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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-11-14 Conservation Commission Minutes 01'el Town of ReadingMeeting Minutes TOWNEIVED READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - council: 2111 JUN -5 PN 1: 05 Conservation Commission Date: 2018-11-14 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, Robert Hayes, David Pinette, Carl Saccone; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Michael Flynn Others Present: Nevins, Jack Sullivan, Michele St. Pierre, Philip St. Pierre, Teal Feinstein, Jim McGrail Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Chair Rebecca Longley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. She noted that applicants of three agenda Items have requested a continuance and will not be heard tonight: NOI 270-, 125 & 126 Azalea Circle, Map 23 Lot 125 & 126, Kay Street Realty NOI 270-0705, 1503 Main Street, Lot A Map 60 Lot 11, Castellano NOI 270-0704, 1503 Main Street, Lot B Map 60 Lot 12, Castellano RDA 2018-09 41 Grey Coach Lane, Map 46 Lot 48, Nivens Mr. Nivens was present to explain his proposed project to add a dog door to the rear of his house and fence in his backyard to secure the dogs. The fence will consist of six-foot wood fencing along the sides, and six-foot chain link fencing with three gates along the back edge of the lawn. The Commission expressed appreciation for the animal access the chain link fence will provide, and reminded Mr. Nivens that dumping yard waste beyond the fence into the area closer to the wetland is not allowed. Paul Gagne of 49 Grey Coach Lane, a direct abutter, noted he had no issue with the plan. Motion to close Request for Determination 2018-09 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to Issue Request for Determination 2018-09 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. NOI 270-0710, 8 Strawberry Hill Lane, Map 7 Lot 192, St. Pierre Jack Sullivan was present with homeowners Michele and Philip St. Pierre to review their plans to put an addition onto their house, and add a deck, an inground pool, and a shed. The property has been surveyed and Norse Environmental Flagged the wetland. The plan Page I 1 includes the removal of three trees greater than six inches in diameter between the 25-foot and 35-foot buffer zone. All structures and construction will be outside the 35-foot buffer zone. To mitigate the addition of impervious areas, a 500-gallon dry well will be installed. To mitigate the trees being removed, the homeowners are proposing to plant nine trees, six shrubs, and a number of other plantings. The Commission expressed concern about the removal of a 40-inch maple tree inside the 35-foot buffer zone. They would like to see the tree remain to provide slope stability, and canopy and habitat for the wetland. However, the homeowners would like it removed citing a safety hazard. The Commission offered other suggestions including: shifting the pool a little further away from the line of the buffer zone; and if removing the 40-inch maple, replacing it with other more robust trees like oak or maple. Mr. Sullivan stated that he would contact a tree expert to assess the condition of the 40-inch maple. The Commission requested a landscape plan, and planned to schedule a site visit. Motion to continue NOI 270-0710 by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Hayes. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to continue NOI 270-, 125 & 126 Azalea Circle, Map 23 Lot 125 & 126, Kay Street Realty by Mr. Pinette, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to continue NOI 270-0705, 1503 Main Street, Lot A Map 60 Lot 11, Castellano by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to continue NOI 270-0704, 1503 Main Street, Lot B Map 60 Lot 12, Castellano by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Old/New Business: DOA 2017-10, 288-292 Grove Street, Map 37 Lot 4, Meadowbrook Golf Club Teal Feinstein was present to notify the Commission that there has been a change in Meadowbrook's business operations that now require trash storage on the property. The new plan seeks permission to place a dumpster on the existing asphalt and surround it with a fence with a locking gate. Motion to approve Minor Plan Change by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. The Commission discussed the Certificate of Compliance with Ms. Feinstein and expressed concern about silt runoff from the snow storage area flowing into the storm drains. Mr. Tirone recommended adding straw wattles to contain the runoff as a stop gap measure until the ground freezes. The Commission agreed to review the COC in the spring when the vegetation is established. Motion to continue by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. COC 270-0579, Jacob Way, Augustus Court, Abigail Way — Reading Woods Mr. Tirone stated that Reading Woods would like to receive their $20,000 bond back. He noted that he visited the site and noticed flags on some small pine trees near the area of the rain garden, about 4-5 feet high, that had died off. The trees may have been included in the Planning Board decision as shade trees, or a visual barrier for the neighbors. Building management indicated that the plan is to cut the dead pine trees at ground level and not replace them. The Commission was asked to oversee the rain garden area and ensure that it remained vegetated and free from erosion. Because the dead trees are not actually part Page 1 2 of the rain garden, and because they are not within the wetland buffer zone, the Commission had no objection to releasing the applicant's bond. Motion to release the bond by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. COC Austin Prep Wetland Replication Area Mr. Tirone presented photos from Mary Trudeau, consultant on the Austin Prep project, showing the completion of the wetland area created per the Order of Conditions. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance to Austin Prep by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Citizen's Open Forum Attorney Jim McGrail was present as a representative for Matt and Suzie Carroll of 44 Roma Lane. The Carrolls had submitted a request a few years ago to add a pool to the backyard and remove some trees from the side yard, which the Commission denied and the applicant did not appeal in time. The Carrolls hired Mr. McGrail and tree expert Tom Hughes to help them work with the Commission and find a solution to make improvements to their yard. However, Mr. Hughes has failed to provide a final report as promised. Mr. McGrail is asking the Commission for a working session prior to submitting a new application in order to determine what steps should be taken and how to best meet the protective requests of the Commission. Following a lengthy discussion, the Commission agreed to add the conversation to the agenda for the next meeting. Fee Waiver Request, Reading Softball Little League Mr. Hayes recused himself from the discussion, as he is the applicant of the minor project permit. Because Reading Softball Little League is a non-profit, he is seeking a fee waiver to replace the backstop and dugouts at the Sturges Park softball field. The backstop is within 100 feet of an intermittent stream. However, Mr. Tirone explained that it falls under the Commission's jurisdiction because there is an underground pipe that adds a watershed to a perennial stream in the resource area. Motion to approve the fee waiver by Mr. Pinette, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0- 0. Administrators Report: MACC Dues Mr. Tirone noted that the dues is increasing. Minutes for Approval Motion to approve the minutes from August 18, 2018 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve the minutes from July 25, 2018 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Page 1 3 Motion to approve the minutes from August 22, 2018 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve the minutes from October 24, 2018 by Mr. Saccone, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to approve the minutes from September 12, 2018 by Mr. Saccone, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Ms. Longley noted that a project change, as North Reading will get its water from Andover, and not from the MWRA through Reading. Therefore, Mill Street will not be affected. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Saccone, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:01 pm. Page 1 4