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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-25 Conservation Commission Minutes6�1 Town of Reading Meeting Minutes Board - Committee - Commission - Council: Conservation Commission Date: 2025-06-25 Building: Reading Town Hall Address: 16 Lowell Street Purpose: Hybrid Meeting - Conservation Commission Meeting Attendees: Members - Present: RECEIVED TOWN CLERK READ!NG4MA A. 2025 OCT -7 PM 1: 45 Time: 07:06 PM Location: Conference Room Session: Open Session Version: Final Brian Bowe, chair, Martha Moore, vice chair, Tim Michel, Chirag Sthalekar, Walter Talbot (remote) Members - Not Present: Tony Rodolakis Others Present: Chuck Tirone (Conservation Administrator), Jack Sullivan, Dan McCarthy, Pat Thompkins, Garrett (remote), Mary Jirmanus (Saba) (remote), Jeff Lansing (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 TD6 pm. Public Hearings 1. 288 Grove St, Meadowbrook Golf Course Jack Sullivan is an engineer representing Meadowbrook Golf Club. Jack Sullivan stated he will go through some of the changes he made based on previous meeting with the commission. Jack Sullivan said the new storage building will be entirely outside the 35' zone, although some of the existing building is within it. Jack Sullivan said he previously had a gravel area planned in front of the new maintenance building but he is now proposing a 12' by 90' paved apron as access to the building, along with a gravel section. He said the apron would have a 12" trench drain. Jack Sullivan described the plan's storage bays and exterior doors with 3.5" by 3.5" concrete landings outside the door. He stated that the building inspector asked for floor drains to consider this building up to code even though it is intended to be used for storage. Jack Sullivan has added an oil and grease separator which those drains will drain to in accordance with code and provided a detail of it on the submitted plan. Page 1 1 Jack Sullivan said along the 12' by 90' apron there is now a continuous trench drain planned; it would be conveyed through a manhole and ultimately flow through the Cultec infiltration system Jack Sullivan stated that a concern from the commission last meeting was cleaning up behind the building. He stated they are adding one jersey barrier behind the building to prevent vehicle access and keep the area clean. Jack Sullivan addressed snow concerns; he stated that although this property and building are usually not active in the winter, he left some gravel area for the purposes of snow storage if necessary. Jack Sullivan stated he added one tree previously left off the plan and a detail of a rhea concrete trench drain to the plan. He also stated that he updated his pervious and impervious area tables. Jack Sullivan stated that he removed a proposed 5' retaining wall and will be using the building foundation as the retaining wall. He also said he has added that all drains will go into the oil and grease separator. Jack Sullivan reiterated that no washing or servicing will be done in the building. He said pesticides and gasoline will not be stored in the building; petroleum cans under 5 gallons and fertilizer in appropriate containers will be stored in the building. Jack Sullivan acknowledged that the area is in the aquifer protection area and emphasized that the new building will be a significant improvement over the previous maintenance building. Martha Moore stated she likes the changes made. Waiter Talbot stated he was impressed with the changes made and is glad to hear that the plan no longer depends on nothing going wrong. Walter Talbot asked why a rear door is now included. Jack Sullivan stated that the 3' wide pedestrian door is necessary as an egress for building code and would be intended for emergencies only. Brian Bowe expressed concern that people would use the door regularly anyway. Pat Thompkins, Meadowbrook board member, emphasized that code requires a second egress door and that is the only reasonable place to put it but they expect people will always go out the front of the building. He said they can add some signage. Brian Bowe asked about the gas cans to be stored in the building. Dan McCarthy, Meadowbrook board member, explained that he had unintentionally misled the commission previously; he intended to say there would be no large cans but small cans the vehicles take out on the course would need to be stored in the new building. Brian Bowe asked where in the building the storage would be. Dan McCarthy said they will have a new spill kit and confirmed that any spills would flow into the spill drains. Brian Bowe asked Jack Sullivan to explain the idea of paving the apron. He stated that he explored both liners and pavers. He said that the impervious liner would cause maintenance issues because anything that collected would not drain. Jack Sullivan stated that the golf course would prefer not to pave the entire outdoor vehicle lot. Page 1 2 Chuck Tirone discussed the aquifer protection district, which is a backup water supply, and stated that something will spill over the next 50 years. Chuck Tirone suggested some options for drainage including a rain garden and stated that paving the whole area would be more protective of the aquifer. Chuck Tirone said there is a high danger of accidental contamination of someone's well to the west. Jack Sullivan stated that they did not see how they could get water from the pavement to a rain garden even though that would lessen costs for the applicant. Chuck Tirone asked if there were calculations on the stormwater drainage system if the whole area is paved? Jack Sullivan said he does not yet have the calculations but the current system could manage the first Flush if the area was fully paved. Brian Bowe asked, since cost is a consideration, if they have considered storing the gas cans at the other maintenance building. Jack Sullivan said, yes, but the commission is concerned about the equipment stored there as well. Pat Thompkins stated that there is a full mechanic's building elsewhere on the property and this location would be only for briefly stopped equipment. He stated that he felt the 12' by 90' proposed paving would cover the vast majority of likely use by vehicles. He stated that if the price goes up too much the membership of the club will balk at covering a new maintenance building at all. Brian Bowe asked the commission if they were satisfied. Tim Michel said yes, he thinks the applicants have done a ton and the 12' is sufficient. Brian Bowe said his sense is that 12' will cover most of the issues. Martha Moore agreed. Chuck Tirone stated that this will be an active area. Brian Bowe said the compelling argument is 87 Walkerbrook— because of the spillage into the wetland there, the commission required them to do a more extensive trapping system, since the commission is trying to be consistent. Martha Moore said she doesn't see this as directly connected since 87 Walkerbrook had intended drainage into the wetland, unlike this system. Brian Bowe asked Chuck Tirone K he has an idea of what distance is needed. Chuck Tirone said he would like to see the whole thing paved but reasonable would be within the 100' buffer zone. Jack Sullivan said that would be okay; they would end up paving the snow storage area. Walter Talbot said he is very pleased with the changes that have been made and is in favor of the proposed compromise. . Page 1 3 Martha Moore moved to close the hearing, Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0- 0) The commission discussed no storage signage around the back door and paving up to the 100' wetland line as additional conditions. They also specified a Jersey barrier in perpetuity. Chuck Tirone added as a condition a once -a -year report on the survivability of trees and shrubs included as mitigation. Martha Moore moved to update the order of conditions, Chirag Sthalekar seconded. Walter Talbot, Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0). 2. 885 Main St Continued at applicant's request to 7/9. Martha Moore moved to continue. Chirag Sthalekar continued. Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 3. 695 Pearl St Continued to 7/9. Martha Moore moved to continue. Chirag Sthalekar continued. Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 4. 57 Longwood Rd Continued t to 7/9. Martha Moore moved to continue. Chirag Sthalekar continued. Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) OldINew Business 5. 1503 Main St Request for certificate of compliance. Martha Moore said she and BB walked the site with Garrett and found the bounds installed although they still need yellow markers from Chuck Tirone. Martha Moore stated that Garrett has been doing a great job cutting down invasive buckthorn and has agreed to remove some compost from the 25' zone. Martha Moore said they saw a tree house within the wetland itself which they are concerned about. She said they did not see any alarming erosion. Chirag Sthalekar asked for clarification on if the ladder from the treehouse is an issue. Brian Bowe said that this homeowner is clearly making serious efforts. Brian Bowe said he would like to see the zipline moved but it is okay with the kids' fort staying until the kids age out it. Martha Moore stated that invasive removal would be considered mitigation and suggested that the ongoing removal could be considered post -facto. Chuck Tirone stated that the commission usually doesn't say anything about tree houses and there is a goal to get kids to play in the woods. Chuck Tirone recommended against considering the treehouse and zipline to have been mitigated as that would set a new precedent. Page 1 4 Brian Bowe and Martha Moore discussed that their main concern is damage to the trees from the zipline not the zipline inherently. Martha Moore moved to issue certificate of compliance, Chirag Sthalekar seconded. Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 6. Milbury Forest Montessori School Mary Jirmanus has returned to discuss this project. Mary Jirmanus answered some questions from commissioners emailed to her. Mary Jirmanus said they are pursuing EEC certification as well as local Reading School Board accreditation. Mary Jirmanus said many of the things requested by the commission, such as CORI checks, would be required by those regulations. Mary Jirmanus stated that the children will never be unsupervised with a member of the public and her understanding is that CORI checks are required for people in unsupervised or regular contact with the children. Mary Jirmanus said their intended ratio is 1 to 10 or less and that they have a very good emergency plan; they will always have at least three adults around. Mary Jirmanus said everyone who works there is CPR and first aid trained and they have a primary care physician on call as needed. Mary Jirmanus also specified their first aid and emergency plans. Mary Jirmanus stated that they are happy to agree on a set number of parking spots to be used. Mary Jirmanus said that children will be supervised at all times because the ratio is so low and will also be trained to be responsible. Mary Jirmanus said they also have brightly colored vests that can be put on smaller children. Mary Jirmanus discussed the environmental education mission of the school. Walter Talbot suggested that CORI checks would be required the second time someone visited. Chuck Tirone said it might be the first time. Mary Jirmanus said there is some subjectivity but she does think volunteers and visitors would need to be CORIed but maintenance people would not need to be CORled. She stated that her understanding is that the difference is between adults intending to interact with the children and those just being in public spaces; she said she can discuss this with her EEC licenser. Chuck Tirone stated that the entire garden is within one fenced area so there would be separation. Mary Jirmanus stated that the regulations require more background checking for children in private buildings rather than outside in public spaces. Martha Moore said there were some questions about the philosophy of the school and how it is run but she thinks that is not the commission's purview. She stated they are not judging the value of the program but only the program's use of their property. Page 1 5 Chuck Tirone stated that he thinks this program is in fact supporting conservation under Article 97 because it is promoting environmental education. Brian Bowe also stated that he is strongly in favor of this use. Chirag Sthalekar stated he is also on board and asked if this would be for this Fall or the following Fall. Chuck Tirone stated that this Fall would be ideal but that there might be an option to switch to the new Reading location last minute if it is approved. Chuck Tirone also emphasized that this area is very underused during school hours. Brian Bowe stated that the official documentation would be a licensing agreement through the Town Council. Mary Jirmanus said they would expect 3-4 teachers in response to Brian Bowe's question about parking. Martha Moore pointed out that there is a lower driveway as well that could be used for parking. Chuck Tirone stated that the town would have to decide to create a licensing agreement before the project could move forward. Martha Moore made a motion stating that the Conservation Commission approves of the Milbury Montessori School running a pilot program for the 2025-2026 school year at Mattera Cabin Conservation land and would like the town to move forward with the licensing agreement etc. that is needed to make this work. Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Walter Talbot in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 7. Annual Budget Fiscal Year 2026 Brian Bowe described a few general buckets of funding in this budget: to buy landscaping and maintenance tools for use at various conservation properties (ie weedwhacker, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrow); invasive management focused on Bare Meadow with $5.000.00 set aside; signage on conservation areas including Kurchian Woods ($3,100.00); $1,000.00 for improvements at Matters itself, primarily the construction of a deck behind Matters that is currently ongoing; replacing two posts broken in a fence at Maillet Sommes and Morgan. Chuck Tirone stated these tools would be kept at Matters Cabin and could be used by Trails Committee or other town committees if they signed out the tools. Brian Bowe then stated that this budget has not yet been submitted and asked the other commissioners to mention any ideas they have. Chuck Tirone stated that commissions must go before the Select Board to submit requests and commissioners should go but that the date is not yet fixed. Martha Moore stated she would like to get a sign at the Bare Meadow Woodcock Habitat Restoration Area with a picture of a woodcock on it. Brian Bowe stated that he and Chuck Tirone had discussed this idea. Walter Talbot said it would be nice to have a map or list of every property in Reading that falls under the commission jurisdiction. Page 1 6 Brian Bowe stated there is a spreadsheet available. Walter Talbot clarified he means properties within 100' of the wetlands. Brian Bowe said he attempted that at one point but it was overwhelming. Walter Talbot asked if that is something the GIS department might do. Brian Bowe said let's follow up. 7. 50 Johanna Dr Martha Moore moved to continue to 7/9. Chirag Sthalekar continued. Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 8. DPW Conservation Meeting July 8th Chuck Tirone will confirm the date but that it is definitely not on the 181. 9. Administrator's Report Chuck Tirone stated that volunteers have been watering at Bare Meadow. He stated there is a boardwalk being put in at Higgins. 10. Minutes for Approval: Brian Bowe reminded everyone to respond with corrections just to the minute taker and not to other commissioners to avoid an Open Meeting Law violation. Martha Moore moved to approve minutes from 4/23; Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. Martha Moore moved to approve minutes from 5/14; Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. Martha Moore moves to approve the invoice for $850.00 Massachusetts Associations of Conservation Commission (MACC), Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Walter Talbot in favor, Chirag Sthalekar in favor, Tim Michel in favor, Martha Moore in favor, Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 11. DPW Request DPW has asked for an additional storage area for carts near Town Forest. Chuck Tirone showed a diagram of the location; they are asking for a 8' by 40' storage container. They already have 2 and want a third. Martha Moore confirmed they are outside the 35'. Chuck Tirone said yes they are and they are talking about already disturbed land and noted they have not finished trench work. Martha Moore stated for the record that this is not the DPW's lack of planning; residents did not request smaller carts ahead of time. Page 1 Martha Moore proposed that the commission allow the administrator's approval for this, Chirag Sthalekar seconded, Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Tim Michel, Walter Talbot, and Brian Bowe in favor. (5-0-0) 12. Tree Cages Walter Talbot asked Chuck Tirane about tree cages from the Town Forest; Chuck Tirane is being offered these tree cages. Martha Moore suggested that they could stay around the trees until needed. Walter Talbot said he is concerned about plant damage when they are taken off. Martha Moore asked if they could put the cages around trees in Area 7. Chuck Tirane stated that Forestry might want them. Jeff Lansing, Trails Committee, joined the Zoom meeting to answer this question. He stated that some trees have outgrown the cages. Jeff Lansing stated that the Town Forest Committee is going to focus on invasives removal going forward rather than protecting plantings with cages. 13. Site Visit for 692 Pearl St Martha is planning on going to 692 Pearl St for a site visit on the 27'h of June. Chuck Tirane said he would make sure the homeowner can attend at that time. Martha Moore moves to adjourn 9:23, Chirag Sthalekar seconded. Martha Moore, Chirag Sthalekar, Walter Talbot, Brian Bowe, Tim Michel in favor. (5-0-0) Page 1 8