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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-10 Conservation Commission Minutes � OFq�o Town of Reading RECEIVED Is Meeting Minutes R TOWNn,�EER . ;�� ,,M1 �kr , PAA. "•^Maw•°' 2021NAr -s LIQ AMIi: 43 Board - committee - commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2021-03-10 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; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Associate Members: Tay Evans, Nichola Meserve Others Present: Jack Sullivan, Keith Zerfas, Andrea Morelli, Liam Sennett, Jeremy DePalma, Art Triglione, Catherine Pedemonte, Amy Ball, Jen Relstab, Jim Castellano, Nola Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Michael Flynn called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Public Hearings Scheduled: 27 Linnea Lane May 40 Lot 52 DEP File No. 270-TBD Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. lack Sullivan, the project's Engineer, was present with homeowner Keith Zerfas to present the plan. The homeowner would like to construct an addition, extend the driveway, and remove some trees, with all proposed work within the 100-foot buffer zone. There is a large isolated wetland on the abutting property. All work is outside of the 25-foot zone, and all structures are over 35-feet away from the wetland. Mr. Pinette disclosed that he is a close neighbor to the applicant, but that will not affect his ability to impartially review this application. Mr. Sullivan disclosed that he went to High School with both applicants and have known them a long time, but his familiarity with the applicants will not affect his impartiality. To the rear of the existing house is a deck with concrete below, which will be removed to make way for a new 18-foot x 18-foot addition. Off of the addition will be an 11-foot x 10- foot stamped concrete patio. To mitigate the impact of the addition, a 500-gallon drywell will be installed underground with 12 inches of crushed stone surrounding it to capture roof runoff. There are eight trees to be removed, with seven of them within the buffer zone. The applicant will need to come up with a planting plan to replace the trees being removed. The driveway will be expanded to make it two feet wider. Page i 1 At the front of the house is an existing platform with steps right at the 100-foot line, that are proposed to be removed and replaced with a 4-foot x 6-foot roofed entry with steps. A stamped concrete walkway from the steps to the street are also proposed, but that is outside of the 100-foot buffer zone. Erosion will be controlled with a 12-inch mulch sock backed with a silt fence that will run along the property line, outside the limit of work, and outside of the trees to be removed. An 18-inch retaining wall will be added to support the uphill side. Ms. Scanlon asked the reason why so many trees are proposed to be removed. Mr. Zerfas stated that the trees are old, were never cared for, and will need to be taken down at some point. He would like to re-work the backyard space and would like to take the trees down before they become a bigger issue. The Commission agreed that they would like to see a planting plan and proposal for replacement. Ms. Moore reviewed her visit to the site and noted that there are trees along the side of the house, closer to the street, and possibly outside the buffer zone, with a large amount of sticks and twigs against the trunks that could be compromising their roots. She also noted that there was a large piece of broken plastic, which may have been a composter, now lying on the ground. The Commission asked for any details of the project outside the buffer zone, including any other trees to be removed. Even though it is not within their jurisdiction, anything that is done outside the zone, could affect what happens in it, and they would like to have the full understanding. Liam Sennett of Elm Street, and member of the RMHS Environmental Club, suggested doing an evaluation of wildlife living in the trees proposed to be taken down, and see if there is a way to make sure they can be moved or taken care of before the trees are removed. Motion to continue 27 Linnea Lane by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 62 Gray Coach Road Mao 47 Lot 10 DEP File No 270-TBD Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. lack Sullivan was present with homeowner Arthur Triglione to propose a one-story addition and associated site grading within the 100-foot buffer zone. The Commission recently issued a Certificate of Compliance for previous restoration work. The small addition to the left side of the existing house abuts the 35-foot no structure zone. An existing stone wall in the front of the house might be disturbed when digging the foundation, but will be rebuilt. A 12-Inch wide by 18-inch deep crushed stone drip trench will be added along the side of the addition. The foundation of the addition will be the same depth as the existing foundation, and will have a walkout at grade level. There are no proposed pavers at the walkout. The addition is going on an area that is existing grass and there are no trees to be cut. The Commission agreed there were no requests for modifications to the plan. But because there is not yet a DEP File Number, and to give enough time for any other feedback, the Commission agreed to continue the hearing, and Mr. Tuone could begin to prepare the Order of Conditions. Motion to continue 62 Grey Coach Road by Mr. Plnette, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Old/New Business: Mystic River Watershed Mr. Tirone introduced the project team from Mystic River Watershed Association and Horsley Witten. The Mystic River Watershed is proposing to do some stormwater work in the Sommes and Morgan Land. Catherine Pedemonte from the Watershed Association, the Page 1 2 Project Manager, gave an overview of the MRWA of the project and why the proposed site was chosen. The project aims to make communities resilient in the face of climate change. The Resilient Mystic Collaborative Partnership was created with all of the municipalities in the watershed. In the last few years, the Association has secured $2.5 million in funding for regional resilience projects. The proposal is to create stormwater wetland to help manage flooding, reduce pollution, and create amenities for communities. There were over 450 sites throughout the watershed that were evaluated. Those were narrowed down to 18 sites based on factors such as hydrology, soil, public appetite, equity and environmental justice, and connectivity to other open space. The top three locations selected are located in Reading, Woburn, and Lexington. The proposed site in Reading is in the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan land surrounded by Willow Street and Lowell Street, through which the headwaters of the Aberjona River flow. Jen Relstab of Horsley Witten presented details of the project. The first part was the evaluation of field conditions and design. The second part, which is about to begin, is the field study, where Amy Ball and Ben Wollman of HW will visit the site to see if there are any concerns about dumping in materials, looking for invasive species, looking at habitat characterization and trees, and verifying wetland delineation. Following that, there will be soil borings intended to provide soil characterization, and do soil testing to check for contaminants. The goal of the design is to get stormwater storage and treatment in the uplands. The site plan is being developed now. There will be areas that will manage stormwater and treat it in the sediment forebay. The water would flow over land to various pools of various depths. The various depths and volumes will create different habitat for different vegetation and that vegetation will remove pollutants and create habitat. Boardwalks and ADA compliant paths would be added to allow people to see the Aberjona side and upland side, and see trees, vegetation and the bird sanctuary on the other side. A small parking lot with a turnaround would be attached to the bottom of the existing path. Existing mature trees will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. The Town is in the process of notifying abutters with property lines within 300-feet of the work site. Also, to inform the community, the Town will be hosting a "Lunch and Learn" on March 30th, and hosting a public meeting on April 27th. Information on the project is also available on mysticriver.org/wetlands. Will Finch, member of the Trails Committee, was in attendance and expressed his support for the project on behalf of the Trails Committee. 1503 Main Street At the previous meeting, the Commission requested some work items be completed in order to issue a Certificate of Occupancy: receipt of bonds for both lots A and B, confirmation that new homeowners received the Order of Conditions, additional erosion control, removal of a portion of retaining wall encroaching beyond the 35-foot line, and providing a schedule to the Commission for the rest of the work to be completed. Mr. Tirone reviewed his visit to the site and shared photographs of where the rocks had been removed, but some loose soil and unauthorized fill remained within the 35-foot zone. James Castellano, the developer for the site, argued that the soil could not be regraded, as the ground was still frozen, and the small piece of equipment to remove the rocks was not powerful enough to regrade the remaining earth. The Commission did not agree that the site conditions and weather prevented some minor regrading and removal of the fill. The Commission explained two options. The first option is to remove the unauthorized fill from beyond the 35-foot line and regrade the area. The second option would be to apply Page 1 3 for a variance to allow the retaining wall and fill, though approval of a variance could not be promised. Ms. Scanlon made a motion to require the applicant to remove the soil that was placed within the 35-foot limits at a minimum as shown on the approved plans under the original order of conditions, which was seconded by Ms. Moore. The Commission discussed the work that would entail, as the grading on the plan includes more than just the area under the Commission's jurisdiction. After a brief discussion, Ms. Scanlon withdrew her motion and the commission agreed the preferred path forward would be remove the fill from inside the 35-foot line, and regrade according to the plan as it was approved by the Commission. MotionSaccone to approved grade the setbackss ass shown on the app Plan, with no fill beyond the 35-foot line, s seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Administrator's Report: 445 Pearl Street Mr. Tirone stated that he did not have a chance to prepare the violation notice but will prepare it and bring it to the next meeting for the Commission to review. This project will be discussed at the next meeting with the DPW. Emeroencv Permits: No emergency permits were issued. Enforcement: 30 Chequessett will need to be discussed as they are planting. The chain is still up at Perfecto's and it is assumed they are still not parking there. Minutes: None ready this week. Old/New Business Remi dn_e_rs: Mr. Tirone told [he Commission to expect 53 Arcadia Avenue, 18 Small Lane and 22 Small Lane to attend an upcoming meeting for Certificates of Compliance, as growing season is approaching. Reading Hemorial Hlah School Environmental Club O&A: The Q&A with the Reading Memorial High School Environmental Club was postponed to the next meeting, as many of the club members were no longer in attendance. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:35 pm. Pale 4