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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-24 Conservation Commission Minutes s Town of Reading RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK R, -Ar, 1 " MA, Pt, Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2121 NO%' 12 AM 11: 14 Conservation Commission Date: 2020-06-24 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Robert Hayes, Martha Moore, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, John Sullivan; Associate Member Scott Keefe; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Associate Members Nichola Meserve, Tay Evans Others Present: Leah Basbanes, Maureen Herald, Chris Cole, Jane Kinsella, Joe Peznola Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: The meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:05pm. 15 B Street Violation WPA Fillina Wetland Area. Dirusso Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tirone reviewed a request to do some light grading on the site, but due to a miscommunication, a significant portion of wetland got filled. The area was previously used and maintained as lawn. The violation occurred when vegetation was cut back and topsoil was dropped in the area. The homeowner was apologetic of what happened, as he did not realize the environmental concerns. Leah Basbanes, Wetland Consultant, was brought in by the homeowner to help rectify the situation. The topsoil that was brought in was removed to the organic layer. The area will be seeded with New England grass seed mix and blueberry bushes will be planted. Ms. Basbanes noted that the area looks like it has been used as a dumping area in the past. There are several trees that are leaning and have been flagged to be taken down. Mr. Tirone noted that he tagged other trees of concern. The Commission members will visit the site prior to the next meeting to make sure they are satisfied with the work. A survivability report should be provided in a year. 0 Haverhill Street — DEP File No. 270-0728 Mr. Flynn reopened the public hearing. Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental reviewed the plan that was revised to address issues brought up by the Commission at a previous meeting. The infiltration trench around the proposed driveway was extended around the curve of the driveway. The patio proposed in the previous plan was omitted from the new design, and replaced with a 6-foot x 4-foot concrete pad to be a walk out surface. The walkway from the driveway was added to the plan. Trees ranging from 11 inches to 32 inches in diameter have the potential to be removed and will be included in the tree removal Page 1 1 tally. A total of 17 trees, are proposed to be removed, though there are six in the rear that will be kept if possible. The Commission repeated their preference for the deck and patio to be moved to the side of the house instead of the back where it encroaches on the 25-foot buffer zone, for which the applicant is requesting a variance. Ms. Herald stated that while it is a possibility for a 14-foot x 10-foot deck on the side of the house, it is preferable in the back due to the traffic on Haverhill Street. The proposal includes 12.8 acres of land abutting Timberneck Swamp to be donated to the Town with a deed restriction or conservation restriction. The applicant's attorney will draw up the document for whichever the Commission prefers. The Commission agreed that the conservation restriction has stronger protections. Ms. Herald stated that the builder would be agreeable to adding a sign on the property indicating no additional structures are allowed. The Commission discussed alternatives for the design of the house, placement of a deck or patio, or retaining wall that would bring it out of the 35-foot zone. Members did not agree on the best solution and asked Ms. Herald to present alternatives to her client and come back before the Commission. Motion to continue NOI 270-0728 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 48 Pasture Road — DEP File No. 270-0732 Mr. Tirone stated that he received no additional comments from residents regarding the application. Motion to close NOI 270-0732 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Motion to issue Order of Conditions by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 0 Charles Street (Charles Lawn Cemetery) — RGB File No. RDA 2020-3 Mr. Flynn reviewed the site visit he took with Mr. Tirone, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Saccone along with DPW Director Jane Kinsella, Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole, and Tree Warden Mike Hannaford of the DPW. On the site visit, Mr. Hannaford reidentified all the proposed trimming and removals and identified eight locations that will be planted with sugar maple, red maple, Princeton elm, American tulip, or red oak trees. In the section of biggest concern, referred to as area 1, only about 10-15 trees had been removed and most of the vegetation was invasive knotweed. The Commission members agreed that though the replanting plan did not meet the 1:1 ratio, they were encouraged that the proposed planting plan would fill gaps left in the canopy and provide protection for the wetland. Motion to issue determination checking off N3 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-1, with Mr. Hayes abstaining due to technical difficulties. 106 Colonial Drive — DEP File No.270-0733 This hearing will be continued to the next meeting on July 8, 2020. Motion to continue 270-0733 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-1, with Mr. Hayes abstaining due to technical difficulties. 259 & 267 Main Street — DEP File No. 270-0727 Mr. Flynn reopened the public hearing. Joe Peznola of Hancock Associates presented the work that has been happening in conjunction with Wetland Consultant Ann Martin, DEP Environmental Analyst Pam Merrill, and Mr. Tirone. The proposal is for a 24-unit, four-story building, He reviewed the temporary and permanent impacts to wetlands and the efforts made to decrease them, removal of invasive species along the 35-foot line, and proposed restoration of wetlands. A 29-inch high x 42-inch wide boardwalk was added along the sewer easement. A 95-foot linear section of streambank will be stabilized with 3 or 4 areas using coirlogs and one area using erosion control blankets. Page 1 2 The application is still before the CPDC and ZBA. Mr. Peznola noted that CPDC instructed him to work with other boards before going back to CPDC. The biggest question is getting approval for a special permit to allow for two parking spaces per unit, whereas ZBA only requires 1.5 spaces per unit. If ZBA decides that it can be no more than 12 spaces, then they will proceed with the risk of only constructing 1.5 spaces per unit. Motion to close NOI 270-0727 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote of 7-0-0. Old/New Business: Matters Property Parking Area and Lobs Pond Parking Area Following the site visit to Charles Lawn Cemetery, Commission members went with DPW staff to look at the flooding in the Mattera parking area. DPW staff was happy to fix the area. Going forward, it is up to the Commission to ask DPW each year for the Mattera and Lobs Pond parking areas to be graded out and stones put back onto the parking area. Request to remove 11 trees in Bare Meadow (South of Viewing Platform), Poirier Commission members also visited Bare Meadow with DPW staff to assess trees in Bare Meadow that an abutting homeowner requested be taken down. Tree Warden Mike Hannaford provided a write up for each tree with a rating system of 1-5; 1 being least risk, 5 being highest risk. All pines in question were ranked 4 and deemed high risk, and two maple and one oak were ranked 2 and deemed low risk trees. All five pine trees could come down, with conditions on access and cleanup. Mr. Tirone stated that Mr. Poirier, the homeowner, called him to ask that the Commission consider removing the three deciduous trees that were ranked 2. If the Commission agrees to remove those three trees, Mr. Poirier will plant three native trees in that area. The Commission discussed whether to allow those trees to be removed, but agreed that it would be more beneficial to keep the mature trees, though maybe trimmed, and would thrive better once the pines are removed. Reading Public Library Summer Reading The Library plans to put up flyers promoting their summer reading program using the kiosks at Conservation areas from June 190 to August 22n°. Administrator's Report: "No Dumping": Mr. Tirone stated that signs have not come in yet. Minutes: The Commission agreed to review minutes at the next meeting. Chair and Vice Chair: Nomination for Mike Flynn to remain as Chair by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 7-0-0. As it was his final meeting, Mr. Hayes thanked the Commission for an enjoyable three years. Mr. Hayes left the meeting at 10:07pm. The Commission then discussed who should be Vice Chair. Newer members cited inexperience and time commitments as hesitations to fill the role of Vice Chair. Ms. Scanlon nominated herself to continue as Vice Chair, seconded by Ms. Moore. Vote 6-0-0. Motion to adjourn by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:19pm. Page 1 3 Town of Reading RE 1:`,E i V E D A. z Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK �„ `0 W Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2121 NUF 12 AM 11: 15 Conservation Commission Date: 2020-07-08 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Scott Keefe, Martha Moore, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, John Sullivan; Associate Member Nichola Meserve; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Associate Member Tay Evans Others Present: James Maughan, Leah Basbanes, Maureen Herald Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. Castine Field & Riverfront Restoration East of John Carver Road. Discussion, Jamie Mauahan Mr. Tirone explained to the Commission that he attended a meeting of a new Birch Meadow Working Group where he saw a conceptual plan for Castine Field, a protected resource area, and was surprised by the proposed development. Jamie Maughan was invited to appear before the Commission as a former member who represented the Conservation Commission on a previous ad hoc Birch Meadow Planning Committee. Mr. Maughan revisited the history of the site for the Commission, and its condition following the High School renovation. He had expressed to the past ad hoc committee that Castine Field is a jurisdictional wetland and has wetland plants and species throughout it. Mr. Maughan and the Commission discussed other wetland features of the area and efforts to limit what areas are mowed by DPW. He also noted that the cattails store Flood water. If Castine Field is taken out of the flood plain, down stream flooding would be exacerbated. Mr. Maughan stated that the current working group is not taking the previous Birch Meadow Master Plan into account and wanted the Conservation Commission to be aware that the resource area might be at risk. He encouraged the Commission to support Mr. Tirone in opposing the development of Castine Field. Mr. Flynn stated that he would draft a memo for the next meeting that addresses the Conservation Commission's concerns about the project. Mr. Maughan stated that Town leadership asked him to attend a Working Group meeting to speak about the history of the site, but he asked that a current member of the Conservation Commission join him at the Page 1 1 meeting to represent the current Commission. Ms. Scanlon agreed to attend with Mr. Maughan. +5 B street Violation WPA Filling Wetland Area, Oirusso Since the last meeting, the planting has been completed and the homeowner has been watering the plants daily. Leah Basbanes, the wetland consultant helping the homeowner with this project provided an update on the project. She will provide survivability reports in November, and again next June. Motion to close Enforcement Order for 15 B Street by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 0 Haverhill Street DEP File No. 270-0728 At the last meeting, the Commission asked for the deck and patio to be moved from the back of the house to the north side of the house. Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental presented the updated plan to the Commission. A 74 square foot deck and 133 square foot pervious paver patio are moved to the north side of the house. The yard in the back will be lawn and a post and rail fence is proposed along the 25 foot zone. No other trees are proposed to be removed by moving the deck and patio. There will be a four-foot retaining wall and plantings to provide privacy on the patio. The Commission requested a landscape plan prior to planting. They discussed the donation of land and expressed a preference for a Conservation Restriction. The Conservation Restriction will be tied to the occupancy permit, with the option of tying it to the Certificate of Compliance if it needs to be changed in the future. Rick Moreno of 114 Haverhill Street expressed his concern about the easement. He is concerned about parking and access to Timberneck Swamp from that location. The Commission explained that the Town needs to maintain access to the conservation land. There are no plans to make it a walking trail and no signs will highlight that it is there. Motion to close 270-0728 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 7- 0-0. 106 Colonial Drive DEP File No. 270-0733 Continued to the July 22"d, 2020 meeting at the applicant's request. Motion to continue by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Old/New Business: COC Reauest 270-0712 28 Intervale Terrace, Rina Mr. Tirone reviewed the project that included an addition, a deck, and added infiltration with roof runoff tied into it. Everything was as requested in the Order of Conditions and Mr. Tirone recommended issuing the COC. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance for 270-0712 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 7-0-0. Minor Plan Chance 270-0724 59 Forest Street Mao 59 Lot 117 Gisetto The applicant is looking to add a fence around the house. The Commission expressed concern about a note on the plan that read "Open Space and Utility Easement." Mr. Tirone will gather more information about the easement, whether a fence would be allowed in that area, and whether the proposed fence will be on existing lawn or if any vegetation will need to be removed within the 100-foot buffer zone. Motion to continue Minor Plan Change 270-0724 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 270-0727 259 & 267 Main street, Map 12 Lots 39 & 40, lay Finnegan, Stonegate Construction Corp. The hearing was closed at the last meeting. The project is still before the CPDC and Zoning Board of Appeals. Once it is approved by those Boards, the Conservation Commission can issue the Order of Conditions. Page I z Administrator's Reoort: -No Dumping" Signs Mr. Tirone stated that he expects the signs to arrive any day now. They will be installed once they arrive. Bare Meadow will have "No Mountain Biking" signs. Enforcement: Perfecto's Mr. Tirone noted that the enforcement order was issued to prevent parking on either side of the dumpster. They have done well keeping cars off of those areas and he continues to monitor the parking. Minutes for Approval: Motion to approve meeting minutes of May 13, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Motion to approve meeting minutes of June 10, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Mr. Tirone explained to the Commission that there are some very old Certificates of Compliance that are requesting approvals and asked members to conduct site visits. The members of the Commission discussed the projects and decided that Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Pinette would visit on Tuesday, July 21" at 9:00am, and Ms. Moore, Mr. Saccone, Mr. Sullivan, and Ms. Meserve would attend that evening at 5:00pm. Sites include: 106 Colonial Drive to look at five trees that the homeowner would like taken down; Austin Prep to review progress on the sports field Order of Conditions; 0 Small Lane to review outstanding Certificates of Compliance so that the property can be transferred; and 53 Arcadia Avenue, which has an old Certificate of Compliance and the homeowner would like to take down some trees. Mr. Pinette stated that he spoke with John Costigan of Mill street who had some trees come down on conservation land behind his property. Mr. Tirone explained that he had viewed the trees and reported his findings to Mr. Costigan and Tree Warden Mike Hannaford, and is awaiting Mr. Hannaford's decision. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:28pm. Page 1 3