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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-02-27 Conservation Commission Minutes N Orq� Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK "• READING, MA. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission 2111 JUN —4 PM 6 12 Date: 2019-02-27 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, Michael Flynn, Robert Hayes, David Pinette, Carl Saccone; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Vice Chair Annika Scanlon Others Present: Jay Shatto, Chuck Castelluccio, Carlo Bacci, Shawn Malone, Virginia Adams, Matt Carroll, Suzie Carroll Town Forest Committee members: Chair Bill Sullivan, Kurt Habel, Tom. Gardiner, Dan Ford, and Farrukh Najmi Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirane Topics of Discussion: Ms. Longley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. NOI 270-0714, 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street, Map 10 Lots 75, 76, & 77, Infrastructure Holdings LLC. Greenwood, approve soils expert Request for Quote (RFQ) to provide an analysis of the extent of wetlands. Ms. Longley stated that the focus of the discussion will be on getting a third-party review for the delineation of wetlands at the proposed site. The Commission was not comfortable with the marked delineation and wanted other Issues addressed including: drainage, soils, ground water Flow, and storm water calculations. At the last meeting, Mr. Tirone was tasked with compiling a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for a thlyd-party review. Ms. Longley requested changes to the bulleted item calling for the consultant to be called upon to review, advise and make additional comments. She requested more specifics to include "additional review, submittal of analysis, conference with Conservation Commission, and to attend another public meeting." She asked for the Town's Engineering department to provide more Input on comments provided by Mr. Castelluccio and for storm water calculations. Mr. Pinette asked for an additional bulleted item for the"consultant to confer and consult with the Town Engineer on their findings." Mr. Tirone noted that the RFQ will be updated to include input from both the Commission and the Engineering department. Jay Shatto of 66 Wescroft Road asked if the Town is paying for the third-party review. Ms. Longley stated that the applicant pays for it. Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tirone explained the process of how the Commission selects the consultant based on the lowest qualified bid, how the Town collects fees from the applicant, and how the Commission reviews and approves invoices, which are paid from the fees received from the applicant. Page I 1 Chuck Castelluccio of 62 Wescroft Road asked if the consultant will perform both the storm water calculations, and the wetland delineation. Ms. Longley noted that it may not be the same individual, but may require different people from the same firm specializing in environmental engineering design. Carlo Bacci of 494 Main Street asked what the time frame is for the decision. Mr. Flynn stated that the RFQ submission deadline Is March 12, 2019, and that the Commission could make a decision at the April 10, 2019 meeting. Motion to continue by Mr. Flynn; second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. NOI 270-0709, 125 & 126 Azalea Circle, Map 23 Lot 125 & 126, Kay Street Realty Mr. Tirone noted that he received an email from Alex Rozycki of the Engineering department stating that he approves of the plans as presented by the applicant, but wants confirmation that the applicant owns the easement they plan to use. Shawn Malone was present to provide an update to the Commission. Issues arising from previous meetings revolved around stormwater drainage and sewer connection. Added to the plans were a stone trench along the edge of the parking area as requested by the Commission, and detail of a level spreader as requested by Engineering. Stormwater calculations were reviewed by Alex Rozycki of the Engineering department who confirmed that they meet standards. Results of a survey determined that it was not possible to run a gravity sewer to the existing sewer. Rather, an ejector pump will be installed within the proposed house that drains to the manhole in the sewer easement. Documents confirming ownership of the easement will be sent to the Commission. Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle asked for clarification on the proposed sewer connection, proximity to other existing structures, location of the driveway, and whether the large number of oak trees will be taken down. Mr. Malone stated that there will be approximately 42 trees removed, which will be replaced with 36 trees and tree equivalents including: 23 evergreen and 8 deciduous trees, and 15 shrubs three feet or greater in height, plus a $500 donation to the Shade Tree Fund. Motion to close NOI 270-0709 by Mr. Flynn; second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. NOI 270-0713, 44 Roma Lane, Map 50 Lot 36, Carroll Matt and Suzie Carroll were present to review their project and get further input from the Commission so that their plan can be reviewed and closed at the next meeting. Mr. Tirone asked the Carrolls to have their landscaper include a limit of work line on their plan and noted that they need to protect the oak tree during construction. Mr. Pinette would like a note added to the plan that specifically states that there will be no grading beyond the limit of work line, only landscaping. Additional information the Carrolls will need for the next meeting are a detailed narrative of what they plan to do with the site, and an email from their neighbor allowing the trees to be taken down. Motion to continue by Mr. Flynn; second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Town Forest Committee, pilot program to selectively thin some trees in the Town Forest, Bill Sullivan Bill Sullivan, Chair of the Town Forest Committee, was present with Town Forest Committee members Kurt Habel, Tom Gardiner, Dan Ford, and Farrukh Najmi to discuss a pilot program to Improve the health of the Town Forest. The Committee has been working with a certified forester to develop a plan that seeks to thin 20%-25% of trees in an approximate five-acre area. The purpose is to reduce the number of older trees susceptible to drought Page 1 2 and disease, eliminate diseased trees, and open up the tree canopy to allow more sunlight to filter down and encourage new and younger growth. The work is best done while the trees are still alive so that the logs will have value to offset the cost of harvesting. The next steps are to conduct a site visit with the Conservation Commission, propose the project to the Select Board, host public meetings to inform residents of the plan and gather their input, and finally prepare a contract and solicit bids to perform the work. The Commission tentatively scheduled a site visit with the Town Forest Committee and Mike Hannaford, Tree Warden, for Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at noon. Minutes for Approval: Motion to approve minutes from February 13, 2019 by Mr. Flynn; second by Mr. Hayes. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Saccone; second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 pm. Page 1 3