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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-11 Conservation Commission Minutesorx� Town of Reading x , _IVi i �� CLEf;K Meeting MinutesP11A. t v 2024 MAR 12 AM 10: 17 Board - committee - commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2023-10-11 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, Giovanni Fodera- Engineer, Frank Fodera, Eline Bakker- Keolis, William Doyle- Engineer, Mark Sieger 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 7:12 pm. Hearinas Scheduled: 1. 0 Small Lane- Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 163,165 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Continue until October 25 at the applicants request. 2.413 Main Street- Assessor's Map 17 Lot 64, 85 File No. 270-0774 Continued until October 25 at the applicants request. 3.451 Pearl Street- Assessor's Map 46 Lot 15 Dep File No. 270-0776 Mr. Fodera presented his updated plans requested by the Commission for the raze and rebuild that will be taking place on 451 Pearl Street. A total of 8 trees will be removed from the property with the addition of 5 new trees and shrubs; planting plan included. Stock pile is noted on the plot plan and the travel path will be to the North side of the structure. The ZNV has an updated plan with a layered approach as well. An erosion barrier will include a 12 -inch mulch sock and the limit of work was pushed back further from the resource area. The total impervious area previously was 3,935 sf and now has been updated to 4,060 sf. Mr. McCants had a concern about the height requirements for the shrubs in the plan. The plan shows the shrubs to be too short in height. The applicant confirmed that he will call the nursery immediately to secure shrubs within the correct height requirement if the current plant will not meet height requirements. The Commission came to an agreement with the homeowner to just add 2 more swamp azaleas to the plan to meet requirements. Mr. Bowe would like to have note Number 6 removed from the plan, as there should be no mowing in this particular area. Ms. Moore asked Page i 1 for clarification on the fence. It will be a 6- foot privacy fence with a 4 -inch bottom passage. Mr. Tirone suggested a condition to allow mowing for maintenance every 2 years. If the plantings do not get in before the raze and rebuild a mulch sock should be used instead of straw wattle. Motion to close hearing on 451 Pearl Street- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 6-0-0. The votes were made by roll call vote. Motion to approve a notice of intent with conditions for 451 Pearl Street- Motioned by Brain Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Ddbin, 6-0-0. The votes were made by roll call vote. 4. Amended Order of Conditions 62 Range Road- Assessor's Map 46 Lot 15 Dep File No. 270-0761 Mr. Sieger gave an update to a previously approved extension at the Reading Rifle Club. During the work it was brought to their attention by the Fire Department that they would be required to have a fire suppression system installed. The building is currently on a small water supply that will not be adequate for a suppression system to be installed. Mr. Sleger is proposing a new water system connection to the municipal supply and a septic abandonment, which some of the work needed to be done will happen in close proximity to the Wetlands resource. Majority of the work will happen in the roadway. A plan has been noted for a 12 -inch mulch sock for the erosion control in all areas to protect the resources. During a site visit Mr. Bowe observed dead and dying trees in the proposed work area. Mr. Bowe requests that those trees that need to be removed be added to the site plan along with the detailed erosion control added to the updated visual plan. Ms. Moore is requesting that a previously dumped pile of concrete, or a makeshift cover for a cesspool be removed from the area while the work is being done. The Commission has agreed that Chuck Tirone should do a pre -site visit to assist on a consult of which trees should be cut down cross the fence for work to be done with least amount of impact. A condition of this project is to not start until the Spring time to keep the time needed to complete to a minimum. There should also be no stockpiling in the buffer zone. Motion to continue hearing to next meeting on October 25, 2023- Motioned by Brain Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 6-0-0. The votes were made by roll call vote. S. Meadow Brook Easement Access- No current update 6. OldlNew Business 10 Plymouth Drive Certificate of Compliance request - Have not be able to reach home owner on two separate visits to the property. 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. 30 Collins Avenue - Chuck Tirone sent out an enforcement letter to the new owners for cutting down some trees without knowing of the Town regulations. The home owners will be attending the next meeting on October 25^. An enforcement order is expected to be sent to the contracted company as well. Motion to authorize Chuck Tirane, Conservation Administrator, to send an enforcement letter to GN Brothers Tree Service- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 6-40. The votes were made by roll call vote. 7. Discussion Items- Keolis Presentation- Mr. Doyle shared a presentation about "Culvert Cleaning and Vegetation Management" on New Crossing Road. Mr. Doyle focused on the work that had been done to clear out the culvert in an area that had been flooding. That particular area was a wetland area and not owned by Keolis. Keolis and The Commission have since updated maps for their crews to be more aware of the resources in the are of the train tracks and what areas they can work on without permission. Mr. Bowe was pressing Keolis for a reason work had been done along the track that should not have been down without a permit from the Town of Reading. Keolis responded as it being a mistake that they are turning into a training moment with their crews out Page 1 2 in the fields. Mr. Tirone also suggested a maintenance project within the bank area. There would need to be further discussion if said project, perhaps "swale maintenance" happens, but no permit would be needed for this. There was also brief discussion on getting the culvert updated but that is something for Town Engineers and DPW to address specifically. S. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting November 7 - Martha Moore will attend the next DPW meeting on November 7, 2023. Ms. Moore informed the Commission that the DPW will mow Bear Meadow less after being consulted by Mass Audubon. This will allow some time for them to fit in Maters Cabin for mowing and maintenance. 9. Bills approved 10. Administrators Report: 11. Minutes for approval: 9/27/2023 Motion to approve the minutes from 9-27-23- Motioned by Brain Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, 6-0-0, The votes were made by roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:24pm by Brian Bowe, all in favor. Page 13