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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-25 Conservation Commission Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLER Reading Conservation Commission Meeting READ I N G, MA, Selectmen's Room,7:00 pm pplg MAR —8 PM I t 33 Wednesday, February 25,2015 Members Present: Annika Scanlon, Chair; Brian Sullivan,vice Chair; Rebecca Longley,Jamie Maughan,Charles Tirone, Administrator Members Not Present: Alison Stager Others Present: Ryan Percival, DPW Engineering Danielle Gallant,CDM Smith Elena Proakis-Ellis, CDM Smith Kieran O'Sullivan Richard Smith John Willette David O'Sullivan Mary O'Sullivan Minutes Respectfully Submitted by: Julia Rodger Ms.Scanlon called meeting to order at 7:01 pm Old/New Business DOA 2015-1: 84 Whittier Road This is a Minor Project at most,turning a one story home into a two story with a porch on the front. There will be no ground disturbance, only staging and access around house. No erosion control necessary. Conservation regulations indicate notification is not needed if project is beyond 50 feet from wetland. If a project is within 100 feet of wetland, Ms.Scanlon would like the Commission to receive official notification. Mr. Sullivan suggested that questionable projects be brought before the Board by Mr.Tirone on a case by case basis. Mr.Maughan made Motion to allow without filing a minor permit. Mr.Sullivan seconded. Vote 2-2-0. Motion does not pass, Minor Project Permit is required. Commission will look at regulations and report back. NOI 270-0638: Stormwater General Permit,Reading Public Works Department—Engineering Division Ms.Scanlon opened the hearing. Ryan Percival, Engineering, informed the Board that their general permit has lapsed. He is before Board permit for DPW Highway work, including cleaning catch basins,culverts, drainage system,and standard maintenance. Engineering will revise request for NOL Board and Mr. Percival reviewed DEP's comments on the general permit. Conservation would like to be copied on Engineering's response to DEP. It was suggested to include in the response that any alteration to buffer zone or any permanent changes to resource area, prior notification to Commission must be received unless an emergency. For a 401 or quality certification, a separate intent should be filed. Mr. Maughan made Motion to continue this hearing until next meeting on March 31,2015. Ms.Longley seconded. Vote 4-0-0. NO12700639: West Street Pumping Station,Map 25,Lot 38, Reading Public Works Department—Engineering Division Ms. Scanlon opened the hearing. Danielle Gallant,from CDM Smith, gave presentation on pumping station replacement project at Batchelder and West Streets. Elena Proakis-Ellis of CDM Smith gave overview of new pumping stations and the many options that will be available. Jobs for two locations are being bid together. New sewer stations to replace aging equipment . Wetland findings in both areas; all work being done outside the buffer zone. West Street ejection station with 2 pumps,electritcal panel and emergency generator being removed and replaced with deep wet well,two submersible pumps on rails, and valve vault. System to be connected to existing sewer main. Long term plan is that all stations have same hookup for portable emergency generator. Monitoring is better than old system,alarms will connect to cell phone of DPW staff on duty. New system will be at grade or slightly above so it will be less of an eyesore that current stations. Ms.Gallant continued presentation. There will be approx.670 square feet of new impervious area. To mitigate for this they are installing gravel trenches for runoff. Ms. Longely requested DEP field data forms be submitted at time of notice. Board discussed the two branches of Aberjona River. It has been determined thru much investigation that upstream of West Street is not river. Downstream of West Street is a river. All work 100 feet from downstream side is applicable. 200 feet boundary is not applicable. Conservation Regulations say that if USGS map shows an area as perennial river, then its perennial. Board requested riverfront be removed. Erosion controls and limit of work area were discussed. Compost sock sufficient,erosion control blanket is not necessary. Mr.Tirone requested that mulch sock be 12" or greater and that stockpile area be specified on plan. Majority of excavated soil will be taken offsite. It was suggested testing of soil for PCB contamination be included in contract. Ms.Scanlon made Motion to issue Order of Conditions upon receipt of modifications mentioned tonight. Additional information required: Wetlands form,take off riverfront area and loop around front, 12"compost filling and remove erosion matting. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0-0. Mr.Maughan requested a draft of order from Mr.Tirone for review before signing at next meeting. Ms.Scanlon made Motion to continue hearing until next meeting on March 11,2015. Ms. Longely seconded. Vote 4- 0-0. RDA 2015-2: 40 Glenmere Circle, Map 15,Lot 94,Willette Owner started process to request taking two trees down,and then decided to wait. In the meantime a branch fell on neighbor's yard destroying play structure. Mr.Tirone suggested starting process to get trees removed. New England Tree Service reported trees need to come down as soon as possible. Emergency permit was issued. Two pine trees were removed on January 23, 2015. Trees were chipped, stumps are still there. Owner is before Board tonight to see if there should be any planting. He is willing to do whatever Conservation suggests. Board would like to see two plants preferably closer to the easement. Homeowner can decide what type. Mr.Maughan made Motion to issue Negative Determination of Applicability for 40 Glenmore Road. Ms.Scanlon seconded. Vote 4-0-0. Ms.Scanlon made Motion to approve Emergency Certificate. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0-0 NOI 270-0640:30 Whittler Road, Map 33,Lot 148,Johnson Ms.Scanlon opened hearing. Mr.Johnson is buying property for tear down and rebuild with a garage under. Demolition comes close to wetland line. Sump pump discharge from house goes toward wetland flag. Board asked that edge of lawn be the line of siltation fence. This part of Whittier Road has 30' deed restriction for frontage. Impervious area of driveway is larger. Mitigation plan of roof runoff out to shallow pit. Pit is perforated concrete 8'x 5'2"by 2'8"high and wrapped in stone and siltation fence. Front of roof pitched toward street,currently all runoff goes to the back of lot. Sump pump not needed because of higher grade of new construction. Deck is to be slotted with stone underneath. Builder will clean out leaves from back of property and regrade on other side of existing garage. Four trees need to be removed. Mr.Johnson is proposing planting 79 New England wetland plants as well as removal of invasive species. Board would like to we field notes,data forms,otherwise is satisfied with the planned improvements. Mitigation measures need to be added to written plan. Updated plan needs to show revised deck,stone trench,yard waste removal,shallow pit as planned or shallower. Board to conduct site visit. Mr.Maughan made Motion to continue hearing until next meeting on March 11,2015. Ms.Longley seconded. Vote 4 0". COC 270-0636: 31 Curtis Street,Map 4,Lot 109,Kieran O'Sullivan Order of Conditions document prepared by Mr.Tirone. Reviewed and signed by Conservation Commission members. Mr.Tirone will add document#2 and include Book and Page#s. COC 270-0637: 87 Sunnyside Avenue,Map 11,Lot 88,David and Mary O'Sullivan Order of Conditions document prepared by Mr.Tirone. Reviewed and signed by Conservation Commission members. Mr.Tirone will include wording: Adding healthy growth and removing invasive plants,cutting back bittersweet yearly, bounds to be placed at turning point of backyard. DOA 2015-1: 84 Whittier Road,Map 33,Lot 135,Tani Determination of Applicability prepared by Mr.Tirone. Reviewed and signed by Conservation Commission members. Input of North Reading DEIR Long term water supply management plan meeting was called off because of snow storm. Has not been rescheduled at this time. Administrator's Report Pinevale Dumping,corner of Riverside and Sunnyside Mr.Tirone has been in contact with Town Counsel;they are to advise whether Conservation Commission can issue fines and the criteria needed. The Town's Bylaw description of litter includes leaves and woody material. Anti-litter violations can be issued by Police Dept and Health Dept. Police Dept is willing to issue these fines at Board's request. Timberneck Swamp A resident found a tree stand not on the private property and wants it removed by Conservation. Board has authority to remove structures found on Conservation land. Mr.Tirone will be removing tree stand. Same resident asked that "No Hunting" signs be put up around perimeter of Conservation Land. At the next meeting residents will be requesting speeding up the process for sign installation. Board discussed obtaining a vendor, price of signs, location of signs, number of signs needed. Bills Approved: MACC Conference Cost for Ms.Scanlon and Mr.Sullivan to attend conference is$230.00 Mr.Maughan made Motion to approve payment of$230.00. Ms.Scanlon seconded. Vote 4-0-0. Ms.Stager requested reimbursement of$150.00 to cover cost of attending conference. Mr.Maughan made Motion to approve reimbursement of$150.00. Ms.Scanlon seconded. Vote 440. Friends and Family Day Mr.Tirone advised Board date of this event is lune 13,2015. Conservation Commission members are interested in participating. Eric's Greenhouse Project—Artis Development Contractor needs to come before Conservation at a future meeting to request a plan change. They are turning five parking spots into pervious pavers. Mr.Tirone will forward information he received to Board. Zoning Bylaw Changes: Article 7 Planned Unit Development and Aquifer Protection District Mr.Tirone suggests Conservation Commission request to be part of the re-writing process of Article 7 of Zoning Bylaw. Conservation needs to review,form opinions,and vote for approval before changes go before Town Meeting in April. CPDC has a meeting on March 2,2015 at 7:00 pm. Minutes for Approval No Motion was made to approve minutes of January 28,2015. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Ms.Scanlon went to the open house. Maps show project going thru Reading at the very northeast corner of Cedar Swamp. 20"pipe called "Lynnfield Laterar will hug the existing electrical easement. Budget Discussions Ms.Scanlon reported Conservation budget pays for full time Administrator,including care of Matera Cabin. Responsibility for cabin include: cleaning before and after rental;showing to prospective renters; library projects; recreation summer programs. Commission could use cabin for some of their own programs. There is a FinCom meeting on March 4, 2015. Ms.Scanlon, Ms.Longely and Mr.Sullivan will be attending to highlight points for Mr.Tirone. Ms. Scanlon will draft bullet points for budget meeting. Minor Project Administration List of Minor Projects and List of Conservation fee charges has not yet been prepared. Private Parcel in Middle of Timberneck Swamp Mr. Halsey, Board of Selectmen, is pursuing ownership of this property for the Town of Reading Utility Road off Walkers Brook Drive This road is causing flooding for Parker Road and Putnam Road in Wakefield. Wakefield Engineering Dept recommends installing swales. Mr.Zambouras agrees with this. He will respond to their letter. Ms.Scanlon made Motion to adjourn at 10:41 pm. Ms. Longely seconded. Vote 4-".