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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-24 Conservation Commission Minutes• y CLI Conservation Commission, February 24, 2010 RECEIVED MINUTES 10VVN CLERK Reading Conservation Commission Meeting READING, MASS' Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 24, 2010 2910 MAR 12 All: 214 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Doug Greene; Barbara Stewart; Tina Ohlson; Brian Tucker; Annika Scanlon; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: None Old/New Business Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 - Site plan revision, Buildings 22 and 23 Ms. Fink distributed a revised site plan that had been submitted the day of the meeting. The Commission reviewed the plan and found that it addressed previous concerns about grading and drainage systems. The revised plans does not show the requested parking space information, and the Commission will refer that concern to the Community Planning, and Development Commission. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the revised plan as a minor plan change under the Order of Conditions. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51- Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance The Commission reviewed recent email correspondence between the School Department and Public Works Department concerning schedule and funding for the Riverfront restoration work. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance for all work except completion of the Riverfront restoration. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 6- 0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Reading Municipal Light Department, 45 Causeway Road and West Street, RGB 2010-3, hazardous material clean-up Present: Kevin Sullivan, RMLD; Joseph Jammallo, Cushing, Jammallo, and Wheeler, Inc., and ten abutters Ms. Scanlon arrived at this time. Kevin Sullivan described the activities that had taken place last summer and fall during construction at the substation on Causeway Road. Excess soils had been stockpiled near West. Street, and then were found to be contaminated with PCB's. The stockpiles were removed under an Emergency Cerification from the Commission. Further testing has been done, and all work has been reported to DEP and EPA. RMLD now plans additional assessment and mitigation activities. More extensive work is needed at the substation. There are new stockpiles of soils at the substation, contained with plastic and hay bales, waiting for lab test results. The Commission reviewed site visit reports. Mr. Greene questioned the soil test information and noted that the USDA soil survey identifies soils along the Aberjona River as Freetown Muck. He questioned the flag locations between 1A and 11 A, and suggested that 2A through 10 A be eliminated. Mr. Sullivan found this acceptable. Conservation Commission, February 24, 2010 Mr. Jammallo is the LSP for the work. He said they have taken many soils samples in a grid pattern at various depths at the substation. Three groundwater wells have also been installed and samples. All have been sent to the laboratory for analysis, and a report to DEP and EPA will be released in raid-March, including proposed remediation. . They will ensure that the State, Town and EPA regulations will be met. . Mr. Tucker asked whether the residual contamination at West Street will be removed. Mr. Jammallo said yes, and that additional sampling will be done to assure that all contamination has been removed. Heather Haley, 73 Causeway Road, asked what section of TOSCA the work fell under. Mr. Jammallo said the self-implementing section. Ms. Haley asked what the highest PCB reading was, and Mr. Jammallo said some were over 50 parts per million. Ms. Haley asked whether the soil stockpiles should be inside of roll-offs, and Mr. Jammallo said EPA did not require this, just the plastic sheeting. Chris Haley, 73 Causeway Road, asked how the soil got to West Street. Kevin Sullivan said it was driven over the gravel road in the site. The road was tested and no PCB's were found. Mr. Hecht commented that PCB's are not generally water soluble and cling to soil particles. Mr. Jammallo confirmed this, and described the groundwater test results. The water table is generally lower than the lowest contaminated soils and the initial water tests were negative. Ms. Scanlon asked for the direction of groundwater flow, and whether a well had been installed between the source and the wetland to the south. Mr. Jammallo said flow direction had not been analyzed yet, and that they had not taken any samples in the wetlands. The soils test results are indicating that the contamination is above the water table. Ms. Fink reviewed her memo, with comments on wetlands delineations and the proposed work. She also explained the Town switched to a new Assessor's map and lot numbering system on January 1, 2010. The NOI form uses one system and the site plan uses the other. She will receive additional information from the Town regarding the new system on February 25th Motion made by Mr. Greene to continue the hearing to March 10; 2010. Ms. Stewart 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 March 10, 2010, at the request for the applicant. 100 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-170, RGB 1987-8 - Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance The Commission reviewed the site visit report. Some brush has been deposited near the stream and should be removed. The yard was completed and stable. There is a small patio about 3' x 4' that was not on the original-plan but does not exceed the impervious cover limit. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a partial Certificate of Compliance. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 2 Conservation Commission, February 24, 2010 Fairwood Acres Subdivision Ms. Fink said that the subdivision, which included Fairchild Drive and Lindsay Lane, never received completed Certificates of Compliance. A letter will be sent to the lot owners to explain the situation and invite them to schedule inspections and request certificates. The Commission will also contact Town officials about certifying the roadway parcels because they have been accepted as public ways. There are also two more recent incomplete permits that have expired, and the owners will be contacted. 40 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-549, RGB 2009-1- Status of work The Commission reviewed recent email correspondence with Town Counsel concerning the court case, and recent letters sent to the owners and the previous owner, Saugus Bank. Ms. Fink reported a phone call with the contractor who installed the drainage system, who asked whether as-built plans were necessary. The Commission determined that the Order does require as-builts, but said they would review any written request concerning as-built plans that might come from the owners or the Bank. The Commission is also waiting for the owners' responses concerning the court case and the Conservation Restriction. Austin Prep School, 101 Willow Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit. There were a lot of puddles and sand in the porous pavement areas during a recent heavy rain storm. The Commission will contact the school about operation and maintenance concerns. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Status of work The owner of. Lot S has not yet submitted a grading plan. Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The porous pavement on Lot 6 appeared to be working during a recent heavy rain storm. Town Forest - Forestry Management Grant The Town has received such a grant and Ms. Fink explained the grant to the Commission. She is attending a staff meeting about the grant and will report back to the Commission. Mattera Cabin -Construction plans, grant applications Ms. Fink said there had been several meeting with the vocational school staff, and they are submitting permit applications. Students will begin removing some floorboards. There is a dumpster and portable toilets on site in anticipation of the work beginning soon. Bids have been submitted on a new furnace. Regulatory revision for Riverfront Area The Commission received a favorable opinion from Town Counsel concerning a draft revision for Section 3.G of the Reading Protection Regulations, performance standards for Riverfront Area. The Commission will post a public hearing on the proposal as required by the General Bylaws. Plans. for vernal pool season Ms. Fink said that a site visit has been scheduled in early April at 885 Main Street to follow up on the GRAD issued last fall. The Commission will send a letter to Meadow Brook Golf Club, reminding them that inspections are due for the possible vernal pool near Susan Drive. The Commission will ask Leo Kenney to help investigate several wetlands for the presence of blue spotted salamanders. Conservation Commission, February 24, 2010 Benjamin Lane Subdivision, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 Motion was made by Mr. Tucker to extend the Benjamin Lane Order of Conditions for one year. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Sunset Rock Lane Subdivision, DEP 270-295, RGB 1997-6 The Commission reviewed a letter to Stoneham Bank concerning the Letter of Credit. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to send the letter. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Minutes for approval: February 10, 2010 Motion made by Mr. Sullivan to accept the minutes for February 10, 2010. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. MACC Annual Conference The Commission discussed travel arrangements for the Conference. Adjournment Motion made by Mr. Sullivan to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 4