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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-24 Conservation Commission Minutes R E- iVEi) Town of Reading TOWN CLERK x Meeting Minutes R . * O; h!` AIA 2021 MAY -5AM II 43 Board - committee - Commission - Council: Conservation commission Date: 2021-03-24 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, John Sullivan, Scott Keefe, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, Martha Moore; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Associate Members: Tay Evans, Nichola Meserve Others Present: Jack Sullivan, Alexander Pancic, Scott Harris, ChiaYi Liang, Mike and Emily Monagle, 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 7:00pm. Public Hearings Scheduled: 27 Linnea Lane Map 40 Lot 52 DEP File No 270-0742 Mr. Flynn reopened the Public Hearing. The project proposes to construct an addition, a patio, and remove eight trees. At the last meeting, the Commission requested some minor changes to the plan and a planting and mitigation plan. Jack Sullivan, of Sullivan Engineering representing the homeowner, stated that following the discussion at the last meeting, the homeowner no longer plans to remove any trees. Originally, the plan showed a drywell to be installed, but due to the high water table, the drywell was replaced by a crushed stone drip trench along the roof line of the proposed addition. The Commission was satisfied with the changes as presented and Mr. Tirone stated that he will prepare the Order of Conditions. Motion to close NOI 270-0742 and issue Order of Conditions by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 62 Grey Coach Road Map 47 Lot 10 DEP File No. 270-0743 Mr. Flynn reopened the Public Hearing. The Commission did not have any comments at the previous meeting, but the NOI did not yet have a file number. Motion to close NOI 270-0743 and issue Order of Conditions by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Discussion Items: aaee I i Reading Memorial High School Environmental Club O&A Reading Memorial High School Science Teacher, Alexander Pancic, was present on behalf of the Environmental Club. The Club is comprised of about eight students, and one of their objectives is to learn how environmental enforcement and action happens on a local level. Students from the Environmental Club were present at the last meting for a Q&A session with the Commission, however, other discussions ended late, and most of the members had to leave the meeting. So that the students could have time for homework, Mr. Pancic volunteered to bring their questions to the Commission for discussion: What exactly does the Reading Conservation Commission do? The main objective of the RCC is to review and permit work that is proposed within the wetland resource area, 100-foot buffer zone, and 200-foot riverfront buffer zone, in accordance with the Wetland Protection Act and Town of Reading bylaws. The authority of the Commission is granted by the Wetland Protection Act. The Commission also has care and custody of the conservation land in the Town, such as Birch Meadow, Maillet, and Pinevale. What are some things the Commission has done or achieved in the past? The Conservation Commission is engaged with a lot of items that have to do with environmental protection. The biggest achievement is protecting the resource areas. How was a project near a swamp permitted, like the Eaton-Lakeview project? How do you see building of complexes and condos in Town affecting those ecosystems? The Wetland Protection Act has a clause that allows work on projects that have soil that previously had something. The Eaton-Lakeview project was a redevelopment project on previously disturbed soils. Eaton Street previously had some houses and an active trucking company. There was a high berm in the back, and about 15 feet away was the stream, Walkers Brook. The stream was a straight channel that took a 90 degree turn, went down to Walkers Brook Drive, then took another 90 degree turn, and was determined to be a man-made canal. Because it was determined to be man-made, it lost some of Its jurisdictional bandwidth, so the 200-foot riverfront buffer did not apply. For redevelopment, the WPA only asks for an improvement over the existing conditions, and the development can get no closer to the wetlands. The biggest improvement with the Eaton-Lakeview project was with stormwater. The stormwater before would just runoff directly into the stream, which rendered it silt-filled, salt-filled, and mucky. Now the runoff is collected and cleaned through underground filtration systems before going into the stream. There is also a wall behind it that prevents any human traffic or human disturbance, preserving the open space and allowing it to grow wild. The project also had fewer environmental impacts, and reduced energy consumption by having a denser group of buildings and less land disturbance. The Commission's job is not to stop development, but to use the WPA and Town Bylaws to review and make conditions to bring the projects into compliance with each performance standard. What do you know about the kayak landing and rental place on the Ipswich River that is being talked about? The Town Forest Committee may be planning something. If it is just designating a spot to launch a kayak, the matter will not have to come before the Commission. If the rental facility is building something within the 100-foot buffer, the Conservation Commission would review the project. Ms. Moore suggested that the Environmental Club connect with the Town Forest Committee because they are planning an anniversary celebration in September, which may be a good opportunity for students to get involved. Mr. Pancic stated that they plan to walk the forest with the Committee this weekend. Page 1 2 Public Hearings Continued: 550 West Street Mao 25 Lot 2 RGB File No. RDA 2021-2 Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. Homeowner Scott Harris is proposing to remove 109 trees from the side and rear of his property. All work is within the 100-foot buffer and 200- foot riverfront zone. The trees range from 8-inches in diameter to 32-inches in diameter. Some are split, some have already come down. Mr. Harris stated that the trees are all extremely tall, and a safety concern for his family. Last summer, he had to replace the roof on his shed after a large branch fell through it. Last winter a tree fell onto his neighbor's property, damaging a deer fence that separates the properties. During heavy storms, the trees drop branches everywhere. Mr. Harris does not yet have a replanting plan, but was hoping to get some guidance from the Commission. The Commission expressed shock at the quantity, and agreed that a site visit would be necessary to assess all of the trees proposed to be removed. Mr. Harris is working with Mayer Tree Service, and Dan Mayer offered to prepare a report on the condition of the trees. Depending upon how many trees Mr. Harris still would like to remove following the site visit, the Commission will advise him at the next Commission meeting whether a Notice of Intent might be needed. The Commission scheduled a visit to the site for Wednesday, March 31st at 3:30 pm. Motion to continue RDA 2021-2 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 11 Veterans Way, Mao 51 Lot 165 RGB File No. RDA 2021-3 Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. Applicant ChiaY1 L1ang 1s proposing to install a fence around the two sides and back of his house. All work is within the 100-foot buffer zone. Mr. Liang stated that he has two small children, and has seen coyotes and foxes roaming the wooded area behind his house. The fence will follow the 35-foot line along the back side. The sides will be solid white panels, and the back fence will be a picket style fence that will allow for passage of wildlife. There is a drainage easement to the west side of the house, however, the Engineering Department does not allow fences on an easement. The Commission agreed that there is no issue with the fence, but the Engineering Department needs to approve of the location to ensure it is not installed in the easement. Motion to issue negative determination contingent upon Information from the Engineering Department by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6- 0-0, as Ms. Scanlon lost her connection to the meeting. 67 Belmont Street Mao 28 L^* 24 DEP File No. 270-0744 Mr. Flynn opened the Public Hearing. Jack Sullivan was present with homeowners Michael and Emily Monagle to present their application to construct an addition and deck with site grading. The lot, created in 1939, is almost entirely within the 200-foot riverfront area. It has a single family house with a breezeway and one-car garage. The owners would like to demolish the one-car garage and breezeway and construct an attached two-car garage with living space to the rear. All work will be outside of the 100-foot riparian buffer zone, but all work will be within the 200-foot riverfront, and a portion of the work within the 100-foot buffer of bordered vegetated wetlands. Norse Environmental performed the wetland delineation. There is riverbank to the rear of the site and bordered vegetated wetland towards the midpoint of the site. The closest point of the proposed addition is a little more than 85 feet away from the BVW. There is one mature tree that will be removed, as digging the foundation and relocating the bulkhead access to the basement will damage the roots. The homeowners are proposing replacement with a 2.5-inch caliper red maple tree right at the limit of the 35-foot no structure zone towards the midpoint of the lot. There will be a 12-inch diameter mulch sock backed by silt fencing placed along the limit of work line. Page 1 3 A 1,000 gallon drywell with crushed stone will collect and infiltrate roof runoff from the proposed addition. The total impervious area to be added is 869 square feet, with 2,400 square feet total proposed impervious area within the riverfront area. The total riverfront area is 33,858 square feet. The performance standard allows up to 10% impervious area, which would be 3,385 square feet. Ms. Moore and Mr. Pinette noted that they visited the site and agreed that the proposal seems straightforward. The Commission briefly discussed the riverfront performance standard. Because the lot predates the Riverfront Act, Mr. Sullivan stated that he believes that all of the requirements are met. It is a combination of redevelopment and development where the existing garage and breezeway are being demolished and replaced, and a section of grass is being developed. The addition is still outside of the 100-foot inner riparian zone, and the closest point is 180 feet away. The Commission also noted it is a good opportunity to improve the area and add more plantings by the 35-foot line. Mr. Sullivan noted that he would speak with the homeowners and come back to the Commission with some planting Ideas to restore the vegetated area between the 25-foot and 35-foot buffer zones. Motion to continue NOI 270-0744 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Old/New Business: COC Request 270-0732, 48 Pasture Road, Ciccariello Mr. Tirone stated that there was just one change. The runoff from the roof went in a different direction than they originally thought. The roof slopes from front to back, and not to the side, so the trench was only installed in the area where the roof drains. Three concrete bounds were installed on the 25-foot line. Mr. Tirone recommended that the Commission approve the COC. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance for 48 Pasture Road by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0, as Ms. Scanlon re-joined the meeting. Enforcement Order: 445 Pearl Street Mr. Tirone stated that he sent the enforcement order to Mike Rivers on March 18th. Mr. Rivers asked Mr. Tirone to come back out to the site to help with a plan to fix the streambank. Mr. Tirone let him know that the extent of the damage was beyond something he was comfortable making suggestions for and the time limit to meet with the Commission had passed, which is why the order was sent out. The enforcement order asks Mr. Rivers to find a consultant and come up with a plan to repair the damage and disturbance and discuss with the Commission at the next meeting on April W. After that discussion, Mr. Tirone received a call from Jack Rivers stating that he is taking over the situation for his son and retaining Rob Tilton from Williams and Sparages as a consultant. Mr. Tirone stated that he believes that Mike and Jack Rivers have good intentions, understand that this is not a good situation, and are trying to correct it as soon as possible. Arbor Day Mr. Tirone shared that at last night's Select Board meeting, member Karen Herrick was tasked with contacting the Conservation Commission about their plan for Arbor Day. The Select Board issued a proclamation that Mr. Tirone felt was good and held the values of the Conservation Commission, including saving trees, creating open space and habitat, and the importance of such things. Page 1 4 The Commission discussed different Ideas, such as: partnering with the Forestry Division of the DPW because they usually plant a tree for Arbor Day every year; or distributing seedlings, though there really is not a budget available to purchase anything. Ms. Scanlon suggested an informational flyer, to be distributed electronically. The Flyer could include information about planting climate resistant native trees, and asking people who might have one to consider donating seeds, and offering suggestions of types of trees or other shrubs to plant. Ms. Scanlon agreed to draft the flyer, and send to Mr. Saccone to review. Mr. Saccone happily agreed to review, and offered to consult with horticulturists with whom he works for other suggestions. 1457 Main Street Mr. Tirone explained that he received a call from Elke, the homeowner at 1457 Main Street. In a situation similar to Mr. Poirier's at 1447 Main Street, which the Commission heard last year, Elke has expressed concern about nine trees on the Bare Meadow Conservation land along her property line, and is requesting to remove them. The Tree Warden will evaluate and rank each of the marked trees, then the Commission will decide what to do with the trees. Mr. Tirone asked the Commission to also visit this site next Wednesday. Minutes: Motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 2, 2021 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Motion to approve the meeting minutes of February 24, 2021 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Mr. Pinette informed the Commission that he visited 1503/1505 Main Street on March 110. There was an excavation crew there with a laser transit, and the grade was measured at 76 feet, which is what was on the plan. Mr. Pinette stated that means that there was no unauthorized fill, as it was at the grade as specified on the plan. The Commission agreed that if Mr. Castellano had presented an as-built plan that showed the grade, the discussion would have been very different. However, Mr. Castellano wanted to wait until the weather improved before doing that. But the situation could have been resolved sooner with an as-built, which is why the Commission requests them. Ms. Moore noted that she went by the site on Friday the 120 and saw grass seed covered with hay. The Commission agreed that it sounds like the work had been completed, but Mr. Tirone has not heard from Mr. Castellano in over a week, and an occupancy permit has still not been issued. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40pm. Page 15