Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-10 Conservation Commission MinutesTown of Reading I's ��s Meeting Minutes '�x,onv°�xe Board - committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2023-05-10 Building: Address: Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 07:00 PM Location: ne4 1°Fh; L Yl jU: Session: Open Session Version: Final Martha Moore- Chair, John Sullivan- Member, Andrew Dribin- Member, Brian Bowe- Vice Chair, Walter Talbut- Associate Member, Bill McCants- Member, Tony Rodolakis- Associate Member, Carl Saccone- Member Members - Not Present: Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Jeb Pittsinger 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 7:08 pm. Hearings Scheduled: 1. 0 Small Lane , Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 Applicant has requested a continuance until May 24, Additional Budget Request --No Vote Needed 2. 2 Maple Street , Assessor's Map 16 Lot 111 Dep File No. 270-0769 Applicant has requested a continuance until May 24, Additional Budget Request -Motion to Vote Continuance Determination by Mr. Bowe, Seconded by Mr. McCants unanimous 5-0-0 3.16 Beverly Road , Assessor's Map 31 Lot 36 Dep File No. 270- -Jeb Pittsinger gave an overview of the proposed work. A site visit was conducted on May 7, 2023 at 8:30am and completed at 9:10am. Mr. Rodolaski made comments about observations during the site visit. He believes the project is fully within the buffer zone but believes it is outside of the wetland's setback. There appears to have been yard waste dumped within the wetland boundary behind the retaining wall. The owner spoke about the infiltration system. Mr. McCants asked when the original retaining wall was built, to which Mr. Pittsinger answered Page I 1 1990-1991 when the house was built to help facilitate the construction of the home. Mr. McCants key question is, why is this being presented as a notice of intent and not as a request for variance? Based on the fads that were in the 25 -foot and 35 -foot zones a variance is needed because of strict compliance to the regulations strictly not possible. Have there been reasonable alternatives considered? Is that proposed native planting infiltration garden a plan for mitigation? Mr. Tirone had previously suggested some mitigation to Mr. Pittsinger about his property. Mr. Pittsinger stated that this plan is more of a garden for his property but also that this garden delineates between space and will supply mitigation. Mr. Bowe asked about alternatives to the size of the proposed garage. Mr. Pittsinger stated he is restricted by the zoning offsets and needs at least 24 feet. The accessory apartment requires at least 3 parking spaces, so that garage and the driveway parking would be a necessity. Mr. Bowe would like to hear other alternatives especially for the large patio. Mr. Dribin asked about the potential life span of the concrete retaining wall to which Mr. Pittsinger replied that the wall itself is a robust wall with minimal cracks and staining from the past 30 years and has a long -life span of 75 years or more. Mr. Dribin would also like to see alternatives to the proposed plans. Mr. Rodolakis would like to have more information about the infiltration garden and how the hydrology would work in the months we get heavy rains. He would like to see what the proposed permeability would be, what the infiltration would be and what would keep that water directed downward and not coming out of the other side of the proposed retaining wall and on the backside of the patio. Mr. Rodolakis is not convinced the water will go straight down to the back of the wall and out of the weep holes. Mr. McCants would like to see other forms and more use for mitigation within the area of the proposed plan. Mr. Talbut was also concerned about the water. Ms. Moore suggested to have the driveway graded and add a lip to the start of the driveway. Ms. Moore wanted to know about back fill storage. Mr. Pittsinger states most will be removed from site and there should not be any storing on the property. Mr. Tirone would like to know if the aquifer protection district and if their regulations were taken into consideration with this plan. The tree in between driveways would lose oxygen from paving and the tree needs tree protection because it's not proposed to be removed. Mr. Tirone suggested that Mr. Pittsinger fill out the variance request form. Motion to continue by Mr. Bowe, Seconded by Mr. McCants unanimous 5-0-0 4. Meadow Brook Access Easement Vote- -Paperwork did not come in. Will be pushed to next meeting. 5. Old/ New Business Violation Notices, yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, New; 26 Henzie St., 30 Henzie St., 34 Henzie St., 126 Hanscom Ave., Follow-ups; 30 Chequessett Rd., 25 Baker Rd., 22, 8, 14, Oakridge St., 38, 34 Bond St. -No new advancements with notices and follow ups. 6. Discussion Items a. Correspondence- None b. Leaning Tree/95 Main Street Dumpster trash discussion- Mr. Tirone did a site visit with Mr. Bowe and Ms. Moore to observe the complaint from the HOA of Leaning Tree about the dumpster trash from 95 Main Street getting into the wetland buffer. The Health Department is involved and sent a Letter to have the enclosure properly secure. Health Inspector visits the site each week to make sure the area is being properly maintained. Previous trash is the responsibility of the home owners for cleanup. The area will be monitored and if the Health inspector notices any new litter or debris the commission will be notified. c. Regulation review & discussion, Section 3 D, McCants- Bill McCants would like the commission to make amendments to the regulations. Mr. McCants states this amendment would just be to clarify the language and verbiage within the regulations. Tree removal was discussed Mr. Bowe states that an area for more clarity would be around Vernal Pools. Ms. Moore thinks there should be more clarity around structures definitions. Brian Bowe is just concerned with rolling out too many changes at once Page 1 2 d. MACC Environmental Conference, Brian Bowe attended this conference and shared his screen and the presentation with the rest of the Commission. Slides were also sent out to follow along. Brian Bowed states that he spoke with the DWP Director and included information put in the Town Managers Monthly Update about contacting Mr. Tirone if you plan on or would like to do work in or around a Wetland area. e. 60 Terrace Park Dog fence letter- No update. f. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting May 2- the discussion was about Mailleft Sommes Morgan MVP project, and Matters Garden deadline. No new projects were spoken about. 7. Administrators Report: Friends and Family Day- Discuss more at next meeting 8. Bills approved- None 9. Minutes for approval: 1/25/2023, 2/22/2023, 4/12/23, 4/26/2023 Motion to Vote Approval of 4/12/23 Minutes- Determination by Bill McCants, seconded by Brian Bowe 5-0-0, Motion to Vote Approval of 4/26/23 Minutes- Determination by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin 5-0-0 with a typo correction needed that was mentioned my Martha Moore. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 10:00 pm by Brian Bowe, seconded by John Sullivan voted 5-0-0. Page 1 3