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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-10 Conservation Commission MinutesN mrq Town of Reading . RECEIVED Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK "ao;to READING, MA. nnmxpd Board - Committee- Commission - Council: 2025 MAR 20 PM 4: 0 Conservation Commission Date: 2024-07-10 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, Bill McCants, Tony Rodolakis, Walter Talbot, Craig Catalfamo, Chirag Sthalekar Members - Not Present: none Others Present: Chuck Tirone, Conservation Administrator, Richard Cominski, Jeffrey Sarre, Andrew Cole, Allison Milliman, Caitlin White, Steve Knight , Tom Schomburg 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 7:05 pm. Hearings Scheduled: 1. 167 Belmont Street Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Jeffrey Sane 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 to repair and structural upgrade of an existing rear family room. The upgrade consists of bringing the addition up to current building code to include repair of damage caused by carpenter ants. 4 hand dug footings will be installed and the spoils will be used outside of the jurisdictional area. Additionally, the project will remove a small 6' x 6' exterior deck and replace it with a 17' 6" x 10' deck with 4 hand dug concrete footings. The existing stairs will remain. 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. Assessors Map: 7 Lot: 15 File No. 2024- 3 Richard Cominski presented the project. Enlarge the deck, repair the damage to the family room, build better columns with hand dug footings. The recently constructed deck stairs will remain. Martha Moore reported that on the site visit the commission saw a lot of yard waste that needs to be removed and taken to the town compost center. She also noted a lot of invasive vines and explained that it is allowed to cut invasives. Chuck Tirone clarified that if they want to use chemicals to control invasives they need to come back to the commission and get permission for that. Martha Moore asked about a recent request to build the 6' by 6' deck. Does it need a Certificate of Compliance? Mr. Tirone explained that a negative RDA does not need a COC. Walter Talbot brought up the large tree with extensive roots near where the larger deck is proposed. Richard Comminski said that he can move the sonotube footing and cantilever the deck supports to avoid the roots. Brian Bowe asked about a drain in the lawn. The applicant did not know what that is. Bill McCants asked if the lawn goes right to the wetland line, quoted the regulations on this subject and suggested that there needs to be Page 1 1 a buffer strip including ground cover, bush, and bee if that soft area of ground is actually wetland. The applicant was asked to return with a wetland line determined by a wetland scientist and a planting plan for the area recently planted with grass by the new homeowner. Move to continue to July 24 by Bill McCants, second by Martha Moore Passed by Roll call vote 7-0-0 2. 0 Cedar Swamp (North Cedar Swamp) Open the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, fled by Andrew Cole, New England power Group Company (NEP), 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 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 Allison Milliman and Andrew Cole presented the plan Trees will be cut at the base, no stump removal. $250 per tree will be donated to the Conservation fund, not to the Tree Fund. Estimated at up to $162,000 2 structures will be removed. One structure will be buitt. 2:1 replication for the filling is required, but there is no place to replicate ft. They are proposing paying an $11,400 fee for the 57 square foot caisson. Brian Bowe questioned how they came up with their fee structure, tt doesn't account for the loss of the 20 foot wide swath of wetland, only the caisson foundation. He also brought up the danger of opening that area up to colonization by invasive plants. Long discussion of how to determine the correct amount for the fees. Martha Moore brought up spacing the stringers to allow wildlife passage under the matting, oil spill kits and refueling outside the wetlands, and laying down and taking up the matting in the least harmful season of the year. Andrew Cole responded that other than stationary drills refueling will be outside the wetland and spill kits will be on all equipment. Allison Milliman responded that trees will be cut during the winter for least wildlife impact. Andrew Cole responded that mats would not be placed during the spring when amphibians are emergent. Brian Bowe brought up leaving some snags for habitat benefit. Tony Rodolakis signed off at 8 pm. Martha Moore moved to continue to 7/24/2024. 2n° by Chirag Sthalekar. 5 — 0 — 1 by roll call vote with Bill McCants voting against. Old/New Business 3. Violation Notices, yard waste and encroachment on Conservation Land, Follow-ups 51 Cross Street,126 Hanscom Ave, 22, 8, Oakridge Road, 38, 34 Bond, 445 Pearl Street, 1110 Main Street Brian asked to add 27 Applegate to the list. Martha Moore remarked that the pool wall has been removed at 1110 Main St. Discussion Items 4. Certificate of Compliance 52 Louanis Drive, Schellenbach Caitlin White presented. The boxwoods have been removed. They were replaced with Little Bluestem in one area. The applicant requests permission to plant Inkbeny instead of yew because of difficulty obtaining the yews. Replant the perennials that did not survive with Native Perennials. They plan to move 3 each of the 8 Red Maples and 8 Swamp Oaks into the area shown in red on the plan to create more space between the trees. This will be done in September to increase the chances of survival. The Commission will go back for a site visit on August 12 at 9 am. Page 1 2 5. Certificate of Compliance 4,5,11,12,18, 19 Joy Lane, formally 135,139 and 149R Howard St. Steve Knight and Tom Schomburg present. Martha Moore discussed the notes from the site visit: Wet area between lots 2 and 3 near the circular area of shrubs and on the property boundary. Possible irrigation system leak. Approved plan showed alternating deciduous and coniferous trees, Steve Knight explained that he got permission from Chuck and Anne Marton to substitute 16 arbor vitae. Patio on lot 3 not shown on approved plan. Steve says it was ovedooked. Patio is pavers, not pervious. Chuck Tirone said that the patio could have been presented as a minor plan change. Martha Moore questioned how the finished impervious surface compares to the approved house sizes. About 100 square feet larger. Bittersweet vines are climbing the trees along the 25 foot line on lot 3 and a rusty tail pipe by one tree. Some silt fence pieces still along the driveway on Lot 4, and some mulch sock behind lot 4 house should be cleaned up. Standing water in catch basin is the intended design. Brian Bowe noted some gaps in the lawn on the steep slope that need to be seeded. Bill McCants asked about the letter referring to Special Condition 26. Are the foundation height variations truly minor in nature? Chuck Tirone replied that the developer did not record the as built plan with the conservation office, but the height variations do not impact the wetlands. Motion to accept the additional patio in the approval and issue the Certificate of Compliance contingent upon a site visit by Chuck Tirone to approve that the things commented on were fixed by Martha Moore, seconded by Chirag Sthalekar. Vote 6 — 0 — 0 by roll call vote 6. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting update Jayne Wellman, the Assistant Town Manager, attended the meeting on July 9. All requests from Trails Committee, Conservation Commission and Town Forest Committee are to be put in through See Click Fix. But after everyone left, Chuck explained that Chris Cole would prefer that all requests be put in through a central Conservation method on See Click Fix. 7. Bills approved, MACC Dues, July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025 $825.00 Chuck says that Bill should not have to pay to have access to the handbook. Martha pointed out the the fee provides access to the trainings. Brian and Bill supported that we are fortunate to have access to those trainings. Moved by Martha Moore, seconded by Bill McCants. Approved 6-0-0 by roll call vote 8. Administrators Report: 9. Minutes for approval: none ready, we already accepted the May 22 minutes. Brian told the new members that comments on the minutes should be only sent to Chuck or the sender, not by reply all. Martha Moore volunteered to do tonight's minutes. Motion to adjourn at 9:21 pm by Craig Catalfamo, seconded by Chirag Sthalekar, voted 6- 0-0. Page 1 3