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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-23 Conservation Commission Minutesodd orp�o Town of Reading 0-��e' Meeting Minutes onopPP Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2025-07-23 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Hybrid Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: Time: 07:00 PM RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READING,?q, 2925 OCT - 7 PM 1: 4 5 Location: Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Brian Bowe, chair, Martha Moore, vice chair, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, Rick (Richard) Keogh, Members - Not Present: Chirag Sthalekar, Joe Fleury Others Present: Chuck Tirone (Conservation Administrator),Ryan Percival (Town Engineer), Greg Hochmuth, Jane Wellman, Josh Klein, Janet Bernardo (remote), Andrew Thibault, Dennis Murphy (remote), Steve Mays, Brandy Hopkins, KA (remote), WIII Finch, Kate Kaminer (remote), Bob Kaminer (remote), Gregory Shultz (remote), Jenne Wood (remote) 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 7:00 pm. Public Hearings 1. 0 East of Haverhill St The presenter stated they are here to present on the RECAL and pickleball projects. Present are Ryan Percival, Town Engineer, Jenna Wood, Community Services Director, Greg Hochmuth, and members of Activitas. Greg Hochmuth from Epsilon Associates began presenting. He showed an image of the location and described the general elements of the project. Greg Hochmuth stated that they had a site visit with commission members this past Monday. He described debris that are left over from what he believes to be a former contractor's storage yard. Greg Hochmuth showed close-up images of the site and a site plan of the entire project. Greg Hochmuth pointed out the wetland line on the site plan as well as the 25' and 35' lines. Page 1 1 Greg Hochmuth stated that all building is planned outside of the no -build zone with the exception of a small paved pathway. Greg Hochmuth gave a brief overview of the planned interior of the community center. He stated that pickleball courts would be on post -tension concrete expected to last 20-30 years. Greg Hochmuth stated that the planned pathway at the bottom of the plan will be changing in order to move it as much out of the 25' zone as possible as well as to possibly include entrances to other trails. He stated that they would need to return to the commission for a final determination about the path location. Greg Hochmuth said the project has been designed to comply with stormwater regulations and by-laws. He stated that there are a lot of piles on the site so there will need to be a lot of material moving that will require a lot of earth moving. He stated that a lot of the current vegetation will have to be moved because of the existing piles but there is a robust largely native replanting plan. Greg Hochmuth said that there is a pretty obvious wetland edge. He stated there will be erosion and sedimentation controls as part of the project but their exact location is not finalized. Greg Hochmuth stated their NOI says they will require a NIFTY permit, as there is over an acre of land disturbance. He said they have provided a draft of the stormwater pollution prevention plan. Greg Hochmuth stated that they are not anticipating dewatering but there is a plan in the NOI in case they need to. He stated that they still expect to need a variance for the trail meeting points. Greg Hochmuth showed a plan for the site preparation and erosion control off Range Rd. He stated that the erosion control line will be moved more out of the no -disturb zone that it currently is. Greg Hochmuth showed large areas intended for snow storage. Greg Hochmuth stated there will be a transformer pad, a generator pad, and a dumpster enclosure and showed their proposed locations. Greg Hochmuth showed the planned fire truck access. Greg Hochmuth showed a plan for layout materials and said there will be a small turf area that would be on the Plan North of the proposed building. He stated that this would be synthetic turf but it would not use tire crumb rubber or any harmful infill. There may be a drain but no point source into the wetland. He said they are currently not planning any infill. Chuck Tirone asked if the area of turf is outside the commission's jurisdiction. Greg Hochmuth said, no, it's within the buffer area. Chuck Tirone asked what the purpose for that area is. A presenter stated that it would be an outdoor activity area where it would be hard to grow grass. Greg Hochmuth showed a grading plan and stated that significant grading would be required to make the site fairly flat. He said they wanted to daylight some pipes but there was little opportunity so they had to cut a slope. He said some water would come out but it would be clean and already treated by the stormwater management system. He stated there will be an upland seed mix and a wetland seed mix in different areas. Page 1 2 Brian Bowe asked for clarification on whether all plantings are native. Greg Hochmuth said he thinks they are but is not sure about one elm. Another presenter stated that the elm is also native. Greg Hochmuth showed a photometric plan for pickleball court lighting and confirmed that it is dark -sky compliant. Another presenter described this as the best they can do without having to include more poles. Chuck Tirone stated that this plan does not show trees and shrubs that will also be there. Greg Hochmuth said they are not within an A or AE flood area and there are no certified vernal pools. Chuck Tirone asked if that was a bench -top survey from their own flagging. Greg Hochmuth said yes, although he only walked the edge. He said there was one depression but it did not hold water. Greg Hochmuth said there is a perennial stream out by the gun range named Bare Meadow Brook but it is well out of the buffer area of this project. Walter Talbot asked how a stone dust trail can be ADA compliant. Ryan Percival replied as long as it is smooth and has no stone over IN and has a certain slope it can be accepted as ADA compliant. Walter Talbot asked if the trail will be more than 200' and, if so, will it have passing zones. Ryan Percival said, yes, those can be included. Chuck Tirone asked what the width would be. Ryan Percival said probably at least 5' but whatever was required to be ADA-compliant. Rick Keogh asked for clarification on the trails planned. Chuck Tirone stated that trails in the wetland can be added later. Walter Talbot asked about permeability of the turf, presenter stated that it will be permeable. Walter Talbot asked about snow removal on the courts. The presenter said that it won't be removed as that would damage the surface and the courts won't be open for play with snow or ice on them. Walter Talbot asked if raised courts were considered; the presenter said they were but they were not feasible for this project. Martha Moore stated that tree removal is discussed over 12" DBH but usually we ask for 6"; she asked why that is the case. Greg Hochmuth said the tree cover is so dense that surveying the 6" DBH trees would have been prohibitively expensive. Brian Bowe confirmed that they do want to remove trees above 6"9 Greg Hochmuth said, yes, those in the area that needs to be cleared. Martha Moore asked about the possibility of saving trees in the 25' and 35' area and asked to rescue as many trees as possible. The presenter said yes, we intend to keep as many trees as possible and establish a canopy line. He said their intent is to leave as many trees as possible outside of the work zone. Chuck Tirone asked if they are confident with the 35' buffer as a limit of work outside the path. Greg Hochmuth said they are confident in the 25' buffer as a limit of work. Chuck Tirone stated Page 1 3 the commission might need a rough estimate of the trees within the 35' zone if work is being done there. The presenter confirmed that the commission wants trees counted from the limit of work to the wetland. Chuck Tirone said yes. Martha Moore asked if it is feasible to put a tarp over a dirt pile. The presenter stated they would usually put erosion control around the whole pile but that smaller piles would have to be covered by tarps by contractors in inclement weather. Martha Moore asked if the islands could have trees in the middle of them. A presenter described issues with adding trees to the islands. The commission acknowledged that the islands are not within their jurisdiction. Walter Talbot stated that the Cultec system is under the parking lot and they need clearance from trees. Martha Moore said she appreciates that there are trees around the edges. She also suggested solar carports could be considered. The presenter stated that the infiltration system is so large that that would be difficult, at least in the middle of the parking lot. Martha Moore said that on page L302 the list of plantings includes red pines; she stated that the town has been cutting down red pines in the Town Forest and those are not good for this climate so she would like to see the red pine swapped out for something else. The presenter stated that he thinks it is on the commission's list. Martha Moore said that may very well be but, W so, the list is out of date. Martha Moore stated that a few trees on the list do not appear to be true natives but mostly are. Martha Moore explained that the commission is looking for true natives not hybrids/varietals/cultivars and asked the applicant to make that clear to their landscaper. Brian Bowe asked about proposed property line and proposed area A on the map. The presenter stated those are more relevant to CPDC for the layout than this discussion. Brian Bowe asked about item 12 on the erosion plan that states a tree warden will review the tress. He said it should be the conservation administrator rather than a tree warden and asked for clarification on what would be reviewed. The applicant said they would ask Chuck Tirone within the jurisdictional area and a tree warden outside of it. Chuck Tirone asked for clarification on what the tree review would be. The applicant stated it would be similar to what was done for Maillet, Sommes, & Morgan. Chuck Tirone requested alignment with the town's tree policy. Brian Bowe asked what the educational signage would be. The applicant said they would work on the signage with Chuck Tirone. Brian Bowe requested a plan for recycling of the turf material when necessary. A presenter stated that manufacturers have to take it back now. Chuck Tirane said the commission would have a condition that they would come back to the commission in 10 years to replace the turf. Page 1 4 Chuck Tirone asked what a path on the plan is. The presenter said that is an exit from the building, it would be asphalt, but is a very small section and would be something a variance would be requested for. Chuck Tirone and the presenter discussed that there are few invasives near paths and maintenance plans for that path. Chuck Tirone requested a plan for when it is needed. The presenter stated they can work on an O & M plan for this area. Jane Wellman, Assistant Town Manager, said they are working on the O & M plan now, which includes inside and outside. Chuck Tirone said the snow storage language should be similar from other projects. Jane Wellman asked when the commission will need to see this plan. Chuck Tirone said there are some parts that the commission will need to see soon and requested a draft of the plan for the area of the path. Brian Bowe stated that the commission would be willing to give comments on the plan before it is finalized. Ryan Percival and Chuck Tirone discussed potential snow management. Chuck Tirone asked if area near the building would be meadow or mowed lawn. The presenters and Chuck Tirone discussed minimizing required maintenance. Ryan Percival said he would discuss with the parks division. Waiter Talbot asked about a conduit connecting two electrical boxes that looks like it would go through the Cultec system. The presenter said they would check that and that they would like to reduce the electrical boxes to one. Walter Talbot said that the water management system doesn't cover oil and grease. A presenter from Activitas stated that there will be water quality units before the system. Walter Talbot said that he spoke with someone from Cultec and said they strongly recommend prefilters. The presenters said that they do have those prefiltration systems in place, labelled on the plan as water quality units. Greg Hochmuth said they are not yet sure exactly which water quality unit will be used but they will be capable of separating oil. Chuck Tirone asked for more information on that to be sent to the commission. Brian Bowe invited comment from the public; there was none. Brian Bowe asked to when the applicants would like a continuance. The applicant requested 8/27. Martha Moore so moved, Walter Talbot seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 2. 885 Main St Primrose School Franchise and Company Page 1 5 Construction proposed of a two-story childcare facility and associated structures. Assessor's Map 28 Lot 133 DEP File 270-0796. Josh Klein, Stonefield Engineering and Design, began presenting and stated they have tried to bring the materials requested by the commission after their last meeting. Josh Klein said that additional parking and a loop for firetruck turning have been added after safety review. They have incorporated comments from parking peer review and stormwater peer review. He said the building was shifted toward Main St and the playground was consolidated. He described supporting documentation and O & M manual that they have now submitted to the Conservation Commission. Josh Klein stated that all snow will be hauled from the site and they have submitted a vernal pool evaluation. Josh Klein said they submitted a turf informational packet and updated planting lists to be all true natives. Joseh Klein said the project is in full compliance with conservation buffers and MA DEP regulations and that the only major remaining technical Rem is stormwater from the point of interest to the south of the site; they are proposing a small filtration system in that area to collect runoff from neighbors. They have included an impervious surface summary. Andrew Thibault, wetland scientist with Goddard Consulting, discussed the potential vernal pool and certified vernal pool in the area. Andrew Thibault said that they sent wildlife biologists out in peak season in April to check for vernal pools. They only found pools of 1-3° or a few with 6-7" that will dry quickly; their biologists determined that there is no vernal pool on this property. There is a vernal pool designated offsite that MA DEP asked to be included on the plan; they have added a buffer zone from that pool on the plan. Andrew Thibauft said they would like to see connectivity left between the offsite vernal pools and the wetlands on this property and think they will be able to do that by following the wetland buffer guidelines. Brian Bowe thanked the applicant for the updates. Walter Talbot asked for clarification on treating water from the neighbors Brian Bowe said we need to get a report from Janet Bernardo, civil engineer, before public comment. Janet Bernardo reported her company, Horsley Written, did a peer review for water management on this site. She said they had concerns about water going towards the abutters. Janet Bernardo stated that their only abutter concern was that one section between the property and 881 Main St is likely to pond so this plan is intended to prevent causing new issues for the abutter. Walter Talbot asked about the proposed Cultec system. Josh Klein said there would be something smaller in a different location. Wafter Talbot said he has a major problem with parking lots, that they are always oily and greasy; he asked if they are doing anything about that. Josh Klein said that their plan will have to meet pre-treatment requirements. He said they have deep hood and sumps as well as an isolator row. Walter Talbot said that's pretty good for suspended soils but not so much for oil and grease. Josh Klein said oil and grease would float within a hood and sump and that they have O & M manuals in place for maintenance on the parking lot. Josh Klein said they would be happy with a condition that staff be trained how to immediately deal with spills. Page 1 6 Chuck Tirone asked about the difference between a hood and sump application versus a separator. Josh Klein stated that it is functionally similar although the design is different. Chuck Tirone said which works better when overwhelmed in a severe storm. Josh Klein said either type of system would be overwhelmed in a severe storm. Janet Bernardo said a proprietary water quality unit could be added if the commission is particularly concerned. Josh Klein said that they would accept a hydrodynamic separator but don't want a filtered system. Janet Bernardo said yeah, they don't need a jellyfish type of separator, but a hydrodynamic separator would work. She said they're better than just a catch basin. She said they could potentially remove the isolator row if they install this device or keep it as an extra layer of security. Chuck Tirone asked if they know what soil types they have in the area where they are intended to treat 881 Main St's water. Josh Klein said yes, we have a test site and are very confident in that data. Chuck Tirone requested that be added to the plan. Martha Moore clarified that they have added more impervious parking lot surface and asked how they are accounting for that stormwater-wise. Josh Klein said that all of the updated stormwater management reports accounted for the change; he confirmed that more Cultec chambers were added. Martha Moore asked about trees that were planned to be protected that are now inside the parking lot. Josh Klein said they are saving some trees within the limit of work and they meet the tree replacement by-laws. Josh Klein stated they tried to put most of their plantings between the 25' and 35' zones. Martha Moore said, so you are cutting down all the trees but adding more? Josh Klein said we are saving some and we meet the tree replacement by-laws. Martha Moore asked if they will be putting tree protection around the trees they are trying to save. Josh Klein said yes and we do have some tree protection fencing shown on the plan. Chuck Tirone asked how far the tree protection fence goes from the tree. Josh Klein said no closer than 6' from the tree trunk; they would look to install at the drip line. Chuck Tirone asked how they determine that 6' number. Josh Klein said they would be happy to follow a standard the commission requested but they have settled on 6' for practical access reasons. Chuck Tirone asked if the soil would be protected from compaction W they had to move the tree protection closer to the tree. Josh Klein said they would do what was necessary to protect the trees. Chuck Tirone and Josh Klein discussed a condition of preventing compaction. Brian Bowe asked who would be judging if moving the tree protection in is safer Page 1 7 Josh Klein said they have professionals on staff and could coordinate with a conservation representative. Josh Klein acknowledged they would need a SWIP in hand before the work was done. Walter Talbot asked Martha Moore what her concern was about the contours around the play area at the prior presentation. Martha Moore said she had asked about how they were creating a flat play area on this steep slope, and their answer was that they have two 6' retaining walls. Josh Klein stated the play areas are fully fenced in and will be safe. Martha Moore asked if they submitted a photometric diagram of their dark -sky compliant lighting. Josh Klein said they did and will be using Meridia dark -sky approved fixtures. Martha Moore asked if trees listed for planting are true natives; Josh Klein confirmed that they are. Brian Bowe asked if the applicant has seen Janet Bernardo's report and suggested the applicant provide a written response to those comments. Josh Klein said yes, we have addressed most of them already and her updated report has only four remaining items. Chuck Tirane asked what the infill under the turf for the play area is. Josh Klein said it is called Envirofill and is not rubber. Brian Bowe asked if it has crumb. Josh Klein said it is reusable and contains no rubber. Chuck Tirane specified that brooming Envirofill back in needs to be part of an O & M plan. Josh Klein said the entire play area has a minimum 6" lip and will not flow out of the area like crumb rubber. Josh Klein said any Envirofill would have to be put back in if it did get out. Chuck Tirane clarified that replacement of turf fill would need to be re -approved by the commission and is not considered standard maintenance. Chuck Tirane asked Janet Bernardo if her company has enough in the budget to review the next round. Janet Bernardo said yes to review the next round but not to attend another hearing. Chuck Tirane stated that they may want to ask their consultants to come to the next meeting, which is most likely when the vote happens. Chuck Tirane stated that he needs to know if the commission wants Janet Bernardo to come to the next meeting. Josh Klein stated that they are happy to provide the funding for Janet Bernardo as consultant as needed. Janet Bernardo said her fee to attend the meeting would be $600.00. Brian Bowe invited public comment. . Dennis Murphy, attorney at Hill Law, is here representing Lori McKenna, who lives at 34 Duck Rd, the property to the West of this site and significantly down gradient by about 25'. Dennis Murphy said he appreciates that we have made good progress is consideration of impacts of the project but there are several issues that have not been fully addressed. Dennis Murphy said that the applicant hired a consultant named Whitestone that did four test pits in March and one report said that there was a need for groundwater mounding analysis; he does not see where Page 18 that analysis was done. He said the concern is that there is some fill there that might act as an impermeable barrier once unburied. Dennis Murphy said his second comment is about the relative elevations of the properties. Ms. McKenna's property is the one with a certified vernal pool and a potential vernal pool; she is concerned about more water coming onto her property to the West. Dennis Murphy stated that artificial turf is an area of his professional expertise and observed that this play area is at least half or more within the 100' buffer zone and in all the cases he has seen tested soil near turf has shown some leaching of chemicals from the turf. Brian Bowe asked Janet Bernardo to discuss the test pits. Janet Bernardo said she would need to go back and look at the plan but that typically a mounding analysis is done when there is between 2' and 4' separation to groundwater. She is not sure if they needed one but expects they have the 4' of separation required. Josh Klein said they have 56" to bottom of stone and UT to bottom of chamber. Janet Bernardo said that the majority of the water does flow west to the wetland. She said the applicant is not allowed to increase the stormwater flow off their property toward the wetland or the abutting properties and they have had to show that in their plan. Dennis Murphy clarified that the McKenna property is the direct abutter to the West. Josh Klein stated that groundwater mounding testing was not required and that their plan ensures there is no adverse impact to the property to the west. He said there is no PFAS in any of the suggested fill and they have submitted documentation thereof. Dennis Murphy stated that he thinks the Whltestone concern was more about an impermeable barrier than the normal groundwater elevation separation. Josh Klein said that is fairly common and can be replaced If encountered. Chuck Tirone asked about Dennis Murphy's comment on chemicals from turf Dennis Murphy said he would be very concerned if the wetland is connected to water supply for people. Josh Klein said that they ensured Envirofill has no PFAS or other environmental containments. Chuck Tirone stated that this documentation has satisfied him but he appreciates Dennis Murphy's thoughts. Steve Mays, 59 Francis Dr, asked about drainage from the playground that goes down to a scour hole that is stone -lined and asks why it doesn't go through a stormwater system. He echoed a concern about drains from the handicapped spots. Steve Mays also expressed concern about snow removal; he said maintenance documents say that no snow will be put within the 1 00'buffer zone but what happens when the plow driver is out there doing his best to keep that snow out of the wetland. Steve Mays said that the plantings on the southern side stopped and asked why there isn't a final buffer or fence. He stated that landscaping plans have differences from the Operation & Maintenance plan. Steve Mays said that the O & M calls for no pesticides and fertilizers in Spring and Fall only but that does not match the plan document. He also said that he saw two different heights on two different documents. Steve Mays asked for confirmation that most lights would be turned off approximately an hour after the building closes. Janet Bernardo said that the scour hole is for an overabundance and is just the underdrain. She said it's not an increase of runoff and it doesn't need any treatment because it's not an Page 1 9 impervious surface. She said there is an outlet that is pumped to the scour hole near the wetland but they have confirmed it won't be an increase. Chuck Tirone asked fi the water that infiltrates through the turf field is considered clean. Janet Bernardo said yes. Josh Klein said that the updated O & M plan will specify removing snow offsite. He also said they would like to come back to the commission with their plans all more ironed out. Chuck Tirone asked about salt and sand and said that he will send Josh Klein the information on deicing conditions. Chuck Tirone stated that the commission frowns on salt and sand. Josh Klein said they would use approved MassDOT products with magnesium. Steve Mays asked why there is a gap in the buffer line. Martha Moore followed up the question asking why they didn't plan between some parallel lines. Josh Klein said the intention is to infill and screen the building; he said that screening is additional on top of the tree replacement. Martha Moore commented that part of what is being discussed now is outside the commission's jurisdiction. Martha Moore moved to continue this hearing to 8/13, Walter Talbot seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5- 0-0) 3. 695 Pearl St Chuck Tirone said that on 7/172025 he received an email from Angelo Staffo (the applicant) that they wish to withdraw without prejudice. Martha Moore moved that the commission withdraw 695 Pearl St without prejudice, Walter Talbot seconded and was in favor. Rick Keogh asked for confirmation that they would have to resubmit the whole process. Chuck Tirone said yes but without prejudice means they are allowed to resubmit. Martha Moore and Brian Bowe in favor. The Conservation Commission agreed to let 695 Pearl St withdraw without prejudice. (5-0-0 in favor) 4. 57 Longwood Rd Chuck Tirone said that someone is supposed to be here for this property. The original offer from the applicant for mitigation was to provide some bat boxes but not have them installed. Their new plan is to go to a landscape architect and offer enough mitigation to not need to do that. Martha Moore moved to continue to 8/27, Waiter Talbot seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 5. 692 Pearl St Rick Keogh, Conservation Commission member and also the applicant, recused himself from acting as a commission member for this hearing. Page 1 10 Rick Keogh said his wife and he met with Northeast Nursery and showed a planting plan to replace trees that they propose to take down. Rick Keogh said he thinks they have almost 24 trees planned that are diverse, including about 17 mountain laurels along the lot line/ditch and some arborvitae (about 7) starting from where the large pine tree is between his neighbor and his house. Rick Keogh said his wife would like to put hydrangeas although they are not a native and also a rhododendron and some ruby -spice, summer sweet, and blueberries. Rick Keogh asked what Martha Moore said about red maple earlier. Martha Moore said red maple is great; Rick Keogh confirmed the one on his list is the true native. Rick Keogh said he thinks he has exceeded the replacement requirements by putting in 24 trees to replace 11. Walter Talbot said he just sees a whole bunch of white area and two lines; he asked what is in the white area? Rick Keogh said that's where the house is. Walter Talbot asked where the trees are going. Martha Moore said they are making progress but she is not ready to approve this plan yet. She said she can't see where the jurisdictional lines are on this plan. Martha Moore asked if Rick Keogh would be removing the invasive buckthorn discussed at a previous hearing; Rick Keogh said yes. Martha Moore said she is concerned that there is one tree going in the back and mostly shrubs. Martha Moore suggested more of a plan of open lawn and then trees back toward the lot line. She said she would rather see the shrubs staggered to be more of a habitat and less of a hedge. Martha Moore said she is concerned that some of the plants are cuhivars rather than true natives. Martha Moore clarified that summer spice and mountain laurel are native but not their cukivars. Martha Moore said that hydrangeas outside of the 100' zone are not jurisdictional and therefore don't have to be native. Rick Keogh said that native hydrangeas will be the ones put in the front. Rick Keogh said he recognizes that a green mountain boxwood isn't native. Martha Moore said she is concerned about green mountain boxwood spreading everywhere. Brian Bowe said that he is also concerned there are mostly shrubs and not many trees. Rick Keogh said his math comes out correct. Brian Bowe asked a clarification about the tree replacement policy to Chuck Tirone. Chuck Tirone said this is more of a policy than a regulation and it is not constraining to the commission. Chuck Tirone said one thing the commission likes to see is avoiding monoculture. Brian Bowe said that he thinks the commission is within their authority to say we need more trees and agreed with Martha Moore's previous reference to the type of plan being put forward at 50 Johanna Dr. Tim Michel said the applicant is following our information on our website for replacement so he should be able to do it. Page 1 11 Brian Bowe said this replacement policy is not applicable for this RDA. Tim Michel agreed we need the buffer zone lines marked on the plan but he thinks that if the applicant is meeting the policy listed on the website he should be able to go ahead. Chuck Tirone said the commission should be able to specify things like more trees or lining up plantings differently. Chuck Tirone clarified that small trees are acceptable as long as they are native. He also stated fruit trees are high value (meaning nuts like walnut or oak). Martha Moore said a lot of people like the native flowering dogwood which doesn't grow as high. Chuck Tirone suggested that the commission give Rick Keogh really clear direction. Rick Keogh said, yes, this is getting frustrating. Brian Bowe recommended adding more trees and spacing things out more and looking at 50 Johanna or 550 West as examples. He said they were close to approving a plan. Martha Moore said 50 Johanna Dr had 8 trees added. Tim Michel asked how many Johanna took down; he was told 12. Martha Moore clarified that the replacement policy only covers up to 4 trees (which can be approved by the Conservation Administrator without a full hearing) and they are looking for habitat that the wildlife can live in. Chuck Tirone asked the commission to specify how many trees they want. Martha Moore said 5 or 6 trees, not including arborvitae. Chuck Tirone suggested that the commission should vote on how many trees. Martha Moore said we need four to pass anything. Brian Bowe made a motion to direct the applicant to modify the plan showing five trees distributed around the back yard with multiple species like maple, oak, etc. Martha Moore suggested some of those could be in the front yard; Brian Bowe agreed. Martha Moore seconded with friendly amendment. Walter Talbot abstains. Walter Talbot said he is struggling to see on this plan how many trees would reasonably fit. Martha Moore asked Walter Talbot if he thinks five is too many or too few. Walter Talbot expressed that he can't really say without having more of an idea of what he is looking at on the property. Chuck Tirone brought up a GIS image of the property. Rick Keogh said they would like to plant mountain laurels along the ditch. Martha Moore suggested that mountain laurels could be the shrub layer with a tree as well. Rick Keogh showed some locations where he could add planting on the plan. Chuck Tirone drew an estimated area of the planting. Page 1 12 Will Finch asked if Pinevale Conservation Area is still on for tonight. Chuck Tirone said yes. Chuck Tirone drew a place for the tree on the GIS. Chuck Tirone added a place where Rick Keogh said there could be another tree. Martha Moore asked if Rick Keogh will be leaving current oak saplings. Rick Keogh said he is fine with leaving them but he doesn't know where they will end up. Rick Keogh stated that there are stumps in the way of some of the plantings. Chuck Tirone asked if the stumps could be replaced with trees. Rick Keogh said probably but there are so many stumps it will prevent planting there. Martha Moore suggested trees in the front yard. Rick Keogh said he wouldn't prefer that. Martha Moore suggested that he could plant mountain laurels with some large trees mixed in. Rick Keogh said there are concrete blocks on the edge of the ditch which will make it hard to plant. Walter Talbot asked about putting trees where large trees are coming down. Chuck Tirone said he doesn't think it's helpful to try to come up with places where trees can go; he said going through this exercise it is clarifying that things are getting tight. Martha Moore moved for 4 trees in total, spread out bushes along the northern side, and making sure that plants are true natives and not just horticultural varieties. Walter Talbot said he wanted to go back to five trees. Tim Michel said he would go for four. Brian Bowe said he wanted to stipulate a high -value habitat oak tree. Brian Bowe added a friendly amendment that one tree be an oak. Walter Talbot seconded Martha Moore's motion for four trees with the described conditions, Walter Talbot in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (4-0-0) Rick Keogh rejoined the commission as a member. 6. Pinevale Conservation Area off Warren Ave Continued RDA. Assessor's map 11, lot 272. Brandy Hopkins, Reading Trails Committee, would like to propose an additional trail added to Pinevale. This would connect the Pinevale Recreation Area with Washington Park. This would involve selective brush clearing, a new kiosk, and a possible trashcan. She said they would need to add one elevated boardwalk of 24' and a 16' bridge span and a 34' raised boardwalk with footings for wildlife protection. All structures would be made of the same decking materials that are used on the blue and white trails in Pinevale. All construction and trail clearing will be Page 1 13 done with hand tools with possibly very minor use of chainsaws. They have a strict removal policy of removing anything they bring in. Brandy Hopkins showed diagrams of the two bridges and swale crossing. The swale crossing would include large pipes to ensure clearance for wildlife. Brandy Hopkins said this would create a continuous walking path north to south through Pinevale, benefitting the community. Brian Bowe said this is an existing trail that is going to be upgraded. Brandy Hopkins said, no, we will be connecting to an existing trail but will also be adding a new trail. She said there is currently nothing coming to the North that connects to Warren Ave. Martha Moore said there seemed to be a trail on their site visit. Brandy Hopkins said, yes, it looks like people are already making a trail there which is one of the reasons why we want to add a trail there. Martha Moore expressed a concern that the plot plan shows a spot that is a very narrow neck owned by the Conservation Commission; she would like to get confirmation that the planned trail is not crossing outside of the commission's land to a neighbors property. Brandy Hopkins said the GIS shows a 6' range and that a surveyor can confirm. She said that the property owner of the adjacent area was excited about the trail. Brian Bowe said that could be handled with a condition that surveying must be completed before the trail is made. Chuck Tirone asked when this project is planned and said that an approved RDA is good for three years; he said it will take some time to get the town survey crew out there. Chuck Tirone said he thinks only minimal survey work is needed, at a particular point. Chuck Tirone asked how long the trail would be. Brandy Hopkins said the trail was shown on the town GIS as 6'. Brian Bowe asked if this request is just for the trail or for any additional elements like signs and kiosks. Chuck Tirone said those are not usually permitted separately. Martha Moore and Brandy Hopkins noted that kiosk and signs are included in the proposal. Brandy Hopkins said they will be asking the town for a trashcan. Ka, the owner at 48 Warren Ave, said he was not confident that Katie, the other property owner, was actually excited about the trail and not just being polite and asked Brandy Hopkins to consult him and the property owner at 47 Warren Ave again. Brandy Hopkins agreed. Ka said that he has not seen people walking on the existing trail and asked how much more traffic is expected from the new trail. Brandy Hopkins said there is not really any way to check that since they don't have a sign in or camera. Ka asked how many trees would be cut down for this trail. Brandy Hopkins said, none, the trail can be blazed around trees. Brian Bowe asked Brandy Hopkins if she'd like to continue until she speaks to the homeowner or wait. Page 1 14 Brandy Hopkins asked for direction as to the normal procedure. Chuck Tirone said that it might be polite but they're not usually held up by neighbor consultations. Chuck Tirone said that there had been concern that the trail goes in front of 48 Warren Ave but the plan does not show it going past the house. He said what we should see when we are finished surveying is a trail more like one on this map; the proposed trail should go by 48 Warren Ave but deeper in the woods. Will Finch, 51 Mill St, Trails Committee Member, agreed that they need to get some survey points located. He said that if they can put another point on this property line to ensure the trail is not on 48 Warren Ave's property that should be sufficient. Will Finch said that they would be across a stream from the house at 48 Warren Ave. Brian Bowe reiterated that a condition of surveying as discussed should resolve this issue. Kate Kaminer, 37 Warren Ave, said that she has seen very few people walk in this wooded area except for people coming from baseball games. Kate Kaminer stated that the current unofficial trail does go right near Ka's front door. Chuck Tirone emphasized that the commission would be approving the application in front of them and not the current trail or current flags, which seem like they might be in the wrong places. Kate Kaminer said a lot of the neighbors have talked about it and are overall supportive but are concerned that the trail would bend too close toward a little stream or to a neighbor's house. Bob Kaminer, 37 Warren Ave, said there are orange flags on the wrong side of the stream. Brandy Hopkins said those aren't the Reading Trails Committee, we did not put those in. Brian Bowe reiterated if there are flags there now, they are not valid and should be ignored. The survey would be the valid flags. Kate Kaminer asked if the neighbors will have an opportunity to look at the survey after that. Brian Bowe said they could certainly look at it but it would go forward from here if we approve. Chuck Tirone said he is not sure that the Town Surveyor will put out flags or stakes that are visible. Brian Bowe said the key point is that turn. Chuck Tirone asked Brian Bowe if he is trying to get the neighborhood involved. Brian Bowe said not necessarily. Kate Kaminer said she doesn't think the neighborhood wants to be involved in planning it and the concern with the neighbors is that bend toward the neighbor's front door; if we can straighten it out in the plan that would be ideal. Brandy Hopkins said they would do that. Chuck Tirone agreed that the surveying should solve the problem and this plot before this commission currently shows it correctly. Martha Moore said she would feel more comfortable if the Town Surveyor places three stakes physically: one at the street, one at the comer where the property line bends, and one where the property meets the stream. She asked Chuck Tirone if the surveyor wouldn't do that. Page 1 15 Chuck Tirone said not necessarily but he can only make suggestions and isn't actually in charge of surveying. Martha Moore said okay. She noted that someone had been using the unofficial footrail to dump brush within the buffer zone. Martha Moore moved to close the hearing. Walter Talbot seconded and in favor. Tim Michel in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) Brian Bowe said the obvious big condition is survey to get the trail right. Martha Moore said also the usual conditions of moving the materials out and damaging the wetland as little as possible during construction. Martha Moore asked if they would be constructing during dry season. Brandy Hopkins said they don't know when they will be able to build but they will want to do it when it's least damaging. Brian Bowe wondered if the homeowners at 48 Warren Ave might have gotten a survey done as part of purchasing the home; Tim Michel said that was likely not required. Martha Moore moved for a negative determination, Walter Talbot seconded and in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (6-0-0) Chuck Tirone stated that he would ask the DPW for the survey. Old/New Business 7. 25 South St Brian Bowe said he and Martha Moore did a site visit. Martha Moore said they met with the homeowner, Mark, who had Lord Tree come out and propose to take a tree or two down for him on the slope behind his swimming pool and they also saw one tree with a lot of rot up the trunk. Martha Moore said they approved removing the rotten tree and two other trees, leaving snags for all three, and trimming up to 20% of three more trees on that same bank. Martha Moore said he is planning to plant some shrubs or small trees on that bank to continue stabilizing the bank. Brian Bowe said we also talked him through cutting some vines and asked him to take out an old hose and plastic bin. He said we instructed him not to add brush or grass clippings to the buffer area. Chuck Tirone asked about the trees that were cut down. Brian Bowe said street trees were cut down at the Tree Warden's issue. Martha Moore said they did not see trees cut down. Chuck Tirone said he saw 7-9 stumps, Martha Moore and Brian Bowe said they did see those. Martha Moore said there are some oak suckers coming out of that area. Brian Bowe said so we should be asking for more replacements. Chuck Tirone said it's an enforcement order but that it could be closed for now Page 1 16 Martha Moore asked how many replacements we want him to put in? Chuck Tirone said two shrubs for tree or a tree for a tree as a guideline but the commission can decide. Chuck Tirone said he is concerned about the steep drop off. Martha Moore and Brian Bowe said the homeowner already is as well. Tim Michel asked when this came up and said he'd never seen anything about it. Chuck Tirone said that the homeowner came to two meetings but that might have been when Tim Michel was remote or before he joined the commission. Tim Michel asked if we will know what the replacements are. Brian Bowe said yes. Chuck Tirone explained that the rest of the commission could authorize Brian Bowe and Martha Moore to resolve this issue and still have time to review it later at a committee meeting, as it will need to be ratified. Walter Talbot moved to authorize Brian Bowe and Martha Moore to resolve this, Tim Michel seconded, Rick Keogh in favor, Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 8. Bench at Maillet Sommes & Morgan Gregory Schulz would like to pay for a slab and bench, approximately $2,000.00, dedicated to his mother. Chuck Tirone said the location is on an upper wood chip path by the tree as shown on the application. Gregory Schulz said his mother passed away a few years ago and was a real nature lover who loved to walk in the forest. His wife and he would like to dedicate a bench to her. Gregory Schulz said he spoke to Chuck Tirone and heard there were plans to put a bench in there and offered to take over the cost as well as adding a plaque. Martha Moore and Walter Talbot said they thought it was a wonderful idea. Brian Bowe said he doesn't know how we can ensure that this dedication is something we want to stand behind so to a great extent we are taking your word for it. Brian Bowe clarified that he is fine with that but would like the applicant to state to the commission that this is a worthy person and the commission isn't going to do a background check or anything like that, but we just want to be sure that this is a precedent we want to set. Chuck Tirone said he doesn't know how to be reimbursed for the cement pad as the pad has already been put in and funded by a grant. He said this gentleman is going to buy the bench himself and stated that what the plaque says needs to be run by the commission. Chuck Tirone said he is not sure who can install it but it would need to be Chuck Tirone, or DPW, or the sign company but not Gregory Schulz. Brian Bowe asked Gregory Schulz if he would be willing to make the commensurate to the concrete pad part of his donation to the conservation fund since the slab is already paid for. Gregory Schulz said yes and suggested that, alternatively, he could pay for the concrete pad for another bench. Brian Bowe said that would be great as well. Chuck Tirone said that might be further out. Page 1 17 Rick Keogh asked if Gregory Schulz would be able to make a donation to the commission budget? Chuck Tirone said yes, the conservation fund, gives the commission flexibility to use that money toward conservation. Chuck Tirone suggested a motion to either pay $400.00 to the conservation fund or to pay that same amount for a future slab. Martha Moore said there is already a bench installed there. Brian Bowe agreed and clarified it's a green bench with tan slats. Chuck Tirone said volunteers might have already installed it since it was planned. Brian Bowe said, well, we could put a plaque on that bench and ask for a donation for the future bench location. Chuck Tirone said I don't know where that bench came from. Martha Moore said what if we accept a donation from him to cover the plaque and the cost of the cement and the bench. Chuck Tirone apologized to Gregory Schulz for the confusion. Brian Bowe asked Gregory Schulz if he is okay with that. Gregory Schulz said he has looked at the benches around and what he wants is similar; he'd like the plaque to say something like: In memory of Karen Schulz, "grands." Brian Bowe asked for that in writing. Gregory Schulz said he has emailed it to Chuck Tirone. Brian Bowe said the commission appreciates this very much and agrees that his mother would have loved that area. Gregory Schulz said she was an upstanding citizen. Rick Keogh moved to accept with friendly amendment. Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) Discussion Items: 9. 50 Johanna Dr Continued. 10. Conservation/DPW Monthly Meeting August 5'". No Administrator's Report. 11. Minutes for Approval 6/11/2025. Martha Moore moved to accept the minutes, Wafter Talbot seconded and in favor, Rick Keogh in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) Martha Moore moved to adjourn at 11:06, all in favor. (5-0-0) Page 1 18