HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-02 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, June 2, 2010
MINUTES
Reading Conservation Commission Meeting -I F
Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
201 1'` -I P 2:
Present: Doug Greene, Vice Chairman; Barbara Stewart; Annika Scan ~on;4ina Ohlson; Pr
Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary.
Absent: Bill Hecht, Brian Sullivan, Brian Tucker
Old/New Business
33 Old Farm Road
There areno trees and only a few shrubs, but Mr. Greene said the bank appears stable enough.
68 Longwood Road, DEP 270-542, RGB 2008-36
Present: Randy Kneeland, owner.
The Commission reviewed the site visit report. The site is well established and stable.
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Vote was 4-0-0.
Motion made by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to release the bond in full. Vote was 4-0-0.
516 West Street, DEP 270-548, RGB 2008-46
Present: Bill Johnson, applicant
The Commission reviewed the site visit report. The soil has been stabilized. Mr. Johnson gave the
Commission a revised version of the deed with the ZNV restriction. The document needs to be
signed by the owners and then recorded at the Registry.
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Stewart, to issue the Certificate of Compliance.
Vote was 4-0-0.
Motion made by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, for Ms. Fink to release the bond in full,
after the deed restriction has been recorded. Vote was 4-0-0.
Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49
Present: Bill Johnson, applicant, and Mark Moll, owner of Lot 3
The Commission reviewed the site visit report.. The final as-built plan shows that the zone of
natural vegetation bounds are located too close to the wetlands. The bounds need to be moved to
the 25-foot offset line by survey.
Portions of the zone of natural vegetation. Are being mowed. Mr. Moll said this was being done on
a temporary basis on the recommendation of the Health Administrator because of rodent problems
in this area. The Commission agreed to allow mowing until the problem is remedied.
There have not been any reports of cleaning of the drainage system. The Commission asked Mr.
Johnson to provide reports and noted that he is responsible for inspection and maintenance until. the
Town accepts Benjamin Lane as a public way. The Town Engineer is working with Mr. Johnson
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Conservation Commission, June 2, 2010
and the lot owners to execute drainage easements and plans to include street acceptance on the fall
Town Meeting warrant.
Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, David and Dominique Farwell,
65 Dividence Road, RGB 2010-11
Present: Dominique Farwell
Ms. Farwell requested the cutting of six trees and trimming two other trees where the branches are
hanging over their roof and swing set. The Commission reviewed the draft conditions for the
permit, and made revisions.
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Stewart, to issue a negative Determination of
Applicability with the conditions as amended this evening. Vote was 4-0-0.
Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Carmen O'Rourke, 50
Chequessett Road, and Ching-Mi Sun, 44 Chequessett Road, RGB 2010-12
Present: Carmen O'Rourke, Mr. O'Rourke, Ching-Mi Sun
Mr. O'Rourke said there were four trees that needed to be removed due to recent severe storms. Mr.
Greene asked if they would replace two of the trees. Mr. O'Rourke and Ms. Sun will each replace
one on their properties. Ms. Fink said she will help them with locations where to plant the two new
trees. The Commission reviewed the draft conditions for the permit, and made revisions.
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Stewart, to issue a negative Determination of
Applicability with the conditions as amended this evening. Vote was 4-0-0.
Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Pradeep Selvakumar,194 Van
Norden Road, RGB 2010-6
Present: Pradeep Selvakumar, applicant. Attorney Steven Cicatelli, and Andy Bramhall, Surveyor,
representing Brenda Ossman, 202 Van Norden Road
Mr. Selvakumar proposed construction of a deck on the back of his house and a resolution to drain a
low area behind the eastern shed at 202 Van Norden Road when it floods. He indicated that the
proposed plan by Mr. Bramhall that was submitted for this meeting was too elaborate and expensive
for him.
Attorney Cicatelli and Mr. Bramhall, representing Mr. Selvakumar's neighbor, reviewed the details
of the proposed plan.
The Commission reviewed at length the observed and reported flooding conditions during the
storms last March, the records for construction at 194 Van Norden, and several options that have
been presented to alleviate flooding behind the shed, including: use of a pump, installation of pipes
under the driveway at 194 Van Norden, lowering the driveway surface, and grading of swales and
underdrains to convey water eastward into the wetlands in front of the house at 194 Van Norden.
Information was incomplete concerning water table elevations, infiltration rates, and costs of
various drainage proposals.
The Commission reviewed draft findings and conditions, and revised them.
Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Stewart, to reduce the size of the deck to 10' by
24'. Vote was 4-0-0.
Conservation Commission, June 2, 2010
Motion made by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to issue a negative Determination of
Applicability with the findings and conditions as amended this evening. Vote was 4-0-0.
Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Max Gabriello, 285 Main Street, DEP 270-564, RGB 2009-28
Present: Max Gabriello; Kristine Sheehy, Paul Alunni, David Petkewich, Scott Morrison
The Commission reviewed the site visit report, including the finding that there is a narrow bank of
Bordering Vegetated Wetland above the stream bank north of the building.
Ms. Sheehy and Mr. Petkewich presented the revisions made on the site plans and other documents
provided after the last hearing session. The Commission noted that most of the revisions requested
previously had b een made.
Ms. Fink provided comments from the Building Inspector with concerns about the ground water
and frost heaves. He will address these with the engineer.
Additional information will also be needed from the LSP about the tank removal, and how it will be
coordinated with the redevelopment work.
The Commission found the information submitted to be sufficient for drafting an Order of
Conditions.
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Stewart, to continue the hearing to June 16, 2010.
Vote was 4-0-0.
107 Main Street
Present: Michael Palmer, owner, and Attorney Brad Latham
Mr. Latham asked the Commission to authorize the Conservation Administrator to sign off on the
request for Occupancy. He said they need to be able to allow employees to enter the building for
training before the restaurant opens.
Mr. Greene reported a site visit and noted a large gap in the curbing behind the building. Mr.
Latham said a retaining wall had been placed in this location to address a grading issue.
Ms. Fink also reported a site inspection. She observed a number of areas where grading, extent of
paving, drainage system installation, retaining walls, and curbing had not been constructed per
approved plans. The work extends into the ZNV too far, and some trees have been damaged. The
required new trees have not been planted. There is also trash and construction debris in the Buffer
Zone. The gap in the curbing is a safety hazard and may send drainage directly into the wetland
instead of through the treatment system. She recommended getting an as-built plan including
detailed information about the actual structures on the site, and making another more detailed
inspection to determine how to correct the problems.
Ms. Fink had not yet spoken to the Building Inspector to find out the status of the request for
occupancy with other boards and officials.
Attorney Latham said his client would fully rectify all the issues raised, and he would like a sign-off
on occupancy at this time. The Commission will require that provisions be made to prevent
vehicles from driving off the edge of pavement at the gap behind the building.
Conservation Commission, June 2, 2010
Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to authorize Ms. Fink to sign off on the
request for Occupancyprovided that the safety issues have been addressed in the parking lot. Vote
was 4-0-0.
Maplewood Condominium, 243-261 Salem Street
Ms. Fink said she received comments from Town Counsel and is waiting to hear from Maplewood.
10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35
Ms. Fink did a site visit and it appears the boulders have not been moved yet. Ms. Fink will send a
letter.
10 Cory Lane, Conservation Restriction
Ms. Fink received comments from DCS and the owner. She will review and revise the draft again.
717 Pearl Street, Enforcement Order
Progress has been made according to schedule
26 Sunset Rock Lane, Enforcement Order
The owner has missed several deadlines for work.. The Commission will send a letter and warn
that fines may be issued if there are further delays.
50 and 58 Mill Street - Violation Notices
Ms. Fink sent letters to both owners and the company that cut the trees. The owners have
responded and will be filing permit applications soon.
595 Haverhill Street
Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The owner put in a driveway and stabilized the disturbed areas.
The owner now wants to remove some huge willow. trees, and Ms. Fink gave her permit application
information.
Motion made by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to close the file for the driveway work.
Vote was 4-0-0.
Lot 49, Azalea Circle
DEP issued a one-year extension permit for the Order of Conditions issued in the 1990's. The
owner has not submitted any new materials for the Notice of Intent filed under Reading General
Bylaws for more than a year.
22 Roma Lane
The owners have been called with a reminder that the deadline to plant new trees is June 15th
Lob's Mill Conservation Area
Ms. Fink will contact DPW for help to plant shrubs along the parking lot. When a.date is set, she
will order the shrubs.
30 Haven Street
The CPDC would like comments on the revised plans submitted by the developer for a four-story
building.