HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-04-08 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading RE C E I V E G
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 326 NO; 12 AN If; 14
Conservation Commission
Date: 2020-04-08 Time: 7:00 PM
Building: Reading Town Hall Location:
Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session
Purpose: Public Meeting Version: Final
Attendees: Members - Present:
Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, David Pinette, Carl Saccone,
Martha Moore, John Sullivan; Associate Members: Nichola Meserve, Scott
Keefe; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator
Members - Not Present:
Bob Hayes, Associate Commissioner Tay Evans
Others Present:
Allison Milliman BSC Group, Thomas Wise, Ryan Percival Town Engineer,
Matt Devlin AECOM, Rick Devaner AECOM, Jesse Dimeo
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was conducted remotely consistent with the Governor's orders due to the
outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and suspension of public gatherings.
Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:06pm.
Mr. Tirone reviewed the procedure for conducting the meeting, hearings, public comments,
and votes via the remote format.
339 Transmission Line ROW (North Cedar Swamp) DEP File No 270-0729
Mr. Flynn reviewed the application that was presented by Travis Yandow of BSC Group at
the previous meeting. National Grid plans to drill two soil borings by structure 95, which is
located between Haverhill Street and Sevinor Road in Lynnfield, for the purpose of future
engineering design and construction planning. The borings will be four to six inches in
diameter which will affect two square feet of bordered vegetated wetland during the project.
There will be 19,000 square feet of construction matting used to protect the ground from
the heavy machinery that will need to access the site. The matting may be used for a
longer duration if it is needed to access other sites. The Commission requested a condition
that only potable water be used for drilling.
Motion to issue Order of Conditions 270-0729 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms.
Scanlon. Vote 6-0-0.
259 & 267 Main Street DEP File No. 270-0727
Continued until May 13, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0727 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Moore. Vote 6-
0-0.
Page I 1
0 Haverhill Street DEP File No. 270-0728
Continued until May 13, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0728 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote
6-0-0.
30 Glenmere Circle RGB File No. 2020-1
Continued to May 13, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Motion to continue RDA 2020-1 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-
0-0
181 South Street DEP File No. 270-TBD
Applicant Thomas Wise presented his proposal to install an inground swimming pool. The
entire property is within the 200-foot riverfront area. The area for the proposed pool is
along the 100-foot line. The existing fence will be replaced with a 6-foot privacy fence and
will follow the same footprint. Two trees will be removed from the yard to allow for
construction equipment and pool decking, and one bramble tree will be removed from the
slope just beyond the fence. Soil excavated for the pool will be used to level the area where
the two trees are to be removed. The Commission discussed infiltration and requested a
small planting bed to slow down storm water runoff or pervious pool decking be used
instead of concrete. The Commission requested a plan that includes the patio and planting
plan.
Motion to close the Public Hearing by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote
6-0-0.
Motion to issue Order of Conditions with the condition that the applicant return at
the May 13, 2020 meeting with a landscape plan and sufficient mitigation to offset
the impervious surface of the pool decking by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms.
Scanlon. Vote 6-0-0.
Track Road (near 74 Track Road) DEP File No. 270-0730
Mr. Tirone opened the Public Hearing. Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, explained that the
Town applied with MassDOT for a $500,000 grant to replace a small bridge on track Road
that spans Walkers Brook. The decking on the current bridge is deteriorating and there are
issues with the abutment and guardrails which are not up to code for driving. AECOM has
been hired as the design consultant for the project. The proposed new bridge will be
widened to 101/2 feet wide with upgraded guardrails to bring the bridge up to the current
standard. The sewer crossing that currently goes through the bridge will be relocated down
Track Road to Line Road. Some vegetation will need to be cut including one red maple and
three black cherry trees in one area, and a black cherry tree and two red oak trees in the
Flood storage area. New trees, shrubs, and new England conservation seed mix are
proposed for replacements. Twenty-six square feet of land at the outlet will be filled by rip
rap. The length of the bridge will be expanded from 14 feet to 25, with 51/2 feet added to
each end. The new deck will be approximately three inches lower, but the widening of the
culvert should provide enough flood storage in the event of a 100-year storm.
The Commission requested a condition that during construction the contractor shall monitor
the three-day forecast in case of any storms arising. They requested modifications to the
plan that address the rip rap area, the detail of tree locations, and planting plan.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0730 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote
6-0-0.
Old/New Business,
Request to Satisfactorily close out the Order of Conditions for 26 Milepost Road,
Dimeo
Page 1 2
Engineer Jack Sullivan provided documentation on October 10, 2019 that the site was
substantially in compliance with the Order of Conditions with the pool, walkway, and
landscaping according to the approved plan, noting that the only deviation was the retaining
wall and aluminum fence encroaching in the 25-foot wetland zone. When the Commission
reviewed the plan, they found that the approved plan and as-built plan were not in
agreement. At the final site visit with Mr. Tirone, Ms. Moore, and Mr. Saccone in
attendance, it was discovered that two dogwood trees, and one blueberry bush which were
included in the planting plan along the 25-foot line were never planted. The new plan
agreed upon by the Commission and the applicant includes: removing the last row of sod to
plant new shrubs; fortifying the steep bank with 16 shrubs and using fabric to prevent
erosion; and planting more shrubs and two dogwood trees down the slope. The trampoline
will be moved or thrown away. Mr. Dimeo stated that he hopes to complete the work this
spring if the landscaper is available.
Enforcement Order — Perfecto's:
Mr. Saccone noted that the fence with rope has remained in place. Mr. Tirone stated that
the Commission will continue to monitor for the next few months, then decide if the
enforcement order can be lifted when it is certain that the fence will stay in place.
i6 IIs:
Mr. Tirone presented the final bill from Horsley Witten for the Howard Street third party
review in the amount of$758.25. He noted that there are still some funds left over in the
account and expressed appreciation at the great job Horsley Witten did.
Motion to approve payment of Horsley Witten invoice in the amount of $758.25 by
Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
Minutes for Aooroval:
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 26, 2020 by Mr. Pinette,
seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 6-0-0.
Motion to approve the meeting minutes of March 11, 2020 by Ms. Scanlon,
seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 6-0-0.
Last minute reminders:
Mr. Tirone explained the current functions and abilities of Town departments to process
permits and applications during the pandemic.
Motion to adjourn by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 6-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:32pm.
Page 1 3