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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-11 Conservation Commission MinutesFJ? / 41 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes 0 �s3S: pNC 6Rpa�P�S. Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2023-01-11 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: JV� [tiL{'is 18 P ek- 03 Time: 07:00 PM Location: Session: Open Session Version: Draft Martha Moore chair, John Sullivan, Andrew Dribin, Brian Bowe, vice chair Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Josh Latham, Guy Manganello, Mary, Mike Hughes, Meg Basinski, Scott Harris, Alex Parra, attorney, Yubao Song Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Martha Moore Topics of Discussion: Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:13 pm- Hearinqs Scheduled: Lot 4 Grove St. easement and Conservation Restriction CR discussion Mr. Latham presented the language agreed upon with Town Counsel for the Conservation Easement at Lot 4 Grove St. including giving the town the right to build trails within the conservation easement. Mr. Dribin questioned the reason for the location of the boundary of the conservation restriction. Brian Bowe made a motion to submit the draft Conservation Restriction Review today to DCR for its review and approval. Provided, however, that if mass wildlife refuses to allow public trail access on the site, and such public access conditions are removed from the conservation restrictions, the property owner shall grant the town an easement over the site for the construction of public access trails subject to Mass Wildlife's approval prior to the according of the conservation restriction. Seconded by John Sullivan 4-0-0 motion passed. 1153 Main St. Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Darlene Zecchino Stoddard, Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40- of the Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7. 1, the applicant proposes, to construct of a 24 -foot by 25 -foot detached garage within the Buffer Zones to a Border Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular Page 1 1 business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under the project by year. Assessor's Map 45 Lot 41 Dep File No. 270.0763 Mary reported that the commission had charged her with asking Ms. Stoddard I she would be willing to plant additional trees on her property and Ms. Stoddard agreed to plant 2 native trees. She also asked if Ms. Stoddard would allow access to her yard for the DPW to work on the condition of the culvert under Main Street. Mr. Tirone asked if this could be written into the order of conditions and Mary agreed to that. Mike Hughes asked what work would be done on the culvert. Mr. Tirone explained what would be done to clear the culvert and explained that the two trees and the culvert work would be put in the Order of Conditions as mitigation for building the garage so that the DPW could try to reduce the flooding on Mr. Hughes's side of Main Street. Motion to close by Mr. Bowe, second by Mr. Dribin 4-0-0 only closed, we did not vote to issue. 0 Small Lane Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by LLC, Meagan Johnson, Del Rey Realty, Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40 -the Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7.1, the applicant proposes the construction of a limited project stream crossing, retaining walls, wetland alteration, wetland replication, drainage, grading, and associated utilities. All work is within 100 feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed on the Conservation Division page under the current project, Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153,155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Motion to continue to February 8 by Brian Bowe, seconded by John Sullivan 4-0-0 Birch Meadow Drive Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Ryan Percival, Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40- of the Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7. 1, the applicant proposes, to construct an ADA walkway across the High School site and paving of an existing gravel parking lot with new stormwater management controls portions of the work is within Buffer Zones to a Border Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under the project by year, Assessor's Map 33 Lot 57 Dep File No. 270-0764 Meg reported that they now have a DEP File number. A few things have been changed since the last meeting: additional signage for no snow storage in the center island of the parking area or in the Rain Garden. The plans have been updated to identify the storm water retention pond and the rain garden, and add native shrubs to the planting list. There had been a request for benches along the path near the parking lot. They don't have the budget for furnishings, but they have marked out 2 areas where benches can go in the future. Discussion of backless benches and ways to pay for them. The center island has been redesigned to slow down the water and allow some infiltration before it flows over to the rain garden. The walking path has been modified to have less asphalt and more stone dust for more pervious surface, and remove some invasive species.The photometric plan has been adjusted, and some lights moved to have a 0 foot candle cut off at the resource areas. The guard rail has been increased in length to prevent snow plowing into the rain garden, but not extended along the stone dust path. Response to discussion about moving the ADA walkway near the softball field out of the 35 foot buffer zone. To move the utility pole would be too expensive. In the future if the utilities are put underground, the pathway could be moved. Discussion about ways to pay for a bench. Motion to close by Brian Bowe, seconded by John Sullivan. Vote 4 — 0 — 0 Mr. Tirone went through the list of conditions: Native shrubs within the 100 foot zone Page 1 2 Bench along the path Center island will have a flat area before the water hits the storm drain The addition to the stone dust path incorporates the roughly equivalent area to that lost with building the parking lot. 0 foot candle cut off at the Aberjona River accomplished by moving the light next to the river. No snow storage in water retention area or rain garden Consider removal of light pole in Phase 2 and move the walkway ouf of the 35 foot zone Review and approve the snow storage plan prior to putting the parking lot into use Educational signage along the path about the Abedona River Motion by Brian Bowe to issue the order of conditions, seconded by John Sullivan 4 — 0 — 0 550 West Street Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Scott Harris, Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40- of the Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7. 1, the applicant proposes, to raze a portion of the single-family dwelling and bulkhead to construct an addition, rooftop infiltration, cut trees, tree plantings, associated grading, and utilities within the 100 -foot Buffer Zone to a Boring Vegetated Wetland and the 200 -foot Riverfront Area of the Aberjona River. The application and plans can be viewed on the Conservation Division page under the current project, Assessor's Map 25 Lot 2 Dep File No. 270-0759 The applicant presented a planting maintenance plan for the 90 days following the planting there would be slow release watering bags and twice daily watering. Maintenance plan for the stone dry well involves keeping it clean, making repairs as necessary, inspections after every storm event the first few months to ensure that it is functioning, then annual inspections. Revised cutting plan, trees 11, 12, and 13 will be left uncut. Proposed shrubs to plant will be 5 — 6 feet high, proposed trees will be 1.5 inch DBH in one area and 2.5 inch DBH in the open area closest to West Street. Discussion of the tree that fell recently across the patio of 550 West Street, was a dead tree from town land and not one of the trees we have been discussing removing. Ms. Moore asked if the applicant had received her request to plant some of the proposed shrubs as an understory where the trees will be cut down and new trees planted. Mr. Hams had not heard that request, but agreed to it. Mr. Dribin asked whether any consideration had been made to reducing the size of the addition. Mr. Harris replied that he would not consider reducing the addition much. Motion to close the hearing by Brian Bowe, seconded by John Sullivan 4- 0 — 0 Brian Bowe listed the trees he proposed approving as 1,6,7,14,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,28,30,33,38(leaving a snag cut above the hole),42,43,44,46, and 50. Also the applicant could cut the base of any vines to minimize the damage to the trees. Add a 3 year survival plan for the new plantings. Mr. Tirone added permission to remove deadwood and trim up to 20% of each tree's canopy. Discussion of allowing topping of trees as long as an arborist agrees that this won't kill the tree in a few years. Mr. Bowe added that the work will be done by crane to avoid damaging other trees. Tree number 40 was added to the list of trees to remove because of the wire wrapped around it and the double leader. Andrew Dribin spoke about the plantings being mitigation for the trees being cut down and not mitigation for the proposed 1500 sq ft addition. He questioned whether the garage or some of the driveway could be removed to mitigate for the addition. Mr. Parra pointed out that the stormwater dry well and the plantings can be mitigation for the addition. Mr. Tirone asked Mr. Harris to explain why he does not want to remove the garage or some of the driveway. Mr. Harris explained that they have a home gym in the garage. The shape of the Page 1 3 driveway allows the snow plow to store snow in the back yard.and the two entrances make for safer access to West Street. Mr. Dribin made a motion to approve the tree removal separately from the addition. Mr. Harris explained that they would plant all the proposed trees even if we only approve removing the 22 on the list, and not the 42 they requested. There was discussion about whether the 7 trees proposed for inside the semi -circular driveway could be planted elsewhere in the watershed, or in the Town Forest. Ms. Moore asked if there was a second to Mr. Dribin's motion. There was no second. Ms. Moore asked if we should add trees 2, 3, and 4 to the list of trees to remove and then the 7 trees could be planted as proposed. Mr. Bowe and Mr. Sullivan agreed to add those 3 trees to the list. Mr. Bowe made a motion to approve the addition per the plan with the conditions we have talked about, and the tree list. Mr. Sullivan seconded, but included that the shrub plantings must also be included. Mr. Tirone clarified that we are approving cutting 24 trees, and topping some trees as long as that does not stress the tree, and all the mitigation shown on the plan, 100% survivability of the trees for 3 years, 90% survivability of the shrubs for 3 years, some of the shrubs planted as understory under the newly planted trees, consult with their landscaper and with the Conservation Administrator about the exact locations before planting, soild stockpile for construction would be outside the 2001t riverfront area, plant the trees in two phases, delaying the ones near the construction site until the addition is complete. Vote: 3 in favor, 1 against, no abstentions. 31 Harold Ave. Continue the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Yongcheng Yu & Rong Ruan Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7.1, for the construction of a deck with 8 -12 -inch diameter concrete footings two sections of the deck will cantilever over the 35 -foot buffer zone by 3 feet, no trees will be removed or site grading during this project. All of the work is within the Buffer Zone to a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed on the Conservation Division page under projects by year, Assessor's Map 39 Lot 83, RCC File No. 2022-6 No one came to represent the applicant again. Discussion of how to proceed and remove this from the agenda. The conservation restriction on this property make it more appropriate for a NOI or an enforcement order. Motion by Andrew Dribin to continue to January 25', seconded by John Sullivan. 4 — 0 — 0 20 Eastwav Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Alexander C. Araujo Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7. 1, The applicant proposes to Remove 3 Oak trees within the 35 -foot Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under the project by year. Assessor's Map 52 Lot 36, RCC File No. 2022-18 Brian Bowe made a motion to continue 20 Eastway to the end of the meeting, second by John Sullivan. 4 — 0 — 0 68 Glenmere Circle Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Yubao Song Page 14 Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7. 1, The applicant proposes to Remove 4 Red maple trees within the Resource Area and Buffer Zone of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under the project by year. Assessor's Map 15 Lot 88, RCC File No. 2022-20 Yubao Song explained that he wants to take down some trees. Some other trees fell recently including one that damaged his neighbor's property. Brian Bowe described the site visit by 4 members of the commission. He noted that there is a bridge between the house and the wooded part of the property and some yard waste on the stream side of that bridge that he would like to see removed. Closer to the stream there are also some concrete slabs, a pile of bricks, and something that looks like a gravestone that should all be removed. Across the stream at 25 Lisa Lane there is a shed very close to the wetlands. Martha Moore said it looks like it is inside the drainage easement. Andrew Dribin mentioned that the trees that fell were badly insect damaged. Martha Moore identified it as carpenter ant damage and added that there was an old tire on the ground near that tree. Martha Moore suggested that one condition to include when approving the tree removal would be to have the debris cleaned up and encourage the homeowner to take their leaves to the town compost area. Yubao Song mentioned that there is another tree his neighbor would like to have taken down. Brian Bowe identified it as an oak which has high habitat value. He said it is leaning toward the neighbor's driveway, not his house, so he recommends not taking it down. Martha Moore suggested that we could approve the removal of one tree, the clean up of the downed trees, and recommend that the homeowner have some pruning done on that oak tree, up to 20% of the canopy is considered acceptable. Chuck Tirone asked whether we thought the area past the lawn was wetland. Martha Moore replied that there is a bridge over water and Andrew walked off the grass and got his shoe wet. Brian Bowe said that there was enough water that we spent some time looking for a culvert coming from the neighbor's yard. Chuck Tirone explained that if that area is a resource area we should consider leaving the downed trees, including the one across the stream, and just having the trees that fell onto the lawn be cleaned up. Andrew Dribin agreed that the tree that crosses the stream can be left where it is. Yubao Song said that he would prefer to leave the tree across the stream because it would be expensive to remove it. Chuck Tirone said that the part that is over the property line belongs to the homeowner that owns that property, but to check with his insurance agent. If 25 Lisa Lane wants to remove the part of the tree that fell on their property, they would need to get a permit because it is in a resource area. Conclusion: The tree lying across the lawn can be cut back to the wooded edge. The tree leaning toward the house can be removed. Yubao Song will take the pile of cut logs to the town compost area by May or June. Some of the leaves by the bridge should be removed as well as the debris: tire, cinder blocks, bricks, etc. also by May. Brian Bowe made a motion for a negative determination with the conditions discussed. Seconded by John Sullivan. 4 — 0 — 0 20 Eastway The applicant has still not showed up. We can't discuss it without the applicant. Andrew Dribin moved to discuss 20 Eastway at the next meeting in January, seconded by John Sullivan. 4 — 0 — 0 Old/New Business: Martha Moore reported from our meeting with the DPW that there is a permit they need to renew, so they will be on our agenda in February. There was also a discussion about Sturgis Park. Brian Bowe explained that Sturgis Park skating was closed and drained due to vandalism. Page 1 5 Brian Bowe will make a first draft of the annual report. Chuck Tirone asked for approval to pay the MACC 2023 dues. Apparently, we did not pay our 2022 dues. Vote to pay both 2022 and 2023 dues 4 — 0 — 0 Discussion about when to go back to in person meetings. Andrew Dribin asked to put a SWAC meeting report on the January 25 agenda. Motion to adjourn at 10:30 pm by Mr. Bowe, voted 4-0-0. Page 1 6