HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-13 Conservation Commission Minutes�N OFR
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
Board Committee - Commission - Council: Y'�c1 iin.b, c ;,� i 'I�b
Conservation Commission
Date: 2023-09-13 Time: 07:00 PM
Building: Location:
Address: Session: Open Session
Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Version: Final
Conservation Commission Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Brian Bowe- Vice Chair, Andrew Dribin- Member, Bill McCants- Member,
Tony Rodolakis- Memeber
Members - Not Present:
Martha Moore- Chair, Carl Saccone- Member, Walter Talbot- Member
Others Present:
Chuck Tirone- Conservation Administrator, Maureen Harold, Ann Martin Jack
Sullivan, lames and Amy Lebrecque, Anthony Silva, Dan and Alan-
McDonalds
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jennifer Velazquez
Topics of Discussion:
This meeting was held in person at Town Hall and remotely via Zoom.
Vice Chair Brian Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.
Hearinas Scheduled:
1.0 Small Lane- Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748
Ms. Harold started the hearing by giving a brief update of the items she addressed in her Memo
to the Commission on August 30, 2023. Mr. Dribin would like to see an actual drawing of this
proposed sub division with a single-family home on the property and if it has been brought to
attention before, he would like to have the denial information or meeting notes brought to the
Commission for better understanding of why this cannot be done as a single-family home. Mr.
Rodolakis would like to have the information about the BVW performance standard sent to the
Commission for review. The Commission has also requested a more detailed description of the
dewatering area and method.
Motion to approve continuance to next meeting on September 27, 2023- Motioned by Bill
McCants, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote
2. 92 Van Norden- Assessor's Map: 39 Lot: 93 File No. 2023-18
Mr. Sullivan gave a brief synopsis of the proposed plan to demolish an existing garage and
replace it with an attached garage. Mr. Dribin addressed yard waste that is in the back of the
property that should be removed so the wetland could go back to its natural state. Mr. Rodolakis
is questioning the validity of the flags that were placed in the ground. The flags were placed 1- 2
years ago and seemed to have been moved. Mr. Rodolakis is suggesting that for future
projects, if there will be any, that the property be re -delineated. Mr. McCants asked where the
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materials will be stored during this garage rebuild. Mr. Sullivan let the Commission know the
demolished building will be removed same day and the new garage will be collapsed and
brought in to put right up. There will be no need for a stock pile of materials. The Commission,
Mr. Sullivan and the Lebreoques had discussed the need for a 5- foot vegetative buffer strip with
native plants and layers in front of the flags and the project. Mr. Tirone would like the street
swept and cleaned at the end of each day during the work that is being done to reduce the
amount of sediment that gets loose.
Motion to close the hearing- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Bill McCants, 40-0, The
votes were made by roll call vote.
Motion to approve a negative determination with the conditions discussed Motioned by Tony
Rodolakis, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote.
3. 15 Temple Street -Assessor's Map 16 Lot 342 Dep File No. 270-0775
Mr. Silva presented his proposed project for 15 Temple Street to raze an existing building and
build a new single-family dwelling. Mr. Dribin and other members of the Commission did a site
visit to the property and he would request that the shed be relocated on the property out of the
35- foot buffer zone or removed as well as the greenhouse. Mr. Silvia stated the greenhouse
would go and he would plan the shed relocation or removal. Mr. Rodolakis wanted to confirm
that there were soil tests completed and the findings were incorporated into the design. Mr.
Silva said that they were done and it was reported on by the agency. Mr. McCants would like
further clarification on the stock pile location. Mr. Silvia says he will prioritize moving the stock
pile to the north side of the property further away from the resource area. The Commission is
requesting a 5- foot buffer strip of natural vegetation in the back along the entire bank with a
planting plan submitted to Chuck Tirone to include herbaceous, shrub and tree layers, street
sweep each night to make sure no sediment is getting into the storm drains and removal of
invasive plants done with a licensed applicator.
Motion to close the hearing- Motioned by Bill McCants, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 4-0-0,
The votes were made by roll call vote.
Motion to approve the Notice of Intent with Conditions discussed- Motioned by Andrew Dribin,
Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote.
4. 413 Main Street- Assessor's Map 17 Lot 64, 85 File No. 270-0774
McDonalds' representative gave a simple explanation of the proposed plans. Raze and rebuild,
removal of playground and a dual drive through. Mr. Dribin would like further clarification on the
square footage number of impervious surface area reduction within the 100 -foot buffer zone and
also a change in vegetation where the stream runs so it would be identifiable that the culvert
runs though that particular area. Mr. Rodolakis is requesting further spec information on the
lighting that will be added to the back wall between local neighbors and if there is any
information on the underlying soil chemistry investigation documents, standard operation
procedure on trash removal and daily maintenance. Mr. McCants had questions about the storm
drain management and is asking to view the maintenance manual of the drainage system. Mr.
Bowe is asking for the soil erosion and construction plan for the 12- foot fence that is being
constructed between the McDonalds and the abutting neighs tat is over the stream. Mr. Tirone
is requesting a 3- year vegetation operation plan for the plantings in the center aisle beside the
new building.
Motion to approve continuance to the meeting on October 25, 2023- Motioned by Andrew
Dribin, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote
5. Meadow Brook Easement Access- No current updates
6.Old/Now Business
-Wthdraw the Minor Plan Change for Maillet Sommes and Morgan wetland crossing as per
DEP discussion. -DEP could not support the minor plan changes that were proposed and
approved by the Commission. DEP would like the Commission to rescind the approval of the
minor plan change to move the Wetland mat.
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Motion to withdraw the approval of minor plan changes to Maillet Sommes and Morgan -
Motioned by Bill McCants, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call
vote.
-10 Plymouth Drive Certificate of Compliance request, waiting for more information
-Violation Notices, yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, Follow-ups 30 Henzie,
shed, 26 Henzie fence, 126 Hanscom Ave, 30 Chequessett, 22, 8, 14, Oakridge Street, 38, 34
Bond, 60 Terrace Park Dog fence, the home owner did not remove the pea stone and invisible
fence flags
7. Discussion Items- Rules and Regulations have had minor adjustments to the proposed
amendments. Mr. McCants would like the Commission to look over those before the changes
are sent off to Town Council.
8. SWEC update, Andrew Dribin- There is potential for a proposed dog park wanted in
Reading. Steve Cool would be a person that could come in front of the board to speak about
options. There is also a feasibility study being done for a "senior center and where it could go.
9. Keolis/MBTA violation discussion- Mr. Tirone received a letter from the Wetland
Sustainability Manager of Keolis, Elaine Baker, addressing the mistakes that have been made
ad reassuring they will make efforts to improve. Due to impending weather Keolis was unable
too join tonight but wanted to join a future meeting. They wanted to inform the Commission that
they have put down straw mulch and upland seed mix and are working to update the maps. All
ditch work will be hatted until approval and permits have been issued.
10. 30 Henzie discussion, Brian Bowe- Due to the health and age of the owner, they are
requesting that the shed stay on place on Town property until they are no longer there, in life or
on the property. The Commission has concluded that the owner does need to remover the shed
off of Town Property.
11. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting October 3- Martha Moor and Brian Bowe will be in
attendance. A discussion point will be the issues needing to be fixed at Matters Cabin.
12. Administrators Report:
13. Town Forest Day September 23- This will take place on the fields on the Wood End school
and the Commission will have a tent as well as handouts. Brian Bowe will be there to man the
tent along with Chuck Tirone and Martha Moore. Event will run 9am- f pm.
14. Fall Street Fair September 10, discussion- Marth Moore and Brian Bowe were there to
speak on behalf of Conservation. It was a rainy day off and on. There was some foot traffic to
and from the information booth. Residents were interested in Maillet Sommes and wanted a
better understand of what was happening in that site. About 40% of attendees were not from
Reading.
15. Bills approved, None
16. Minutes for approval: 8/9/23, 8/2312023
Motion to approve the meeting minutes from August 9, 2023- Motioned by Andrew Dribin,
Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 10:02pm by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants, all in favor
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