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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-23 Conservation Commission Minutes� F Town of Reading Is,JI�I4pOPP� Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2022-02-23 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 7:00 PM Location: Session: Open Session Version: Final RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA.$/ 2022 JUN -7 PM 3: 23 Chair Annika Scanlon, Vice Chair Martha Moore, Member Carl Saccone (left before 9:40), Member Andrew Dribin, Member Brian Bowe; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: David Kelly,Kwong & Kapeng Ma, Lucas Perkins, Christopher Colantoni, Patrick Silva, Eileen Literio, Joe DiGiovanni, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Chuck Tlrone Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Annika Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. The Chair called a roll call on who was in attendance. Mr. Tirone went through the Zoom meeting protocols. Public Hearings Scheduled: 1310 Main Street. Mao 41 Lot 75 & 84 Deo File No. 270-0746 The hearing was continued to March 9, 2022 at the applicant's request, No discussion Move to approve by Ms. Moore, Second by Mr. Bowe 5-0-0 0 Small Lane, Mao 40 & 41 Lot 153. 155 & 29 Deo File No. 270-0748 The hearing was continued to March 9, 2022 at the applicant's request, No discussion Move to approve by Mr. Bowe, Second by Mr. Dribin 5-0-0 56 Grey Coach Road. Mao 12 Lot 11. RCC File No. 2021-13 The hearing continued to March 9, 2022 at the applicant's request, No discussion Move to approve by Ms. Moore, Second by Mr. Bowe 5-0-0 35 Pitman Drive, Mao 39 Lot 103 RGB File No 2021-19 Page 1 1 Ms. Scanlon asked about the dimensions of the new patio and landscaping plans. Mr. Kelley replied that the patio will be the same size as the existing patio and they will loam and seed. The flower garden along the fence will remain the same. Mr. Tirone asked when the project will take place and the duration. He requested a pre -activity meeting once the erosion control is in place. Mr. Kelley said it will take one week and happen this spring. Mr. Kelley will leave the mulch sock in place until the grass is established. Mr. Tirone asked about how much cement will be used and about a washout station. 8.5 yards of cement and a washout station will be placed in the front yard. Move to make a negative determination of Applicability by Ms. Moore as amended approving the project but not the wetland line, Second by Mr. Bowe M-0 34 Deborah Drive. Map 38 Lot 97 DEP File No. 270-0756 Jack Sullivan has added a rock drip trench to the plans and submitted a stormwater analysis of the rain garden based on the 100 -year storm event. He also added a berm to direct water toward the wooded area and away from the neighbor's yard. The existing shed will be moved outside the 35 -foot line. The pathway from the new driveway to a door on the side was required by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Suggestion by Mr. Bowe of making the driveway pervious pavers and letting the grass beyond the wetland line return to nature. Mr. Dribin was concerned about the locations of flags other than 2A through 4A. Ms. Moore expressed concern that if they don't mow the area behind the wetland line invasive species may take over the area. Made it clear that they are allowed to remove invasives, but not required to leave the area untouched. Mr. Dribin suggested adding some plantings. Mr. Tirone said that area will not return to a vegetated wetland unless the topsoil is removed bringing the area elevation down to meet the surrounding wetland elevation. He asked Mr. Ristano, the contractor if it would be a lot of work to scrape off a few inches of topsoil. Mr. Ristano said that would not be a lot of work. Mr. Tirone said that the applicant could then scatter some wetland seed mix in the area. Mr. Silva said that would be alright with him. Ms. Scanlon said that to support the wetland it needs to start transitioning there, a wetland restoration would be more than is needed, Comments from the Public: Mark DiGiovanni, son of the owner of 30 Deborah Drive, asked about the two different versions of the plan. Mr. Tirone explained that the plan with the path leading to a door on the side was required by the ZBA and is the current plan. Eileen Litteno, 22 Deborah Drive, asked about a tree near the street not shown on the plan. Mr. Tirone explained that trees outside the 100 -foot line are not shown on the plan. Mr. Silva replied that he intends to leave that tree where it is. Ms. Moore asked what the conclusion was about the pervious or asphalt driveway. A decision was made to make the driveway asphalt. Move to close hearing by Ms. Moore, second by Mr. Bowe 5-" Mr. Tirone said that the motion should include only approving flags 2A through 4A and final review of stormwater analysis by the engineering department and Mr. Tirone before he sends out the order of conditions As amended above, Second by Mr. Bowe 5-0-0 16 Varney Circle Map 29 Lot 109 Deo File No. 270-0754 Pa,i 1 2 The hearing continued to March 9, 2022 at the applicant's request, No discussion Move to approve by Mr. Bowe, Second by Mr. Dribin 5-0-0 Lot A Main Street. next to 1261 Main Street, Mao 51 Lot 95. Next to 1261 Main Street DEP File No. 270-0749 The comment that our regulations do not say habitat, but refer to habitat. I'm wondering who made this statement and should it remain in the minutes? The hearing was continued to March 9, 2022 at the applicant's request Move to approve by Mr. Bowe, Second by Mr. Dribin 5-0-0 572 Summer Ave.. Map 8 Lot 137 Dep File No. 270-0757 No DEP File number was issued for the hearing, but Maureen Harold assured us that all paperwork has been filed correctly. She described the plan, no work in the 25 -foot zone, no structures in the 35 -foot zone, plantings added, erosion control along the fence. Mr. Bowe checked to be sure which dead tree was being removed, the apple tree inside the fence. Mr. Bowe went on a site visit with Chuck Tirone to the property they noticed that there are two flags labeled 6 A only one shown on the plan. The other is closer to the wetland. Mr. Bowe and Mr. Tirone were concerned about the flag locations when looking at the indicator plants. They saw some yard waste to the left side of the yard, possibly on the neighbor's property. They also asked about the lights mounted on the fence pointing into the wetlands. The ring of stone walkway near the fence looks like work this commission needed to review. Mr. Tirone and Mr. Bowe could not find flags 8A and 7A. Ms. Harold answered that Steve Erikson did the flagging and he ties them looser than she does. She offered to meet the commission out there. Ms. Moore said that she and Mr. Dribin did find flag 7A and a piece of blue ribbon where 8A is marked on the plan on Sunday. Mr. Tirone commented that that piece of ribbon seemed older and more brittle. Mr. Dribin asked whether the fence went before the commission when it was installed, it looks recent. Was the land surveyed for it? Answer: It was surveyed pre-COVID. Ms. Scanlon asked if they brought in soil and backfilled. JC Girouard replied that they brought in loam 20-30 years ago. Ms. Scanlon commented that filling near a jurisdictional area needs permission if within 100 -feet of a wetland. Mr. Dribin asked have you come before Conservation before? Answer: For the addition. Mr. Dribin asked when the fence was put in. Answer: 6 - 7 years ago. They did not go before the Conservation Commission for that fence project. Mr. Bowe asked why they have the lights on the fence. Answer: For coyotes. Ms. Moore expressed concern about filling and bringing the driveway up 8 feet above the existing grade. Ms. Scanlon asked if any plantings are proposed near the 25 -foot line, has any fill happened? Ms. Harold said that the crushed stone encroaches on the 35 -foot line. Ms. Scanlon said that if it was a violation it should be taken out, and asked about stormwater management. Ms. Harold asked if the commission requires stormwater management for a pool and gazebo. Ms. Scanlon said that we need to verify the wetland line, need to verify no filling, investigate if there has been no violation. For all the increased impervious surface, we need to get that infiltrated as much as possible. Maureen asked if the commission is open to pervious pavers. Ms. Scanlon replied yes, if maintained successfully. Mr. Tirone inquired about the ring of stone, origin, purpose, how deep? Looks like a drip trench. JC Girouard replied that the dogs like to run and made a path of mud, he put in the stone to stop erosion in the yard, dug down 6 to 8 inches. He also drives a small golf cart around the yard. Mr. Tirone commented that the driveway with the retaining wall is a lot of driveway. JC Girouard said he would prefer a small pad with crushed stone to put a landscape trailer on. Mr. Tirone would prefer that, too. Mr. Tirone asked if the lights are on all the time or on a motion detector. Answer: Motion detector. Mr. Tirone asked about the path leading back from the fence. Answer: Not me, maybe deer and coyote. Mr. Tirone noticed there were some cut trees beyond the fence. He would like to see the 25 - foot zone returned to natural vegetation. As for the dog run, he would like it moved back from the 35 -foot line and made 2 feet deep and it could provide the infiltration needed. The plan needs a 50 -foot line. Best to leave the dead trees in back to rot on their own. Mr. Tirone asked the homeowner if he would be willing to plant more outside the fence. Answer: Maybe add some red twig dogwood. Mr. Tirone agreed to that. Mr. Tirone asked to see the previous wetland flag plan. Answer: Not sure there is one. The back flag (6A) is a mistake. Ms. Scanlon commented that the wetland line is still throwing us. The Commission sugested continuing to May when the leaves are out to review the wetland line. JC Girouard asked if he can put up the shed this summer to replace the one that rotted. Answer: Submit the shed now under a Minor Project Permit. Move to continue the hearing until the first meeting in May by Ms. Moore, Second by Mr. Dribin 5 -0-0 Old/New Business: Request for a certificate of compliance 48 Woodland St Brad Thompson Purchased the home 5 years ago, did not know there was no occupancy permit, etc. for an addition done in 2003. Ms. Scanlon explained that there was an Order of Conditions when Conservation approved the project and he is asking us to look at the property to see if it meets what was intended. Mr. Tirone said that in 2009 a letter was sent to the previous owner asking was the order of conditions recorded, about the gully next to the house, and about the discharge from the garage which goes into gravel on the property. There is no evidence of erosion. Brad has filled out form 8A. An as -built plan was presented. Ms. Scanlon said that she thinks the as -built plan satisfies the order of conditions. It is fine to issue a Certificate of Compliance. The resource area is riverfront and the house is in the outer riverfront 160-180 feet away from the river to the north of the property. Move to issue the Certificate of Compliance by Ms. Moore second by Mr. Dribin. Approved 4 - 0 - 0 (Mr. Saccone no longer in the meeting) Forest cutting has impacted the causeway. The DPW wants to fill in low spots with 2 -inch crushed stone. It would be inside the existing road footprint. Ms. Scanlon was concerned about Page 14 stone accidentally filling the wetland. Mr. Bowe pointed out that the ruts are deep and not likely to spill over. Move to approve Mr. Bowe Second Ms. Scanlon 4 - 0 - 0 Coolidge Field Lights Coolidge field has a stream at the back edge, there is a request to put in 3 portable lights to light the field from dusk to 9 pm. There is no information about light spillage because the lights are temporary. The Recreation Dept would push the lights as close to the field as possible. The lights run on diesel and hold 80 gallons. If they run out they would be re -filled by town employees. Ms. Scanlon said that the refilling should be done outside the buffer zone and on pavement. Mr. Tirone said he is looking into a contained tank and will require a spill kit and pan. Mr. Bowe asked if there is any concern about the lights getting left on. Ms. Moore commented that the Birch Meadow Master Plan included a synthetic turf field there. Mr. Tirone said there is organic infill available now. Ms. Scanlon said that current turf fields pollute wetlands and are expensive to dispose of. But they can be used in the worst weather. Mr. Scanlon said when they installed permanent lighting at Turf 1 it started collapsing the bank due to dewatering the foundation holes. Move to approve by Mr. Bowe Second by Ms. Scanlon 4 - 0- 0 118 Lilah Lane request to move the fence closer to the drainage swale and enclose the entire back yard. The fence would be behind the plantings to protect the children from coyotes. The committee asked that the homeowner come to a meeting due to concerns about the proposed location of the fence. Keolis submitted their yearly operation and maintenance plan. The plan maintains the easement by cutting vegetation growing on the easement used by the train tracks. Ms. Scanlon said she got a letter about an Open Space and Recreational Plan virtual Open Space forum through Feb. 28. People are asked to watch and comment. Mr. Tirone and Ms. Honetschlager have been working on the OSRP for a while and it is almost done. It can be accessed on the town website or through the link in the signature line on any of Mr. Tirone's emails. Approval of Meeting Minutes: 2/9/2022 Moved by Ms. Scanlon 2nd by Mr. Bowe 4-0-0 1/26/2022 Moved by Ms. Moore 2nd by Mr. Bowe 4-0-0 1/12/2022 Moved by Ms. Moore 2nd by Ms. Scanlon 4-0-0 Violation Letters Mr. Bowe asked Mr. Tirone W he sent the letters about violations. Answer: No Mr. Bowe pointed out that the Oak St letter is different and the homeowner of 126 Hanscom didn't come to the meeting as requested. The Town Forest cutting and hauling is finished. One man did all the work. It took 2 days to cut and 5 days to haul. There is a Town Forest maintenance day planned for April 30. The Town Forest and Trails Committee will be looking for help pulling branches out of a potential Vernal Pool not shown on the cutting map. Comments will be added to the Order of Conditions the next Page 1 5 time they cut trees in the Town Forest. The ruts are really deep because of the weather warming up. There is a lot of material left around. The Trails Committee is asking how it will get cleaned up, by the DPW or through a workday? Mr. Bowe was out twice a day while the logger was working there. On one visit, Lauren Dooley the State Forester came. She said state law allows leaving up to 2 feet deep of debris when cutting pine and up to 4 feet deep for other species. The Ridge trail was most impacted, the cross-country ski trail is impassible. Move to adjourn at 10:40 by Ms. Moore Second by Mr. Bowe 4-0-0 cagy 16