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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-28 Conservation Commission Minutes Town of Reading TOWN CL EU Meeting Minutes iz�tt_.l nK oa.oa 2021 MAY -5 Board - Committee - Commission - Council: AN 11: 43 Conservation Commission Date: 2020-11-28 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting of the Version: Final Conservation Commission Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Scott Keefe, Martha Moore, David Pinette, John Sullivan; Associate Members: Tay Evans, Nichola Meserve; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone Others Present: lack Sullivan, Beth Shurland, Mike & Deb, Catherine Svirsky, Derek & Cristina Prior, Alex Rozycki, Barry, Rick Devaner, Will Finch Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde & Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Michael Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm. 1312 Main Street Mao 51 Lots 79 83 DEP File No 270-0738 Jack Sullivan of Sullivan Engineering was present with applicant Beth Shurland. Members of the Commission had visited the site with Mr. Tirone and Steve Eriksen of Norse Environmental. The Commission expressed concern that an area with a low depression beyond the existing gravel parking lot might be a wetland. Mr. Sullivan explained why Mr. Eriksen did not agree based on vegetation present in the area and soil samples. Mr. Tirone noted that there was a difference between the 2019 aerial photo and the current size of the parking area. The parking area appeared to have been expanded, but should have come before the Commission due to Its proximity to the wetland. Ms. Shurland stated that there was a fence there and it was not expanded. Gravel was put down for parking, but no trees or brush were removed. That is the way it has been since she bought the property. The Commission discussed having a third party review of the area in question. The applicant was concerned about further delays. With winter coming, snow on the ground could make it more difficult to identify plant species. If the area is deemed a wetland, It will mean changes to the design by moving the parking area to the front of the building, which CPDC does not want. But Ms. Shurland and Mr. Sullivan agreed that the project would need a third party review in order to move forward. The Commission agreed to send out requests for bids to consultants so that they can be reviewed and selected at the next meeting. Page I I Catherine Svirsky of 44 Chapel Hill Drive asked some questions about the project. She asked for clarification about the street number and noted that in the corner of 1310 Main Street, there is a vernal pool according to the National Heritage website. She expressed concern that rain might go directly Into the vernal pool. Mr. Flynn explained that the wetlands are delineated and the Commission has jurisdiction within 100 feet of wetland areas. The primary area on this project is on the property labeled 1310. But if drainage from 1312 drains into 1310,the Commission has the right to observe and identify how it may impact the wetlands, so they are reviewing the project as a whole. The Commission will also look into the location of the vernal pool. Ms. Svirsky also asked about lighting. Mr. Flynn stated that the Commission does look at how light shines into the protected area, but lighting further away from the wetland area is not part of the Commission's jurisdiction. Motion to continue NOI 270-0738 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Keefe. Roll call 11 vote 4-0-0. Right of Way by Rail Line, RDA 2020-11 Continued at the applicant's request. Motion to continue by Mr. Keefe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 4-0-0. 31 Lilah Lane Mao 56 Lots 36 RDA 2020-12 lack Sullivan was present with applicants, Cristina and Derek Prior, requesting to remove trees from within the 100-foot buffer zone. They are seeking permission to cut down eight trees, grind the stumps, and provide plantings to mitigate the tree removal. They also want to install a chain link fence enclosure for their dog. They are very concerned with the size of the trees and their proximity to the house. The Commission expressed concern with removing a tree inside the 25-foot zone, which the homeowners agreed to keep. One of the trees is on a neighbor's property, for which the applicants have a letter of agreement from the abutting property owner. Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Moore arrived at 8:30 pm. To be consistent with similar requests that have been made in the past, the Commission requested a letter from a certified arborist with an assessment of the trees and a good reason to remove them. Mr. and Mrs. Prior explained that they had a couple of arborists come out, and both said that the trees are not diseased and could not write such a letter. But the Commission explained that a certified arborist would be able to make a judgement with regards to safety of the house and health of the trees. The applicants agreed to call around to arborists for a letter. Motion to approve fence construction by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Motion to continue Tree Removal process by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Flynn. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Old/New Business: Track Road Alex Rozycki of the Engineering Department was present with contractors Rick Devlin and Barry of AECOM to discuss the water pass plan for the track road bridge. The project started about a month ago. Wetland mitigation was put in, but four inches of rain fell the next week. Second erosion control was immediately needed and things were patched up. The water level has dropped about a foot and a half since then and conditions are becoming favorable for the next phase of the project. In order to install the lower part of the culvert, the water will need to be diverted. Cofferdams and sandbags will send the Flow of water to a pump near the edge of the road. Page 1 2 The flow will run across the road to the weir box. A dirt filter bag will be placed downstream to collect debris from the discharge. The work is scheduled for five days. The Commission expressed concern about the effect a rain event might have on the project and requested that the water control plan be amended to include if there is 1.5 inch of rain forecast for the 6-day work period, work will not commence, and add a turbidity curtain 30 feet downstream of the discharge. Motion to approve the water control plan as amended by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Maillet Conservation Update Will Finch of the Trails Committee was present to discuss the Mallet Conservation Area and request approval of a picnic table to be added to the north end of the meadow. The table would cost approximately $1,000, will be handicapped accessible, and placed at the north end of the meadow near a medium sized fruit tree. The Trails Committee is in the final stages of their grant project. Once they receive the materials, they will finish another 20 feet of bog bridge, and a small eight-inch high retaining wall to keep wood chips in place and prevent a side slope on the trail. The Commission briefly discussed added parking to promote use of the area. Motion to approve a picnic table for Maillet Conservation Area by Mr. Keefe, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. 17 Lenetta Lane, Lot 4 Two meetings ago, the Commission approved the Certificate of Compliance for 17 Lenetta Lane, Lot 4. Mr. Tirone stated that he received a request to release the $2,500 bond for Lot 4. Everything was in compliance when the Commission visited the site. Trees planted a year and a half ago looked fine. Motion to release the $2,500 bond for 17 Lenetta Lane, Lot 4 by Mr. Keefe, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 5-0-1 with Ms. Scanlon unable to vote due to connection issues. 30 Cheauessett Road Unauthorized Tree Removal Mr. Flynn stated that Mr. Saccone visited the site today and will send a memo to the Commission with his recommendations for replacement plantings. Birch Meadow Update Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Moore provided an update to the Commission from the recent meeting for the Birch Meadow Master Plan. The landscape architect introduced their proposed preliminary conceptual design. There are some existing issues with the Birch Meadow Complex including court floors in disrepair, poor and inconsistent signage, poor fencing, insufficient lighting and parking, poor stormwater management, and poor handicapped accessibility. Based on feedback from stakeholders, the highest needs are more parking, passive recreation, concession and restrooms, and more turf fields. The proposed list of things includes: artificial turf behind Coolidge Middle School, additional parking along Birch Meadow Drive at Imagination Station, Increased green space, plantings and walking paths, improvements to the track and turf at the High School stadium, additional turf field between turf 2 and Birch Meadow Drive, a soccer field and two softball fields, a concession building between turf 2 and Morton Field, additional lighting &pathways to Morton Field, dedicated batting cages, expanded RISE parking lot, added pickleball and basketball courts. They did not touch Castine Field, as it is jurisdictional wetland. The architect might be planning to present the proposal to the Select Board and the Conservation Commission in December. There is a concern about the turf field behind the Coolidge Middle School because the plan proposes to expand an existing play area. There is a vernal pool behind Coolidge and it is unknown how much they plan to expand, and how close it may be to the vernal pool. Page 1 3 1 They propose to improve stormwater control by installing an oil and water separator when they install the parking in the Imagination Station area. Currently, any rain goes over land and into the Aberjona River. The proposal is conceptual. There is no funding for any of it yet. But the idea is to lay out the plan, get it approved, then tackle one or two items at a time over a few years. Last Minute reminders Mr. Tirone noted that at the next meeting in December, the Commission will review and approve the meeting calendar for 2021. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Keefe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, Roll call vote 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:S7 pm. Page 1 4