HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-07-11 Conservation Commission Minutes or
Town of Reading
a Meeting Minutes RECEIVED
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TOWN CLERK
READING, MA.
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Conservation Commission 2019 JUN -5 PM 1: 05
Date: 2018-07-11 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 (arrived at @ 7:12 pm),
David Pinette, Michael Flynn, Carl Saccone, David Neumeyer; Chuck Tirone,
Conservation Administrator
Members - Not Present:
Others Present:
John Tolman, Jackie Welch, Mark Winsor, Michele Estabrook, Bob Moses,
[Perfecto's Rep], Kim Honetschlager, William Finch
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone
Topics of Discussion:
- Ms. Longley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
COC, 738 Pearl Street
Mr. Tirone provided a summary of the project and noted that Mr. Fitzgerald, the property
owner, added granite bounds at the corners of the property and eliminated the rebar, and
added a plaque to the stone wall indicating the conservation area.
Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance for 738 Pearl Street by Mr. Flynn, second
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
Continued RDA 2017-10, 288-292 Grove Street, Map 37 Lot 4, Meadowbrook Golf
Club
NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 3 Map 45 Lot 104 & 106, Mass Equity
Investors
- NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 4 Map 45 Lot 104 & 106, Mass Equity
Investors
NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 5 Map 45 Lot 104 & 106, Mass Equity
Investors
Ms. Longley opened the Public Hearing. John Tolman and Jackie Welch were present to
represent the applicant and reviewed the revised plan for Lot 3. The house was rotated
slightly further away from the wetland, and the driveway was decreased. An additional
collection chamber was added to the front of the house. Mr. Tirone noted that the Town
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Engineer has not yet reviewed the updated plan and will issue a memo once he has. He
also requested that all three sites be inspected on a monthly basis to monitor erosion
control during construction.
Motion to continue NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 3 by Ms. Scanlon, second
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
Motion to continue NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 4 by Mr. Flynn, second
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
Motion to continue NOI 270-, 1260-1264 Main Street, Lot 5 by Mr. Flynn, second
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
RDA 2018-4, 30 Glenmere Circle, Map 15 Lot 96, Winsor
The Commission reviewed their site visit to examine trees the homeowners had marked and
labeled with the hope of removing them. They agreed the trees labeled A, B, C, and J were
dead and could be removed without having to be replaced. Trees labeled D, I, N, O, and P
could be removed, but would need to be replaced. The homeowners expressed concern
with the amount of poison ivy growing alongside many of the trees as they have young sons
and do not want them exposed to it. Bob Moses of Arbor Tree Service was present with the
homeowners to explain why he believes it is preferable to remove the whole tree, as
spraying glyphosate to eliminate the poison ivy would damage and weaken the roots of the
tree. By grinding the stump and maintaining grass instead, the poison Ivy should not grow
back. The Commission would like to see the poison ivy removed without having to remove
healthy trees along with it. Following a lengthy discussion, the Commission decided another
site visit was needed to re-evaluate trees labeled E, F, G, H, K, L, M, and Q.
Motion to continue RDA 2018-4, 30 Glenmere Circle by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr.
Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
NOI-, 285 Main Street, Map 12 Lot 43, Ataha, Taj Engineering, LLC
A representative was present on behalf of Perfecto's Cafe seeking approval to add three
additional parking spaces. The space next to the existing dumpster will remain a snow
storage area. The CPDC approved the plan, but did not approve of just a "No Parking" sign
in the snow storage area. The Town Engineer requested a curb or a guardrail Installed to
deter parking and enable use of the snow storage area. The Commission agreed that a
guardrail is the only acceptable solution to separate the snow storage area from the parking
area, as people continue to park there even though it is not allowed. The Commission also
needs verification from the Town Engineer that storm water runoff requirements have been
satisfied.
Motion to continue NOI-, 285 Main Street by Mr. Flynn, second by Ms. Scanlon.
Vote 6-0-0.
NOI 270-, 1503 Main Street, Lot A Map 60 Lot 11, Castellano
NOI 270-, 1503 Main Street, Lot B Map 60 Lot 12, Castellano
The applicant requested a continuance of the hearing. Members of the Trails Committee
and Reading Open Space Trust were present to discuss the request of land donation. At the
previous meeting, the Commission suggested that the applicant consider donating portions
of the land, as the proposed development left a lot of space undeveloped due to the
features of the land. Kim Honetschlager, GIS Administrator, presented a map which
outlined both lots and the sections of the proposed donation from Lot A: the northern
portion would bring all of Fairbanks Marsh under the protection of one entity; and the
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southeastern portion, which is largely wetland and would protect a vernal pool located just
outside the property line of Lot A In Bare Meadow. The Commission agreed with the
suggested land donation request. Joe Cloonan from Reading Open Land Trust will present
the proposal to the developer.
Old/New Business
DOC 270-0579, Jacob Way, Augustus Court, Abigail Way - Reading Woods
Mr. Tirone noted that he had not heard back from the applicant, and stated that he felt
strongly about asking for additional bounds.
COC 270-0631, 164 Green Street, Map 17 Lot 216, Brenner
Mr. Tirone noted that the applicant is still waiting for a survey and will attend the next
meeting on July 25th.
Friends and Family Day Debrief
Mr. Flynn reviewed his participation in Friends and Family Day as a representative of the
Commission. Ms. Longley drew the winner of the four-hour rental of Matters Cabin: Michael
Comadico.
Johnson Woods - Unauthorized-removal of 1 tree, Scanlon
Ms. Scanlon stated that she spoke with the developer regarding the removal of a tree. The
developer told her that she should speak with the condo manager. She has tried to contact
the manager a number of times and asked Mr. Tirone that if she is still unsuccessful in
reaching him after this week, to follow up with a letter.
COC, 113 Arcadia Avenue
Mr Tirone explained that the developer missed the deadline in the Order of Conditions to
place a Conservation Restriction on the property. If the developer does not follow through
with the restriction, the OOC cannot be closed and the Certificate of Compliance cannot be
issued. The Commission agreed that the developer could move forward provided they show
proof that the Conservation Restriction has been submitted to the state, and if the condition
is not met the bond will not be released.
WAS
Motion to approve MACC dues in the amount of $747 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr.
Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
Motion to adjourn by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Flynn. Vote 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned 10:07pm.
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