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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-28 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, April 28, 2010 I TC` N CLERK MINUTES r,l; a.'tSS. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 P Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ~13 P ' t'r Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Doug Greene; Barbara Stewart; Brian Tucker; Tina Ohlson; Brian Sullivan; Annika Scanlon; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording S ecretary. Old/New Business: Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41 Present: Shane Perrault, contractor Mr. Perrault submitted revised as-built plans for Lots 5 and 6 to the Commission. He said he would submit a proposed grading plan for Lots 4 and 5 on April 29th. He reported that catch basin cleaning and seeding on Lot 6 had been scheduled, and that Mr. Phillips would meet with the owners of Lot 5 soon. Ms. Fink reported that Jan Chandler of Deer Run Developers had come in and asked about the status of the subdivision and bond release. Ms._ Fink had given her copies of all correspondence since last October and reviewed the work needed at this time. Ms. Chandler will be contacting Mr. Phillips and others to coordinate the final work. The Commission decided to hold off on issuing fines to see whether the grading plans are submitted and other work done as Mr. Perrault has indicated. The Commission will do a site visit before the next meeting. 10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35 - Status of work The Commission did not do a site visit at 10 Torre Street but they did do a site visit at the abutting 13 Track Road property, and the boulders are still at the edge of the property. Ms. Fink has a site visit scheduled with Mr. Zeraschi and will review this with him. 28 Summer Avenue" Present:. Kevin Fulgoni Mr. Fulgoni requested that the Commission do a site visit to determine whether the ZNV the bounds must be moved as requested last winter. The Commission will inspect, review the records, and put the matter on the May 12th agenda. 16 Track Road, DEP 270-567, RGB 2009-35 - Request for occupancy The Commission did a site visit and it looked very good to them. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to authorize the Administrator to sign off on the request for occupancy. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Conservation Commission, April 28, 2010 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Status of work, Enforcement Order Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The owner and landscaper said the remaining site work would start soon. The Order of Conditions has expired. The Commission reviewed a draft Enforcement Order to allow the remaining work to be done. The Commission revised the Order based on requests made by the owner at the site visit. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Enforcement Order as amended this evening. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 212 Main Street, DEP 270-505, RGB 2007-15- Status of work Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Generally the plants in the restoration area were in good shape, but one spruce tree was clearly dead. One or two other spruce trees were missing, along with half a dozen shrubs. The gravel surface of the parking lot was extended more than as shown on the site plan. The Order of Conditions will expire in August. The Commission will send a letter to the owner setting forth work that must be done before the Order expires. 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009-23- Status of work Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. They are finishing installing the drainage system, and are almost finished with the outside of the building. Mrs. Fink asked them to clean the drainage structures before allowing stormwater into the systems and to put filters in the grates until the parking lot is finished. There may be a request for an occupancy permit in May. Mass. Highway has still not approved the opening onto Main Street. 40 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-549, RGB 2009-1- Status of work Ms. Fink sent the owners a letter, but there is no reply yet. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability. Delia Nelson, 112 Belmont Street, RGB 2010-8, tree cutting The applicant did not appear at the meeting. Mr. Greene and Mr. Hecht gave a site visit report. The Commission reviewed the health of each tree and determined, which ones should be removed and which ones.should be trimmed. They revised the draft Findings and Conditions of the permit. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Joie Gerrish, 18 D Carnation Circle, RGB 2010-9, covered porch Present: Joie Gerrish, applicant and Kate Jessup, contractor The Commission did a site visit. The retaining wall is much closer to the deck than it appears on the RDA plans. Ms. Gerrish said the footings need to be replaced and that is why she is appearing before the Commission. The Commission revised the draft Findings and Conditions of the permit. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 2 Conservation Commission, April 28, 2010 -516 West Street, DEP 270-548, RGB 2008-46 - Request for Certificate of Compliance Ms. Fink gave copies of a letter sent to the owner and builder recently. The owner had responded with an email and Ms. Fink had provided additional information to the owner. The builder indicated that he would begin the final work soon. RMLD, Causeway Road Substation - RAM Plan and Status Report Ms. Fink had reviewed the RAM plan for the site, which was consistent with previous reports. They are proposing to retain some of the contaminated soil at the Causeway Road end of the site. Ms. Fink will check with the Hazardous Materials section of DEP to confirm that this is acceptable. 323 Main Street Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept a Minor Project permit for the fence. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Pradeep Selvakumar,194 Van Norden Road, RGB 2010-6, deck and drainage' system Present: Pradeep Selvakumar, Attorney Steven Cicatelli (representing Ms. Ossman, abutter) Mr. Hecht recused himself because he is an abutter to this property. Mr. Sullivan also recused himself due to past professional involvement with the property. Mr. Greene assumed chairmanship. Ms. Fink distributed a plan recently submitted by Mr. Selvakumar's engineer for a proposed drainage swale to provide flow from the low area at 202 Van Norden towards the wetlands at 194 Van Norden. The Commission took a moment to review the plan. Attorney Cicatelli submitted a letter from Benchmark Survey that raised questions about the swale design and the previous 2" pipe design. He described recent history of drainage on his client's property. He requested a continuation to May 19th so that Benchmark Survey may do a more involved examination and report of the situation for the Commission, and prepare a different drainage design. He stated that Ms. Ossman was not willing to have the swale on her property, and that she would prefer a large pipe running under the driveway at 194. Mr. Selvakumar thought he could install a 2" pipe himself but if larger pipe is necessary it would be beyond his capabilities. He would need to hire a contractor at an estimated cost of $4,000 for the proj ect. The Commission determined that a 2" pipe would not be sufficient and would be prone to clogging with leaves and debris. They also noted that the drainage improvement under discussion at this time is limited to conveying water from the low area behind the shed to the wetlands at 194 Van Norden. There may be other conditions related to soils and topography, volume of rainfall, and the condition of the foundation, that contributed to the water in the basement at #202 in the March flood events that are not related to the driveway or other conditions at #194. Ms. Scanlon said that any solution will require cooperation between the two parties because of the locations of the low spot and the wetlands. Mr. Cicatelli said that their engineer is willing to meet with Mr. Selvakumar's engineer to discuss the matter. Mr. Selvakumar said he would need to consider whether he should continue with his proposal due to increased costs, but he agreed to continue the matter to May 19th . Conservation Commission, April 28, 2010 Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to continue the public meeting to May 19, 2010. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mr. Hecht returned to the meeting as Chairman. Mr. Sullivan also returned. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Michael Fabiano, 20 Fox Run Lane, RGB 2010-7, tree removal, fencing, grading, planting Present: Attorney Brian Corrigan, Michael Fabiano Attorney Corrigan presented a revised plan as requested by the Commission at the last meeting. Fencing locations had changed, the ZNV had been expanded, and the number of trees to be cut had decreased. The plan also called for planting new trees, but did not specify locations or species. The Commission and Ms. Fink reviewed the plans and asked questions regarding some of the trees proposed for cutting in the ZNV, and the proposed planting. The Commission decided not to allow cutting of trees #6, #19, and 920. They asked whether the fence could be moved to save trees # 8 and 9. also. They asked that six compensatory trees be planted in the ZNV and that four additional, trees be planted in the outer Buffer Zone. They also asked for the new trees to beat least 3" caliper. Mr. Fabiano agreed to these revisions. Ms. Fink will prepare a draft Order of Conditions for the next meeting. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to May 12, 2010. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Max Gabriello, 285 Main Street, DEP 270-564, RGB 2009- 28, restaurant and parking lot This hearing was postponed to May 12, 2010, at the request of the applicant. Nelson Avenue - Drainage concerns Present: Bob Dyer, 572 Pearl Street, and Rose Santos, 27 Nelson Avenue Mr. Hecht gave a site visit report. Clearly, someone had shoveled out the wetlands to encourage flow from the Pearl Street lots to the main stream channel. A sign was removed that was not posted by the Conservation Commission as was stated on the sign. The abutters have been sent a letter stating that it is against the law to fill or excavate wetlands. Mr. Dyer said he had removed branches but had not dug the channel any deeper. Ms. Santos said the channel had not been there until recently. There was not adequate documentation for the Commission to determine when the channel was created or by whom. They reminded both parties about the letter and the restrictions on working in the area. .1364 Main Street, DEP 270-387, RGB 2003-4 and DEP 270-117, RGB 1984-3 - Status of work, Enforcement Order Present: Dave Guilmet of Wingate at Reading. Mr. Guilmet said the previous plan to expand the building is no longer being considered, but Wingate intends to complete the drainage and parking lot improvements. Mr. Guihnet indicated Wingate would like to consider an alternative grading plan at this time. The Order of Conditions has expired, and Wingate has requested an Enforcement Order to permit the rest of the work. 4 Conservation Commission, April 28, 2010 The Commission reviewed a draft Order and made some changes. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Enforcement Order as amended this evening. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 26 Sunset Rock, DEP 270-483, RGB 2006-27 - Status of work, Enforcement Order Present: Bob Beckman, owner Mr. Hecht gave a site visit report. The fill slope next to the driveway is eroded and must be permanently stabilized. Mr. Hecht suggested some possible solutions. He also said that the backwash hose from the pool must not be dumped into the wetlands as it presently is, and should instead be released on the grassed area in the sun. The slopes near the detention basin have been cleaned and the vegetation is beginning to emerge. The Order of Conditions has expired. Mr. Beckman and the Commission reviewed the draft Enforcement Order and some changes were made. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue the Enforcement Order as amended this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 178 Forest Street (fence) Motion made by Mr. Tucker to approve a Minor Project Permit for the fence. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Memorial Park Ms. Fink has done multiple site visits to monitor the progress. She reviewed her observations with the Commission. 38 Westcroft Road Ms. Fink gave a site visit report, and work is complete. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to close the Minor Project Permit. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 22 Roma Lane, Enforcement Order Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The wetlands on site had water at the surface and water was entering from the street drain system. No trees have been planted, but the owner indicated that he would plant them before the June 15th deadline. 53 Arcadia Avenue, DEP 270-559, RGB 2009-22 The Commission reviewed a cost estimate from the owner for grading and planting, and`determined that a $5,000 bond must be provided as set forth in the Order of Conditions. Cabin & Boardwalk The Trail Committee has work days scheduled on May 8 and 15. Mr. Hecht continues to seek materials and donations from local businesses. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 5