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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-28 Conservation Commission Minutes6O�� rp�Oi °_ Town of Reading ^e�� r Meeting Minutes oxo p�� Board - Committee - Commission - Council: iu(, Fii; i -L Conservation Commission Date: 2024-02-28 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: In Person and Zoom Virtual Version: Final Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: ll 7 3b 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, Jeffery Brem, Susan Bowe, Jean Lenox, Doug Webb, Donnan Barnes, Jennifer Hillary Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Jennifer Velazquez Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held In Person at Town Hall and remotely via Zoom. Chair- Martha Moore called the meeting to order at 7:09pm. Hearinas Scheduled: 1. 0 Small Lane- Assessor's Map 40 & 41 Lot 153, 155 & 29 Dep File No. 270-0748 At the applicant's request this hearing will be continued until May 22, 2024 2. 252- 262 Main Street & 10 Pinevale Avenue- Assessor's Map 11 Lot 192, 194, 196 Dep File No. 270-0779 At the applicant's request this hearing will be continued until March 13, 2024 Motion to continue hearing to March 13, 2024- Motioned by Tony Rodolakis, Seconded by Brian Bowe, 60-0. The votes were made by roll call vote 3. 246 - 248 Walnut SL Assessor's Map 3 Lot 19 Dep File No. 270-0781 The Commission had received and reviewed the updated total calculations for the lot sizes of the Total Riverfront Permanent Impact. The plans were over the allowed 10% so they have chosen to do mitigation. That option puts them in compliance for the plan to move forward. The mitigation includes the bridge at Sturgis Park, restoration planting, removing invasives and donating a piece of property to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Brem went into detail about the updates to the project that had previously been recommended by the Commission. Mr. Dribin asked for an explanation of the calculations for the previously disturbed area that is calculated on the plans but show different amounts for each lot size option. Mr. Tirone is going to add a condition that the road have a slight grade change at the lower lot 2 to redirect the water Flow coming down the cul-de-sac be directed to one of the two catch basins. Ms. Moore is Page I 1 requesting the knotweed be cut and dabbed by a license applicator on lot 1 as well as control other exotic invasives when it comes to the herbicide. Mrs. Bowe was curious if the Japanese knotweed was going to be maintained after removal. The Commission has agreed to have the knotweed removal be monitored for the next five years with a report presented to the Conservation Commission every spring by June 191. Ms. Moore also suggested that the bridge being built, to speciation that were sent to the Commission and the land transfer be done before the occupancy permit is issued. Motion to close the hearing for 246- 248 Walnut Street- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, Abstained by Andrew Dribin, 5-0-1. The votes were made by roll call vote. Motion to issue with condition for 246- 248 Walnut Street- Motion by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Tony Rodolakis, Abstained by Andrew Dribin, 5-0-1. The votes were made by roll call vote. 4. Motion by the Chair to revise the Tree Policy adding the words "or Conservation Fund" after the phrase "Shade Tree Fund" Mr. Dribin was curious to know if there was a conflict of interest by adding "or Conservation Fund" to this policy. Mr. Tirone stated that donations added to the particular fund have a condition on the account that the money can only spent on such things that pertain to the trees in the Town. Motion to approve the Shade Tree Fund policy update- Motioned by Brian Bowe, Seconded by Bill McCants, Rejected by Andrew Dribin, 5-1-0 5. Violation Notices, yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, Follow-ups 51 Cross Street, 30 Henzie, shed, 126 Hanscom Ave, 30 Chequessett, 22, 8, 14, Oakridge Road, 38, 34 Bond - Mr. Tirone informed the Commission that a violation notice was sent to the homeowner and are awaiting the pond to melt to do a follow up inspection of the area in question. 6. 50 Azalea Circle request for plan change, Debjyoti Ghosh Discussion Items- Withdrawn 7. MACC Annual Environmental Conference March 2, 2024 8. Symonds Way exploratory committee update, Commissioner Dribin Mr. Dribin gave an overview of the initial draft of the potential ideas for the area along Symonds Way. This draft will be presented to the Select Board at Town Meeting in the Spring. Susan Bowe asked how big the area was that could be used for something. Mr. Dribin was unsure of the calculations but said it should fit a pool and a hockey rink. 9. The Commission will discuss updating the rules for Bare Meadow and other conservation land around town, Commissioners Moore & Bowe Mr. Bowe started the discussion by explaining he did some research of regulations from the surrounding cities and towns of Reading. Mr. Bowe also described some pros and cons for the updated rules. Pros- spreading of native seeds, socialization and education to people. Negatives- impact vegetation and impact wildlife. Mr. McCants stated that he has witnessed dogs running off of their leash way ahead of their owners. It has not happened frequently, but it has happened. Mr. McCants was curious of there is still an enforcement policy of a fine when regulations are being violated. Ms. Moore is believed that this update would just replace paragraph 13 in the already made policy from 2008. Mr. Talbot agreed that there are a small number of owners who do not follow the rules and there is a potential risk for spread of disease to animals as well as humans. Mr. Dribin was curious as to why Bare Meadow was getting special treatment, he thinks it is expected for dogs to be on leash in Bare Meadow. Mr. Bowe spoke to why Bare Meadow may be special, as it the only Meadow in Reading and it has special characteristics and one of the only places that has nesting birds. Mr. Dribin would prefer dogs to be allowed on leash unless told for dogs to keep out after a study has been completed. Mr. Rodolakis also brought up the point about leash length. You can have a 10 -foot leash or a retractable 50 -foot leash that could give a dog a 100 -foot radius to run. Mr. Dribin asked if there was enough path to keep the dogs out of the Meadow? Mr. Bowe said that it could be done by Page 1 2 certain entrance. Mr. Tirone stated that he would like to keep Bare Meadow natural and it is a very populated bird area and nesting site and he is also concerned it would turn into the Town Forest when it comes to the number of dogs and how freely they roam. Mr. Rodolakis stated that the Commission should agree on the Conservation side of this discussion and not the recreations side when it comes to Bare Meadow. Ms. Barnes asked if there are other Conservations areas where dogs are excluded and Ms. Moore stated there are not currently but only proposing exclusion from Bare Meadow. Ms. Barnes asked if hunting would be excluded in the same area where dogs could be excluded and Mr. Tirone explained that hunters are naturalists and have certain times when they are allowed to hunt. Ms. Barnes asked how the dog exclusion will be enforced and Ms. Moore explained that Bare Meadow is a high traffic area and there will be people who witness the dogs and report the activity happening. Making the updated policy be known through different avenues to help educate people on what areas in Town they can take their dogs to. Mrs. Bowe asked the Commission to do a comprehensive survey of who actually uses Bare Meadow. Mrs. Bowe says there are tree stands there illegally, bikes going through constantly and the majority of the users who frequent the Meadow are dogs and their owners. Ms. Lenox is a frequenter of Bare Meadow with her dog. She observes people being respectful within the area, states the amount of people have picked up since the signs directing to Bare Meadow have gone up. Ms. Lenonx thinks it is unfair to even think to exclude dogs from Bare Meadow. Mr. Webb does not want to see the exclusion of dogs from Bare Meadow. He feels the commercial dog walkers may have been some of the reason for this since they have ben excluded from Town Forest. Ms. Hillary commented that she would like dogs to be able to go to Bare Meadow. She feels that she is safe when she is able to walk there with her dog. Mr. Tirone would also like to not see humans or dogs in the dog ponds that are being completed and make take a few years to finish. Ms. Moore also suggested adding a rule to restrict dogs or other activities during certain breeding times of the year for certain species. 10. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting 5 March Brian Bowe will be in attendance for this meeting. 11. Bills approved, 0 Waverley Road survey The survey has been completed and it was found that there is a shed just over the property line. The Conservation Commission will reach out to the owners and ask them to move it or an accommodation would have to happen. 12. Administrators Report: The Conservation restriction for Lot #4 of Grove Street is close to being finalized and the Conservation Commission will need to review it, sign it. It would then go to the Select Board. Ms. Moore asked about picnic tables for the pavilion area at the top of the community garden. Mr. Tirone would like the Commission to discuss and prioritize where ARPA and budget money can go. Picnic tables were one of the potential delegation areas. Ms. Moore also brought up potentially bringing in a portable toilet for the Matters Cabin area for the future. 13. Minutes for approval: 2/14/2024 Motion to approve minutes as amended for 2/14124- Motioned by Tony Rodolakis, Seconded by Brian Bowe, 6-0-0. The votes were made by roll call vote. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 9:10pm by Brian Bowe, all in favor. Page 1 3