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Home My WebLink About2023-08-09 Conservation Commission Minutes� rR�ap Town of Reading 01a� r Meeting Minutes '' a IMCOPo�P Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2023-08-09 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 07:00 PM :1 6LIV+gib C}'"1N CLERK P IJP MA. (IV 2024 MAR 12 AM 10: 16 Location: Session: Open Session Version: Final Martha Moore- Chair, Brian Bowe- Vice Chair, Andrew Dribin- Member, Bill McCants- Member, Walter Talbot- Member, Tony Rodolakis- Memeber Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone- Member Others Present: Chuck Tirone- Conservation Administrator, Andrew MacNichol, Mary Benedetto, Jane Kinsella, Chris Cole, Bill Sullivan Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jennifer Velazquez Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. Hearings Scheduled: 1. MBTA Communities planning staff update, Andrew MacNichol, Mary Benedetto The Town of Reading Planning team has given the timeline information for the MBTA Communities Law with a brief PowerPoint presentation. Reading must confirm to the State that they have a district zoned for 1,493 units of multifamily housing, By -Right, at a density of 15 units per acre, across a district of at least 43 total acres in at least 5 -acre sections. Reading does not currently meet those requirements. Reading must comply by 2024 and the plan is to rezone the Town. This process will happen over 6 phases. Ms. Benedetto emphasized that this is a zoning practice for future development. The Town does not have to have these units completed or promised to build by deadline. This Law is to get the correct zoning within the Town. There is also a link to the FAQ for more information on the Planning page on the Town of Reading website. There are currently no Conservation challenges with this direct zoning plan but will engage with the Conservation Commission as the Planning team gathers more information on this plan. 2. 0 Small Lane- Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Motion to approve continuance to next meeting on August 23, 2023- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Brian Bowe, Abstained by Tony Rodolakis, 5-0-1, The votes were made by roll cell vote. Page 1 1 3. Town Forest Invasive Management- Assessor's Map: 43, 44, 49, 50 ,55 Lot: (43) 33, 369 37, 43; (44)117; (49) 1-10; (50) 3-7, 16, 17, 20-29 (55) 1 Motion to approve to move the hearing to the end of todays meeting- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, Abstained by Tony Rodolakis, 5-0-1, The votes were made by roll call vote. Bill Sullivan presented to the Commission a Request for Approval of Invasive Plant Management in the Reading Town Forest. The Town Forest currently has a number of invasive plants and if not controlled now the Town Forest will be tangled up with heavily grown invasives. Parterre Ecological has prepared an Invasive Plant Management Plan. The Commission has some concerns about future funding and next steps. Will there be continued management as years go on? Yes, that is in the future planned steps. And how will it be paid for? Grants will be applied to as funding is needed. Can buckthorn be pulled at half incher vs. one inch? This will be asked to the correct person. Is there an alternative option for herbicide that will need to be used closer to the Wetland areas? Garton 3A is what is going to be used and it is approved for use close to Wetlands. Will the company doing the work follow manufacturers recommended uses? Yes, the licensed applicators must follow the manufactures recommended directions on the label and MSDS sheets. Motion to close hearing on Request for Approval of Invasive Plant Management in the Reading Town Forest- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 6-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. The Commission has agreed to the follow order of conditions for this project as is. Dye will be added into the herbicide so they can track the area of application, only Garlon 3A or Rodeo can be used for the cut and dab, rain condition must be without rain 24 hours prior to application, a pre -activity meeting must be done with Chuck Tirone before any vegetation is pulled along the streambank. The treatment window can only be done after September 15'^ through January, a plant specialist must walk the proposed site and identify if there are any threatened or endangered plants that could be affected and submit to the Commission a replanting list for Area 10 to review and approve before the meeting on September 13, 2023. Motion to approve a negative determination for the Town Forest RDA under the conditions discussed- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Bill McCents, Not in Favor Brian Bowe, 5- 1-0 4. Meadow Brook Access Easement Currently no new information. S. Old/New Business 123 Lilah Lane Certificate of Compliance request 270-0196 & 270-0171, Backus Trust Continued until August 23, waiting for more information 10 Plymouth Drive Certificate of Compliance request- homeowner is working on erosion control and getting the lawn on the property established. Violation Notices- yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, Follow-ups 26 Henzie, 30 Henzie, 34 Henzie, 126 Hanscom Ave, 30 Chequessett, 22, 8, 14, Oakridge Street, 38, 34 Bond, 60 Terrace Park Dog fence- 26 Henzie has cleared the pile of debris from the draining channel behind the house. 30 Henzie still has the fence into the Resources area and 34 Henzie has not moved their garden shed and it is coming up to 1 -year since they were notified that 0 needs to be moved. Mr. Bowe will do a follow up with the Assistant Town Manager about 60 Terrace Park dog fence. 126 Hanscom Avenue should be removed from the agenda as it is not the home directly with the issue. 6. Discussion Items a. Regulation review & discussion Wetland Regulation revision discussion, McCants, next discussion August 23 b. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting September 5 c. Added- Mr. McCants has brought to the attention of the Commission the fact that Mr. Saccone has not been often present and per MACC guidance that it would be appropriate to Page 1 2 bring to the attention of the appointing authority, the Select Board, that it has been a long time since Mr. Saccone has been unable to attend the meetings. 7. Administrators Report: Matters Cabin has been suffering severe leaking throughout this past year. Mr. Tirone is in constant contact with DPW for repairs. DPW would like to install a gutter and riprap area on the porch so when water comes off of the roof it will drop into this specific area and be delivered down further past the garage. DPW would also like to regrade the driveway approaching the walkway down to the entrance to the Cabin. Possibly adding 2 grates to accept the water that is coming down the hard surface. The post at the beginning of the entrance that holds up the roof also needs to be replaced as it is rotted straight though. Facilities had also gone out and put in a brand-new copper flashing in the area of the garage roof and the house. 8. Town Forest Day September 23 Conservation Commission has been invited to help out with the Town Forest Appreciate Day at the Wood End Schools soccer field. Martha Moore, Chuck Tirone, Brian Bowe, Waiter Talbot and Bill McCants have all agreed to volunteer for the booth and will discuss further as the date of the event approaches. 9. In-person meetings starting in September 139 The Commission briefly discussed the pros and cons of going to hybrid meetings and have decided it would be in great interest to start hybrid meetings on September 13, 2023. 10. Bills approved, None 11. Minutes for approval: 711212023, 7/26/2023 Motion to approve minutes as amended for 7/122023- Motioned by Bill McCents, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 5-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. Motion to approve minutes as amended for 7/26/2023- Motioned by Bill McCants, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 5-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 10:30pm by Brian Bowe, seconded by Tony Rodolakis voted 5-0-0. Pagc 1 3