HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-11 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading kIt- EIVcU
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council: "411 NUV 12 AM 11: 14
Conservation Commission
Date: 2020-03-11 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 Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, David Pinette, Martha
Moore, John Sullivan; Associate Members: Scott Keefe, Nichola Meserve ;
Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator
Members - Not Present:
Bob Hayes, Carl Saccone, Associate Tay Evans-Rhoads
Others Present:
Travis Yandow, Jamie Majea, Maureen Herald, Andy Street
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
229 Transmission Line Right of Way (North Cedar Swamp) — NOI 270-0729
Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. Travis Yandow of BSC Group presented the
application to conduct geotechnical soil borings for the purpose of engineering design and
future work on the transmission line. The proposal is to drill two soil borings at structure
95, which is located between Sevinor Road in Lynnfield and Haverhill Street in Reading.
Each boring will be 4-6 inches in diameter. A two square foot area of bordering vegetated
wetland will be temporarily impacted for each boring. There will be 19,017 square feet of
temporary construction matting used to access the site. New England Power plans to follow
MassDEP best management practices including: backfilling the holes using the existing soils
that are drilled out, erosion control, and sediment control. The borings at structure 95
should only take one to two days each. The matting may need to remain in place a little
longer if needed to access other sites, but will be removed as soon as work is complete.
The Commission requested a condition that potable water be the only Fluid used for drilling.
Motion to close the Public Hearing for NOI 270-0729 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by
Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
259 & 257 Main Street — NOI 270-0727
Continued to March 25, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on a site walk he took with Ann Marton, the third-party
reviewer for the project, and applicants Joe Penza and Dave Cowell. They reviewed the flag
locations, areas proposed to be filled, areas that were historically filled, and talked about
plantings and restoring the bank. Ms. Marton might be able to attend the next meeting on
March 25th.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0727 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote
5-0-0.
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0 Haverhill Street — NOI 270-0728
Continued to March 25, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0728 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-
0-0.
Old/New Business:
270-0714 Order of Conditions, 135, 139 & 149R Howard Street
Mr. Tirone reviewed the order of conditions and noted that all suggested changes were
incorporated. The Commission briefly reviewed street sweeping and Town maintenance of
the right of way in the operations and maintenance plan, and the use of the 15-foot area at
the end of the cul-de-sac that will provide snow storage.
Motion to issue Order of Conditions 270-0714 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr.
Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
270-0675 Amended Order of Conditions, 364 Lowell Street
Mr. Tirone reviewed the amended order of conditions as approved by the Commission. Ms.
Moore noted that there was leaf debris that appeared to have been raked down the
embankment. Mr. Tirone stated that he would check it out.
Motion to issue amended Order of Conditions 270-0675 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded
by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
Request to Satisfactorily Close Out the Order of Conditions for 26 Milepost Road,
Dimeo
Mr. Tirone stated that he has not yet met with the applicant. He and Mr. Saccone are
planning a visit with the applicant to pick species, determine where to plant them, and work
with the family to come to a conclusion.
Administrator's Report:
"No Dumping" Sign Approval
Mr. Tirone stated that "No Dumping" signs will cost $45 each. The signs will say "No
Dumping per order of the Conservation Commission," and will reference the regulations that
impose fines. The Commission discussed and identified six areas that could use the signs
including: Pinevale Conservation Area, Maple Street, Center Avenue, Sanborn Lane, Henzie
Street and Criterion Street. Four additional signs will be available for other areas as they
are identified. Signs at other locations on Town property, as opposed to Conservation
property, will need permission and may require Select Board approval.
Motion to buy ten "No Dumping" Signs by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Flynn. Vote
5-0-0.
ME
Mr. Tirone presented a water bill for $19.71 for Pearl Street.
Motion to approve payment of $19.71 to the Town of Reading by Mr. Pinette,
seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0.
Last Minute Reminders:
MACC
Ms. Moore and Ms. Scanlon reviewed their visit to the MACC Conference at Holy Cross and
recent courses they attended. Highlights they shared included: buffer zone guidebook,
workshops on climate change threats, and wetland protection in the buffer zone. Additional
courses and webinars are available.
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Charles Lawn Cemetery
Mr. Tirone notified the Commission earlier in the day via email about work that had been
done by the DPW within the buffer zone at Charles Lawn Cemetery. Ms. Moore was able to
visit the site and shared photos of a tree that had been cut, and an area that used to have
three cement structures that had been removed. Mr. Tirone explained that he was not
notified by the DPW or the Tree Warden that this work was going to be done, and does not
know why it was done. Mr. Flynn stated that he would meet with the Tree Warden and DPW
Director to discuss the situation.
MVP
Mr. Tirone explained the MVP (Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness) study that is being
conducted by Weston &Sampson. Members of the Commission, and other community
members, received invitations to the workshop where they will be able to share information
they may have about the Town, such as areas that are known to flood. The program can
help get grants to fix issues such as Flooding on Willow Street.
Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Vote S-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.
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