the left hand side of the building. He stated Peter Sanborn Place will be renovating and expanding the right side of the building. He would like to build a playground. The playground will be enclosed with wooden borders;and mulch will be spread. The playground will be open to the public. He believes this is a good project because the residence and children will get to interact. The Commission said the project is a great idea and a public benefit. They will need to do another visit.They were at the wrong side of the building. Ms. Scanlon asked the area be staked out and flags put on the treelbranches that will need to be trimmed.They reminded the applicant about the Town's regulations. They questioned if the playground could be moved another direction. Mr.Tirane let the applicant know he will help him if a variance is needed. Motion made by Mr.Hecht to continue the RDA 14-3 until April 9°i. Mr.Finch seconded. Vote was 6- 0.0. • Continued RDA 14-2, Reading Rifle&Revolver Club, John LoRusso Mr. Sieger represented the applicant. He stated he was brought in to the project after the original submittal. He understood the Commission needed additional details. He provided plan views and cross sections for the 300'and 500'firing line. At the 300'he suggested having the fill come up and over the existing damaged wall. There will be a 2 to 1 slope. The slope will be loomed and seeded with jute netting. Prior to any work there will be silt fence installed.They will be maintaining the slope with a hand mower.The Commission had concems regarding the 2 to 1 slope. The following comments were made: would it be stabilized, is the hill too steep to walk down,would the slope get damaged being walked on and if the slope encroach the wetlands. Suggestions and comments were made by both the Commission and applicant. It was agreed that replacing the wall would cause more damage. Mr. Sieger stated he is a Civil Engineer and the slope would be stable. The Commission questioned 0 creating a wetland at flag 307 to 313 was an option the applicant was willing to do. The 500'firing line would be expanded to the west a little more. The applicant would like to connect the gravel access road. This would allow the 300'firing line be connected to the rear of the 500'firing line. This access road will be traveled mostly by foot with a pull cart; an occasional car. The top soil will be removed and used in other areas. After a discussion, it was agreed the access road will be moved to the 35'. Ms. Scanlon reminded the applicant about the appropriate use of the recycled asphalt material. Mr.Tirone asked that the 3'strip at the base of the berm be maintained.The applicant will forward to the Commission an 8.5x11 plan of the replication. The Commission requested that the wetland scientist be notified regarding the replication. Motion made by Mr.Hecht to continue the hearing. Mr. Finch seconded. Vote was 8-0-0. • Continued NOI 270-0620: 364 Lowell Street, Map,26 Lot, 157, Jamieson Properties LLC Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Manuell reviewed the project. He said he did not expect a decision tonight, but would like the Commission to consider the variances that were requested. The decision is a major part of this project. If no variance, plan"B'would be needed. He had meetings with Pam Merrill, DEP and George Zambouras,Town Engineer, regarding the drainage. This development is a low impact development of drainage systems. The soils are good and LID BVM's will be used throughout the site. Each house has its own infiltration basin; along with their own rein garden. The rain garden will handle the driveway and site runoff. Mr. Manuell explained the LID BVM's. A liner will be put underneath the sump Page 1 2 Town of Reading -Meeting Minutes portion of the basin. The liner can be cleaned periodically. Mr. Manuell will include the Commission when he sends an official document to the DEP and Mr. Zamboums. The proposed new garage would be built entirely over pavement. The area is already disturbed; so no vegetation loss. If the garage is shortened, you would not be able to park a car. Where a car would park, if the garage was not allowed,was discussed. Mr.Tirone asked if the sidewalk could be moved to the other side. Ms. Scanlon questioned the grading on the wetland side of the proposed garage. Mr. Manuell stated there was going to be a retaining wall; to help with the transition from the street to the rear of the yard. He believes the Commission should grant the variance due to what he has stated. Mr. Manuell talked about the access to the new subdivision. The Commission questioned the"paper street" road that is on the GIS. Ms. Scanlon commented about the encroachment. The plans have not changed; there are structures in the no structure zone by 100' or more along the wetlands. She disagreed the applicant has no choice but this 3 lot development. Mr. Manuell showed the Commission if the turnaround was out of the 35'area,the project could become a 4lot subdivision. Mr. Finch talked about the house at the end. This house is in the most habitat area of the site. He asked and was granted a night site visit, if the owner or Mr. Manuell was contacted first. Mr. Finch would like to figure out the creatures on site;and if there is a Vernal Pool present. Mr. Hecht questioned if an alternative option was considered by the applicant. He asked for time to read the variance document that Mr. Manuall passed out earlier. Mr. Manuell suggested as mitigation: historic fill on site can be removed, to eradicate the knotweed, and the culvert down by the MBTA can be cleaned out. Ms. Scanlon asked that the suggested mitigation be put on a plan. She reiterated her earlier comments about the encroachment on the 35' line. Mr. Manuell believes the encroachment is already present. Mr.Tirone asked for a tree inventory. Mr. Manuell stated there is one, even though the regulations do not stale this is mandatory. Ms. O'Brien questioned the snow removal and where it would be dumped. She stated this project has no public benefit. Mr. Manuell said he talked to Town Engineer; and he had no problem with the snow going into the basin. The street sweeping will be done by the Town. Ms. Scanlon wanted to know who is going to maintain the LID BVM. The owner of lot 1 will; and it will be on the deed. The owners of the house will be responsible for the rain gardens.The O&M will be on the deed. Ms.Tierney asked 0 the Commission saw the pictures she forwarded to Mr.Tirone. The pictures show how there is flooding. Mr.Tirone said if the culvert was opened, this would help the movement. Mr. Hecht also stated the Austin Prep project will make the abutters less impacted. Ms. Nulty said her driveway gets flooding; but eventually drains. Mr. Crosby reminded them the houses already pump out the water. Mr. Finch questioned if the houses will have slab or basement;and how the applicant is going to prevent flooding in those houses. Mr. Manuell discussed how the drain calculations were concluded. Ms. Scanlon asked why plans show flags that were not approved. The ORAD was approved with findings. She asked for plans C3 and C6 to be updated and forwarded to the Commission. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the public hearing for 364 Lowell Street to April 90. Mr.Finch seconded. Vote was 6.0-0 The abutters asked that this hearing be moved up on the agenda. How the agenda is prepared was discussed. Continued NOI 270-0623: 101 Willow Street, Map 26 Lot 74,J. Hickey/Austin Preparatory School Ms. Scanlon reopened the public hearing. Mr. Boyd did an overview from the last meeting. He discussed the existing conditions, proposed conditions and significant changes. The Commission discussed the drainage and the turf field. The following was discussed: • A significant change is the shot put venue will be relocated outside the buffer zone. • The applicant will use the first area as mitigation;there will be wetland replication. • A plan was shown with the plants. The slope will be 3 to 1. • The request by the Commission to make this an education experience was approved by the School. They asked the Commission to make it a condition in the Order. • The tennis court request to be opened to the public was also approved • The lighfing/photometric plan was discussed • The scoreboard location was shown Page 1 3 �ouaow Town of Reading-Meeting Minutes • The irrigation well will be closed. They will follow the Board of Health's regulations and notify them when the procedure is done • Engineering comments: storm water standards mel,witnessing the test pits will be part of the bid specifcation, O&M plan and inspections logs by date noted • Alternative analysis was discussed Mr. Latham asked the Commission to reduce the fee to$1,000. Below are some reasons he stated: • The applicant is a nonprofit religious organization • The fee is based on an institution or commercial business • The Town does not have the Town Schools pay • The wetland replication will be approximately 15k. Mr. Finch stated he was not in favor of reducing the fee that much. The wetland replication would need monitoring for 3 years to be successful. The percentage of the fee compared to the construction cost is small. He would not vote in favor. Mr. Tirane also said he is not in favor to reduce it. There is a reason the fee is set at what it is. It is to prevent people from getting this Gose. He wants to see how the replication project is priced at 15k. Mr. Boyd reviewed the plan for the wetland project. The contractor will follow and adhere to the conditions and Mass DEP language. Mr. Maughan agreed the fee is to deter people from infringing on the wetlands. However, he feels the applicant was cooperative in the mitigation; and they are a member of the community. The fee paid is not appropriate for this project. Mr. Sullivan questioned the basis of the suggested fee. Mr. Latham said it is consistent with other Town boards/commissions. Mr. Trone disagreed; he was told boards usually don't change their fee. The calculation of site visits and meetings were debated. Motion made by Mr.Maughan to reduce the fee to 1k. Mr Hecht seconded vote was 3-3-0. (fee not reduceaq Mr. Finch asked about day lighting the culvert as a mitigation effort. Ms. Scanlon said she took a picture at the site visit and the water is flowing through the pipe.The Commission discussed this and decided a bridge would impact the wetlands. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to reduce the fee to$3k. Mr.Hecht seconded. Vote was 4-2-0.(fee is reduced) Motion made by Mr.Maughan to approve the variance. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5-1-0. Motion made to close the public hearing for 101 Willow Street. Mr.Maughan seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. The Commission will sign at the next meeting. Mr.Tirone requested an environmental monitor be on site at the appropriate stage. Old/New Business • Minor Project: Mr.Tirone said no minor projects this week. • DOC 270-0612: Salem Street/water main, Map, 28,29 Lot, 195&5,Town DPW, Engineering Division The Commission signed the Order of Conditions as presented at the meeting with Mr. Maughan's suggestions. The Commission signed the amended Conservation Restriction document for Harold Avenue, Town Earth Day is on April S^. The Commission stated the hour(s)they will be attending. Ms. Scanlon stated Reading Recreation hired a new employee, Eric Pederson. He will be doing outside activities. The Commission talked about allowing an open perrnit so he will be able to use the Conservation Land. Ms. Scanlon suggested to him her idea of a caterpillar presentation. • Open Conservation Commission seats discussion—not discussed • Bills approved—None Motion made by Mr.Hecht to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. Mr.Finch seconded. Vote was 5.0-0 Page 14