HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-10 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading
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Board - committee - Commission - Council: 2019 JUN -4 PM 6: 11
Conservation Commission
Date: 2019-04-10 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, David Pinette, Michael
Flynn; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator
Members - Not Present:
Robert Hayes, Carl Saccone
Others Present:
Dana Brickett, Ryan Brickett, Ryan Percival, Lisa Green Pelland, Sarah
Dubois, Pauline & Richard Mastronardi, Charles Castelluccio, Janice Hart,
Marie Kleponis, John & Maureen Lynch, Rebecca Anderson, Will Finch, Tom
Gardiner, Joseph Pleury, Ben Ream, Jean Jacobs, Bo Garrison, Kim
Honetschlager, Adrian Case
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn La Verde and Chuck Tirone
Topics of Discussion:
Ms. Langley called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
NOI 270-0714, 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street, Map 10 Lots 75, 76 & 77,
Infrastructure Holdings I.I.C. Update.
Ms. Longley stated that the contract was awarded to Horsley Witten for the third-party site
review, and is still pending as it is being reviewed by Town Counsel. The Commission
received a petition from the abutters of the properties outlining six reasons for their
objections to the project, which was signed by all the residents with their addresses. Ms.
Scanlon asked if there are provisions In the contract to ensure that Horsley Witten would be
able to complete all the requirements outlined in the request for the total proposed cost.
Mr. Tirone stated that the company indicated they can meet the requirements for the
amount specified, but also provided an hourly rate should overages occur. If overages do
occur, an additional agreement would be needed.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0714 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
Ryan Brickett, Eagle Scout Project: Trail Kiosks at the Pinevale Conservation Area
Ryan Brickett, Life Scout of Troop 728, presented his Eagle Scout Project to add trail kiosks
at the Park Avenue and Maple Street entrances of the Pinevale Conservation Area. The
kiosks will include maps, signs, and information for the conservation area. Mr. Tirone stated
that the Maillet Conservation Area needs the same information and suggested the troop
consider adding similar signs to those trails. Ryan stated that he would make the
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recommendation to his troop for future projects. The Commission expressed appreciation
for the project and recommended that Ryan add the information to the existing sign at the
Maple Street entrance that was completed by a previous Eagle Scout. Dana Brickett stated
that Eagle Scouts cannot build upon others' projects.
Vote to approve 4-0-0.
RDA 2019-4: Roadway Maintenance Resurfacing, Map Various, Lot Various, Town
of Reading, DPW
Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, presented plans for upcoming roadway resurfacing and
recapped the processes involved for the Commission.
Motion for negative determination for RDA 2019-4 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr.
Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
NOI 270-0715, 18 Bethune Avenue, Map 39 Lot 226, Pruitt
Mr. Tirone reviewed the changes to the plan as requested by the Commission. The pool will
be outside the 100-foot buffer zone, but a portion of the decking, a retaining wall, and some
trees to be removed are just within the 100-foot buffer zone. A concrete pad and a shed
will be removed, and a pool equipment storage area will be added. The details of the
fencing and trees to be removed still need to be added to the plan. The applicant plans to
donate to the Shade Tree Fund for the removal of trees.
Motion to close NOI 270-0715 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
RDA 2019-3, 28 WRlow Street, Map 26 Lot 43, Anderson
Rebecca Anderson was present as she plans to replace her current deck with a slightly
larger one. The footings will need to be replaced as the current ones do not meet current
building code. Mr. Tirone reviewed the site visit and requested that Ms. Anderson remove
the yard waste pile close to the wetland area.
Motion for negative determination by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
Update: Maillet Morgan Conservation Land Trail Work Day
Kim Honetschlager was present to update the Commission on the plan of the Trails
Committee to begin work on a 50-foot bog bridge across the Aberjona River in the Maillet
Conservation Area. The Trails Committee hoped to begin work last fall, but questions from
abutters arose relative to the scope of the project. questions were resolved and members
of the Trail Committee walked the site along with Mr. Tirone to review the trail. At the
request of neighbors, a trail will be rerouted 20-feet further away from the residences and
closer to the river. Will Finch of the Trails Committee suggested adding a rule that dogs on
the trail must be leashed, as a pilot project. The Commission was open to adding the rule,
however, Mr. Tirone recommended reviewing existing leash regulations before engaging in a
full discussion.
Old/New Business
DOC 270-, 8 Rustic Lane, Green-Pelland
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Mr. Tirone recommended that the Commission sign-off on a Certificate of Compliance with a
power of attorney from 1976. Because there were no bylaws in 1976, they only need to
sign the form from the state, and there is no attachment and no ongoing conditions. There
is no file number, though it is recorded at the registry of deeds. Mr. Tirone noted he is
waiting to hear back from the DEP regarding the file number.
Motion to Issue Certificate of Compliance for 8 Rustic Lane by Mr. Flynn, second by
Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
DOA 2019-01, 65 Fairchild Drive Map 45 Lot 18, Kenyon
Mr. Flynn reviewed the narrative response from lack Sullivan, the contractor for the
applicant, outlining the changes as requested by the Commission.
Motion to issue negative determination as amended by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr.
Flynn. Vote 4-0-0.
724 Haverhill Street
Adrian Case was present before the Commission seeking approval for a minor project
permit. Mr. Case plans to replace the existing chain link fence along the existing lawn to an
area 15 feet away from Haverhill Street, across the front of the house, to the garage, with a
decorative fence so he can safely contain his dog in the yard. There will be two gates: one
at the front of the house next to the garage, and one along the back side of the yard to
retrieve any dog toys that may go over the fence. The Commission reminded Mr. Case that
yard waste cannot be dumped outside of the fence and should be disposed of curbside or at
the compost center.
Motion to approve Minor Project Permit by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote
4-0-0.
Administrator's Report:
Ocean River Institute
The Commission was not interested in discussing the Ocean River Institute as its mission is
outside the scope of the Commission's responsibility.
DCR Invasive Plant Training
Mr. Tirone proposed to the Commission to host a free invasive plant training administered
by the OCR. The training be open to the public and would teach attendees how to remove
invasive plant species safely and permanently.
RCN Membership
Mr. Tirone also proposed subscribing the Conservation Commission as members of RCN in
order to utilize RCN's equipment, editing services, and platform to promote the
Commission's mission.
Minutes:
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Motion to approve meeting minutes from March 27, 2019 by Ms. Scanlon, second
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0.
Motion to approve meeting minutes from July 11, 2018 by Mr. Pinette, second by
Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0.
Motion to approve meeting minutes from November 14, 2018 by Mr. Pinette,
second by Mr. Flynn. Vote 4-0-0.
Mr. Tirone announced that he volunteered the Conservation Commission to participate in
the New Residents' Day at the Library on April 30th and invited members to participate as
well. He will join the Trails Committee and Town Forest Committee at their informational
booth and provide information and a brochure to new residents.
285 Main Street
Mr. Pinette noted that no barriers have been added after the Commission approved the plan
to add three parking spaces. Mr. Tirone stated that he would follow up with the applicant to
find out when they plan to complete the work.
107 Main Street
Mr. Tirone provided an update and stated that he is expecting an email from the applicant's
consultant. The applicant is scheduled and expected to appear at the next meeting on April
24th. If the applicant does not appear, the Commission may with to consider taking the first
step to issuing a fine and prepare a violation notice.
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Flynn. Vote 4-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 pm.
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