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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-10-09 Conservation Commission Minutes r'4'4�� Town of Reading Meeting Minutes y soard - committee - Commission - Council: [U[U FEu -3 PM 3: 49 Conservation Commission Date: 2016-10-'9 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, David Pinette, Harry Curtis; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, AI Couillard, Amy Shicchitani Others Present: TJ Kelly, Will Finch, Keith Shearer, Todd Protz, Patrick Manion Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Ms. Langley called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. Eagle Scout Project, Town Forest, under Town-Wide Public Trails Maintenance 270-0568 TJ Kelly presented his proposal to construct an extension of a boardwalk along the Cranberry Gem Trail. The location of the proposed boardwalk is not walkable or rideable when it gets wet. The new boardwalk will prevent further trail erosion and prevent people from stepping into the bushes. It will be 30 feet in length and constructed of trex decking with pressure treated wood underneath. The supports will be made of 4x4 pillars in the ground with 2x8 stringers, and 2x10 planks for the surface. The ends will be Flush with the ground, and though it is not required to be ADA compliant, this design meets ADA requirements. Mr. Kelly plans to complete the project in early November. Motion to approve Town Forest Cranberry Gem Trail boardwalk extension under 270-0568 by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. NOI 270-0669: Lot 4 Kylie Drive, Map 34, Lot 143, Dohadwala Ms. Longley stated that the hearing would be continued to next week. There was an issue with density and the pool was too close to the house. Planning officials agreed that the hard top needed to be moved away from the trail easement. Mr. Tirone stated that the Assistant Town Manager and Assistant Planner backed up the Commission and informed the applicant that the Town has the right to the whole easement. Update Perfecto's: Page 1 1 Mr. Pinette asked if there was an update on Perfecto's. Mr. Tirone stated that the granite berm is in, and the binder course was down. He will follow up with Andy and conduct a site visit. Continued Enforcement Order: 218 Salem Street, Map 23 Lot 90, Yonjan Mr. Tirone stated that the enforcement order required the retaining wall to be moved back to the 25-foot line where it was before, the area graded out, and invasive plant species removed. The wall and the grading are done. However, the invasive plants were not removed and can be part of the NOI. The Commission may want to conduct another site visit to close out the enforcement order. NOI 270-0671: 45 Shackford Road, Map 12 Lot 75, Spinazzola Mr. Tirone noted that the homeowners were agreeable to granite bounds. The OOC was amended to include granite bounds on either side of the property boundary. Motion to close NOI 270-0671: 45 Shackford Road by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to approve Order of Conditions as amended by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Administrator's Report: Arcadia Avenue Mr. Tirone stated that the applicant for Arcadia Avenue is proposing to add a house, a 2-tar garage, and a driveway. He has not yet seen the plans. The applicant is scheduled to appear before the Commission on November 9'n 364 Lowell Street Mr. Tirone stated that the proposed subdivision is next to an intermittent stream that runs straight across Lowell Street and under the railroad tracks. He and others including Will Finch of the Trails Committee, and Bill Manuel of Wetlands and Land Management, explored the area in search of a vernal pool but did not locate one. The applicant is schedule to appear before the Commission on October 26tn. NOI 270-0670: 26 Milepost Road, Map 7 Lot 92, Dimeo The Commission briefly reviewed the order of conditions. Motion to close NOI 270-0670: 26 Milepost Road by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Motion to issue Order of Conditions for NOI 270-0670: 26 Milepost Road by Mr. Curtis, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Artis Senior Living 1100 Main Street Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on the inspections at Antis Senior Living at 1100 Main Street. The applicant had received a variance because three separate ponds were combined. However, the contractor had rolled sod out beyond the 25-foot line up to the pond. The 25-foot line is only about six inches away from the sidewalk. The solution was to Page 1 2 install a split rail fence 10 feet from the pond and put granite bounds at the 25-foot line. There will be no mowing behind the fence. Mr. Tirone noted that he is working with the group to try and close out the project. He asked the Commission members to visit the site and let him know if they feel that the sod should be pulled up and replaced with seed mix. NOI-0672: 147 Pearl Street, Map 28 Lot 207, State Ms. Longley opened the Public Hearing. Todd Protz and Keith Shearer were present on behalf of the applicant. The proposal is to add a 24x24 garage to the right rear corner of the house and a pool in the backyard. Two trees will need to be removed to make room for the garage. The Commission requested changes to the plan including: correction of the label of the 35-foot no-build zone; calculations of current and proposed impervious area; add filtration; and tree replacement plan. Patrick Manion of 126 Charles Street expressed his concern about losing privacy with the loss of the trees, and the water runoff from the driveway making its way onto his patio. Ms. Longley explained that is why the Commission is asking for the impervious area calculations, filtration measures, and tree replacement as mitigation. Motion to continue NOI-0672: 147 Pearl Street by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Old/New Business: Enforcement Order, Town of North Reading Mr. Tirone stated that all construction was done except for some non-structural work. Mike Soraghan, North Reading Town Engineer, wants to speak with Mr. Tirone prior to continuing that work. Until then, the enforcement order cannot be closed out. Eaton Street Concrete in Storm Drain Mr. Tirane stated that he observed a storm drain on Eaton Street with dried concrete around it, indicating someone dumped concrete directly into the storm drain. The drain is on a stretch of Eaton Street with wetlands on both sides. Mr. Flynn noted that a transformer pole was recently removed from the area. Mr. Tirone stated that he would follow up with RMLD. Enforcement Order 582 Summer Avenue, Maratta Ms. Longley explained that she heard tree work being done on her street and observed two people removing trees. There were five trees being removed: three outside of the Commission's jurisdiction, and two trees within the jurisdiction: one pine, which showed some signs of rot, and one maple, which appeared healthy. She called Mr. Tirone who gave the contractor the Minor Permit Application, the RDA Permit Application, and a copy of the Tree Removal Policy. Enforcement orders were sent out to the contractor and the property owner. Mr. Tirone contacted the Police Department and asked to be notified whenever details are requested for tree removals. The homeowners did not appear before the Commission. The Commission agreed to give the homeowner another chance to appear at the next meeting. The homeowner will be asked to replace the trees, or fined $250 per tree if they are not replaced. Motion to ratify the enforcement orders for 582 Summer Avenue for Maratta and Castella by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Curtis. Vote 4-0-0. Page 1 3 DEP Comment 26 Milepost Road Mr. Flynn noted that the DEP commented on the application that the property lies along riverfront area, not buffer. The Commission did not agree that the resource area should be considered riverfront. Mr. Tirone stated that he will follow up with DEP to understand why they are calling it riverfront. Dustin Road A resident on Dustin Road wants to take down a red maple from his front yard. Instead of replanting, he will donate $250 to the shade tree fund. Lakeview Eaton Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on the Lakeview Eaton proposal. Following a DRT meeting, the developers are trying to find a new solution for parking because their initial plan had pavement encroaching to almost the 23-foot line. The developer apparently did not realize that"no structure" included pavement. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Flynn, second by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Meeting adjourned 8:45pm. Page 1 4