HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-25 Conservation Commission Minutes• Town of Reading IV `
Meeting Minutes Jh' C LER
2016-09-22 LAG c PI^H
Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
2024 MAR 12 AN to: I ri
Date: 2023-01-25 Time: 07:00
Building:
Address:
Location:
Session:
Purpose: Zoom Virtual Meeting - Version: Final
Conservation Commission Meeting
Attendees: Members - Present:
Martha Moore chair, Brian Bowe vice chair, John Sullivan, Carl Saccone,
Andrew Dribin
Others Present:
Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Alexander Araujo, Danny,
Giovanni Fedora, Maria Fedora, Gino Fedora, Megan Kearns, James
Pearson, Bill Sullivan, Daniel Friedman, Kristan Farr, Jason Morey.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Andrew Dribin
This meeting was held remotely via Zoom.
Chair Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.
Hearings Scheduled:
0 Small Lane
Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748
Continued at the applicant's request to the meeting on Feb 8, 2023
31 Harold Ave
Assessor's Map 39 Lot 83, RCC File No. 2022-6
Mr. Tirone reached out to the applicant to let them know the Commission would
discuss their application at tonight's meeting but the applicant did not respond.
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Chair Moore noted that this item has been on the agenda for a while and it would
make sense to have the Commission vote.
Mr. Bowe moved to close this hearing, seconded by Mr. Saccone, voted 5-0-
0.
Mr. Bowe made a motion for a positive determination for 31 Harold Ave.
Mr. Tirone added that the Commission noted an intrusion into Conservation
Restriction area, as well as an intrusion into 35 -foot buffer zone. The Commission
also requested a wider ZNV to protect the buffer zone. Seconded by Mr. Sullivan.
Voted 5-0-0.
20 Eastway (-7:20om to Som)
Assessor's Map 52 Lot 36, RCC File No. 2022-I8
Continued from previous meeting. Alexander Araujo, applicant, joined meeting to address
his request to remove 3 trees in backyard leaning toward garage and neighbor's yard. Tree
expert recommended to applicant to remove the trees. Brian Bowe discussed a site visit
from January 8th. Mr. Bowe noted new bounds for Conservation Restriction and commented
on the amount of yard waste seen behind the fence. Commission discussed the health of the
trees and asked if there are any plans to plant new trees.
Mr. Bowe moved to close this hearing, seconded by Mr. Saccone; voted 5-
0-0.
Mr. Bowe moved a negative determination allowing trees to be removed
with no grinding, use of a crane and removal of all debris under the
conditions that (a) the applicant will plant two 2.5" caliper Oak trees and
one Eastern Red Bud with exact location to be coordinated with Mr. Tirone
and applicant, and (b) to remove any man-made debris behind the fence
and any yard waste at the discretion of Mr. Bowe and Mr. Tirone at a future
site visit. Seconded by Mr. Dribin; voted 5-0-0.
295 Main St f8om to 8:45om)
Assessor's Map 12 Lot 44 RCC File No. 2023-03
Danny, applicant, discussed proposed project to remove existing wood railings and
decking from 8 decks and replace with new railing and decking. Framing will be
reused. Building is a 4 story condominium. 32 decks will be renovated in all. Only 8
decks on south side of building are adjacent to the stream. Commission discussed
proximity to the stream (within 25 foot of building). Mr. Tirone commented on his
expectation of erosion control, the use of mesh netting and construction fencing to
contain any litter.
Mr. Dribin moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Bowe; voted 5-0-0.
Mr. Bowe moved to issue a negative determination (however wetland
delineation not approved, positive 2b), with the conditions that applicant
install erosion control (straw waddle and construction fencing, instead of
silt fence) along work area to be reviewed by the Construction
Administrator prior to the work. Mesh netting to be installed to prevent
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any debris from falling into stream, and any litter will be picked up
immediately. Seconded by Mr. Dribin; voted 5-0-0.
50 Johanna Dr
Assessor's Map 23 Lot 121 RCC File No. 2023-01
Mr. Giovanni Fedora with Fedora Engineering and home owners Gino and Maria
Fedora joined meeting. Mr. Fedora reviewed project describing existing wetlands
and stream near project which have not been delineated but are shown on site plan
from GIS. Project consists of proposed small addition and front porch (3.5'x12')
which is about 75' from the stream. Maria Fedora, applicant, noted that they bought
the home in September (2022). Commission discussed the project's proximity to
the perennial stream and if the proposed project meets the performance standards
for re -development within a riverfront area. Extensive discussion of how much
impervious area on site and if any mitigation/restoration is required per Riverfront
Performance Standards. Applicant agreed to continue public hearing to get more
accurate site measurements.
Mr. Bowe moved to continue this hearing at the applicant's request to the
Feb. 8 Commission meeting, seconded by Mr. Sullivan; voted 5-0-0.
Grove Street Lot #5 (across from 374 Grove Street) (8.40om to 9.201
Assessor's Map 44 Lot 24 RCC File No. 2023-02
Megan Kearns, Wetlands Scientist at Weston & Sampson, and James Pearson,
Engineer at Weston & Sampson, presented the potential construction of a gravel
parking lot proposed by the Town of Reading to provide better access to Town
Forest. The project includes 17 parking spaces and the removal of 25 trees for the
construction of the project. Only one tree is within the 100 foot buffer zone to a
wetland. The site is entirely within the Natural Heritage Priority Habitat and
Estimated Habitat for Rare Wildlife. Applicant also submitted plans to Natural
Heritage for approval. Commission discussed the stonedust path to Strout Ave if the
amount of proposed parking is enough and if any overflow parking is proposed. Mr.
Dribin questioned if the project should be an NOI rather than RDA due to proximity
of vernal pool and rare wildlife habitat. Mr. Tirone responded that the project sits
almost entirely outside of 100 -foot buffer zone and outside of conservation
jurisdiction.
Bill Sullivan, Chair of Town Forest Committee, expressed support for the project.
Daniel Friedman, neighbor across the street, questioned the extent of the proposed
wooden guard rail.
Commission discussed whether a tree (or two shrubs) could replace the one tree to
be removed within conservation jurisdiction and the desire for additional plantings
on hillside to stabilize slope.
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Mr. Bowe moved to close the hearing, seconded by Mr. Saccone, voted 5-0-
0.
Mr. Bowe moved a negative determination with the condition that one tree
to be replaced in the back of the parking area with additional plantings to
be discussed by Chair Moore, Mr. Saccone, Charles Tirone and the Town
Manager. The site should also be swept each day and guard rail installed
after parking completed. Seconded by Mr. Saccone; voted 4-1-0 .
52 Louanis Or (-9:30om to 10:00pml
DEP File # 270-0765 Assessor's Map 6 Lot 163
Kristan Farr, Wetlands Scientist and Hancock Associates, and Jason Morey, of
Brookwood Landscaping and Stonework, presented the proposed project to install
pool, patio, deck, pool house, putting green and safety fence around property.
Proposed project will not touch the 25 zone of natural vegetation or 35 foot buffer
zone. Mr. Sullivan reviewed site visit (during snow storm); found four wetland flags
that seemed reasonably placed.
Commission discussed stockpiling, removal of phragmites in back of yard, installing
the putting green without sand infill, additional native plantings within buffer zone
per DEP's comments and native plantings within the landscape plan, and the
amount of impervious surface within the project. Commission requested an
additional planting plan to further the discussion. Applicant agreed to work on
planting plan and requested to continue public hearing.
Mr. Bowe moved to continue this hearing at the applicant's request to the
Feb 8th Commission meeting, seconded by Mr. Dribin; voted 5-0-0.
Old/New Business:
Mr. Tirone requested the Commission to ratify an Emergency Order at 27 Arcadia
Avenue to dig a trench to the house to repair a clogged sewer. The property is
within the 200 foot riverfront area. Town Engineer declared the issue an
emergency. Mr Bowe made a motion to ratify the Emergency Order at 27
Arcadia. Seconded by Mr. Sullivan; voted 5-0-0.
Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC) meeting review. Mr. Dribin
summarized the SWEC meeting held on the previous Wednesday (1/18) to focus on
encouraging public discussion via a survey. The site also has potential
contamination issues, although the general consensus amongst SWEC members
was to wait on testing until there was a better idea of what to do with the site.
Committee discussed constraints of the site.
No additional violations to discuss.
No minutes for approval. December 14th, 2022 minutes to be on next agenda.
Committee discussed if town could help take minutes.
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Mr. Tirone asked if future meetings would remain over Zoom or move to hybrid.
Chair Moore stated meetings will continue to be Zoom only for February and March.
Motion to adjourn at 10:31pm by Mr. Bowe, seconded by Mr. Sullivan;
voted 5-0-0.
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