HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-26 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading RECcIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
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Conservation Commission
Date: 2020-02-26 Time: 7:30 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, David Pinette, Martha Moore, Vice Chair Annika
Scanlon, John Sullivan; Associate Members: Nichola Meserve, Tay Evans-
Rhoads; Conservation Administrator, Chuck Tirone
Members - Not Present:
Carl Saccone, Bob Hayes
Others Present:
Marie Kleponis, Janice Hart, Pauline Mastronardi, Josh Latham, Chuck
Castelluccio, Judy Coltman, Maureen Herald, Andy Street, Jamy Madeja,
Kevin Greenwood, Suzanne Alged, Leah Harrington, Jay Shatto, Steve
Dodge, David Jamusun, Jesse DiMeo, Just Basted, Bill Manuel,
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone
Topics of Discussion:
Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
135. 139 & 149R Howard Street — NOI 270-0714
Mr. Flynn recapped the history of the application and requested plan changes. Andy Street
of Civil Design Consultants addressed the concerns raised by the Commission and reviewed
the most recent changes to the plan. An underdrain was added to the infiltration basin in
lot 4. Walls and a driveway on lot 4 were eliminated. A retaining wall on lot 3 was modified
and pulled out of the 35-foot zone. The slope at the end of the cul-de-sac was regraded to
3:1 without disturbing the 25-foot zone of natural vegetation. The area between the
pavement of the right-of-way and the curbing is 15 feet and pitched toward the roadway, so
it can hold snow, and the 3:1 slope will provide infiltration. An operation and maintenance
plan was prepared for each lot, which includes how to maintain the new drywell system.
The O&M for lot 4 specifically mentions that the Town will be responsible for maintaining the
infiltration basin. Lots with swales mention that the swales should not be disturbed. Mr.
Street noted that the Town Engineer has approved, the Community Planning and
Development Commission has approved, and they have addressed all of Horsley Witten's
concerns.
The Commission requested that additional information be included in the O & M plans:
management of the pipe inlet on lot 2 and pipe outlet on lot 3 to remain clear of debris and
should not be altered; and the infiltration basin on lot 4 will be maintained by the Town and
shall contain no structures, shall not be altered in any way, and residents should contact
DPW or Conservation Division if they have questions.
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Suzanne Algeri of 149 Howard Street asked how the Town will be expected to maintain the
infiltration basin. Mr. Flynn and Mr. Street confirmed that the 0 & M plan will provide
guidance on haw to maintain it. Mr. Tirone asked who will be responsible for its
maintenance prior to the street being accepted by the Town. Ms. Madeja stated that it will
be the responsibility of whoever owns the land and the Order of Conditions should be
drafted knowing there is a period of time the land is not the responsibility of the DPW.
At the request of the Commission, Mr. Street further explained the function of the
underdrain in the detention basin. It is a perforated pipe that will attach to the concrete
tank as overflow. It will have a valve that will impact the amount of water that goes into
the wetland, helps get water out and maintain its function. It is designed to drain a
maximum of 72 hours following a rain event.
Jay Shatto of 66 Wescroft Road asked about the figures used in stormwater calculations.
The Commission explained that the figures come from the stormwater estimates on 20-year
and 100-year storms. The Engineering department has the best understanding of the
overall Town drainage system and is able to advise whether the proposed drainage meets
the stormwater standards. Judy Coltman of 18 Milton Road asked if trees would be
replanted in kind. The Commission explained they ask that the trees be replaced according
to the tree policy.
Motion to close NOI 270-0714 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-
1 with Ms. Moore abstaining.
364 Lowell Street — NOI 270-0675
Bill Manuel of Wetland & Land Management was present with Steve Dodge, the project
builder, and Jamison Properties, the applicant. Mr. Manuel previously proposed a basement
egress with a small deck on the wetland side of the house which the Commission did not
approve of. The new proposal puts a smaller egress on the cellar level with a 3 1/2 foot
concrete retaining wall and 4-5 steps down to a pervious landing in front of the door. A line
of shrubs would be added from the detention basin to the retaining wall to create a natural
boundary. The builder has an interested buyer who is aware of the Commission's concerns
and would like to further add a fenced in area on the Lowell Street side of the house with a
small patio off the porch, which would be usable outdoor space.
The Commission requested that the plantings from the detention pond extend to the corner
of the house, and grow to at least 5 feet high. Because the new proposed egress
encroaches on the 25-foot zone, the applicant will need to pay an additional fee of $72.50
and submit a write-up for the amended variance.
Motion to close the hearing for an amended Order of Conditions for NOI 270-0675
by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0.
259 & 267 Main Street — NOI 270-0727
The Commission reviewed the quotes from Horsley Witten and LEC to conduct a third-party
review of the project. At the last meeting, the Commission and the applicant agreed to the
third-party review due to DEPS concerns with filling in wetlands, the applicant's offer and
the Commission's desire to improve the site. The Commission agreed that both quotes were
great, but agreed that LEC had an additional site visit, more favorable timetable, and is
more closely located in neighboring Wakefield. Josh Latham, counsel for the applicant,
stated that there are no objections to the scope of work, and noted a preference to select
LEC, as the timing seems better.
Motion to select LEC as the third-party consultant for NOI 270-0727 by Ms.
Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
Mr. Flynn stated that the Town has not yet received the application fee of $51,000. The fee
and the funds for the third-party consultant will need to be received before the application
can continue.
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Ms. Scanlon noted that there is an existing Conservation Restriction from 1982 on part of
267 Main Street. Mr. Latham explained that it was related to a project that was subject to
redevelopment, but the entire application was withdrawn. The Commission asked Mr.
Latham to research the matter further and find out if the conservation restriction is valid.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0727 to March 11, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by
Ms. Moore. Vote 5-0-0.
0 Haverhill Street — NOI 270-0728
Continued until March 11, 2020 at the applicant's request.
Motion to continue NOI 270-0728 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote
5-0-0.
Old/New Business:
Certificate of Compliance (COC) 270-0697 Request to satisfactorily close out the
Order of Conditions for 26 Milepost Road, Dimeo
Mr. Flynn reviewed the site visit he took with Mr. Tirone and Ms. Moore to review the
project. The patio extends further toward the concrete bound, some plantings did not
survive, the area between the 35-foot and 25-foot zone of natural vegetation had been
mowed, and there was a trampoline inside the 25-foot zone. The Commission requested
that the applicant replace the missing and dead plantings, move the trampoline out of the
25-foot zone, and allow the area between the 35-foot zone and 25-foot zone to return to
natural vegetation. Mr. Tirone will revisit the applicants to work with them to restore the
area according to the approved plan.
Administrator's Report:
"No Dumping" Sian Approval:
Mr. Tirone stated that he received a quote for ten white and red "No Dumping" signs for the
Town-owned area on Longfellow Road. He will have an example at the next meeting for the
Commission to look at. The Engineering department will install the signs. Mr. Tirone has
scheduled a meeting with the homeowner of 50 Longfellow Road to talk about his plan to
remove a shed from within the Commission's jurisdictional area to the front of his house.
Minutes:
Motion by Mr. Pinette to approve the meeting minutes of February 12, 2020,
seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 5-0-0.
Last Minute Reminders:
Mr. Tirone stated that Keolis is conducting their vegetation management through June 30th.
The company will spray weed control along the tracks and cut down all the trees growing in
their easement. Mr. Tirone marked some areas that he asked them not to spray due to
their proximity to streams and wetlands. However due to federal commerce laws, the
Commission does not have jurisdiction over their work.
Ms. Scanlon stated that MassDOT is about to conduct road work on Route 28 (Main Street)
for a road diet. The road will be reduced from two to one travel lane in each direction with
bike lanes added. One central turn lane will be created to be used by both sides.
Mr. Tirone stated that Perfecto's still has the chain to prevent parking between the
dumpster and the building.
Ms. Moore asked for clarification as to why the Commission was not able to charge the
applicants of Milepost for the encroachment of their patio into the 25-foot buffer zone. Mr.
Flynn stated that fees would be assessed on an amended Order of Conditions. However,
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the applicant did it without notifying the Commission and were caught. Mr. Tirone will
revisit the site and work with the applicant to see what can be done.
Motion to adjourn by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0.
Meeting adjourned at 10:40pm.
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