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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-07-15 Conservation Commission Minutes OFR ' ., Town of Reading rl Meeting Minutes RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. Board - committee - Commission - Council: Rill SEP -4 PMI 53 Conservation Commission Date: 2015-07-22 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 Annika Scanlon, Michael Flynn, Rebecca Longley, James Maughan, Vice Chair Brian Sullivan; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Mr. Seggese, Tom Walsh, Paul Catalano, Richard Moreno, Dennis Moreno Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Ms. Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. RDA 2015-13, 31 Larch Lane, Map 38 Lot 38, Seggese The applicant wants to add a shed in his backyard but will need to remove some soil to regrade the area. The proposed location is 55 feet away from the wetland. Motion for negative determination for RDA 2015-13 by Mr. Maughan with the condition that the applicant come back before the Commission if the location of the shed changes, and provides substantial erosion control at the east end of the property during excavation, second by Mr. Flynn. Vote 5-0-0. The Commission signed the negative determination as amended. Continued NOI 270-0643, 0 Main Street, Map 51, Lot 95 Ahern Ms. Scanlon re-opened the Public Hearing. The Commission reviewed the updates. Tom Walsh, an abutter at 532 Pearl Street, asked if two trees near flag marker 7a would be touchable, why trees were marked, whether abutters would be notified If any blasting occurs, and if equipment could be stored In the buffer zone. Ms. Scanlon explained that no trees within 25 feet of the flags would be touched. Mr. Tirone explained that trees were marked to note they were either surveyed or included on the plan. Blasting licenses are Issued by the Fire Department and Mr. Walsh was encouraged to contact the Fire Department to find out their procedures. The contractor will be restricted to the limit of work line as noted on the plan and will not be allowed to store equipment beyond that line. Motion to approve Order of Conditions as drafted by Mr. Maughan. Vote 5-0-0. Page I 1 Motion to close NOI 270-0643 by Ms. Scanlon, second by Ms. Longley. Vote 5-0-0. Continued NOI 270-0641, 306 Main Street, Map 11, Lot 226, Simpson Ms. Scanlon re-opened the Public Hearing. The Commission reviewed the modifications to the plan. Mr. Tirone stated that he did not want to prevent the project from moving forward, but would like to continue work on the operation and maintenance plan, and would like an annual report for the Commission. A checklist can be provided with the Order of Conditions that can be completed and submitted each year. Motion to issue Order of Conditions with additional maintenance specifications as discussed by Mr. Maughan, second by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0. Motion to close NOI 270-0641 by Mr. Maughan, second by Ms. Longley. Vote 5-0- 0. Old/New Business: West Street Drainage Mr. Tirone presented the material specifications for the eliminator hood for permanent Installation in a manhole that is to be installed on West Street and asked the Commission for feedback. Mr. Sullivan noted that it is likely to break. Mr. Tirone stated that he would notify George of the Commission's concerns. Minor Project Permit: 114 Haverhill Street - Deck and Breakfast Nook Paul Catalano presented the proposal to replace the roof and siding on the existing house, remove an existing patio, and construct a 24x36 deck. The closest portion of the structure to the resource area is 40 feet. The Commission agreed that a silt fence would be needed to protect the resource area, and had no concerns with the project. 88 Timberneck Drive Mr. Tirone explained to the Commission that the property owner is trying to convert an existing shed into a chicken coop and asked how they felt about conversion of existing structures within a resource area. Ms. Scanlon noted that the Health Department would have more restrictions than Conservation. The Commission agreed that a structure would be anything with a foundation and had no concerns about adding just posts and chicken wire to an existing structure so close to the resource area. Street Acceptance Mr. Tirone informed the Commission that the Town plans to accept some streets at the next Town Meeting. The Carriage Lane development, which is comprised of Gregory Lane, Zachary Lane, and Cory Lane, do not have Certificates of Compliance. However, there were no roadway issues specified in those orders of conditions. Mr. Tirone asked the Commission if they would approve the road acceptance under these circumstances and recommended that they approve the road acceptance without the COC and wait for the DOC when It is needed; or he can send letters requesting COCs without linking the need for COCs to approval of roadway acceptance. There are two other streets that do Include roadway conditions on their OOCs including: Timothy's way, which required a 4-foot sump, two catch basins, and an as-built plan; and Nugent Lane, which required a catch basin, a drain, a manhole, and a detention Pond. Engineering Is checking into whether Timothy's way Page 12 conditions were met, and Mr. Tirone stated that he would verify the requirements on Nugent Lane and would report back to the Commission on both streets. The Commission agreed that if no roadway related issues are pending on an outstanding OOC, then they do not object to the Town accepting the roads. RDA vs. NOI Mr. Tirane explained that Jack Sullivan, of Sullivan Engineering, brought in a plan that shows an addition on sonotubes that encroaches on the 35 and 25 foot area with the intention of submitting it as an RDA, citing previous similar projects that were submitted as RDAs. The Commission discussed the distinguishing factors of those projects and agreed that any work within 40 feet of a resource area requires an NOI, and any new construction within 35 feet needs a variance, which will not be issued without an NOI. Minor Project: 205 Pearl Street — Brick Patio and Fire Pit Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on a minor project where the homeowner of 205 Pearl Street wanted to construct a fire pit in his backyard. The Fire Department issued the permit with the fire pit being 25 feet away from any structure. 1364 Main Street — Wingate Mr. Tirone stated that the facility needed more storage and a tree to be removed. He enlisted a certified arborist to confirm that the tree was dead, then approved its removal. COC 39 Lindsay Lane The property owner wanted to sell his house and found that he did not have a COC. The Commission approved at the last meeting. RMLD Operation and Maintenance Plan RMLD Is working on their own operation and maintenance plan and needs the Conservation Commission to agree to it. The existing general permit that they have to prune vegetation around power lines might not allow them to remove everything they want to remove. The Commission agreed that RMLD cannot just change their O&M plan and would need to apply to modify their existing permit. Mr. Tirone noted that he would follow up with RMLD and find out how the new 08M plan differs from their existing permit. Emergency Permit 37 Collins Avenue Mr. Tirone informed the Commission of an emergency he needed to approve as DPW needed to clear a blocked sewer line. The Commission signed and ratified the order. Birch Meadow Master Plan Mr. Maughan stated that he worked on the Birch Meadow Master Plan Committee a number of years ago. There was a lot of Interest in filling in wetland to create a soccer field, but the Conservation Commission would not allow it. The issue had come up again recently and Mr. Maughan wanted to encourage the Commission to remain vigilant as the resource area is important to Flood control, and area beyond it had already been filled. Page 13 Officer Elections Ms. Scanlon stated that she and Mr. Tirone have been working with DPW to create a better procedure to keep Conservation informed of projects. Mr. Maughan nominated Brian Sullivan as Chair. Mr. Sullivan accepted the nomination and stated the he knows the regulations well, understands that it will require more of his time, and while he may have an occasional scheduling conflict with his job, he is ready to give back to the Committee. Ms. Scanlon stated that she was hoping to continue, but would like to encourage the Commission to have at least one strategic planning meeting each year. On a motion by Mr. Maughan, seconded by Ms. Longley, Mr. Sullivan was appointed as Chair by a 3-0-2 vote with Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Flynn abstaining. Ms. Scanlon nominated herself for Vice Chair, which was seconded by Mr. Flynn. Mr. Maughan nominated Ms. Longley. Ms. Scanlon asked Ms. Longley If she was interested in the position. Ms. Longley confirmed that she is and welcomes the opportunity to learn more. Ms. Scanlon stated that she nominated herself as Vice Chair in order to maintain a position of authority as she felt it would help progress her conversation with DPW. Mr. Maughan stated that it would be appropriate for her to follow through with the DPW procedure. It would also help distribute responsibilities across the Commission and she would not need to be Vice Chair to do that. On a motion by Mr. Maughan, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, Ms. Longley was appointed as Vice Chair by a vote of 3-2-0 with Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Flynn In favor of Ms. Scanlon. Minutes Motion to approve minutes from 3une 24, 2015 as amended by Ms. Longley, second by Mr. Maughan. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40pm. Page 1 4