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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-28 Conservation Commission Minutes.tl rN 40 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes C-,.K Board - committee - commission - Council: 2024 HA', ;ci 10: 11 Conservation Commission Date: 2023-06-28 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, Andrew Dribin- Member, Brian Bowe- Vice Chair, Bill McCants- Member, Tony Rodolakis- Associate, Walter Talbot- Associate Members - Not Present: Others Present: Chuck Tirone- Conservation Administrator, Charlie Mace- Eagle Scout, Ari Greenberg, David Cowl, Jack Sullivan, Carlo Bacci, An Greenberg, Jessica Boudreau, Kathy Kelly, Will Squeglia, Helena Araujo, Carlo Casciani, Steve Knight, Colin McKinnon 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 7:06 pm Hearings Scheduled: 1. Eagle Scout project discussion Charlie Mace, Eagle Scout presented his project to improve and make a safer bridge for Bear Meadow. Charlie plans for construction to begin in the early fall. The Commission would like to remind Charlie to plan on cutting any Trek beforehand or in the parking lot over a tarp to contain the dust. Plan the amount of people in the wetland area and to not have too many at a time. Keep the area clean and pick up properly when it is completed. Charlie could come back in the new fiscal year to request funding for wetland seed mix or plantings when the project is completed. Motion to vote to approve the Bear Meadow Bridge- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0 2. 0 Small Lane Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153,155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0745 Continued at the applicant's request to July 12 Motion to continue on July 12- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 3. 2 Maple Street Assessor's Map 16 Lot 111 Dep File No. 270-0769 Mr. Cowl gave an overview of the changes he has made on the property that had previously been addressed by the Commission. One flag at the lower end of the property was moved about Page 1 1 15 feet to encompass some of the skunk cabbage. The deck is now proposed to be smaller with 4 feet taken off of the left and 2 feet taken off of the front. The proposed shed was removed from the plans. Mr. Cowl presented a Restoration Exhibit Plan for the Pine Vale Conservation Trail. Mr. McCants wanted to confirm the parameters of the monitoring of the area. If the plants do not survive during the three-year monitoring the applicant is responsible for replacement. The monitoring should take place in the spring and the fall over a three-year period. Mr. Bowe would like to see a formal maintenance plan for the permeable pavers that will be installed. Ms. Moore would like to see the stone come up to the top of the pavers fill to avoid seeds falling in. Mr. Tirone is requesting to be apart of the final agreement as well as input from the Trails Committee about the Trail Head restoration area including where the plantings will go and when they can go in. Motion to close the hearing- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 Motion to approve the variance- Motion by Bill McCants, Seconded by Brian Bowe, 4-0 Motion to approve the notice of intent- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 4.16 Beverley Road Assessor's Map 31 Lot 36 Dep File No. 270- 0772 Continued at the applicants request to July 12 Motion to continue to July 12- Motion by Brain Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0 5. 22 Small Lane Assessor's Map 40 Lot 155 Dep File No. 270-0770 Mr. Sullivan gave a brief overview of the previous meeting. He revised the planting plans that will be taken over by the new owner of the property. The new home owner will take on the Notice of Intent along with the conditions for this plan. Ms. Moore wanted to clarify where the stock pile will be and Mr. Sullivan stated the only place it could go was in front of the proposed paver walk. Mr. Tirone would like to add to the order of condition about the fertilizers and pesticides found under the deck area. The items, if used, must be organic and glyphosate cannot be used within 25 feet of the wetland areas. Ms. Gracias stated the items under the deck had never been opened or used and had been returned and are no longer on property. Equipment should not be brought to the right side of the home during construction. Motion to close the hearing- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0 Motion to approve the notice of intent- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 6.18 Whittier Road Assessor's Map 39 Lot 33 Dep File No. 270-0771 Mr. Sullivan spoke about the adjustments to the proposed plan and corrections that have been made. The soil stock pile will be to the southern side of the lot as indicated on the plans. More plantings including trees have been added and within the 25 -foot buffer zone. The entire garage foundation and concrete will be removed from the area and it will be filled with clean soil. Ms. Moore wanted to know if the broken fence would be repaired as to which Mr. Sullivan confirmed that the fence will be repaired. The fence should be repaired first so it could help reduce the amount of trash getting into the stream. The Commission agrees that the mulch sock and silt fence would be added protection behind the garage. As well as just making sure the area is cleaned and maintained daily from trash and debris. Ms. Moore suggested the owner clip the ivy on the tree trunks to avoid further encroachment and invasion. The DPW needs to be asked to look at the easement to see if it is blocked. Mr. Bowe had concern about the tall tree limbs and how they will be removed or trimmed. There was also concern for particular declining trees that looked like they may need to be removed and how they would be replaced. Commission would like to know how the wetland line was established. Motion to continue on July 12- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0 7.198 Haverhill Street Assessor's Map 35 Lot 69 RCC File No. 2023-12 Mr. Greenberg presented his proposed plan with detailed slides. There will only be foot traffic from the driveway to construct the deck. There is no need for trucks or equipment to be bought into the yard. Mr. Bowe would like to see the stock pile moved further away from the Resource along with removing the existing brush pile right outside of the property line. Mr. Talbot is requesting that the saw dust be controlled during the construction. Mr. Tirone suggested that Page 1 2 there is enough property out of the 100 -foot line that the soil from the post holes can be stored over in the area. Motion to close the hearing- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 Motion for a negative determination by applicability- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 8. 31 Wilson Street Assessor's Map 22 Lot 159 Dep File No. 270 - There is currently no file number available for this proposed project. Ms. Boudreau presented her proposal plan of the property. A dumpster is set to be onsite and stored in the current driveway. All materials will be walked out to the building site. Materials for the project will likely be stored to the left of the home above the driveway area. There is also space in the front of the home if needed. Mr. Bowe suggested that a 12 -inch mulch sock be used. Also, a maintenance plan for the permeable pavers and that the fill between the pavers is properly sufficient. The pile of fresh grass clippings right off the back of the property should be removed. The Commission requests that the home owner move the stock pile of burning wood from the 25 -foot buffer zone area. Mr. Tirone would also like to see a list for the vegetative buffer strip. Motion to continue on July 12- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 9. Off Lenetta Lane, Assessor's Map 52 Lot 127 RCC File No. 2023-14 Mr. Tirone presented the proposed trail plans for the Lenetta Lane conservation area. Project will take 8 weeks and consist of different volunteer groups doing the work. Mr. Squeglia is a concerned abutter of the proposal. He is worried about the uptick in people using it as a cut through and doing things other than using it is a walking trail. Ms. Araujo is also an abutter who is concerned about the privacy aspect of this potential trail. Mr. Casciani would like to know if there is recourse for people who decide to go off trail and closer to the abutting properties. Mr. Rodolakis would like to further the discussion about the ecological benefits and detriments of this trail and it if is needed in this part of Town. Ms. Kinney is willing to go back to the Trails Committee and discuss making changes to the trail to move away from abutting neighbors. Motion to close the hearing- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 Motion to approve the proposed Trail- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 10. Meadow Brook Access Easement vote- No update 11. Old/New Business The Commission will discuss nominations and vote for Chair and Vice Chair. The one- year term can be extended with the current Chair and Vice Chair or new members nominated. Bill McCants nominated Martha Moore for Chair and Brian Bowe for Vice Chair. Motion to vote by Bill McCants, Seconded by Andrew Dribin, 4-0 38 Wescroft Ave. certificate of compliance request- Plan not yet submitted. Lenetta Lane certificate of compliance request- Great grass growth but concern for non- native plants that were planted over the irrigation system. Motion to issue the COC- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 10 Plymouth Drive certificate of compliance request- During a site walk the Commission noticed an 80% survival rate in the plantings in the back of the home. Invasive were removed and more natives added. Stakes along the 25 -foot line could be removed. The green webbing at the back edge of the property is a concern. Mr. McKinnon states he can remove that immediately. An eroded bank with squash plantings needs to be stabilized for issuance. 18 Small Ln. certificate of compliance request- Voted on previous meeting. 22 Small Ln. certificate of compliance for original request- Motion to issue the COC- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, 4-0 88 Glenmere Circle certificate of compliance request- Voted on previous meeting. 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, 12. Discussion Items Page 13 a. Correspondence -None b. Regulation review & discussion Wetland Regulation revision discussion, Bill McCants, if time allows c. 60 Terrace Park Dog fence, a letter sent to homeowners by Jane Kinsella and Matt Kraunelis d. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting July 11- Meeting was canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday August 1 s`. 13. Administrators Report 14. Bills approved, None 15. Minutes for approval: 6/14/2023- hold for next meeting Motion to adjourn at 10:36pm by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Andrew Dribin voted 4-0.0. Page 14