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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-08 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading RECEIVED X Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK c'. FAA. .u.L 228 NOV 12 AM 11: 13 Board - committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2020-01-08 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, Bob Hayes, David Pinette, Carl Saccone; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: None Others Present: Bill Sullivan, John Gillis, Mark Sieger, Andy Bramhall, John Sullivan Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: Mr. Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:00pm 135. 139. & 149R Howard Street DEP File No. 270-0714 Continued until February 12, 2020 at the applicant's request. Motion to continue NOI 270-0714 to February 12, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Hayes. Vote 4-0-0. Mr. Saccone arrived at 7:02pm. Old/New Business: Town Forest Minor Plan Change Bill Sullivan of the Town Forest Committee presented an amendment to the RDA. There are two sections of a trail where there are deep ditches that were deemed safety hazards by Assistant Fire Chief Paul Jackson. It could also be further damaged with the large trucks using the trail for the thinning project. Mr. Hayes left at 7:08pm. The DPW would like to fill the depressions with stone to bring them to grade. Motion to approve the Minor Plan Change by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 4-0-0. 364 Lowell Street DEP File No. 270-0675 Continued to February 12, 2020 at the applicant's request. Motion to continue NOI 270-0675 to February 12, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 4-0-0. Old/New Business: Veterans Way Mr. Tirone explained the proposed Minor Plan Change for Lot 4. Because the developer was unable to get gas on the street, each house will now need a liquid propane tank. An underground propane tank is proposed outside the 35-foot buffer area, and 50 feet from the house per Fire Department regulations. Page 1 1 Motion to approve Minor Plan Change by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 4-0-0. Old/New Business: 16 Bolton Street — Reauest for Certificate of Compliance DEP File No. 270-0427 The current owner is selling the property. He had done work, for which the Commission had signed a Certificate of Compliance. However, the real estate attorney found an existing Order of Conditions that was outstanding and had not been closed out. Luckily, no work had been done, so the Commission can sign off on a Certificate of Compliance checking off that no work had started. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. Old/New Business: 97 Batchelder Road — Reauest for Certificate of Compliance Mr. Tirone reviewed the site visit he took on December PI with Mr. Flynn and Mr. Pinette. The grass was established and turf rolled out, the fence and granite bounds were in place, and the high bush blueberries were counted. The stream needs to be kept free from debris to prevent a blockage. They observed some small sticks and twigs, and some trash and bottles beyond the fence. John Gillis, the property owner, was present and stated that he had cleaned up the cans and bottles, and removed sticks from the water. He has not yet been able to raise the granite bounds, and may not be able to do that until spring. The Commission agreed that the height of the bounds is not a reason to hold up the Certificate of Compliance, as all other conditions were met. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 4-0-0. Old/New Business: Reading Rifle & Revolver Club DEP File No. 270-0678 Mark Sieger of Alan Engineering was present on behalf of the Reading Rifle & Revolver Club to request a one-year extension on the order of conditions set to expire on February 22, 2020. There are some minor things that still need to be done for mitigation after removing some trees. Due to the weather, some plantings cannot be completed until the spring. Motion to approve a one-year extension for Order of Conditions 270-0678 to February 22, 2021 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 4-0-0. 0 Haverhill Street DEP File No. 270-0728 Continued until February 12, 2020 at the applicant's request. Motion to continue NOI 270-0728 to February 12, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. Mr. Tirone noted that he received a call from Mike Gable inquiring about this project who said he would call Steve Ericksen or Maureen Harold of Norse Environmental. Mr. Gable is following the project so he can file a timely appeal. Administrator's Report: Ash Street Oil Spill Mr. Tirone stated that he received a call from the Fire Department about a hydraulic line on a Casella waste management truck that spilled nine gallons of hydraulic fluid. Most of the spill Flowed into a storm drain that was about 35-40 feet away. The waste management company setup some booms and put down some absorbent material to clean up the spill. Absorbent "snakes" were placed on the storm drain to absorb more fluid that had drained into it. Mr. Tirone stated that he contacted an Environmental professional from RMLD who was onsite to get further information, but he had not yet heard back. Ms. Scanlon asked Mr. Tirone to continue to monitor the clean-up and update the Commission on the outcome of the spill. Off Symonds Way. Reading Rifle & Revolver Club DEP File No. 270-0678 Mark Sieger of Alan Engineering reviewed the original Order of Conditions to construct a new range and add some separating walls to create three major ranges. As work progressed, they encountered significant management and repair to the berm in the buffer zone. The proposal is to modify the plan to just one added range. This reduces impact to the buffer zone and wetland area and it will not require removal of any vegetation. Page 1 2 Motion to approve the minor plan change for Reading Rifle & Revolver Club by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. 1503 & 1505 Main Street DEP File No. 270-0704 & 270-0705 Mr. Tirone reviewed the site walk he took with Mr. Flynn and Mr. Pinette and noted that the site was very clean with no debris, dumpsters, trucks, or other staging. Trees had been cut. Foundations were in place. Lot A in the back had no issues. However, Lot B moved closer than originally planned to the wetland line. Andy Bramhall of Benchmark Survey was present to review the minor plan change. The rendering of the foundation changed a number of times and a CAD Technician accidentally grabbed an earlier version of the file. As a result, the foundation was shifted four feet from the approved plan toward the buffer zone. Mr. Hayes returned to the meeting at 7:53pm. Though the foundation is four feet off, it is still at least 35 feet away from the bordered vegetated wetland. Mr. Flynn reviewed the site visit and noted that there is a cutout for a doorway in the back of the house for a basement walkout. There are also trees leaning toward the area of the foundation that may be affected when framing the house. The Commission discussed the effect the shifted foundation may have on the proposed patio and its proximity to the buffer zone. They agreed that four items caused concern: the tree, the back door, the patio, and the grading that may be needed for the patio. Motion to approve the minor plan change upon receipt by the Commission of a letter from the owner noting any changes to the plan including grading, the landing, or the pathway to the existing door in the back, by Mr. Saccone, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. New Members Mr. Flynn announced that he received notification that the Conservation Commission has five new members: two full members and three associate members. Newly appointed member, John Sullivan, was present, but not yet sworn in. Mr. Sullivan introduced himself to the Commission members and provided a brief history of his experience and background. Enforcement Order: Perfecto's Mr. Tirone stated that after sending the enforcement order via certified mail, engineer Matt Gabriel called to find out what he needed to do. Following the conversation, Perfecto's put up a chain with a sign that said "No Parking" and placed haybales to the left of the dumpster. Once the snow melts this weekend, they will likely add more haybales on the right side of the dumpster to ensure that only three cars park there as allowed. Mr. Tirone noted that Mr. Gabriel indicated that the owner does not have $35,000 available for additional site improvements as required by the Planning Board including: installation of vertical granite curbing, regrading of the area next to the dumpster, and additional infiltration. Minutes for Approval Motion to approve meeting minutes from December 11, 2019 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Vote 5-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Mr. Flynn reminded Commission members of the upcoming Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) conference at Holy Cross on February 29, 2020, and encouraged everyone who is able to attend. Motion to adjourn by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Vote 5-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:58pm. Page 1 3