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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-13 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes RECEIVED z TOWN ^LERK �� «g.•^ READING, MA. � Board - Committee - Commission - Council: im MAT 20 AM 9141 Conservation Commission Date: 2019-03-13 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Rebecca Longley, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Carl Saccone, David Pinette, Roebrt Hayes; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Michael Flynn Others Present: Attorney Brad Latham, XXXXX Conley, Jim XXXXX, Roberta NolanXXXXX, Chuck Castelluccio, Matt Carroll, Suzie Carroll. Jim McGrail, John Magee, Deb Lane Lorraine Horn Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Chair Rebecca Longley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Camp Rice Moody, 29 Rice Road, Map 32 Lot 133, Update, Latham Attorney Brad Latham was present to discuss a conservation restriction on the property, which is currently owned by the Reading Council for Girls. The council is dissolving and plans to transfer ownership to the Girl Scouts. However, before transferring, the Council is seeking a conservation restriction to ensure that the property will be preserved as open space for camping and recreation, to allow future development only for recreational activities as appropriate, and to prevent the property from ever being developed as commercial, residential, or a subdivision. The Commission reviewed the draft of the restriction, and requested clarification to section 8-4, which restricts the removal of vegetation, as the Commission wants to make sure that invasive species, such as poison ivy, or dangerous trees can be removed to ensure safety. Mr. Latham explained that the Commission would not have to provide day-to-day oversight of the property. However, the Commission will need to ensure that it is not used for non- recreational use and will maintain jurisdiction under the scope of their authority over wetland restrictions, and under the Wetland Protection Act. Jim XXXX explained that the Council for Girls did not want a deed restriction, as it would expire after 15 years. They want the property to remain as pristine as possible. Because the Girl Scouts currently occupy the property under a 30-year lease, they seemed to be the logical recipient. Roberta Nolan of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, noted that the Girl Scouts have occupied the space since the 1940s. Page 1 1 NOI 270-0714, 135, 139, & 149R Howard Street, Map SO Lots 75, 76 & 77, Infrastructure Holdings LLC. Quote to provide an analysis of the extent of wetlands update. The Commission only received proposals from two of the five companies solicited: Wetland Strategies &Solutions and Horsley & Witten. BSC responded citing a conflict of interest, as one of the company's principals is a direct abutter of the property. The Commission did not have ample time to review the proposals received and requested at least one more. Mr. Castelluccio asked if there was a deadline for submissions and whether the request for proposals asked for stormwater calculations and wetland delineation. Ms. Longley stated the deadline was March 12th. Mr. Tirone stated that he would extend the deadline for submissions by one week, and confirmed that the Commission wants stormwater reviewed in addition to the wetland delineation. Motion to continue by Mr. Pinette; second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. NOI 270-0713, 44 Roma Lane, Map 50 Lot 36, Carroll Mr. and Mrs. Carroll were present to provide an update to the Commission. Since the last meeting, they received abutter approval letters, and revised their plans to include: extension of the stone wall to tie into the existing stone wall; maintaining the natural buffer to the rear of the house; removal of two 6-inch maples; language in the elevation plan citing that the existing rock wall will be the delineation line for the work area; mitigation plan to remove seven trees and replace with seven trees (Flowering dogwood and spruce) and seven shrubs (winterberry and blueberry). Mr. Carroll noted there were two items he would like to add to the language of the plan including a fence along the boulder wall on the side of the house and child's treehouse in a 24-inch oak. The Commission was agreeable provided the fence allows animal access and the treehouse does not cause damage to the tree. Mr. Tirone asked the Carrolls to add both the side yard and pool fences to the plan, and add the type of pool and filter and winterization plan to the operation and maintenance plan. Motion to close NOI 270-0713 by Mr. Pinette; second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. DOC 270-0669, Plan Change, Lot 4 Kylie Drive, Map 34 Lot 143, Magee John Magee, the developer of the property, was present to propose a change to the landscaping plan. The original plan of the property, which was approved, but never built, included a bigger house and a swimming pool. When Mr. Magee purchased and developed the property, he built a smaller house and eliminated the swimming pool. He would now like to decrease the plantings by about 40%. The Commission reviewed the revised landscaping plan and Mr. Saccone recommended adding two river birch trees, one white pine tree, ten cinnamon ferns, two winterberry bushes, and putting the low bush blueberry plants and dogwood trees into #5 pots. Mr. Magee agreed to the recommendations and will present a revised plan at the next meeting. Old/New Business DOC 270-0709, 125 & 126 Azalea Circle, Map 23 Lot 125 & 126, Kay Street Realty The Commission reviewed the project and the Order of Conditions. Motion to issue Order of Conditions 270-0709 by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Hayes. Vote 5-0-0. Page 1 2 DOC 270-0659, extension, 56 Cross Street, Map 12 Lot 77, Armstrong Mr. Tirone explained that the applicant will be unable to complete the work outlined in the existing Order of Conditions before it expires on May 12, 2019. The applicant is seeking an extension for one year. Motion to grant a one-year extension on Order of Conditions 270-0659 by Mr. Pinette, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Administrator's Report Update on, Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAARNG), Camp Curtis Guild Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan (INRMP) Mr. Tirone reviewed his recent visit to Camp Curtis Guild on March 71 with representatives from the other three abutting towns: North Reading, Lynnfield, and Wakefield. The Massachusetts National Guard, is hoping to work with its neighboring towns to help create an Integrated Natural Resource Management Plan for the site to understand what resources it has, and what the conditions are, in order to have access to future projects, and funding for those projects. Bills Mr. Tirane noted that the DPW is preparing a bid for work at Sturges Park and asked if the Commission was still in agreement with the Order of Conditions as it was issued, as some of the work is being done along the banks of a stream. The members of the Commission agreed that the Order of Conditions is still acceptable as long as the conditions at the site have not changed. Mr. Tirane presented a water bill for Pearl Street in the amount of $19.71. Motion to approve by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Minutes Motion to approve minutes from February 27, 2019 by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Hayes. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve minutes as amended from December 29, 2015 by Mr. Pinette, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve minutes as amended from August 24, 2016 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Hayes. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve minutes as amended from July 26, 2017 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve minutes from October 11, 2017 by Mr. Hayes, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm. Page 1 3