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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-24 Conservation Commission Minutes0� OPq AO Town of Reading s Meeting Minutes `0 0`e Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2022-08-24 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: YYfnT_RK4'fiQrl9u -RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING, MA. 2023 APR 18 PH 2: 03 Location: Session: Open Session Version: Draft Martha Moore chair, Brian Bowe vice chair, John Sulivan, Andrew Dribin Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Guy Mangiello, Michael McGraw, Caroline Gracias, Phil Petersen Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Brian Bowe Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:07pm. Hearings Scheduled: 1. 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 404he 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 Continued at the applicant's request until August 10th Motion to Continue to September 14' by John Sullivan; Seconded by Brian Bowe Vote 4 - 0 2. 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 -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 Town of Reading Meeting Posting with Agenda This Agenda has been Page I 1 prepared in advance and represents a listing of topics that the chair reasonably anticipates will be discussed at the meeting. However, the agenda does not necessarily include all matters which may be taken up at this meeting. Discussion about datettime for site visit to review additional trees. Sept 7 at 9 am chosen. Mr. Tirone added that Ms. Motion to Continue to September 10 made by John Sullivan; Seconded by Brian Bowe Vote 4 — 0 3.31 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, Assessors Map 39 Lot 83, RCC File No. 2022-8 22 Colins Ave. Consider a minor plan change. Owner wants to bump out the fill at back end of pool more towards the wetlands. This is driven by the need for more space for pool related equipment. Mr. Petersen took us through his request for change. Discussion of method to prevent erosion and stabilize the slope. Mr. Bowe brought up that in today's site visit Mr. Petersen had said he would plant bushes, not just a slope mix. Need for something more substantial than just grass. Ms. Moore asked about plans to mow and the answer is no. Mr. Dribin asked if the 3:1 ratio for the slope would be met and Mr. Petersen said yes. Discussed the placement and function of the silt fence that has been added as a marker for where the fill will go to. Mr. Dribin is more concerned with the slope. If need to go closer but keep 3:1 is better to him.Mr. Tirone pointed out that steeper than 3:1 is OK given slope stabilization, we have talked about. In the end the slope will stay outside 35' and will have stabilized slope which is intended to be within the 3:1 guidelines. Mr. Bowe pointed out that we Teamed today that the stabilization mat won't go in for about 2 weeks. Mr. Tirone warned the homeowner to watch the erosion. If anything flows past the lower end of the slope it will have to be removed. Mr. Petersen understood. Ms. Moore checked on future moving of the shed from it's current location. Ms. Moore asked for clarification of the two silt fences. Mr. Petersen said the farthest fence is just to indicate the 35' distance. Ms. Moore asked about the trees already approved for removal and also about any other that might be harmed by the new work. No expected additional tree damage. Discussed staking a hay bale behind the silt fence to control erosion in the two weeks before the mat is placed. Has there been any thought on putting in a retaining wall. Mr. Petersen said it has not been considered but sounded like a lot of work. Mr. Tirone asked for a planting list for our review before occupancy certificate is issued. Mr. Petersen agrees. Mr. Dribin asked about installing permanent marker at 35' line. Decided to leave it at the current 25' to be consistent. Motion to approve a minor plan to allow applicant to add fill but maintain 3:1 slope, to not smother trees In fill area, to provide erosion control before the slope is finalized and to provide a list of plantings; seconded by Brian Bowe Vote 4 — 0 4. Lot 4 Grove St Mr Tirone briefed the status. Lot 4 applicant reviewed project with MESA. They asked for a Conservation Restriction on Lot 4 that would be acceptable to the Conservation Commission. Since there is no language yet for that CR, the Commission has to decide if d would be open to a CR on Lot 4 once it was drafted. Much clarifying discussion about what exactly we would be voting on. Some concern about voting on this before the plans for Lot 5 were known. Chuck Page 1 2 stated that MESA is still OK with the ideas of a parking loft on part of Lot 5 with the rest being Chapter 97 land. Voted as to whether we would accept a CR on the Lot. Motion to consider a CR on Lot 4 to meet MESA requirement Details to come later. Mr. Bowe offered amendments to include three conditions: allow Conservation Commission annual access for monitoring purposes, that trails and kiosks be allowed and that there be access for the public. Mr. Dribin accepted as amended; seconded by Brian Bowe Vote 4-0 5.211 Washington St Request for Minor Plan change. Mr. McGraw is akding for approval to make the screened in porch a little wide but less deep. Also move the stairs to be against the porch rather that extending into the yard towards garage. Mr. Bowe asked about the work removing the crushed stone. Mr. Dribin suggested rather than replacing it, consider creating a rain garden, plants, small shrubs, maybe grass that is mowed once or twice a year there to create a better buffer. Mr. Tirone notes that the water table is probably high there so warn contractor to not create new discharge points. He also advised against using mulch from compost yard without talking with Mike Hannaford to learn where cleanest dirt is. Motion to approve minor plan change made by Andrew Dribin; seconded by Brian Bowe Vote 4-0 6. Lot 5 Veteran's Way Need to approve Mr. Tirone to sign the Occupancy Certificate. Mr. Tirone updated the Commission on the status. Trail work has started. Some trees near end of Veteran's Way need to replaced. Lot 4 will need infiltration chamber. Lot 3 might have one. Lot 5 has one. So, some trepidation about signing off. However, cannot hold off signing Occupancy unless health and safety issues. A letter has gone out to each owner to inform them of the situation and any remaining issues with their property. That clears the way for the Commission to approve Mr. Tirone to sign off tomorrow. We also still have bond in amount of 5K for each lot. Motion to Approve Mr. Tirone to sign Occupancy Certificate made by Brian Bowe; seconded by John Sullivan. Vote 4-0 7.Old/New Business Violation Notices: Some follow up with 3 addresses on Bond St (30,344,38). We have worked through all but 34. Also letter to RMLD and Mayer Tree Service. There is a place near Coolidge school where trees were cut without approval. Also unapproved of poison ivy near wetlands near intersection of Birch Meadow and John Carver. There is a IVMP that has been waiting for approval. Also 44 Eastway where Mr. Tirone saw lots of yard waste, a pile of bricks, etc. We don't know exactly where the property line is. Needs to be clarified in a future visit. Mr. Bowe wrote a letter. Mr. Tirone pointed out that a survey will be completed this fall since that land is now town land. Trails are being planned/laid out. There will be the full process for those trails. Next DPW meeting is September 6� . Mr. Bowe will attend with Mr. Tirone. Quick note about signs going up in Town Forest about keeping pets out of the water there due to water quality. This is in Health Department purview. Note about drought and exercising care in water use 8. Correspondence: -None 9. Emergency Permit- None 11. Enforcement - None U. Bills — None Page 1 3 13. Minutes for Approval — Nov 10, 2021 Motion to approve minutes by Brian Bowe; seconded by Andrew Dribin. Vote 4-0. Last second email about TF site walk on Sept 7�^ at loam. All agreed they could make that day and time. Motion to adjourn at 9:21 pm by Brian Bowe; seconded by John Sullivan Vote 4-0. Page 14