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Home My WebLink About2021-01-13 Conservation Commission Minutes �� Town of Reading T�. CG7U�J Meeting Minutes 2021 MAY -5 KF ;_ h� CL��gK '•-,«<°..�°' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Aif jl: 4J Conservation Commission Date: 2021-01-13 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Version: Draft Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Scott Keefe, Martha Moore, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, John Sullivan; Associate Members: Tay Evans, Nichola Meserve; Chuck Tirane, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Steve Skeffington, Dave McBride, Jack Dolan, James Castellano Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirane Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Michael Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 1312 Main Street Mao 51 Lots 79.83. DEP File No. 270-0738 At the applicant's request, this hearing will be continued until January 27th. Mr. Tirane stated that he received a note from Ann Martin, the third party reviewer, on December 30v. Jack Sullivan, the engineer for the project, is putting together a plan based on Ms. Martin's comments. The plan will be sent to Mr. Tirane, Ms. Martin, and Norse Environmental. All will review the updated plan, work through any problems, then bring the revised plans back to the Commission, hopefully in time for the next meeting on January 27th. Motion to continue to January 270 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Old/New Business: COC 754 Pearl Street 270-90 RGB 1981-4 Mao 38, Lot 225. Dolan Several months ago, the homeowner, Ms. Dolan, was performing a title review and realized there was an outstanding Certificate of Compliance on the property. Mr. Tirane was finally able to access the archives, and discovered several copies of the COC that matched Ms. Dolan's copy. Mr. Tirane requested the commission authorize him to create a copy certificate to have notarized and sent to the Dolans so they can file it with the registry of deeds. Motion to authorize Mr. Tirane to create a certified copy by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Page 1 1 16 Border Road This piece of land was once considered undevelopable. An engineering company put it forward and built a house there. Beyond the perimeter of the foundation was supposed to be 15-20 feet of area that would be turned into grass, and beyond that is the 25-foot zone of natural vegetation. The property was sold to another developer that started construction, and encroached on the 25-foot ZNV turning five feet more into lawn than there should be on three sides. The builder and applicant added plants, but was unable to reestablish the volume and density of vegetation that was there prior to the disturbance. The applicant's attorney submitted a letter to Mr. Tirone indicating that the applicant has a buyer, and is asking the Commission to advise what is expected in the future and allow them to close on the property. The Commission is not being asked for a certificate of compliance, but for confirmation of what the outstanding issues are. Issues that were resolved include: the detention basin and how it worked, rain garden, fence installation, and propane. Outstanding issues include the placement of granite bounds and the success and growth of replacement plantings and seeds. The Commission agreed that the letter should Indicate that a majority of the work has been completed to the Commission's satisfaction, and list the most notable exceptions. The purpose of the letter is to satisfy the buyer and make him aware that he will be obligated to abide by the order of conditions in order to get a certificate of compliance. It also serves as a communication from the commission on the status of the order of conditions. Mr. Skiffington will stay on and ensure the project meets the requirements for a certificate of compliance. Motion to revise the letter as discussed and advise that Mr. Tirone sign it by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Enforcement: 1503 Main Street James Castellano, the developer for 1503 Main Street, was present for a discussion on how to address issues on the site. Mr. Tirone reviewed his visit to the site where he observed a tree had been removed and a retaining wall encroaching beyond the 35-foot line; trash, erosion, grading, and construction debris beyond the erosion control barrier; and an excessive amount of sediment built up along the erosion control barrier. A bond was never issued for this property, but the developer brought a cashier's check for $5,000 for bond. The Commission requested that the trash and debris beyond the erosion control line be cleaned up, the erosion control line placed where it was approved by the Commission, installation of a silt sack for additional erosion control in front of the existing barrier, a sketch of a planting plan to help recreate the habitat that was removed, and remove the portion of the retaining wall that encroaches beyond the 35-foot zone and regrade the area. The Commission scheduled a site visit for Wednesday, January 20th at 9:00 am to see the improvements, and view the other site at 1503 Main Street to see if there are any issues on that property. Mr. Castellano will come back before the Commission at the next meeting on January 27th to follow up. 103 Haverhill Street Mark and Cody Hall contacted Mr. Tirone about an issue with construction, and requested that the condenser originally approved at the right corner of the house, be moved to the center of the back of the house to provide a better mechanical hookup. The back of the house is along the 35-foot no-structure line. The Commission discussed and agreed that because the condenser was already encroaching on the 35-foot zone where it was approved, and would only require a 30"x30" crushed stone pad and minimal maintenance, that it would be ok as long as no walk out, or any other structures would be added to the back Page 12 yard. Mr. Tirone will contact the Halls to let them know they can make the change and complete the form. Perfecto's Report Mr. Pinette stated that he observed a silver Mercedes parked where it should not have been between the dumpster and the building because the chain had been removed for snow storage. Mr. Tirone noted that parking is a constant issue there, as the site just is not big enough. While there is other parking in the area, no one is sharing. He will contact the owner regarding the illegal parking and keep the site on the enforcement list. Old/New Business: Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting Following recent miscommunications with the DPW, Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tirone have scheduled a monthly meeting with DPW staff to review any plans for work in Conservation jurisdiction, and to establish better communication and coordination with the DPW. Mr. Flynn noted that adding one more Conservation Commission member to the meetings would be helpful and asked members to contact him and Mr. Tirone if interested. Conservation Commission Goals 2021 The Commission discussed adding goals to the next agenda to address items outside of regular hearings such as, DPW coordination, changes and clarifications to regulations, tree policy review, review of fees, create a funding source to support work such as Trails Committee requests and Scout projects. Once ideas are organized, a priority list and plan to accomplish each goal will be established. Last Minute Reminders: Ms. Moore noted that she was at Bare Meadow recently and noticed a large pine that had fallen, had been nicely cut up and pushed off to the side. Mr. Tirone stated that a big project for Cold Spring Road is coming before the Commission at the next meeting for an RDA. While it is a big project, only a small portion is in Conservation's jurisdiction. Ms. Scanlon announced that the Select Board meeting scheduled for February 2n4 has some agenda items that the Commission may want to be Involved in: Birch Meadow Recreation Plan, Open Space Plan, Maillet Land, and the DPW Tree Policy with Conservation. The Commission discussed attending and Mr. Tirone stated that he will post the Commission to attend that meeting. Mr. Tirone provided a brief update on the Birch Meadow Master Plan. There have been two staff meetings since the last public meeting. Some paths have been added back into the plan. There is a priority list established with three phases, and Mr. Tirone requested that Conservation be included in the final third. Paths and parking areas will be located in areas to guide people away from the protected areas. The projects will come before the Commission when the time comes for permitting. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 pm. Page 1 3