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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-27 Conservation Commission MinutesOWN Or HBO Town of Reading Meeting Minutes CLERK PA A. fre'DJD'INCD0.VD0.D ^ �{i Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2024 MAit 12 AM 10: 17 Conservation Commission Date: 2023-09-27 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Version: Final Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Martha Moore- Chair, Brian Bowe- Vice Chair, Andrew Dribin- Member, Bill McCants- Member, Tony Rodolakis- Member, Walter Talbot- Member Members - Not Present: Carl Saccone- Member Others Present: Chuck Tirone- Conservation Administrator, Steve Cool, Frank Fodera, Giovani Fodera, Grant Keefe Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jennifer Velazquez Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in person at Town Hall and remotely via Zoom. Chair- Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm. Hearinos Scheduled: 1. Dog Park Presentation/ Steven Cool - Mr. Cool had a brief presentation about bringing a dog park to the Town of Reading. There have been many locations brought up during the planning process but have been narrowed down to Symonds Way on the west side, Washington Park and Birch Meadow Drive. Two of the three locations would be involved with Conservation. The Commission asked a variety of questions, very few had Conservation in mind. Mr. Talbot would not like to see the park at Birch Meadow if there are trees that need to be cut down. 2. 0 Small Lane- Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Motion to approve continuance to the following meeting on October 25, 2023- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, Abstained by Andrew Dribin 5-0-1, The votes were made by roll call vote. 3. 413 Main Street- Assessor's Map 17 Lot 64, 85 File No. 270-0774 Continued at the applicants request until October 25 4. 451 Pearl Street- Assessor's Map 46 Lot 15 Dep File No. 270-0776 Mr. Fodera shared the proposed plans for a raze and rebuild of a single-family dwelling. All of the work is within the 100 ft buffer zone to a bordering vegetated wetland and intermittent stream. Two (2) fully matured pine trees between 24 and 36 inches in diameter would need to Page 1 1 be cut down during the process. The building of the new structure could be detrimental to the trees and could also pose a threat to the home if they were to fall down or have branches snap. The plan will be to add 4 hybrid Red Maple trees to replace the 2 Pine that would be removed. This build would also reduce the impervious area by about 200 square feet from 3,900 to 3,700. The Commission asked that the impervious surface be recalculated to include the deck. A storm water infiltration system added would also help to improve the site of this rebuild. Straw waddle silt fence will be added around the site during work to prevent any sediment getting into the resource areas. Mr. Dribin would like to see the 25- foot buffer zone reestablished with natural vegetation and not grass. Mr. Bowe had a concern about a cluster of 5 trees on the property that looked as if there were not healthy, one in particular had a lean to it. Ms. Moore questions another pine tree to the rear of the property. The applicant agreed to removal of both trees in question and said a plan change will be done to remove the trees during the project. Mr. Bowe suggested to add the stock pile location to the new plans as well. Mr. McCants asks that the reestablishment of natural vegetation to be a layered approach and not just trees. Mr. Rodolakis recommended that the Red Maples being planted not be a hybrid Red Maple and something true native to the area. Ms. Moore would like to see the limit of work and erosion control line on the new plans as well as the silt fence and mulch sock instead of straw waddle. The Commission is also requesting a planting plan for restoring the natural vegetation and removal of the trees. Motion to approve continuance to the next meeting on October 11, 2023- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 6-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. 6. Meadow Brook Easement Access- No update 6. Old/New Business 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 8. Regulations review and update, Bill McCants- Mr. McCants took lead on this discussion about the review and updates of the regulations. All members have had time to review and make further changes before sending final recommended amendments to Town Council for approval. Mr. McCants has proposed to add a Section 3,12 so the regulations can further define potential vernal pools. The Commission had an in-depth conversation about adding specific verbiage for "capturing a twenty -four-month consecutive breeding periods" to help determine clarity in potential vernal pools. Section 3D4 amended to add language based on past practices. This would define "no new structures or other fixtures that may not require a building permit". Mr. McCants is going to make the agreed upon adjustments and create a redline copy showing the proposed changes. This then will go to Town Council. Motion to approve Bill McCants to produce a redline version of the changes to the regulations and send to Chuck Tirone for Town Council- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Brian Bowe, Abstained Martha Moore, Rejected by Tony Rodolakis, 4-1-1, The votes were made by roll call vote. 9. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting October 3 - Mr. Tirone plans on discussing maintenance items in need at Matters Cabin, Community Garden and the Trails Committee. 10. Town Forest Day September 23- Turn out for the event was very light due to the bad weather. Page 1 2 11. Bills approved, MACC Tony $65.00 Mr. Rodolakis took a course through MACC titled "Fundamentals Unit 208: Buffer Zones Considering the Science of Applying the Regulations" Motion to approve repayment of MACC course to Commission Member- Motioned by Andrew Dribin, Seconded by Brian Bowe, Abstained by Tony Rodolakis 5-0-1, The votes were made by roll call vote. 12. Administrators Report: Keolis/MBTA Mr. Tirone was given an updated map of Wetlands in Reading. Keolis will be added to the next agenda and they will be here to speak about it. 13. Minutes for approval: 812312023, 9/13/2023 Motion to approve the minutes from 8123/23- Motioned by Brain Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 6-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. Motion to approve the minutes from 9/13123- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bi11 McCants, Abstained by Walter Talbot, 5-0-1 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:53pm by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants, all in favor Page 1 3