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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-23 Conservation Commission Minutes rr' A4 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: L ""a Conservation Commission «2� rtb -S PM 3: 50 Date: 2019-10-23 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 Michael Flynn, Annika Scanlon, David Pinette; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone, Bob Hayes Others Present: lack Sullivan, Amy Ball, Janet Bernardo, Jamie Medea, Steve Erickson, Chuck Castelluccio, Suzanne Alged, Pauline Mastronardi, Marie Kleponis, Steven Harrington, Bill Manuel, Brian Newman Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Ms. Longley called the meeting to order at 7:OOpm. DOC 270-0686, Plan Change 88 Glenmere Circle, Xu Mr. Tirone stated that he received an email from Fred Gyzel indicating that he does not agree with installing a drywell, as it would involve just as much work to install and would not work as intended. He is going to look for a contractor to help the homeowner. There are no further updates at this time. Motion to continue by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. NOI 270-0725, 10 Gregory Lane, Map 50 Lots 41, Singh Ms. Longley opened the Public Hearing. Mr. Tirone reviewed the current layout of the site, which is a 1.3-acre lot with a single-family home, a porch, a deck, and a walkway. Located behind the site is a detention area and the bordering vegetated wetland, Red Maple Swamp, which consists of red maple trees, white pines, glossy buckthorn, cinnamon ferns, and sensitive fern. The soil is well drained and stony below the surface. The applicant is proposing to construct a paver patio in the rear of the yard, a two-foot wide crushed stone trench along the patio, and a basement door drain that daylights in the 25-foot zone of natural vegetation. There is an existing shed and pool within the 100-foot jurisdictional zone. All proposed work is within the 100-foot zone of bordering vegetated wetland. Jack Sullivan, Project Engineer, stated that there are four trees his client would like to remove: one 14-inch pine tree and three 10-inch trees. In lieu of replanting, the homeowner agrees to pay $500 to the Town Shade Tree Fund. A five-foot PVC fence with a four-inch gap at the bottom to allow for movement of wildlife will be installed along the 25- foot zone. The patio will drain into a trench. Ms. Scanlon asked about the condition of the trees to be removed. Mr. Tirone stated that they may be encroaching into the yard and that may be why the homeowner would like Page 1 1 to remove them. Mr. Sullivan agreed that they did not appear to be leaning, or appear to be dying or unhealthy. Mr. Tirane asked what kind of maintenance the patio may need. Mr. Sullivan stated that there should not be a need to use any chemicals on the patio. He agreed that the perforated pipe could be buried underground with crushed stone around it. Mr. Tirone recommended adding a grate to keep leaves out. Motion to close NOI 270-0725 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. NOI 270-0714, 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street, Map 10 Lots 75, 76, & 77, Infrastructure Holdings LLC. Update. Ms. Longley reviewed the application to date. Because there was a question of the Commission's jurisdictional area, a third-party environmental consultant, Horsley Witten, was hired to review the wetland delineation line. Amy Ball, Senior Ecologist at Horsley Witten, reviewed the existing condition of the site. Small adjustments were made to the delineation line of the main wetland area. An area in the eastern corner of the site, which had conditions of a vegetated wetland and evidence of hydrology, was determined to be an isolated wetland. Another area toward the western property line, which had wetland plants growing in the spring and connected to a man-made ditch, was examined more closely to determine if it was actually an intermittent stream. After an extensive examination of the soils, they found that there were not enough characteristics to be considered hydric soil, and therefore, not a wetland. Janet Bernardo, Civil Engineer and Stormwater Engineer at Horsley Witten, reviewed her recommendations to reduce the volume of stormwater flowing to the wetland including: more low impact development; rain gardens or drywells to reduce flow back to the wetland; and to not build a house in place of the ditch if its purpose is there to direct water from Howard Street to the wetland Jamie Medea, legal counsel for the applicant and environmental specialist, thanked Horsley Witten and added that Norse Environmental completed the DEP form indicating that the area is not a wetland as determined by Horsley Witten. She also noted that recommendations for stormwater will be implemented in the revised plans. Steve Erickson of Norse Environmental stated that he did not have a problem with the Horsley Witten report. He noted that Norse produced a detailed data plot in the area that the test holes were dug, and found a preponderance of upland vegetation and upland soil. Chuck Castelluccio of 62 WescroR Road asked if enough of the soils were tested in the area that is no longer considered a wetland. Ms. Ball stated that the soils were inspected where the vegetation was and an extensive test pit was dug there. Mr. Castelluccio asked why most of the water in the proposed plan is being directed to an infiltration pond instead of the wetland as it was in the original plan. Ms. Bernardo stated that the infiltration pond will recharge the water through the ground. It should keep the wetland replenished while protecting it from direct dirty stormwater deposits. Mr. Castelluccio expressed concern for overtopping, as the soils are tight and the other properties are lower in elevation, and concern for groundwater, as the groundwater flows northeast and not toward the wetland area. Ms. Bernardo stated that there is a culvert underneath the properties where the overflow is supposed to be directed to and recommended that the applicant address that in their redesign. Mr. Castelluccio noted that the water flows to a low point, but then is unable to make it up to the culvert when it spills over, and asked what happens to the wetland that no longer gets runoff from the sheet flow above it. The applicant explained that the Town cleared away some debris, so the culvert should be functioning much better now, though it will be addressed in the redesign. Mr. Castelluccio expressed concern that the upper two feet of material does not provide infiltration, stated he would like to see that layer removed and replaced with coarser material, and asked if the tighter soils might have an effect on stormwater calculations. Ms. Bernardo stated that an underdrain system is something that can be added to the design and explained that calculations would depend on the surface material. The applicant stated that the current condition of the pond is at grade. Because the ground water is so high, it cannot be excavated to separate it from the groundwater. The top layer will be taken off and replaced with materials so that the area will have better soils. Page 1 2 Suzanne Alger! of 149 Howard Street noted that the initial report mentioned potential for water runoff toward 149 and asked whether that was addressed and whether the new plan calls for a diminished number of houses to be built. Ms. Bernardo stated that water runoff will be addressed in the revised plan and the applicant has not indicated how many buildings will be in the new plan yet. Ms. Medea asked if there was anyone present who did not have their concerns heard. Pauline Mastronardi of 144 Howard Street stated that when she and her husband bought their house 32 years ago they had gutters and French drains and had water in the basement all the time. Once the gutters and drains were removed, the water issues stopped. Ms. Mastronardi expressed concern that changes in the area landscape might cause the water issues in her basement to come back. Marie Kleponis of 56 Wescroft Road stated that there is already ponding in her backyard and is concerned that further development of the site could cause more ponding. Steven Harrington of 127 Howard Street stated that his house is down a private road that he is responsible for maintaining. The road already has water issues and divots caused by the water. He stated that when he bought his house seven years ago, he was told by his realtor that the lot in this proposal was unbuildable and wanted to voice his concern about the proposed development. Ms. Medea noted that it is the applicant's obligation to ensure that the development does not cause any additional water Flow to anyone else's property. Ms. Medea then asked the Commission if they were comfortable with the applicant redesigning the plan based on Horsley Witten's determination. The Commission agreed that they concur with Horsley Witten's findings. Ms. Medea asked if all four Commission members present will also be present at the next meeting on November 13th. The Commission members confirmed they would. Motion to continue NOI 270-0714 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4- 0-0. RDA 2019-13, 3 Zachary lane, Map 51 Lot 114, Newman Bill Manuel of Wetland and Land Management was present with property owner Brian Newman. There is a small depression in the corner of the yard that was designated a wetland in 2004. Members of the Commission visited the site with Mr. Manuel in August. He found that the vegetation near the depression is not predominantly wetland plants species. The area is at the top of a hill and does not border anything, so it cannot be bordered vegetated wetland. The Commission agreed that the area does not fit the definition of a wetland. Motion to issue negative determination by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to check off N1 under the Act and the Bylaw by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. NOI 270-0675, 364 Lowell Street, Map 26 Lots 157, Jamison Properties, LLC Bill Manuel was present to request an amendment to the Order of Conditions by adding a 10x12 patio and a deck above it. This will allow egress from the basement and give the future homeowners space to put a grill. The proposed work is in the existing driveway and within the existing limit of work already approved. Mr. Flynn stated that he reviewed the tape from the meeting in 2016 when the variance for the addition inside the 35-foot line was approved because it would move the driveway further from the wetland. Mr. Tirone stated that the plan the Commission approved on 2/12/2017 showed the grading. However, the plan submitted to the building department on 6/25/2018 showed a sliding glass door and a retaining wall. That change should have come before the Conservation Commission then. He recommended a better location for the deck would be on the side of the house. Mr. Manuel suggested grading the area with grass, and adding a granite stoop so that the ground condition does not change. Mr. Tirone expressed concern that it may lead to future development in the back, and could lead to a future patio that could be built without a permit. Ms. Scanlon noted that there appeared to be additional areas of the building footprint that were not approved by the Commission. Mr. Pinette recommended building just a deck with no patio and keep the grading as it was originally approved. The Gage 1 3 Commission agreed that they do not support a patio or any development in the back of the house, but agreed to let the applicant come up with another plan for an egress for the basement. Motion to continue NOI 270-0675 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 3- 0-1 with Mr. Pinette abstaining. Administrator's Report: Maillet Trail Work scheduled for 10/26 9-3:30 and Update Mr. Tirone reviewed the progress made on the new boardwalk bridge over the Aberjona River. The bridge is wheelchair accessible and flush with the ground. All deck boards are in place on one side, and on the other side the continuation of the bridge has to be brought to the ground. The Trails Committee will meet in the upcoming weeks and schedule another work day. Austin Prep Mr. Tirone stated that he attended the pre-activity meeting at Austin Prep. There is a gap between the erosion control and the current edge of the conservation area which is going to become natural vegetation. Mr. Tirone asked the contractor to either move the erosion control up to the fence, or install additional erosion control in front of it. He also noted that the material used across the causeway to protect the area from heavy trucks is working out well and is very protective. Imagination Station There were ruts in the ground near the conservation area caused by construction of Turf 2 replacement at the High School. Mr. Tirone explained that it was the staging area for materials for the construction and that stones were added to establish the zone for the staging area. 107 Main Street — DEP Report Ms. Longley reviewed the site visit she took to 107 Main Street with two representatives from DEP. She showed them the proposed work and the wetland and noted that the Commission had agreed with the wetland line. They discussed tree removal and replacement. The DEP representatives explained that they investigate all appeals, but this seemed straightforward and the DEP is siding with the Commission's decision. The Engineering department asked Jeff Brem to add drainage calculations to the plan and add a new drain to the parking area. Minutes: Motion to approve meeting minutes from August 28, 2019 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to approve meeting minutes from September 11, 2019 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to approve meeting minutes from October 9, 2019 by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Ms. Scanlon asked for an update about the individual removing vegetation from along the Aberjona River. Mr. Tirone stated that he sent the person a violation notice and met with him. He commended him for his work in cleaning up surface debris, but explained that removal of native plant species along the river enables invasive plant species to takeover, and digging channels along the bank causes the area to dry up. Mr. Tirone reviewed the site visit he took with Ms. Longley, Mr. Flynn, and Mr. Pinette to Lynette Lane to review the site prior to an application being submitted. The flags are in place. The Commission discussed the desire to make submitting data sheets along with the application mandatory. Page 1 4 Mr. Pinette asked whether the Trails Committee plans to cap the rails of the new Maillet bog bridge, as the welded wire is sharp and sticking up from the rails. Mr. Tirone noted that they will not cap the rail to prevent people from walking or sitting on the rails, but will modify the caps somehow. The applicant at 285 Main Street, formerly Smith Oil, will be filing an application soon and will likely appear at the November 13th meeting. Mr. Tirone noted that Ms. Longley may be leaving soon and other members should be mindful of the quorum. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:48pm. Page 1 5