Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-11 Conservation Commission Minutes� FR� Town of Reading RECEIVED UQUA Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK READING, MA. 04 Board - Committee - Commission - council: 2125 MAR 20 PM 4: 21 Conservation Commission Date: 2024-12-11 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Select Board Meeting Room Address: 16 Lowell Street Session: Open Session Purpose: Hybrid Meeting - Conservation Version: Final Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Brian Bowe, chair, Martha Moore, vice chair, Tony Rodolakis, Chirag Sthalekar, Walter Talbot (remote) Tim Michel Members - Not Present: Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Ujival Shah, Adam and Eleanor Shonkoff, Ian Ainslie (Meisner-Bremmer), Siona Patisteas, remote, Andrew Cole remote, Elizabeth Wallace (Hayes Engineering), Jack Sullivan, Brad and Kristin Doherty , Ana Rita Pascal (Keoolis), Bill Doyle (CI.0 Engineering),Jeremy Fontaine (MBTA), John Connors (Keolis), Steve Knight, Jim Reilly, Patrick Sheeran Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Martha Moore Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in person and remotely via Zoom. Chair Brian Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. Public Hearings 29 Green Meadow Drive Ujjval Shah Continue the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Ujjval Shah 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 invasive and plant removal of shrubs and vines in the late fall of 2024 using licensed applicators to provide mechanical and herbicide control techniques. New native shrubs and ground cover as well as loam and seed will be planted in the spring of 2025 and in the early summer the license applicators will return to cut and treat re -sprouting invasive shrubs and vines. All work is within 100 feet of a bordering vegetated wetland and 200-foot Riverfront Area. 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 project by year. Assessor's Map 19 Lot 736-00337 File No. 2024-8 Ujival Shah presented changes to the plan from Oct 23rd meeting. Two goals, invasive removal and replanting. 5 changes. Extend buffer strip feet increased to 8 ft. More native Page 1 1 plants. Bird bath 2 times bigger. Grass changed to no mow area. Ms. Moore clarifies buffer increase. Motion to close by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar. Vote: Mr. Talbot (remote) In favor, Mr. Stelekar, Ms. Moore In Favor, Mr. Michel Abstain, Mr. Bowe In Favor 4-0-1 Conditions: • Applicant to provide maintenance plan for plantings approvable by Mr. Tirone • Remove debris Motion of Issue a Negative Determination of Applicability by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar. Vote: Mr. Talbot (remote) In favor, Mr. Sthalekar in Favor, Ms. Moore In Favor, Mr. Michel No vote, Me. Bowe In Favor 4-0-1 2. 32 Harvard Street, Shonkoff Open the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Eleanor Shonkoff 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 is proposing renovations of a single family house. A portion of the house will be rebuilt, a small addition to the footprint will be added and a second story will be added. The driveway will be expanded and walkways will be reconfigured. The rear yard will be regraded slightly to resolve the ponding issue. All of the work is within the Buffer Zone to 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 the project by year, Assessor's Map 26 Lot 117, DEP File No. 270-0790 Mr. Ainslie presented the project. Discussion of • removal of various kinds of debris in the wetland • creation of a 3 ft zone of natural vegetation just outside the wetland flags — planting plan required. • Discussion of location of stockpiles, construction entrance • Discussion of handling of rainwater from roof. Determined that the applicant would use rain barrels and infiltration assuming enough depth above the water level. • Discussion of erosion control and the sequence of the work so that the area of fill is not left unstabilized for long. Must be reseeded quickly. Conditions: • Planting plan with native plants, • addition of infiltration chamber and possibly rain barrels, • pick up all the debris in the wetland area, • add note to plan that driveway is construction entrance, • material stockpile marked on plan, • add note to plan that driveway is stockpile area, • creation of three foot vegetated buffer strip inside wetlands. The vegetated strip would be a multi -level restoration rather than a garden. Applicant will have to provide updated plans to the Commission for next meeting, Jan 811 Ms. Moore made a motion to continue to Jan 8, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar. Vote: Mr. Talbot (remote) in favor, Mr. Sthalekar in favor, Mr. Michel in favor, Ms. Moore in favor, Mr. Bowe in favor. 5-0. 3. 0 Cedar Swamp (North Cedar Swamp) Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Andrew Cole, New England power Group Company (NEP), Pursuant to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Page 1 2 Section 404he Wetlands Protection Act and/or the Reading Wetland protection By-law, Section 7.1, The applicant is proposing general maintenance activity and improvements along the 339/349 transmission line. The activity will include the replacement and relocation of one of the caisson -supported structures, and tree removal within the BVW. All of the work is within the Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland and Wetland Resource Area. 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 the project by year, Assessor's Map 54 Lot 1 Dep File No. 270-0785 Update: Commission had sent draft Order of Conditions and we received comments back from Andrew Cole of National Grid. Commission accepts all proposed edits with exception of 3. Each was covered separately. # 17 Commission rejects. It's important to document the way Commission intends to use the funds. #23 Commission wants a change to allow the Derrick Drill Rig. There would be drip containment under the motor of the rig. All other equipment would be moved to upland area. #53a. Agree that the wetland scientist would review and approve activities within area of competence. Agreed to accept an affidavit from a professional engineer that installment was done according to the set of plans. Motion to Close by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Vote: Mr. Talbot (remote) in favor, Mr. Sthalekar in favor, Mr. Michel in favor, Ms. Moore in favor, Mr. Bowe in favor. 5-0. Additional conditions: - Receive check for remaining fees Commission agreed to hold a special meeting to review final version of the OoC. A date will be chosen by text in order to include Mr. Rodalakis. At that meeting we would vote to issue that final rev. 57 Longwood Rd Trojer Continue the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Patrick Trojer, 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 is proposing construction of a garage addition to the single family house all work is within the 200 foot Riverfront Area. 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 the project by year, Assessor's Map 19 Lot 20, DEP File No. 270-0789 Applicant requested to continue to Jan 22nd. Motion to Continue to Jan 22nd by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Vote: Mr. Talbot (remote) in favor, Mr. Sthalekar in favor, Mr. Michel in favor, Ms. Moore in favor, Mr. Bowe in favor. 5-0. 4. 62 Scotland Rd. Doherty Open the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Brad & Kristin Doherty 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 construction of an 18- foot x 36-foot inground pool with a bluestone patio. All work is within 100 feet of a Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW). 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 the project by year, Assessor's Map 10 Lot 215, DEP File No. 270-0791 Page J 3 Presented by Jack Sullivan. Homeowners Brad and Kristin Doherty joined him. Jack Sullivan explained that Norse Environmental delineated the Bordering Vegetated Wetland. It is a drain outfall. The proposed pool is over 74 feet from BVW. They will install mulch sock for erosion control. The entire back yard is surrounded by fencing. They chose to submit an RDA vs. an NOI because there are no trees to be cut, little site grading (less than 6 in.), the play structure will be moved to somewhere else, still outside the 35 foot zone. Tony Rodolakis asked whether the water gets drained in the winter. The owners replied that they will keep the water in the pool year-round. If have to lower water level they will first stop treating with salt before draining. Tony Rodolakis said that DEP has rules about discharging water from pools, what are the regulations regarding saltwater pools. Walter Talbot asked about the discharge pipes, is the water source the storm drains? Tony Rodolakis suggested it might be a downspout? Brad said he tried to remove the cover but he can't. Walter Talbot asked why the mechanicals are so far from the pool? Better for applicants. Martha Moore said there should be an operation and maintenance plan. Soil will be taken off site. Ms. Moore asked for an extra 5 ft. of plantings (shrubs or another tree) near wetlands. Mr. Bowe clarified there will be no trees cut. Mr Tirone asked about the trenching for the line running to the mechanicals. It's not on plan currently. Will be added by Mr. Sullivan. Ms. Moore moved to close, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Roll Call vote in favor 5 — 0 — 0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Conditions: Add pool maintenance right on plan. Play structure outside 35 ft zone Add on plan that any Flushing would be upgradient of 50f1. Stockpiling hauled offset immediately. Plantings would generate 5 ft strip near flags 4A and 5A Clean up yard waste near back of property. Motion of issue Order of Conditions by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 0 Vine St. MBTA Open the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by MBTA, Tess Paganelli 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 construction of approximately 4,500 lineal feet of turn -back track adjacent to existing mainline track within the existing railroad right-of-way and existing railroad ballast. Portions of the work are 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 the project by year, 0 Vine Street (from the Train Station to Willow Street), near Assessor's Map 20, Lot 196 DEP File No. 270-0792 Jeremy Fontaine (MBTA), John Conners (Project Manager - Keolis), Bill Doyle (C1.0 Engineering), Ana Rita Pascal (Keolis) Bill Doyle presented the project. Jeremy Fontaine then spoke. He cited an exemption under the WPA 10.02 B 2 i. Installation of Underground Utilities. Mr. Talbot: Does everything stay within the existing right of way. Yes There is a bend in the line and sight distances are a factor. This allows the engineer to properly view the signal. Page 1 4 Ms. Moore: How long is a typical train car set? 6-8 cars for this line. Most of the activity is about 800 ft east of the station. Some material will be distributed along the ROW not in jurisdictional area. Could the track be shorter given the train set is about 560 ft? From engineering POV could move it a couple hundred ft further from Willow. Can't speak to Operational needs. Connors: They can get back to us about the necessary distance question. Mr. Tirone speaks to Commission concerns about Theilen Bird Sanctuary, maintenance activities, storage of tract equipment, activity, timing of activity. More issue here than further down the track nearer the station. Some tree work by the Mineral Street Bridge but that is not part of this projects. It's under the Vegetation Management Plan. They will get back to us about any trees in our area. Mr. Bowe: Asks about a vernal pool near the eastern portion of the work. How far away? About 350 ft. Mr. Tirone: Will trains be staged on this new track? No overnight stays. Dwell time on turn back track will be minimal. Only one intersection of new track to mainline track. Plan shows a second connection. That will be corrected. Mr. Tirone ask about leveling of ballast? Yes it will be leveled. They will provide erosion control to prevent stone rolling down. Can't overcome the barrier. Mr. Tirone asks about herbicide around bird sanctuary. Yes it is still a no spray area. Public Comment Jim Reilly 87 Hancock St:. Has lived there whole life and has major concerns. Worried about long idling, fumes in air, leaks on the ground. Wants to see the track near DPW yard. Also believes 4500 ft track not necessary. Opposes this project. Mr. Tirone asks why this area chosen rather than in the Industrial area. Ms. Moore also points out that there are already two tracks there. Answer is it doesn't meet the stated goal of 30 min service to Boston. Says it is an MBTA Operations question. Mr. Reilly asks about maintenance. The answer is no, there will not be any maintenance equipment. Patrick Sheeran — 132 Middlesex. What is the timeline? Springtime, beginning of use about 18 months. Mr. Tirone: He will need to get out during the project to monitor. Suggested to add it as a condition. Applicant agrees to a continuation. Next meeting is Jan 91h. List of more info needed: • Why the length of track? • Why choice of that area? • Any information on trees in ourjurisdiction. • Verify no stockpiling in jurisdictional area. • Verify no overnight parking of trains. • No maintenance equipment • Update plans to show dead end, Motion to continue to Jan 8' by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Jump to Discussion item 12 — 0 Annette Lane. Mr. Bowe gave a summary of situation. Mr. Tirone gave an update. Walked the Commission through the letter from Lucas Environmental. Peter Seebold gave an update on the issues and concerns that have been faced. There is no rush on his part. Just wanted to get the wall built before the winter. Expecting to get back to it in the spring. The recommendations will be addressed in the spring also. Mr. Tirone asks about the lead up to the boardwalk. The work has been done. Discussion of how damaged trees will Page 1 5 be patched. That patching will be done in the spring as well. Mr. Tirone asks Peter to reach out to Bob Moses to see if waiting until spring is good. Otherwise, the Commission is satisfied with the current state. Old/New Business 7. No Updates Discussion Items: 8. 445 Pearl St. — Mr Tirone updated the Commission. He asked Michael Rivers to stop activity and come to the meeting. He asked to talk to the Commission on site. Mr. Bowe and Ms. Moore will meet him on Jan 3f° at 2:30 pm. 9. DPW new work on Strout Ave without a permit. A $5000 dog watering station was installed without a permit. Decision was made by the Chair that the station would be a separate permit request than the container storage request. Mr. Tirone gave an update. Options are: • Tell DPW to file a notice, whether RDA or NOI. Cannot be turned on in the meantime. • Send a violation notice with actions and conditions Decision is to send a Violation Notice now. Motion by Mr. Bowe to issue a Violation Notice in which we say we want an NOI submitted by Jan 22n1- don't turn it on, no more work, install erosion control, wetland delineation. Seconded by Ms. Moore. Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Container Project — Mr. Bowe describes the project. Issues are the same as the water station. Two containers for storing trash carts that will be put on a gravel platform. There is also an issue with the deadline which was missed. No work on building or parking area. Just hand tool repairs. No effluents. Run some electrical lines. A gate will be taken from another area of the town forest to be moved to block off this area from unauthorized traffic. Discussion tabled. Ask them to come to the Jan V meeting. Ms. Moore make a motion to have DPW bring an NOI to the Jan 8" meeting. Seconded by Mr. Sthalekar. Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Item 11 Certificate of Compliance for Joy Lane — Steve Knight. Mr. Tirone updates on Mr. Knights proposed fixes for the few remaining issues. Some discussion. Ms. Moore make a motion to Issue a Certificate of Compliance for Joy Lane. Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 13. 2025 Holiday Schedule. Some discussion and then adopted. Ms. Moore make a motion to adopt the schedule as written. Seconded by Mr. Sthalekar Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Administrator's Report: Request from Cemetery Dept. to remove kiosk and signs at trail leading into Bare Meadow new Wood End Cemetery. DPW will survey the property to look for encroachment. We will wait for results of survey. Donation of 0 Waverly: The shed that was discovered on the parcel has been removed. We need to verify that. Ms. Moore make a motion to authorize Mr. Tirone to pay for the $400 resurvey.. Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Chirag Sthalekar Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Tim Michel Yes. Brian Bowe Yes. 5-0 Approval of Minutes: Nothing today Page 1 6 Ms. Moore reminds the Commission about the upcoming Land Use Summit meeting. An email will be sent tomorrow to remind the chairs of the other groups coming to the meeting. Mr. Tirone will reach out to Andrew Mac Nichols and the Select Board. Ms. Moore moved to adjourn at 11:04 Chirag Sthalekar seconded Approved 5 — 0 — 0 Page 1 7