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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-03-24 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, March 24, 2010 E"EI` E TOWN CLERK MINUTES } 1NG, Mr,SS. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 fR APR I b A l I: S q Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Doug Greene; Barbara Stewart; Brian Tucker; Tina Ohlson; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Annika Scanlon Old/New Business Alexander Murphy, Scout Project, Pinevale Conservation Area Alexander Murphy presented his Eagle Scout Service Project to the Commission. He wants to build a bridge across the stream in the Pinevale Conservation area. It does not appear that there are any abutters within 300' of the work area so a public hearing will not have to be held. Ms. Fink will send letters to the residents on Park Avenue to advise them of the work that will take place beginning in early April. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to approve the project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 23 Lindsay Lane, DEP 270-170, RGB 1987-8 - Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance The Commission did a site visit and the lot looked okay. There was a covered deck and an open porch that were not shown on the site plan. A motion was made by Mr. Greene to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 94 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-170, RGB 1987-8 - Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance and RGB 2005-48, request to close file The Commission did a site visit. The original house and new addition were completed. However, there is a new impervious patio on the back of the house that was not on the approved plans. The Chairman thought they might be over the limit of impervious cover that is allowed. Ms. Fink will notify the owners. 10 Cory Lane, DEP 270-287, RGB 1996-15 - Reissue Certificate of Compliance and Conservation Restriction #14 The owners have not located the documents that need to be recorded. Ms. Fink will check with DCS about the wording of the Conservation Restriction, and work with the owners if it must be revised. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Lot 5 grading Ms. Fink gave a site visit report: The Commission has not received any response to recent letters from the owners of Lot 5 or the developer. The Commission will request a site visit on April 11 with the owner and the developer, and ask them to attend the April 14th meeting. t, 1 Conservation Commission, March 24, 2010 7:30 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Lyn Whyte, Reading Housing Authority, 41-43 Wilson Street, RGB. 2010-4, drainage pond modification Present: Lyn Whyte, RHA and George Zambouras, Town Engineer, and several abutters Mr. Zambouras -'resented plans to modify the existing flood storage basin, with the goal to reduce standing water and discourage mosquitoes. The Town has listened to concerns from the owner and surrounding neighbors about standing water and the resultant mosquitoes. The Public Health Director has requested that the situation be resolved. Mr. Zambouras reviewed the original grading plan for the basin, the present grading, and proposed grading. He also reviewed the original flood calculations and storage volume and compared them to the proposed volume. He referred to the original soils and groundwater test data, and reported the observations made during an excavation in the basin floor in March. There is a buried peat layer below the basin that may be blocking infiltration. The proposed design calls for excavating the peat, backfilling with stone surrounded by filter fabric, and finishing the surface with loam and seed and a stone channel to encourage infiltration. The surface of the basin would be higher than the present basin. The outlet control swale would not be altered. The calculations show that the basin would contain the 100-year storm, including the voids in the stone fill layer. After running tests, Mr. Zambouras is confident from the calculations that the proposed basin is sufficient to hold the water volume, even under the worst circumstances. Mr. Hecht gave a site visit report. Mr. Tucker and Mr. Greene questioned whether the work would alleviate mosquitoes, because there are other low, wet spots in the neighborhood. Mr. Tucker said it might be easier to use larvicides in the basin. Mr. Zambouras said RHA is also concerned about the safety of small children who might get into the water. Mr. Hecht asked how thick the peat layer is. Mr. Zambouras said about 3" at the test site. Ms. Fink distributed written comments and copies of original plans. She said that the calculations supported a conclusion that the project would not cause greater flooding down stream, and that removal of the peat might help with infiltration. She also expressed reservations about the height of the water table, which would take up'some of the planned storage volume if higher that the stone layer. Frank Gentile of 36 Wilson Street voiced concerns about child safety and also about maintenance to keep the basin free of leaves and debris. Ms. Fink reviewed the maintenance requirements from the previous Order of Conditions. Mr. Zambouras said RHA would maintain the basin. Malcolm Robinson of 20 Osboume Avenue voiced concerns about high water tables and flooding in the area. He asked whether the basin could be drained and removed. Mr. Hecht said the basin was needed to maintain flood storage. Pete Kramer of 184 Pleasant Street voiced concerns that the proposed work would not solve the mosquito problem and would be difficult to maintain. He also asked that the stream be dredged every year. Various members of the Commission made comments about the situation and the current environmental rules. Mr. Gentile asked whether the town would make improvements in the street drain system. Mr. Zambouras said there are no immediate plans for such work. Conservation Commission, March 24, 2010 Karen Peters of 32 Wilson Street asked some questions about the existing basin and proposed changes. Mr. Hecht answered, arid Ms. Peters said she would support the project. Mr. Greene asked whether this basin could be filled and replaced with a basin off site. Ms. Fink said that the groundwater is high on other sites nearby, and that RHA does not have control over Hunt Park. There was further discussion about the design, long-term maintenance, alternative locations and control methods (larvicides, fencing), soils characteristics, and the condition of plants in the zone of Natural Vegetation. The Chairman asked for the thoughts of the Commission. There were two members who would not support the proposal. Ms. Fink will draft an order of conditions. The Chairman said the Commission would write a letter to DPW asking if something can be done to rectify the flooding situation in this entire area. A motion was made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to April 14, 2010. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Brian Tucker left the meeting at this point. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Max Gabriello, 285 Main Street, DEP 270-564, RGB 2009- 28, restaurant and parking lot This hearing is postponed at the request of the applicant to an undetermined date in the future. Lobs Pound Mill Conservation Area, DEP 270-565, RGB 2009-31- Fishing access construction Ms. Fink did the pre-construction site visit with the Fish and Wildlife office representative and contractor. They reviewed the trees to be cut. Work has begun. Today the area was neat and tidy. John Costigan, abutter, attended the meeting and asked the Commission to plant approximately 12 shrubs to screen the parking lot. The Commission has some funds available in the Conservation Trust Fund. Ms. Fink will research plant sources and bring information to the next meeting. The Commission will find out whether DPW can plant the materials or will find volunteers. Mr.. Costigan asked whether he could mulch and fertilize the shrubs after planting. Mr. Hecht cautioned against chemical application so close to the River, and recommended composted leaf mulch. Plans for Earth Day event, April 10 Commission members have collected posters, Ms. Fink has photographs, and Commission members will stagger their times to cover the event. Bare Meadow - Request for nature walk by Library A motion was made by Ms. Ohlson to approve the walk on April 21 from 1:30-2:30 PM. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Site Visit Reports - Flooding observations, 202 Van Norden Road, 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, 912 Main Street, 34 Duck Road, vernal pools Conservation Commission, March 24, 2010 Ms. Fink reported observations and photographs of flooding after the storm March 13th - 15th . The redeveloped sites on Walkers Brook Drive seem to be handling the runoff well, but there was a major problem at. the gas company site on Walkers Brook. Their entire driveway was under water, and it looked like the water was up to the building foundations. The Commission will try to contact them. The Commission also reviewed site visit reports, photos, site plans, and aerial views of 202 Van Norden Road, along with emails and a letter from the owner, Brenda Ossman, concerning flooding problems. The aerials show that a number of trees were removed from the property near the wetlands a few years ago, but it was difficult to see grading changes. Ms. Ossman believes that the new driveway at 194 Van Norden is too high and is blocking some flow from her site. There were also flooded areas on the opposite side of the house. The Commission will send letters to the owners of 202 and 194 Van Norden Road to request a site visit on April 11th and will place the matter on the April 14th agenda for further review. Minutes for approval: March 10, 2010 A motion was made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes as amended for March 10, 2010. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Wetland Fee Fund Transfer A motion was made by Ms. Stewart to approve the transfer of $6,000 from the Wetlands Fee Fund to the Conservation Administrator's Salary fund. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Flood Plain Overlay District Ms. Fink reported that the Flood Plain Overlay District zoning revisions were approved by the CPDC. They are on the April Town Meeting Warrant. Further revisions are planned in other sections of the Zoning Bylaw where this District is mentioned. Border Road The Commission reviewed a complaint from a resident and a site visit report from Ms. Fink concerning earth deposits and trash in the wetlands along Border Road. Ms. Fink will seek further information about a recent water intake station project in the area. Mattera Cabin Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manger stopped by the meeting and discussed the Mattera Cabin. He told the Commission that the Finance Committee has authorized the use of up to $10,000 from the Reserve Fund for renovations, but first all other sources must be used. The high-energy efficiency propane furnace will be purchased through the Town's energy upgrade funds. Adjournment A motion was made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 4