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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-12 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading_ 1 V L) Meeting Minutes rl i /iN CLERK jt L A. 6J9IAyOPw�r Board -Committee -Commission -Council: 2024 MAR 12 AM 10: 17 Conservation Commission Date: 2023-04-12 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, John Sullivan, Andrew Dribin, Brian Bowe, vice chair, Carl Saccone, Bill McCants, Tony Rodolakis (associate member) Members - Not Present: Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Joe White, Ryan Percival, Chris Magnin and Kate Iannarone, Rick Carter, Carlo Casciani Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Martha Moore Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held remotely via Zoom. Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:14 pm. Hearines Scheduled: 1. 0 Small Lane Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by LLC, Meagan Johnson, Del Rey Realty, Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40 -the Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7.1, the applicant proposes the construction of a limited project stream crossing, retaining walls, wetland alteration, wetland replication, drainage, grading, and associated utilities. All work is within 100 feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed on the Conservation Division page under the current project, Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 3 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Applicant has requested a continuance until April 26, Additional Budget Request 2. 36 Arthur B Lord Drive Continue the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by YMCA of Greater Boston Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland Protection By-law, Section 7. 1, The applicant proposes to replace an existing concrete splash pad, existing paved parking areas and existing synthetic surface play area with artificial grass. portions of the work is within the Buffer Zone to a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, Page 1 1 and on the Conservation Division page under current project. Assessor's Map 33 Lot 92 RCC File No. 2023-07 Joe White reviewed the project to replace the splash pad and synthetic play surface with a turf product. Would lose 3 parking spaces, a portion of the work is within 100 feet of the wetland line. Joe followed up with Sym Lawn to ask about the infill. It is sand, not crumb rubber. It is a small amount of sand, and does not get tracked away much. Brian Bowe asked to set a specific deadline to remove construction materials. Bill reinforced that. Martha Moore suggested putting a date in the order of conditions, such as within a month. White agreed to out language in that any demo'd materials would be removed by the end of each work week. Chuck Tirone suggested requiring a construction schedule that also includes sweeping at the end of each day, and debris removed each week. Commission agreed that Chuck Tirone could be the one who reviews the construction schedule. Andrew Dribin asked whether, if we said that we don't want artificial turf at all, what are the alternatives. Joe White said that real grass would need much more maintenance. A rubber surface would not be an improvement over the turf. Martha Moore asked about the lack of an erosion control barrier, and whether the lip of the parking lot edge would serve that function. Chuck Tirone said that if he feels that a mulch sock needs to be added, he can always ask for that later. Motion to close by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants 6-0-0 Conditions will include construction schedule with sweeping daily and debris removed weekly. No material will be stockpiled near the wetland, kept within the limits of curbing, and not along the side of the curbing closest to the wetland. Motion for Negative Determination by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Carl Saccone 6-0-0 3. DPW Roadway Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Ryan Percival for the Town of Reading Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland Protection By-law, Section 7.1, The applicant proposes routine resurfacing maintenance and road repair of 10 roadways consisting of approximately 3.0 miles, portions of the work are within 100 -foot Buffer Zone and 200 -foot Riverfront. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under current project. Assessor's Map various Lot various RCC File No. 2023-08 Chuck Tirone explained that every year the DPW does road maintenance and it seems to always include some roads adjacent to wetlands. Ryan Percival, the Town Engineer, described the DPW roadway permit. Mill and Overlay involves grinding the surface, sweeping and paving. About 6 roads will be within buffer zones. Reclaim is when the road has deteriorated too much to mill. It will be pulverized and graded in place and re -paved. The same sediment control measures will apply. Mr. Tirone will walk the sites with them to plan the erosion control measures. Brian Bowe asked how long the spoils will be there before being removed and how they will be protected. Mr. Percival said that they will be removed on the same day. Brian Bowe asked about the straw wattles, Mr. Percival said that the location will be determined by Mr. Tirone. Brian Bowe asked what improvements they will be making. Mr. Percival said improved road surface and possibly better catch basins. Mr. Tirone said that he drives around with the engineering department. They mark the ends of the erosion control. Mr. Tirone asked how the storm drains are managed in heavy rains. Mr. Percival said that all storm drains have silt sacks and the Town vacuums out the catch basins after the paving work. He said that most storm drains are cleaned out yearly and they monitor those that are more than 50% full. Motion to close by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants 6-0-0 Motion for Negative Determination by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Carl Saccone 6-0-0 4. 21 Brewer Lane Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Chris Page 1 2 Magnin and Kate lannarone Under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, § 40 and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7.1, The applicant proposes to remove 10 trees; 3 that fall within the 35 ft buffer zone and 7 that fall within the 100 -foot Buffer Zone. The proposed work is located on the back, side, and front of the existing structure. All of the work is within the Buffer Zone to a Bordering Vegetated Wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the Town Hall Conservation Office, 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867, and on the Conservation Division page under current project. Assessor's Map 40 Lot 169 RCC File No. 2023-09 Mr. Magnin explained that they are worried about the big trees surrounding their house. They plan to remove the bed of bamboo, replace the trees with red maples, elm, shadbush and rhododendron. They plan to plant a total of 3 trees and 8 shrubs which is the equivalent of 7 trees. They will not change the topology at all. Mr. Tirone asked Mr. Magnin to show the photos he sent of the trees being discussed. A lot of the trees have leaves only at the top. Some are very close to the house and have split trunks. Tree I is next to the power line to the house. Brian Bowe asked about the number of trees, 12 vs. 10. Chris Magnin explained that one is beyond the 100 foot line and one is dead. Brian Bowe mentioned that he and Andrew made a site visit today. He explained that pine trees grow normally with the needles at the top. Bill asked about the replacement tree ratio. He asked how large the shrubs will be, a large shrub is 2 shrubs per tree removed for large shrubs, 5 foot tall over time. Bill said that the total is only the equivalent of 7 trees. The applicants explained that they were hoping that the bamboo removal could count toward the other tree. Chuck Tirone said that he is very pleased that the bamboo will be removed. There is risk that the stand could get large and spread into the wetland area. He explained that the trees ARE very close to the house and could be an issue at some point. They are much closer than trees that we have seen on applications in the past. Andrew Dribin said that he would like to see another tree planted in the front. He asked if the two maples were too close together. Martha Moore asked how accurate the 100 foot line is, Chris Magnin said that the line is as accurate as possible based on the map provided. Chuck Tirone said that he pulled a tape on the day that he was there, and that of the 12 trees, 3 are outside the 100 foot buffer zone. Carl Saccone pointed out that a grove of trees is stronger together, a single tree is prone to wind damage. He said that he is concerned about planting an elm. He asked about the oak that is proposed to remove, it is outside our jurisdiction and leans over the power line. Martha Moore said that she read the arborists report and he explained that trees with split trunks are likely to have one trunk fall. She asked about Trees E and A. Are they split? They seem to be not split. She acknowledged that leaving two trees all by themselves could be a concern, she asked for opinions of the commission about whether to leave those trees. Bill McCants asked whether we need to get our own arborist if we are going to challenge the arborist's conclusion. Chuck Tirone said that in a previous application the town lawyer said that the commission is considered to be experts in the field and guided by the Conservation Administrator. Andrew Dribin said that he doesn't remember which trees may not be split. The photos were reviewed. Martha Moore asked whether they considered leaving any of the trees as a 10 — 15 foot snag for a habitat tree. The applicants wanted to plant an elm where Tree E is, Martha Moore suggested that perhaps an oak or a slippery elm would be more likely to survive. Martha Moore asked how the bamboo would be removed. They will dig it out by hand. She suggested that they might more one of the maples a little closer to the comer of the lot. Chuck Tirone confirmed that the patio on the plot plan already exists. Motion to close by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants 6-0-0 Conditions to include: Suggestion of planting one more tree out front. Brian Bowe thought that was a good idea. Andrew Dribin asked for one more tree, rather than two shrubs. Carl Saccone said that he wants to meet the tree policy, one tree or two shrubs. Bill McCants agreed. Tony Rodolakis suggested that two more shrubs would diversify the habitat. Martha Moore suggested Page 1 3 two shrubs in the front or a smaller tree, like a native flowering dogwood, and that the owners could check the tree list again. The owners agreed to plant one extra tree or 2 more shrubs. Martha Moore confirmed that no herbicides will be used on the bamboo. Chuck Tirone said that the trees may be stumped and ground, none of the bio matter can go beyond the stone wall and suggested that they let him know what they decide after looking at the tree list, perhaps a silky dogwood. Motion for Negative Determination by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants 6-0-0 5. Meadow Brook Access Easement vote Tabled to April 26 6. 0 Sanborn Lane Map 56 Lot 26 land gift Chuck Tirone explained that the triangular area behind 67 Sanborn Lane was added to that property, leaving a more rectangular area at 0 Sanborn Lane to be given to the town. The deed was put up on the screen share for everyone to read. Members of the Commission will need to go to Town Hall to sign the dead. Motion to accept the gift of land by Brian Bowe, seconded by Cad Saccone 6-0-0 7. Old/New Business Vote 1153 Main Street Confirm Vote of 1/11/2023 Martha Moore explained that we failed to make a motion to issue after closing on 1/11/2023 and we need to confirm the vote on that Notice of Intent. Motion to issue the NOI for 1153 Main St by Brian Bowe, seconded by Andrew Dribin 5-0-1 Mr. McCants abstained because he was not on the Commission when the original vote was taken. 270-0345 Certificate of Compliance request (COC) 11 Pondview Lane, Carter Mr. Tirone explained that the DPW is responsible for maintaining the detention area once the street is accepted as a public way. Attorney Rick Carter will provide a letter to clarify this. Bill McCants asked a question about this. Chuck Tirone said that they didn't find the vote, but the road has been accepted, so the stormwater detention area would have been accepted along with the road. Bill McCants asked for something in writing. Chuck Tirone asked that we vote tonight and Bill McCants agreed to that with the condition that we get the responsibility for the detention area in writing at a later date. Motion to issue Certificate of Compliance by Brian Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants 6-0-0 Violation Notices, yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, New 26 Henzie 30, Henzie 34, Henzie, 126 Hanscom Ave, Follow-ups 30 Chequessett, 25 Baker, 22, 8, 14, Oakridge Street, 38, 34 Bond, 44 Eastway, Carlo Casciani of 44 Eastway attended the meeting. He had been asked to remove some material from land recently acquired by the Conservation Commission abutting his property. He reports that he has removed the bricks, brush, etc. Extra dirt around the trees has been removed. There are now roots in the soil where he is digging and he does not want to damage the roots with additional digging. He would like us to look at that on our site visit. A site visit was scheduled for April 13 at 2 pm to view the progress. Chuck Tirone asked for any other commission members who would be willing to help with writing violation letters. No volunteers spoke up. Brian Bowe will write violation letters for two new violations and send the drafts to Chuck. 8. Discussion Items a. Correspondence -None Page 1 4 b. MACC Environmental Conference c. 60 Terrace Park Dog fence letter — No answer to the letter. Chuck Tirone will go out and see whether the dog fence wire is still there. d. Enforcement-, 445 Pearl St., Thor W/S - No reply from Thor. Brian Bowe offered to go by during the weekend to try to talk to the owner. Chuck Tirone said that Williams and Sporages has not yet been hired to do the work. The neighbor on the same side of the street north of them has a permit for replacing a shed. e. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting April 4 — Work on Madera Cabin Gardens has started. There will be beehives and a shed, etc. At Memorial Park an existing stone wall needs to be repaired but a stream nearby means that It requires a permit, but does not need a vote by the commission. 9. Administrators Report: Friends and Family Day discussion Martha Moore, Brian Bowe and Chuck Tirone will staff the booth. Bill McCants can come for an hour, Andrew Dribin may be able to help. Brian is working on an interactive PowerPoint for the table. Martha Moore will bring children's activities, Chuck Tirone has ordered some temporary tattoos. We can show a new town map showing the Conservation Areas, suggest that they might want to join the Commission. Should we have a raffle? Entrance fee to Garden In the Woods or Audubon? The plan is to collect names and email addresses to send out a newsletter. 10. Bills approved, None 11. Minutes for approval: 1/11/2023, 1/25/2023, 2/22/2023, 3/22/23 Corrections on the minutes from 1/11/2023: spelling error on Page 3, vote to issue 1153 Main Street was missed, voted to issue today. Motion to accept the minutes as corrected by Brian Bowe, seconded by Andrew Dribin 4-0-1 (Bill McCants abstaining, Cad Saccone dropped off) Chuck Tirone said that there will be a Town Forest site visit coming up to preview the area for the Invasives Removal permit. Discussion of when the site visit may be able to happen and that they will not likely get their permit in time for them to do the work on Memorial Day weekend. - ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjoum at 9:53 pm by Mr. Bowe, seconded by Bill McCants voted 5-0-0. P,, 1 5