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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-27 Conservation Commission Minutes ° rpt f Town of Reading IrEtSE1VEU i Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK REP,D! NC, P,1.4 . L Cr Board - committee - commission - council: 2021 MAY -5 AM 1143 Conservation Commission Date: 2021-01-27 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: Nichola Meserve, Tay Evans; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Giovanni Fodera, Mike Salamone, Sean Ewald, Mike Rivers 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. 1312 Main Street Mao Sl Lots 79 83 DEP File No 270-0738 At the applicant's request, this hearing will be continued until February loth, 2021. Mr. Tirone explained that the applicant had submitted some updated information earlier today, but the information has not yet been distributed to the third party reviewer or to the Commission. Motion to continue NOI 270-0738 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 4 Cold Sorina Road Mao 27 Lot 404 RGB File No RDA 2021-1 Giovani Fodera of Fodera Engineering and applicant Mike Salamone were present to discuss their project to place a stormwater recharge system with outlet structure within the 100 foot buffer zone of bordered vegetated wetlands. Mr. Pinette declared that he has known Mr. Fodera and his family for many years, but does not believe that the relationship will affect his ability to be fair and impartial as a member of the Commission. Mr. Sullivan also stated that though he was Mr. Fodera's wrestling coach in High School, it would not affect his impartiality. Mr. Giovani presented the plan to create a four-lot subdivision on an existing parcel off of Grandview Road, which will become a private road called Penny Lane. The only resource area on the parcel is in the northeast corner. The 100 foot buffer zone goes through lots one and two, and in the corner of lot three. There will not be any structures in the buffer Page I 1 zone. A subsurface infiltration system will go in about 75 feet from the buffer line, will capture runoff during major storms, and meets stormwater requirements. The Commission discussed the details of the project. The system could not be placed outside the buffer zone due to topographic constraints (ledge and slope), and has to be at least 20 feet away from houses and basements. The Commission requested a tree inventory and the number of trees that are proposed to be removed within the 100 foot buffer zone, plan to replace every tree over 6" dph, and note on the plan that the erosion control line is also the limit of work line. Motion to continue RDA 2021-1 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 7-0-0. 38 Wescroft Road Mr. Flynn opened the public hearing. Homeowner Sean Ewald is seeking to add a 1-2 story addition with new foundation, new patio, and deck, all within the 100 foot buffer zone. An existing patio and small stairway will be removed, and a new deck and patio will be added to the addition with a stairway off the left side of the new deck. A one-story addition will add six feet along the entire length of the back of the house, and the back right will add two stories from the back of the house. The existing bulkhead will move to the back of the new two-story addition. The current breezeway has no foundation, but will have foundation added as part of this project. The existing garage and shed will remain as is. A small bush behind the shed will likely be removed for construction access. The new foundation for the addition will be six inches deeper than the existing foundation and will Include a sump pump. The Commission requested that the discharge for the sump pump, stockpile area for fill, infiltration, location of stairs, erosion control, dewatering detail, and construction entrance added to the plan. Motion to continue by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Administrator's Report: 445 Pearl Street Michael Rivers Mr. Tirone reviewed the issue that was brought to him by the DPW. The stream area was severely altered by placing rocks in the channel, then filling in back of that with poor fill that included construction debris, concrete, and asphalt. Altering the stream undermined the bank across from it causing trees to fall on a house and cars. Mr. Tirone stated that he spoke with someone at DEP, and while they do not typically intervene in homeowner issues, the DEP will step in and help if there is no compliance. There was another enforcement order on the property about 15 years ago. Homeowner Mike Rivers was present to provide his explanation to the Commission. There was an old maple tree with four different trunks coming out of it that had fallen over the years since 2009-2010. Three of them fell on the house, and one on his daughter's car. The roots and stump are still there. A couple of other trees that were sticking out of the bank had fallen towards the neighbor's property, which the neighbor chopped up for firewood. Mr. Rivers stated that he frequently goes into the stream to clean out trash that falls in there from the street. The Commission discussed a number of concerns including: whether the channel is wide enough, potential for backups and flooding, where the natural bank originally was, and the appearance of trees being removed. The Commission agreed to issue an enforcement order and advised Mr. Rivers to work with a professional, such as an environmental consultant or wetland scientist, to help him figure out a restoration plan that the Commission could approve. Motion to issue Enforcement Order for 445 Pearl Street by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Page 1 2 Old/New Business: Conservation/DPW Monthly Meetina. List of items from members Mr. Flynn and Mr. Tirone reviewed the meeting held last Tuesday with Mr. Saccone, Assistant DPW Director Chris Cole, DPW Director Jane Kinsella, Tree Warden Mike Hannaford, Jeff Cummings of the DPW, and Community Development Director Julie Mercier. A majority of the time was spent reviewing the Tree Policy. From the discussion, they developed a form to be completed by DPW for emergency tree removals to facilitate communication that explains what happened and the proposed actions. Chris Cole will send a draft of the form for the Commission to review and edit. The form is only supposed to reflect the signoffs needed for sections two and five of the tree policy. The next meeting with DPW staff is scheduled for next Tuesday and the hope is to get a list of projects and get updates on them at future meetings. Minutes: Motion to accept the meeting minutes of December 9, 2020 by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 7-0-0. ME Mr.MTirone presented a bill for dues for the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) in the amount of $777. Membership allows everyone on the Commission to call and ask questions on their hotline and get answers from professionals. Motion to approve $777 payment to MACC by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Mr. Flynn reminded the Commission that they will be joining the Select Board meeting on February 2dd to discuss multiple agenda items including: transfer of deed for a parcel adjacent to Maillet Conservation from the Select Board to the Conservation Commission, Open Space and Recreation Plan, Tree Policy with DPW, and the Birch Meadow Master Plan. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 7-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:02 pm. Page 1 3