Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-12 Conservation Commission MinutesOPR Town of Reading RECEIVED a s' Meeting Minutes TOWNCLERKREADING, MA. isa9"N(Oft Board - Committee - Commission - Council: 2025 OCT -7 PM 46 Conservation Commission Date: 2025-02-12 Time: 07:00 PM Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Hybrid Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Location: Select Board Meeting Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Brian Bowe, chair, Martha Moore, vice chair, Tony Rodolakis, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot (remote) Members - Not Present: Chirag Sthalekar - Temporary Leave of Absence Others Present: Chuck Tirane, Conservation Administrator, Michael Kessman, Assistant Director of DPW (remote), Matt Donovan, Keolis Members of the Public who spoke: Carl Torno, Pat Crowley, Kaden Bursekowski, Tom Gudedaro, Jim Riley, Betty McGrath, Karen Herrick (remote), Mike Devenecucci, Susan Nelson, David Committo Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Brian Bowe 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. Public Hearings 1. 0 Strout Ave. Open the Public Hearing on a Notice of Intent, filed by Michael Kessman Assistant DPW director 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 after the fact approval for completed work of a water fountain for both dogs and humans to include water line trenching and a concrete slab. All of the work is 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, Assessor's Map 43, Lot 33 DEP File No. 270-0 Mike Kessman presented the project information. Mr. Tirone displays the plan originally submitted as part of the container project. Water service was installed last year. Then Page 1 1 this year DPW installed a concrete slab and a water fountain with no permit. This is an after -the -fact application. Ms. Moore: Biggest concern is ongoing erosion from use of the water fountain. Need to do something like construct a berm, pervious pavers, something. Mr. Bowe: With an after the fact permit, we need to think whether we would have approved it had it followed the typical process. Concern that the fountain is close (-45 ft) to both wetlands and NHESP. Also, there is no delineation behind the fence. Asked for an alternative analysis. Mr. Kessman commented that the location was chosen due to being close to the existing hydrant. Mr. Bowe says our concern is wetlands, not convenience. Listed two options. One is to agree tonight to moving fountain to a better location, such as across pavement near the kiosk. Mr. Kessman: Will have to check with colleagues but does not expect that work to be approved. So would likely choose to remove the fountain. • Alternative Analysis • Delineation of wetland behind fence • Move the fountain and we would need a plan showing the current location of water line and hydrant. • Plan that was submitted with NOI • Would also want to see maintenance info Move to Continue to Feb 26 by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Rodolakis Roll Call vote in favor 5 -0-0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Tony Rodolakis Yes, Tim Michel Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes. Right -of -Way rail line, Keolis Open the Public Hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Keolis 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, maintenance, control, and maintenance activities for the years 2026- 2030. All the work is within the 100foot 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 project by year. Assessor's Map 20 Lot 53 2025-1 Matt Donovan and Mr. Tirone discussion of local by-law exemption and abutter notifications. This hearing is a review of the maps used to guide ROW maintenance. Mr. Donovan walked us through the maps. Intended to confirm the accuracy of the maps. Two main chemical applications a year, one to roadbed and one to vegetation adjacent to the roadbed. Application is done via a truck on the tracks with booms on either side that can be independently activated. An environmental monitor accompanies each vehicle. Seeking a positive 2A and negative determination. Mr. Rodolakis asks about the letter which seems to contradict a similar letter in a hearing a few weeks before. There was a discussion of the by-law exemption. Mr. Donovan does not have the letter from the previous hearing so can't comment on ft. Mr. Tirone will provide ft. Ms. Moore asks for clarification of word maintenance in the hearing opening statement. Mr. Donovan: just vegetation management, nothing like trains, equipment, etc. Clarification that tonight is solely to review the maps of sensitive areas, not to review the 5 year Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) itself. Mr. Rodolakis asks if maintaining culverts is covered under the VMP. There was a discussion about the date of creation of the maps and whether they account for recent work at Maillet, Sommes and Morgan. Discussion of the Zone A depiction on the last map. Why is there a change in delineation halfway across the zone? Mr. Donovan will check into it and report back to Mr. Tirone. Page 1 2 Move to Close by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Rodolakis. Vote 5-0-0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Tony Rodolakis Yes, Tim Michel Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes. Move to Issue a Negative Determination and a positive 2A by Ms. Moore, seconded by Mr. Michel. Vote 5-0-0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Tony Rodolakis Yes, Tim Michel Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes. Mr. Donovan waives the 21 day requirement, extended to 51 days. 3. 0 Vine Street continuing the public hearing about the META track At the applicant's request this hearing is continued to Feb 261h. Motion by Ms .Moore to continue to Feb 26° , seconded by Mr. Rodolakis Vote 5-0-0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Tony Rodolakis Yes, Tim Michel Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes Old/New Business 445 Pearl Street. Mr. Tirone gave an update. Have not heard from the owners. That's unusual because there is usually good communication. Options: Continue to wait, Start the fine process Discussion of the duration of the problem existing. Over 5 years. Motion by Ms. Moore to authorize Mr. Tirone to send a letter with a date certain and then start fining. We would need a plan by Feb 18 for review. Seconded by Mr. Rodolakis. Vote 5-0-0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Rodolakis Yes, Tim Michel Yes, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes DPW meeting report - Feb 4. - Most important item was a discussion of upcoming requests to clean out 17 of 18 culverts where sand has built up. Mr. Tirone reached out to DEP. DEP not in favor of this kind of work. Suggested that the Commission should visit with DPW first. The standing maintenance permit allows cleaning of culvert itself, not intruding Into the stream bed itself. Also discussed the recent broken water pipes. Answer was the recent cold and an old water system. Administrator's report: - There is going to be some tree trimming at Morton Field. Mr. Tirone did a site visit with Mike Hannaford. Work is to raise the limb level to allow mowers to drive underneath. Also some trees to take down. Needs to be hand work. Mr. Michel pointed out that vehicles often get stuck. Mr. Tirone approved the work - Mr. Tirone gave approval for pre tree cutting at 0 Cedar Swamp. No work yet, not erosion control. Want to get it done while frozen. They are putting down mats. Mats are new mats. Northern Tree is doing the work. They are going to stay on the mats and reach in. Before they go in they send in their forestry crews and wetland scientist. They mark the trees for the cutting. - Arbor DayTree activity. We have been invited to next Arbor Day Tree meeting which will be posted by the Library. DPW will provide some watering of new plantings. At the meeting there was a discussion of where the plantings would go. Mr. Rodolakis asked what species. A list was submitted. Ms. Moore and Mr. Rodolakis had some issues with the choices. Not natives. Mr. Tirone pointed out only three species would be chosen. Ms. Moored concerned about only three species. We will have some jurisdiction and in other areas we are just advisory. - Kathy Kelly has been reaching out asking for signage about changes in our rules. Would like something in the kiosks. Example is before dogs were on voice control, now is on leash. Mr. Tirone suggest creating some and keeping in the Trails Page 1 3 Committee garage and let Trails people put them in the kiosks assuming they wanted to. Quick discussion of completing the State Ethics course. Dogs in Bare Meadow. Mr. Bowe updates on what he has seen and what has been reported by a resident. Discussion of how to enforce. Mr. Bowe tasked to reach out to Bill Sullivan of the Town Forest Committee to understand what they intend to do. Approval of Minutes: 12/11 Mr. Bowe not done yet 1/8/2025 Minor changes Mr. Michel moved to accept the 1/8 minutes, Mr. Rodolakis seconded Roll Call vote in favor 5 - 0 - 0 Walter Talbot (remote) Yes, Tony Rodolakis Abstain, Martha Moore Yes, Brian Bowe Yes. Tim Michel Yes 1/22 Mr. Rodolakis not done yet. Martha Moore moved to adjourn at 9:18 Tony Rodolakis seconded Approved 5 — 0 — 0 Page 1 4