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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-28 Conservation Commission Minutes o� OFRfgO Town of Reading RECEIVED a Meeting Minutes TOWN� NG MA. 2821 JUL 27 PM 4: 26 Board - committee - commission - council: Conservation Commission Date: 2021-04-28 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: open Session Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting- Version: Final Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Michael Flynn, Vice Chair Annika Scanlon, Martha Moore, David Pinette, Carl Saccone, John Sullivan; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Scott Keefe; Associate Members: Tay Evans, Nichola Meserve Others Present: Nate Baran, Elke Piontek, Chang Ai Xu, Yun Zhang Ai 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 7:03 pm. Public Hearings Scheduled: Nate Baran Boy Scout Troop 728 Eaale Scout Award Proiect Plan. and Signature Nate Boran presented his proposed Eagle Scout project to fix a bridge near the birdwatching platform in the Bare Meadow Conservation Area. The bridge is approximately 25 feet long and 4 feet wide. The supports are exposed due to erosion and are rotting from the water in which they are situated, and the wood planking is starting to dewy due to exposure from the elements. The proposal is to replace the supports with pressure treated wood to prevent rot, and the wood planking would be replaced with trex decking. The community would benefit from the project because it will make the conservation trail look better, make is safer to go through the area, and make it accessible by wheelchairs and strollers. Mr. Baran explained that he plans to begin the project the first week of June. The current bridge will be deconstructed and removed to the nearby parking lot on Pearl Street, and preconstructed sections will be brought in from the same lot. The holes will be dug and pilons will be driven in to minimize the disturbance to the area. Mr. Tirone suggested that work be done during low-flow times in July, August, or September, and offered to loan planks to provide access across the stream during construction. This work falls under the Town-wide Trails permit. Motion to approve the bridge reconstruction project at Matera Cabin under the Town-wide Trail Permit by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0- 0. Mr. Tirone asked Mr. Boran to contact him if he needs the planking and to let him know about the start date of the project. Page 1 1 1457 Main Street Tree Evaluation Discussion, Piontek Mr. Flynn recapped the request by Elke Piontek, the homeowner of 1457 Main Street, to remove eight trees abutting her property on neighboring Bare Meadow land. Some members were able to visit the site following the last meeting and receiving Tree Warden Mike Hannaford's tree evaluation. Elke Piontek stated that she is growing more fearful that the trees may fall down, due to more storm events. The Commission reviewed Mr. Hannaford's evaluation and discussed the condition of the trees, concerns with their removal, and possible replacements. Some of the trees were ranked a 3 or 4, showed woodpecker and other damage, which the Commission expressed no concern at removing. A similar request was made at neighboring 1447 Main Street last year, and the Commission expressed concern with how open the space remains where those trees were removed. The Commission would like to prevent the area from becoming a wide open space when it was nicely wooded. It is unknown whether there is enough in the understory to fill in the space left by the trees that would be cut down. Ms. Moore suggested if the trees are removed this year, then the area can be reevaluated next year to see if the understory growth is sufficient. If it is not, then the Commission can ask for up to four trees to be planted as replacement. Motion by Ms. Moore to give the resident of 1457 Main Street permission to remove at her expense the eight trees as labeled, and to replace four trees a year from now unless the Commission determines that they are not needed, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 6-0-0. 88 -nmere Circle, Infiltration Not Installed as per OOC Discussion. Chang-Ai Xu Mr. Tirone reviewed the project to construct a small 400 square foot addition. The Commission asked for infiltration as part of the Order of Conditions. However, it was not installed even though it was included on the plan. In 2019, the Commission asked the applicant to investigate alternative infiltration solutions and come back to the Commission for approval. Homeowner Chang-Ai Xu explained that he has not had any issues with water since the addition was finished and asked if it was still necessary to add any infiltration. The Commission members agreed that the 500 gallon chamber, as proposed in the original plan, might be too much, but the purpose of having infiltration is to slow down the intake of water into the stream and wetland area during a major storm event. The Commission advised Mr. Xu to consult with an Engineer to determine what alternative infiltration method, such as a drip trench, might be appropriate and come back to the Commission for approval. Minutes: Motion to approve meeting minutes of March 24, 2021 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sullivan. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Old/New Business: Arbor Day April 30th Arbor Day is this Friday and Tree Warden Mike Hannaford will be planting a tree in front of Town Hall. The Commission members can attend the ceremonial planting and plan their own event for next year. Ms. Scanlon sent an informational brochure to Mr. Saccone with content borrowed from the Arbor Day Foundation. Mr. Saccone noted that it had a lot of information, was easy to read, and simple for people to understand. Though he suggested removing the third page that consisted of contact Information for the Conservation Division. Ms. Scanlon agreed and stated she would move the content from a third page to a footer on the first page and re- send it for people to review. Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Flynn volunteered to post them at trail kiosks around town. Mr. Tirone stated that the flyer could be posted on the Conservation Commission webpage, but it may be too late to post it to Town social media in time for Arbor Day. Michael Rivers Enforcement Order Page 1 2 Mr. Tirone stated that Mr. Rivers, who altered the stream on his property, continues to work with Williams and Sparages on a solution to restore the stream bank. Williams &Sparages requested a site visit and continuances. However, Mr. Tirone noted that he was notified of the site visit the day before, but was unable to attend as he already had another meeting scheduled, and has not actually received any continuances. Mr. Flynn noted that he was glad to see that the project is moving in the right direction, but would like to see more action on it, as the bank has now been compromised for several months. If Williams and Sparages cannot come before the Commission at the next meeting, then they will be asked why and will be asked for an official timeline and given a deadline. Mr. Tirone stated he would convey the message. 1503 Main Street Planting Pla 'on commission's Review and Comment The applicant submitted an updated planting plan that added and rearranged plant material. Prior to construction there was a heavily vegetated, wooded area along Main Street. That area was originally outside of the work zone, and had been cleared without knowledge or permission of the Conservation Commission. The commission reviewed and discussed the updated plan and agreed that the area should be replanted to restore what was removed. They asked for four more trees and seven more shrubs between the 78-foot contour and the 100-foot buffer line, and additional herbaceous plantings outside the 100-foot line to the erosion control barrier. The herbaceous layer is to restore plantings that were removed, but also keep them low enough to not obstruct site lines on Main Street. The commission is asking for at least two-years of survivability on the restoration plantings. Motion to approve the modified planting plan as amended by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Administrator's Report: Town Meeting Article 17 Town Meeting continues tomorrow night. Mr. Tirone reviewed Article 17, which seeks a land transfer of two parcels at the Maillet property to the Conservation Commission. The property was tax title land, which was supposed to be deeded to the Commission years ago, but the paperwork was never finalized even though the Select Board voted to give care and custody to the Commission. This article proposes to make it official that the two parcels belong to the Conservation commission and is recommended by the Select Board. Motion to support Article 17 by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. MODF release at D Street Ms. Scanlon recapped the event that happened at the end of March. Approximately 24 gallons of oil from a mounted transformer on D Street spilled onto the ground, Flowed down the edge of the street, toward the wetlands, and into the vegetated buffer. It does not appear that oil made contact with the water, and seems to have gotten stuck in the vegetated plant area above the standing water. There is staining on the pavement from the oil. An orange construction fence was put around the area that was visibly contaminated by oil. An area of dirty soil was vacuumed out on the day of the release. A crew will return tomorrow to conduct soil tests and vacuum out any more contaminated soil. Ms. Scanlon stated that she spoke with Joe Gemelo, the environmental professional at RMLD, and he asked if roots could be cut if needed to remove contaminated soil. She noted that it would be better to cut the roots than to leave any contamination behind, but taking down trees would require restoration after the contamination is removed. Williams and Sparages is working on the restoration plan for the vegetation that has already been removed. Mr. Tirane noted that any roots would need to be cut cleanly prior to covering them up again, otherwise it could result in harm or death to the tree. He stated that he will email Joe about the roots. DOA 11 Veterans WayMao 51 Lot 165 RGB File No RDA 2021-3. Liang (New Plan showing fence outside the easement area) Page 1 3 Mr. Tirone stated that he wanted to issue the DOA for the fence, but the homeowner wanted to talk to Engineering again to try and get permission to put the fence on the easement. Town Engineer Ryan Percival is adamant about not putting a fence on the easement. The applicant is supposed to contact Mr. Tirone and provide a new plan that shows exactly what was agreed to, but Mr. Tirone has not yet heard from him. Lakeview and Eaton Tree and Gravel Processing Mr. Tirone stated that on a site visit he noticed a tree company and a company that pulverizes stones into smaller pieces. However, there is no more clearing or digging, and townhouses are being built, and this material must have been stockpiled onsite somewhere. He spoke with Williams and Sparages who said that it should be ok with the erosion control in place. However, this work was not approved on the Order of Conditions. COC Reauest 270-0532 RGB 2008-14 18 Small Lane, Mao 166, Lot 5, Hughes COC Reauest 270-0532 RGB 2008-15 22 Small Lane Mao 166 Lot 14 Dvmen Mr. Tirone explained that the Commission is looking for survivability of new plantings and checking to make sure invasive species are not growing back in. Ms. Moore noted that it will be easier to recognize what is growing in a couple weeks. Last Minute Reminders: Mr. Flynn stated that he would like to add a gift fund controlled by the Commission as a goal for 2021. The bylaw collected fees go into the general fund, and the state fees support the operation of the division, which pretty much just covers the Administrator. A gift fund could support the Commission's work, such as a baseline study at Bare Meadow, anything at Matera Cabin, events such as Arbor Day, and projects such as Scout projects. However, such a fund does not yet exist for people to donate to. Mr. Tirone stated he could work with Accounting to setup, but would need a vote from the Commission to do so. Ms. Scanlon agreed and noted that the fund should have a clear mandate and purpose, and would provide many benefits to the community and the Commission. Motion by Ms. Scanlon to setup a gift fund, seconded by Mr. Pinette. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Pinette, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call Vote 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 10:58 pm. Page 1 4