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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-14 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading Meeting Minutes tp tCErvE R' a6nNCLERK Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission �A19 JUL I5 P„ S. j j Date: 2018-03-14 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, David Pinette, Harry Curtis; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Robert Hayes, Michael Flynn Others Present: Jacob Lim, Corey Ward, Ryan Percival, Chris Cole, Sean Massa Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Chair Rebecca Longley called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Eagle Scout Project: Parker Middle School, path maintenance, Jacob Lim Jacob Lim presented his plan to renew and restore the natural area behind the turf field at Parker Middle School. There is a small 25-foot path that leads to marshlands that is overgrown with vegetation, and a small bridge that has some rotting planks on the top. Jacob would like to trim back the overgrowth along the path, repair the rotting boards on the bridge, repair the latch of the gate that accesses the path, and cleanup the trash from the marshland. Mr. Pinette asked if the framing structure of the bridge might show signs of rot as well. Jacob stated that he did not see signs of rot, though it had not been inspected professionally. Mr. Pinette and Mr. Curtis encouraged Jacob to check the framing for any sponginess to ensure that it is not also in need of repair.Ms. Scanlon reminded Jacob to be aware of any vegetation, such as poison ivy, that may be harmful, and asked if there might be any invasive species growing along the path and if it would be possible to remove it. Jacob stated that the only invasive species that he was able to identify was a small amount of Japanese Knotweed on either side of the gate, and that he would be agreeable to removing it. Mr. Tirone advised that removal may only be effective for one season. Approval for this project falls under the existing Town-wide trail maintenance general permit. Motion to approve by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Eagle Scout Project: Message Board in the Town Forest, Corey Ward Corey Ward presented his plan to build a sign board at the Wood End entrance to Town Forest. The sign board will contain a detailed map of trails, rules, and information about Town Forest. He also plans to install a dog waste bag dispenser on the side of the post. Page 1 1 Mr. Curtis and Mr. Pinette asked who will refill the dog waste bags and noted that people should be encouraged to carry-in/carry-out their dog waste, as no one will empty a trash barrel. Corey stated that he will work with the Trails Committee to come up with a better plan to manage the dog waste bags. Motion to approve by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. RDA 2018-1: Roadway maintenance resurfacing, Map various, Lot various, Town of Reading, DPW Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, and Chris Cole, Civil Engineer, presented the annual RDA for road resurfacing. Fifteen roadways are scheduled to be resurfaced, nine of which fall within in the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. Five streets will be resurfaced by way of reclamation including: Fairmount Road, Harvard Street, Orange Street, Spruce Road, and Winter Street. Four roads will be resurfaced by way of mill and overlay including: Arthur B Lord Drive, Forest Street, Haverhill Street, and Osborne Avenue. Catch basins will be protected with fabric and catch basins within 200 feet of a waterway will be protected with a silt sack. Ms. Longley asked if the area on Haverhill Street near Camp Curtis Guild had erosion in the right of way. Mr. Percival stated that there is erosion surrounding the discharge pipe and is need of minor repair prior to the road being repaved. Mr. Tirone noted that he and Mr. Cole determine which areas need erosion control, not the contractor. Motion to issue negative determination for RDA 2018-1 by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. RDA 2017-10, 288-292 Grove Street, Lot 37, Lot 4, Meadowbrook Golf Club Ms. Longley stated that the RDA has been continued to the next meeting on March 28t'. Emergency Permit: 259 Main Street, demolition of structure Mr. Tirone explained that the house at 259 Main Street was deemed a safety and health hazard by the Building and Health Departments and will be taken down in the next few days. The Commission can issue an emergency order with conditions in place of an NOI due to the urgency of the situation. Because the foundation is within 5-10 feet of the resource area, conditions include: hay bales behind the foundation, dispose of wood structure from the front and side only, leave foundation and slab intact and in place, fill the inside of the foundation with clean fill, and no disturbance or equipment beyond the hay bales. Special conditions include: cast grass seed mixture over the exposed soil, spread hay bales over exposed soil to prevent erosion, and call the Conservation office to inspect once the demolition is complete. The order includes the Reading, MA MapGeo plan of the site, the Lynch Construction work description, an email from Glen Redmond, Building Inspector, requesting the emergency order, and an email from the Health Agent stating that the structure poses a public health threat. Mr. Pinette requested that the order include that the foundation should be clear of debris prior to being filled. Motion to approve the Emergency Permit for 259 Main Street by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. RDA 2017-10, 18 Henzie Street, Lot 32 Lot 147, North Shore Business Solution Sean Massa explained to the Commission that he was unaware that the site was within the 100-foot buffer zone. Mr. Tirone stated that he received a call about work being done at the property. He and Mike Hannaford, DPW Tree Expert, went to the site to inspect. Two trees had already been removed, one of which appeared rotted. Other trees were pruned, and Page 1 2 brush was removed. As a result of the last storm, two more trees fell down. The resource area goes up to the property line. Mr. Massa plans to either bring in loom and sod, or plant grass seed. Mr. Tirone advised him of two points at each end of the yard where erosion control should be established, and that if adding loam or spraying hydroseed, a silt fence or other barrier will be needed to prevent any of the material from entering the resource area. The Commission agreed that one tree and two bushes need to be planted to replace what was removed. Motion for negative determination by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0- 0. Old/New Business: Boston Gas utility Maintenance 287-401 Lowell Street, Plymouth Road, Dustin Road, Pilgrim Road and Barrows Road, Permit Discussion Mr. Tirone stated that Conoco Engineering plans to replace gas lines on Lowell Street. The Commission agreed that they would like to stay informed of the project's progress. Motion to approve the permit as discussed by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Extension DEPff 270-0634: Reading Engineering Department, Pine Ridge Road Sturgis Park Ms. Longley stated that the extension is on hold, as the permit was never filed with the registry of deeds. Mr. Tirone noted that the applicant will return at the March 28th meeting to extend the permit. COC 270-85: 47 Indian Tree Lane, Lot 11, Map 22, Boudreau COC 1980-4: 47 Indian Tree Lane, Lot 11, Map 22, Boudreau Ms. Longley noted that there are two applications: one under the state, and one under the local bylaw. Mr. Tirone reviewed his inspection of the site, noted that Mr. Boudreau removed a small yard waste pile from the yard, and that the property looked fine. He recommended the Commission issue the Certificates of Compliance. Motion to Issue COC 270-85 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to issue COC 1980-4 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. COC 1984-14: Colonial Drive Ext. n/k/a 4 Jefferson Circle, Lot 30, Map 142, Tedesco Mr. Tirone reviewed his visit to the site and noted that the property looked fine with no erosion. He recommended that the Commission issue the certificate of compliance. Motion to issue COC 1984-14 by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Administrator's Report: Request to modify Minor Project List, addition and administrative approvals. The Commission reviewed the Minor Project Permit list. Mr. Pinette asked why sheds were listed as 15x15 instead of 225 square feet. Mr. Tirone noted that the document only allows Page 1 3 projects on the minor project permit list to be eligible for administrative approval at 35 feet. He will make some changes to the document for final approval at the next meeting. Mr. Pinette discussed the damage at Mattera Cabin and suggested that the Commission get a survey of the remaining trees around the cabin to assess whether others should be removed or trimmed. Mr. Tirone stated that it would be a good idea as the cabin is being used more than ever, and often by the Recreation Department. If trees need to be removed, they can be replaced using the shade tree fund. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm. Page 1 4