HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-08 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading -RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK
��� REACING, MA.
Board - committee - commission - council: 2023 APR 16 PM 2: 03
Conservation Commission
Date: 2023-03-08 Time: 07:07 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Version: Draft
Conservation Commission Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Martha Moore chair, John Sullivan, Andrew Dribin, Brian Bowe vice chair
Members - Not Present:
Carl Saccone
Others Present:
Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, William McCants, Rob Tedesco,
Kathym McCarthy, John Tedesco, Joanne tedesco, Thor Ackerson, Roger
Borlase
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Brian Bowe
Topics of Discussion:
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm.
Hearings Scheduled:
0 Small Lane
Assessor's Mao 40 & 41 Lot 153,155 & 29 Deo File No. 270-0748
Motion to continue at applicant's request to March 22 by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Bowe
Vote 4-0
644 Summer Ave.
DEP File # 270-0768 Assessor's Mao 8 Lot 115
Mr. Ackerson gave an overview of the proposed work. The Commission determined that a site
visit would be necessary. It was scheduled for next Tuesday at 8:45 am. Since there had not
been a visit yet there was some general discussion of issue that commissioners wanted to see
and understand better. As far as the grouping of blueberry bushes proposed to the planted in
the back left of the property, it was suggested some diversity rather than all blueberry would be
good. Also, pending the visit there was some thought about relocating some of the plantings,
perhaps along the bank of the intermittent stream that runs along the right of the property. Mr.
Tirone pointed out that pervious pavers are a structure and they are proposed to be inside the
35' "No Structure Zone.' He said he'd need to get some detail on the pavers to understand
pervious they would be. Applicant would like to be on the agenda for the Mar 22nd meeting,
therefore they will need to provide the requested info and plan changes by Mar 150.
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Motion to continue at applicant's request to Mar 22nd by Mr. Bowe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan
Vote 4-0
Old/New Business:
2023 Budget Discussion — After discussion of various priorities the Commission chose 5 items.
These are:
- Conservations signs for Pinevale and Bare Meadow (Pearl St entrance) Conservation
Areas
- Hi -Visibility vests (10) per the link provided by Mr. Tirone. These would be given to
Commissioners to be returned at the end of their term(s). The number is intended to
allow for more members, including Associate Members.
- "No Dumping" signs (3) to be posted at the Commission's direction.
- Trail Cameras (2)
- Educational Material ($500)
The total cost for these items is thought to be about $5,300, just under the $5,500 available.
Items will be ordered in the priority order listed above and should some item be more expensive
than anticipated the lowermost item would be dropped for this year.
Mr. Bowe to distribute the updated spreadsheet.
Motion to approve the chosen items made by Mr. Bowe, seconded by Mr. Dribin
Vote 4-0
Discussion of ARPA Funding. Reiterated the items that were approved. Mr. Tirone stated that
the Commission has more time to move forward. For now we decided to purchase the approved
bike rack. The exact location for the rack will be determined at a future meeting.
Discussion Items
a. Correspondence -None
b. MACC Environmental Conference — Several people attended one or more sessions
and we decided to dedicate time over several upcoming meetings for those individuals to
present the key takeaways. In particular Mr. Dribin will talk about Vernal Pools, Mr. Bowe
will talk about Open Spaces. Others may get included.
c. 60 Terrace Park Dog fence letter — Letter concerning encroachment on Kurchain
Woods. No response from homeowners yet. Mr. Tirone may check out the violation on
Tuesday to see if it might have been remediated without informing the Conservation
Office.
d. Minutes Approvals — Mr. Sullivan will prepare the minutes for Feb 22"d. The following
minutes were approved:
- Sept 28' . Motion by Mr. Dribin, seconded by Mr. Sullvan. Vote 4-0
- Dec 10. Motion by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Dribin. Vote 4-0
- Febb 8'". Motion by Mr. Dribin, seconded by Mrr. Sullivan. Vote 4-0.
e. Update on DPW Coordination Meeting of Mar 7"'. There was talk about a potential
drainage swale near the entrance to the DPW yard. There was a discussion about the
draft IVMP for RMLD/Mayer Tree Services. Mr. Tirone distributed the latest version and
we will meet with DPW on the 13d'.
f. Enforcement-, 445 Pearl St. No new news
g. Brief discussion of the in -planning invasive removal work to be done at the Town
Forest. Mr. Tirone will be soliciting three bids.
Motion to adjourn at 8:46 pm by Mr. Bowe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, voted 4-0.
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