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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-09 Conservation Commission Minutes� rq -'� r: Town of Reading RECEIVED .Q Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK � READING, MA. Board - committee - commission - Council: 2025 OC7 - 7 PM I: 46 Conservation Commission Date: 2025-04-09 Time: 07:04 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Location: Berger 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, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot Members - Not Present: Chirag Sthelekar - on leave Others Present: Chuck Tirone (Conservation Administrator), Ryan Percival, Steve Crisafulli (remote), Holly Ganzer, Joe Peznola (remote), Joe Huggins (remote, Town of Reading Facilities Director), Imelda Barnhurst, Dave Swyter, Annie Sullivan, Carl Saccone, Richard Keogh Minutes Respectfully submitted By: Emily Mackenzie Kulenkamp Topics of Discussion: This meeting was held in person and remotely via Zoom. Chair Brian Bowe called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm. Public Hearings 1. Birch Meadow and Modular Classroom Notice of Intent from DPW presented by Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, for Birch Meadow Phase 2 — renovation of existing playground tot lot as well as new concrete basketball court. Ryan Percival said they also added modular classrooms and additional parking and they have stormwater chambers in place. Steve Crisafulli from Activitas showed existing conditions photos of the project's wetland side and wetland lines drawn on the property. Steve Crisafulli said that they had scaled back the parking depicted on this plan from November. Steve Crisafulli said they are planning to replace existing playground in place, replace basketball court in place, and add pathways with lights and benches. Steve Crisafullt said they are doing some improvements at the crosswalk with some curb cuts and they are still consulting with Mike Hannaford regarding tree removals. Steve Crisafulli showed a joint plan showing the modular unit. Page I 1 Holly Ganzer, civil engineer from Activitas, said they are planning on adding about 4,000 square feet of impermeable surface for accessibility reasons and are proposing shallow storm water chambers as mitigation. Holly Ganzer said they cannot have deeper chambers because of the level of the groundwater but the shallow storm water chambers will tie into the existing stormwater management system and merge with drain that goes up Bancroft and discharges at Castine Field. Holly Ganzer stated that the subsurface chambers will meet or improve runoff requirements. Holly Ganzer described how the runoff of this property is already hydrologically connected to the wetland. Holly Ganzer stated they request a reduction of the no -structure 35' zone. Holly Ganzer said they have placed the basketball courts in a way that does not move them closer to the wetland and they are removing some of the impervious surface in that zone. Chuck Tirone said the existing basketball courts had sheet flow onto the ground and then into the wetland and asked if the runoff would now be going through infiltration chambers and going into a culvert. Holly Ganzer stated that the infiltrated water would still end up at the same outflow point. Chuck Tirone asked if the changes to the basketball courts are for ADA reasons. Holly Ganzer said they actually pushed the courts about 4' further north than the original ones in order to fit in the channel drain at the edge of the current courts' location. Holly Ganzer said that there is a pathway that will be rerouted out of the 25' zone except a small part of a path connecting Longfellow that will go into the 25' zone. Brian Bowe said water comes down that street and there is a paved trench that takes a 90- degree turn; he asked if that path is right within the 25' line since it looks like the wetlands start right there. Chuck Tirone showed where the related culvert is located on the aerial image. Brian Bowe said that water is going to be channeled right into the wetlands coming down the street. Chuck Tirone said that stormwater coming down the street is not jurisdictional. Brian Bowe asked if the dedicated bench on that pathway will be preserved. Holly Ganzer said they could work to preserve that bench and include it on future plans. Brian Bowe asked how the water coming down the hill can make it to that wetland if they have permanent erosion control. Holly Ganzer said they could adjust that; Brian Bowe asked how. Ryan Percival said they can adjust the plans to have an opening there. Holly Ganzer stated that they would not be disturbing any further than is already disturbed. Chuck Tirone asked where the discharge from the wetland would go; Holly Ganzer showed the location, near a headwall. Brian Bowe stated that there is a culvert which is 80% blocked, saying they would expect that to be,cleaned out as part of normal maintenance to the property, not as mitigation. Page 1 2 The presenter showed a plan illustrating where the modular units would be during the building phase. Martha Moore asked if there is a reason why the location within the jurisdictional area was chosen for the modular units rather than another location. Joe Huggins answered that this location is closer to utilities and the RISE preschool program itself than other options; he said there will be a buried infiltration system under that grassy area. Martha Moore asked if two small trees marked on the plan for removal could be moved rather than taken out. Tony Rodolakis asked if the culverted area counted as a river. Chuck Tirone stated that whatever comes out the other end of the culverted possible stream is jurisdictional regardless. Brian Bowe recommended clarifying language about renovation versus replacement of pickleball and basketball courts and asked how many trees in total would be removed as part of this project. Ryan Percival stated that there is a grove with seven trees but the tree warden determined that several of them are rotted through and need to be removed for safety reasons and that they will be coming up with a more comprehensive tree plan. Ryan Percival stated that trees marked with pink ribbons are being considered for transplanting on site. Ryan Percival confirmed that they are planning on implementing burlap protection for trees and will avoid the drip line as much as possible. Brian Bowe asked why black mulch or any kind of mulch around the trees. Ryan Percival said they are now thinking they will not use mulch. Brian Bowe asked if pipes around the playground and court would be perforated; Ryan Percival said the playground one will be perforated and the line around the court would be a drain. Brian Bowe asked what the educational signage will be. Ryan Percival said they have not yet finalized the signage but they are thinking of something labelling types of plants and would work with Chuck Tirone. Brian Bowe said that a lot of the listed trees are not on the recommended native list. Steve Crisafulli said they would try to utilize native plants. Brian Bowe said they have received some letters from the public; one said that the superintendent understands the modular classrooms to be permanent. Presenter said the intent is to use them as permanent administrative buildings or high school instructional buildings after the 3-3.5 estimated years they are needed for RISE preschool. Page 1 3 Chuck Tirone asked what the foundation will be. Ryan Percival answered that it will be gravel and stilts. Imelda Barnhurst from DINAP Architectures stated that the modular buildings are on sonotubes rather than on a footing. Brian Bowe said that a letter writer stated that they remembered there being an agreement that no additional buildings be added adjacent to parking. Ryan Percival said they are looking into it but haven't found that so far; Town Clerk will check. Brian Bowe said he would be looking for additional mitigation such as more plantings. Chuck Tirone said that the water outflow goes to Castine Fields. Martha Moore asked what surface they are planning for the tot lot and why the tot lot needs to be renovated. Ryan Percival said they are getting away from rubber mulch and it will turn into a poured in place rubber surface. Brian Bowe asked how long that surface would last and how long it would eventually be disposed of. Ryan Percival said it would last 15-20 years but is not sure if it would be possible to recycle. He said that it could be resurfaced and is more accessible than the mulch. Steve Crisafulli noted that the new rubber surface will increase accessibility. Chuck Tirone said Arlington uses that kind of surface outside of conservation jurisdiction. Chuck Tirone noted that one engineer used TR55 standards while one used Cornell extreme for stormwater management. Ryan Percival said they could run that at Atlas 14 but it is not technically required. Chuck Tirone asked for a stormwater checklist that looked at everything with the same standard and said the provided stormwater report does not include where the modular classrooms will go. Joe Peznola said Hancock Associates looked at the modular classrooms as part of this project but it really only needs roof drainage and they looked at putting the roof drainage leaders into the stone under the modular classroom. He said this would handle the 4 inches of a 10-year storm predicted by the Cornell standards. Dave Swyter, Precinct 7 and neighbor, asked Joe Peznola to confirm the drainage plan. Joe Peznola said, yes, it's essentially a trailer on stilts 2.5 feet up in the air. Dave Swyter asked if that means the water will not flow to the wetland. Joe Peznola said it would not. Dave Swyter asked where the impervious surface walkway drainage would go; Joe Peznola said it will go into the parking lot and into the stone area. Dave Swyter asked for further information on the intended length of the modular buildings. Joe Huggins said the modulars were installed over at Killam in 2014 so they are already 11 years old; if well taken care of, they have a 25-to-30-year Iifespan. Page 1 4 Dave Swyter asked if there is a provision for removing them when the time comes. Joe Huggins said notspecifcally but they removed the Birch Meadow modulars successfully in 2008 at the end of their life. Dave Swyter expressed concern about material storage and vehicle traffic during the construction. Ryan Percival responded that the original plan was to use a majority of the parking lot for storage; when they learned the modulars were being relocated, they had to reconsider. Ryan Percival said they will be more limited when school is in session and might have to use some of the parking spaces near Bancroft. Ryan Percival said these modulars need to be moved soon in order for the Killam project to start construction. Brian Bowe clarified that this only applies if the Killam project passes. Annie Sullivan, Longfellow Road, asked three questions; 1. Clarification on the repair to the proposed playground surface; 2. How the path to the parking lot will be graded; 3. Whether we would talk about the lighting in the buffer zone. Chuck Tirone answered that only a small area would need to be cordoned off for repair of the playground surface. Carl Saccone, 68 Longfellow Rd and associate member of the commission, speaking as a resident, said he has noticed trees dying and falling in the wetland area near the basketball court from having too much water. Carl Saccone asked V we have thought about screening or native plants for mitigation. Carl Saccone expressed concern about the lighting, stating that tennis courts are constantly lighted until late at night with no one playing and wondering if that would be the case for these basketball courts as well. Carl Saccone asked if there could be an analysis of the current health of the wetland there Steve Crisafulli said that they have discussed the walkway with the town but said that they could keep it natural rather than paving. Steve Crisafulli said they are proposing a native seed mix including bushes up to 5-6 feet but they are limited on tree planting for utility access. Steve Crisafulli said the tennis court lights are an older technology and the ones for the basketball courts will have a lot less glare; the lights on the pathway are dark sky compliant Jim Sullivan, recreation director, said they would probably have a 9 pm cutoff and said he might be able to control them more remotely. Steve Crisafulli said they'd be happy to plant more trees but it is very difficult with all of the utilities in the area and they will have to make tree protections tight. Chuck Tirone reviewed list of conditions: include popup bench in plan, clean culvert, check out whether the two trees near the modular classrooms can be moved, tree protection at Bancroft, update the narrative to remove mulch, stormwater checklist, locations where trees could actually be planted, and remove non -natives from the planting schedule. Chuck Tirone asked for detail on the crushed stone underneath the modulars. Tony Rodolakis reiterated take non -natives off the planting plan. Chuck Tirone read out a chat in the zoom expressing concern for accessibility of pathway and playground. Ryan Percival said they are meeting ADA requirements and approving accessibility Page 1 5 Tony Rodolakis moved to continue the hearing to next meeting, April 23, Walter Talbot seconds and in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0) 2. 885 Main St Chuck Tirone describes a proposal for $3,200.00 for stormwater peer review by Horsley Whitten, stating Ryan Percival agreed this would meet requirements. Chuck Tirone said applicant (Rosebud) is already planning to send a check. Tony Rodolakis moved to approve the proposed stormwater third party consultant at 885 Main St for $3,200. Walter Talbot seconded and in favor, Tony Rodolakis in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. 3. 695 Pearl St Chuck Tirone said at the last meeting the commission approved a third -party consultant, LEC, on this property and he met Rich Kirby yesterday at the site. Chuck Tirone said Rich Kirby looked at the Flags and will have some comments for Norse Environmental and that report will need to be reviewed before the report comes back. Chuck Tirone stated this matter is already continued to the 2V. Martha Moore asked if Rich Kirby is going to look for evidence of vernal pool organisms in that area. Chuck Tirone said yes, Rich Kirby will be including that in his report. Richard Keogh, 692 Pearl St, said that the sellers of his house told him he could renovate the backyard and when he checked with Chuck Tirone shortly after putting in the offer, he learned that there could be wetlands. Richard Keogh said he had an arborist that stated one of the trees near his driveway is damaged. Richard Keogh then expressed concern about the waterflow from 695 Pearl St. Brian Bowe said they can't talk about it with the hearing continued and especially without the applicants there. Old/New Business 1. 692 Pearl St Brian Bowe told Richard Keogh that although technically he is supposed to submit new business ahead of time the commission could hear what he had to say. Richard Keel said he has 25 trees within 15-60 feet of the house and that an arborist said there was an immediate threat. Richard Keogh showed an image of the tree with damage. Page 1 6 Richard Keogh said neighbors have mentioned to him trees falling and stated he is willing to work with the commission to get them down. Richard Keogh said he would like to plant in or transport some trees to the back of the property. Brian Bowe asked Richard Keogh about the stream next to the house, stating that the stream next to the house was filled and the town cleaned it once, and suggesting that he keep it unblocked. Chuck Tirone asked what application he was submitting and suggested submitting the note from the arborist, Jim Fitzpatrick. Violation Notices 445 Pearl St 1. Chuck Tirone went 445 Pearl St with the building commissioner and Ryan Percival and said the building commissioner will be sending them a violation notice. Chuck Tirone said he was told to send an email to the homeowners saying do not park in that spot as the wall is dangerous and the town engineer and building commissioner are going to send more information to the homeowners. Chuck Tirone said the wall is more than 4' tall, meaning the building commissioner has jurisdiction. Brian Bowe asked Chuck Tirone to ask the homeowner to put down seed mix to try to prevent erosion. Chuck Tirone said sure, but should be wait for the building commissioner? Tony Rodolakis said that putting down a seed mix seemed better than nothing in the short tens. Brian Bowe, Martha Moore, Chuck Tirone, and Tony Rodolakis discussed concerns about erosion control. Chuck Tirone stated that there is an agreed plan from Williams Sparages that should work if the homeowner returns to it. Chuck Tirone said the Conservation Commission can say what work needs to be done but they can't specify who is able to do it. Tony Rodolakis suggested that the commission could require someone to sign off on the work as it progresses. Chuck Tirone said he had not yet heard back from the Town Council Chuck Tirane slated he will update the enforcement letter. Discussion Items: 1. DPW Storage Container Review and Sign off Brian Bowe said he and Martha Moore went to look at a fountain put in without a permit. Brian Bowe said he thinks it's an issue where they dug out a trench to put boards in to fill in with stone. Brian Bowe said in the plan it was supposed to be flush with the soil but it sticks Page 1 up and there is a trench on the other side they didn't fill in. Brian Bowe suggests the commission should tell them to follow the plan. Martha Moore stated that they should plant some grass seed to limit erosion. 2. Conservation -DPW Monthly Meeting Discussion Brian Bowe said that he thought it was a very poor meeting; much of the agenda was things Conservation Commission was asking DPW to do. Brian Bowe stated that DPW would not commit to anything so that the Conservation Commission could plan around them. Brian Bowe stated that one project the commission is requesting is putting in a bench. Chuck Tirone said that the trees were evaluated after several months and Chuck talked to to Mike Kesman; the trees were deemed safe. Chuck Tirone said they are only asking DPW to do the basic hole digging while volunteers will adjust the footings. Martha Moore said they did agree to repaint handicapped spaces at Maillet, Sommes, & Morgan. Chuck Tirone said the DPW also agreed to paint the handicapped sign at Maillet, Sommes, & Morgan. Martha Moore said they did agree to bring Chuck Tirone some woodchips and said they would mow as much as they did last year. Chuck Tirone said he does not understand why the town DPW wants to ignore a piece of property it has just bought and they won't let the Conservation Commission borrow tools. Brian Bowe said this is a heads -up that we are going to have some headwinds for a lot of the things we want to achieve this summer. Chuck Tirone said he has been trying to connect with people who are willing to volunteer to help, especially people with trucks or trailers. Minutes for Approval: Brian Bowe asked if everyone has read the minutes for 3112/2025. Walter Talbot moved to accept the minutes from March 12th, Tim Michel seconded, Walter Talbot approved, Martha Moore approved, Brian Bowe approves, Tony Rodolakis abstained. (4-0-1) Martha Moore moved to adjourn at 9:21; Walter Talbot seconded and all in favor. Page 18