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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-25 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading Meeting Minutes m0'sJf: IMfOPW' Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2021-08-25 Building: Reading Town Hall 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. R -A 2022 JUN -9 PM 1-34 Chair Annika Scanlon, Vice Chair Martha Moore, Brian Bowe, Joe Carnahan, Carl Saccone, John Sullivan; Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator Members - Not Present: Others Present: Maureen Herald, Giovanni Fodera, Lori MacDonald, Josh Latham, Joe Peznola Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jacquelyn LaVerde and Chuck Tirone Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Annika Scanlon called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Public Hearinqs Schedule 1310 Main Street Mao 41 Lot 75 & 84 Deo File No. 270-0746 Mr. Tirone stated that he received an email from Jack Sullivan, the engineer for this project, asking for this hearing to be continued, as he has not yet gone out to pick up Flags that were moved. The Commission Is also still waiting for quotes from consultants to conduct a third party review. Motion by Ms. Moore to continue 1310 Main Street to the September 8, 2021 meeting. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Scotland Road Mr. Tirone stated that he was contacted by a member of the Reading Open Space Land Trust regarding a property on Scotland Road, a site that has gotten calls on it in the past. The area that is supposed to remain forested is being turned into a lawn, possibly a playground, and Mr. Tirone suggested the Commission conduct a site visit. Mr. Carnahan, Mr. Bowe, and Ms. Moore each drove by the site, and noted that there is standing water, and a concrete pad with a hockey net. Members of the Commission agreed on Monday August 30", or Tuesday, August 311, as possible dates for a site visit. Mr. Tirone will reach out to the property owner to confirm which date works better for him. e Small Lane, Mao 40 & 41 Lot 153 155 & 29 Deo File No. 270-0748 Page 1 1 Ms. Scanlan reopened the Public Hearing for the proposed construction of a limited project stream crossing, retaining walls, wetland alteration, wetland replication, drainage, grading, and associated utilities, all within the 100 -foot buffer zone of bordered vegetated wetland. Mr. Bowe recused himself from the hearing. Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental was present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Tirone stated that he contacted two other companies to ask for quotes for a third parry review, and both responded that they were unavailable for peer review right now. Ms. Herald noted that many consultants and engineers are very busy right now, and agreed to proceed with the quote received from LEC Environmental at the last meeting. Motion to accept the LEC bid for third party review by Mr. Carnahan, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Ms. Herald noted that Project Engineer Jack Sullivan has not yet flagged the trees to be removed by the proposed crossing, as requested by the Commission at the last meeting, as they were waiting for the third party reviewer to come on board, so that when the reviewer and Commission go out to the site, there will not be any missing flags or stakes. She requested a continuance for one month to give the reviewer time to review the site. Motion to continue NOI 270-0748 until September 22, 2021 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Carnahan. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Minutes: lune 23. 2021 Ms. Moore stated that in the draft minutes of June 23, 2021, the date of June 22nd for a proposed site visit should be corrected to July 22"d. Motion to accept the meeting minutes of lune 23, 2021 as amended by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Discussion: Public Engagement Ms. Scanlon stated that the Reading Public Library contacted the Commission asking if members might be interested in participating in their Climate Week the week of September 240 through September 30th. Ms. Scanlon is not sure how the Commission might be involved, but it is a good opportunity for public engagement, and to present the Commission as a resource to support natural solutions to problems the Town is facing due to climate change. Ms. Moore noted it would be a good opportunity to educate the public about protecting the wetland and buffer zones. All members expressed interest in participating, but it would depend on the schedule. Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Tirone will get more information from the Library for Mr. Tirone to distribute to the Commission. There will be other events that week, including the Climate Advisory Committee's presentation on Green Communities, and members will try to share representation of the Commission at the various events. Lot A Main Street, next to 1261 Main Street, Mao 51 Lot 95. Next to 1261 Main Street DEP File No. 270-0749 Ms. Scanlon continued the Public Hearing to construct a single family dwelling with driveway and utilities in vacant Lot A next to 1261 Main Street. All work is within 100 feet of bordered vegetated wetland. Giovanni Fodera of Fodera Engineering was present on behalf of applicant Frank Lanzillo. Mr. Tirone stated that he received one quote from LEC Environmental consultants earlier today. He reviewed the proposed scope and the quote. Other consultants were contacted, but one was not able to provide a quote, and the other one does work for Mr. Lanzillo, which would have been a conflict. Mr. Fodera stated that the applicant would like to proceed as soon as possible and was satisfied with LECs quote. Motion to accept the quote for third party review from LEC Environmental Consultants for Lot A Main Street by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Motion to continue the Public Hearing for Lot A Main Street to the September 8, 2021 meeting by Mr. Carnahan, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Mr. Tirone asked Mr. Fodera to drop the check off to Town Hall tomorrow, as LEC will not be able to begin the review until the funds are deposited. Pape 1 2 ROW Cross Street, Shackford Road. and Ash Street. Mao 34, Lot 13 RGB File No. RDA 2021-9 Ms. Scanlon reopened the Public Hearing for the RDA for the Right of Way at Cross Street, Shackford Road, and Ash Street, filed by Boston Gas. The project is for replacement or relaying of Boston Gas mains to existing or new mains. Portions of work are within the 100 foot buffer zone of bordered vegetated wetland. Lori MacDonald reviewed the response letter to questions the Commission had raised at the previous meeting. The detail of the wire test station was provided, as well as the map showing the limits of riverfront area. Mr. Bowe asked who decides which BMPs are necessary and when, such as for dewatering, and whether there would be a monitor onsite. Mr. Tirone noted the he is not as concerned about the work as it is done, but about the staging area and how it is left, as past projects saw damage to resource areas due to unauthorized parking, and debris left behind. Ms. MacDonald explained that prior to the start of work, dewatering basins will be staked out in the field and approved by the Conservation Agent. There is also Environmental Field Training prior to the start of work, where the contractor is apprised of all the conditions, wetland permitting, location of resource areas, and requirements. There will be a Boston Gas or National Grid Foreman onsite at all times, and there will be an environmental liaison that will be present at least once a week to review erosion control and the situation onsite. Ms. Scanlon asked if an RDA was sufficient, or whether the project should be submitted as a Notice of Intent. Mr. Tirane noted that he believed an RDA was sufficient, as it Is not likely they will hit ground water, and if they do, they will have to notify him. They will also be in contact with the Engineering Department. Following discussion Mr. Tirone recommended that the Commission close the hearing and issue the RDA. Motion to close and issue negative determination by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote: 6-0-0. Amend the Order of Condition 270-0727. 259-267. Main Street Ms. Scanlon opened the public hearing to amend the Order of Conditions for 259-267 Main Street. The applicant is proposing to eliminate the approved patio and grill area behind the property at 271 Main Street, and replace it with a 10 -foot by 20 -foot gravel parking space to be used by the business at 271 Main Street, and grant the business owner an easement. All work is outside of the Riverfront area, but within the buffer zone. Josh Latham of Latham Law Offices was present on behalf of the applicant, Stonegate Construction, and explained that the Order of Conditions that was issued by the Commission last August approved the redevelopment of the four-plus acre site with a 24 -unit residential condominium project. This application changes the proposed use of a small area in the northeast corner of the property behind the doggle day care business at 271 Main Street. The pre-existing condition of the site was significantly disturbed, as it has been used for decades as unregulated parking and storage. Over recent years, the abutter continued to use the space for unauthorized placement of a dumpster, and unauthorized gravel to establish a parking area without permission of the property owner. The applicant realized that the abutting property owner asserted certain rights to the space that threatened to delay the project at considerable cost. Instead, the applicant worked with the business owner on a solution to replace the proposed patio area with a 1200 square foot gravel parking space for the abutter's use. The parking space will be surrounded by a guardrail and will have signage to ensure that there is no further encroachment, as the space is located within the 100 -foot buffer zone, but outside of the 25 -foot buffer zone. Joe Peznola of Hancock Associates, the Project Engineer, presented the revised plans to the Commission that showed the repurposed area and a proposed rain garden that will receive waters from the parking space, as well as a majority of the existing gravel parking lot of 271 Main Street. The rain garden is sized for y2 Inch of rainfall for water quality volume for Page 1 3 treatment where none exists now. The Town Engineer asked for the rain garden to be raised up a bit, as there is a municipal sewer manhole in the area. Mr. Tirone had requested a more comprehensive analysis on how the rain garden meets the ten stormwater standards. Mr. Peznola respectfully requested a continuance in order to provide the Commission with how the rain garden meets the MA DEP standards. The rain garden will be planted with sweet pepper bush and the rest of the area will be treated with hardwood mulch in accordance with DEP specifications. The mulch will be triple shredded hardwood mulch which will bind itself together and not float away. There will be signage for the parking area to indicate that snow cannot be pushed there. Language indicating how the driveway grades should be maintained will be included in the Operation and Maintenance Plan. Ms. Scanlon suggested adding an herbaceous layer to the rain garden so that it will function better as an area for infiltration and supportive of native species. She asked whether the loam and seeding would be grass or restored to native vegetation, and whether the applicant would entertain adding a chain link fence beyond the parking area to prevent trash and other debris from blowing into the resource area. Mr. Peznola stated that he would have to review the restoration plan from the original Order of Conditions, but can work with staff to do a similar restoration rather than loam and seed. He will speak to the applicant about adding a fence. Additional discussion led to Mr. Peznola agreeing to add stone diaphragm and grass or sod strip under the guardrail to trap some of the sediment that may run off the parking area. Motion to continue 270-0727 259-267 Main Street by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Bowe. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Old/New Business: OCC 270-0750 10 Plymouth Road Order of Conditions. McKinnon Mr. Tirone shared the proposed planting plan, which includes: removal of mustard garlic; and planting of highbush blueberry, sensitive fern plugs, and wildflower seed mix. The Commission agreed that the proposed plants and spacing were favorable. Mr. Saccone suggested adding some mesh covers, or other protective barrier, to protect the plantings from pests. Motion to accept the planting plan as commented on by Mr. Carnahan, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. 0 Willow Street & 0 Lowell Street, Assessor's Mao 26 Lot 50 & 23 Deo Pile No. 270- 0747 Mr. Tirone stated that staff is still working with the META to conduct a survey of the area in front of Willow Street. The Commission discussed and scheduled a site visit for August 3V at 6:30 am to meet with the developer, Mr. Castellano. 104 Scotland Road The Commission discussed and agreed to schedule a site visit for August 30' at 4:30 pm. 66 Summer Avenue Mr. Tirone stated that there is conservation area behind the property. There is a sprawling white oak that hangs over their pool. The Conservation regulations allow for up to 20% of a tree's canopy to be trimmed. If the Commission agreed, the homeowners would be allowed to trim just at their property line, no more than 20% of the canopy, and at their own expense. The Commission discussed and agreed that a site visit was not needed, and following Mr. Tirone's instructions, the homeowners can conduct the work. Page 14 Mr. Tirone stated that the report came in today and the consultant will be at the next meeting on September 8th. The Commission will request a site visit with the consultant following that meeting. Regulation fee discussion. The Commission will discuss Proposed amendments to Section 2.D.4.A-K Continued until September 22nd. Financial Forum and Green Communities Forum Attendance discussion Ms. Scanlon announced that the Climate Advisory Committee is hosting a Green Communities forum on September 22nd. The goal of Green Communities is to try to reduce overall energy use by the Town. The Climate Advisory Committee asked If someone from the Conservation Commission might be interested in joining to provide the Commission's perspective. Mr. Carnahan volunteered to represent the Commission, should that not cause a quorum issue, as the meeting conflicts with the Commission's regularly scheduled meeting on September 22nd. There is also a Financial Forum scheduled for August 31st. Meadow Brook Golf Club has notified the Town that there are five th acre lots along Grove Street close to the wetlands and Town Forest. As Chapter 61 land, the Town has the right of first refusal to purchase those lots. The Select Board Liaison to the Conservation Commission asked if the Commission would be able to advise whether purchasing the lots makes sense from a conservation perspective. Ms. Scanlon noted that she saw an opportunity to make them into a parking area, so users of the Town Forest will not have to park on Grove Street and Strout Avenue, which can cause safety issues for pedestrians. The lots could potentially become another entrance to Town Forest that is easier to control. The Commission will have the opportunity to comment at the Financial Forum. Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Moore volunteered to attend and represent the Commission. DOA 11 Veterans Way Map, 51, Lot 165, RGB File No. RDA 2021-3. Liana (New Plan showing fence outside the easement areal/ COC Request 270-0559 53 Arcadia Ave. Mao 19, Lot 6, Haastrom/ Mr. Tirone noted that he is still waiting on the applicants to follow up. Enforcement Order — Perfecto's: Mr. Tirone stated that Perfecto's has consistently proven that with a phone call, the manager will quickly clean up the area next to the dumpster and put the fence back up. There were pallets that were left by the dumpster, which were likely left by a truck driver, but with a phone call, they were quickly removed. Mr. Tirone requested that the Commission rescind the Enforcement Order and remove it from the enforcement list. Motion by Ms. Moore to rescind the Enforcement Order for Perfecto's, seconded by Mr. Saccone. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Last Minute Reminders: Town Forest Ms. Scanlon announced that on August 27th at 4:00 pm, the Commission will be meeting at Strout Avenue for a Town Forest site visit. 12 Kenzie Street Mr. Tirone notified the Commission that earlier today he learned of seven trees that were taken down behind 12 Henzie Street. There were four trees lined up along the front of the area, it was wet in front of where the trees were, and there was a brook within a foot of the area. But neither the homeowners, nor the tree company, East Coast, seemed to realize it was a wetland. Mr. Tirone spoke with the estimator who did not seem to know about the Town's GIS system, online permitting system, or Tree Policy. The work has been halted, Page 1 5 and the homeowner will submit an RDA, and the Commission will go out to the site to review and decide on mitigation. Fence and Tree on Whittier Road Ms. Moore asked if there was still the fence and tree issue on Whittier Road. She stated that she had visited the property, but was unable to find the tree, and thought that it might have been removed. Mr. Tlrone explained that the homeowner took it upon himself to understand the Tree Policy and instructed the tree company to leave a snag. The homeowner called and emailed as he was concerned about a tree with a big notch taken out of it. Mr. Bowe stated that he visited the site and found the snag, and was happy to revisit the site with Ms. Moore to point it out. 1503 Main Street Ms. Moore and Mr. Carnahan reviewed their recent visit to 1503 Main Street. They looked for the herbaceous layer, but it appeared to have been mowed. Some trees are 20 feet apart, but many of them are only 10 feet apart. Ms. Scanlon noted that the original Order of Conditions does spell out that the Town can hold onto the surety for two calendar years to ensure the area is properly restored. Mr. Tirone stated that he had received an email from Mr. Castellano accusing the Commission of having conducted a site visit without him knowing about it. Though the Commissioners have the right to inspect properties according to the application and NOI process, it Is best to notify Mr. Tirone of any plans, and knock on the homeowner's door when conducting site visits to introduce themselves and explain why they are there. Ms. Moore and Mr. Carnahan apologized for not informing Mr. Tirone of their visit ahead of time, and noted that the homeowner was not home, but the owner of the second lot drove by and spoke briefly with them, which is likely how Mr. Castellano found out about their visit. Volunteer Opportunity Ms. Scanlon announced that on Sunday mornings between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, volunteers get together at Town Forest to help pull invasive plant species. It would be great if members and others could volunteer to help. Motion by Mr. Carnahan to adjourn, seconded by Ms. Moore. Roll call vote 6-0-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:57 pm.