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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-13 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, January 13, 2010 RECEIVED - MINUTES 'TOWN CLERK Reading Conservation Commission Megtgo Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 13, 2010 2010 JAS 29 ~ ~ ~ Present: Doug Greene, Acting Chairman; Bill Hecht; Barbara Stewart; Tina Ohlson; Brian Tucker; Annika Scanlon; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Old/New Business 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 - Status of work Ms. Fink reported about a meeting on January 12th including the hazardous material cleanup company, owner's lawyer, buyer, buyer's lawyer, structural engineer, and Town staff for Conservation, Building, Fire, and Engineering. That group discussed the recent reports on the foundation, the newly-discovered tanks, and the concentrations of contaminants in the soils. The Fire Department will extend their deadline for tank removal to allow time for the technical consultants to work on a design for tank removal and foundation strengthening. 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Site plan revision and CR The Applicants asked to postpone this matter to January 27, 2010. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 - Revised plan for Buildings 22 and 23, drainage covenant The owner provided a copy of the final drainage easement for the off-site structures, executed and recorded at the Registry. A revised plan for buildings 22 and 23 will be submitted soon. Athletic Fields, Symonds Way, DEP 270-324, RGB 1999-21- Status of work The Commission has not confirmed removal of the silt fences. Ms. Fink is working with Engineering and Town Counsel on the land transfer, along with transfers of several other Town parcels to Conservation care as authorized by Town Meeting in 2001. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41 Status of work, fall maintenance. Ms. Fink did a site visit but the snow hindered what was visible on Lot 5. She sent a letter to the new owner regarding the grading, and requested a plan for the February 10, 2010 meeting. 1321 Main Street Present: Jack Sullivan of Sullivan Engineering Group Mr. Sullivan presented the Applicant's plan for a pizza restaurant that will be going into the existing building, and for associated site work approved by the CPDC. The curb cut on the southerly side will be made smaller to allow for more landscaping. The snow storage space will be changed. There will be two dumpsters on the northerly side,and the existing dumpster will be removed from the southerly side. Signs and utilities will be changed. There is an intermittent stream and wetland in the southern part of the site, and some work is proposed in the Buffer Zone. The site has no stormwater management system at present and the site plan does not show any improvements. s There is a channel that conveys runoff from the parking lot to the wetlands. Mr. Sullivan requested a Minor Project Permit for the proposed changes, instead of a Notice of Intent. Conservation Commission, January 13, 2010 Mr. Greene asked what the blackplastrc pipe is near the rear fence. Mr. Sullivan did not know. Mr. Greene asked whether the other tenants would be leaving. Mr. Sullivan said all would stay except for thud ice supply store., and the restaurant would move into their space. Mr. Tucker asked about plans for pavement. Mr. Sullivan said they would sealcoat and paint stripes for parking spaces. Mr. Tucker would like to see drainage improvements. Ms. Fink gave a site inspection report. There is man-made debris and erosion where the runoff leaves the parking lot. Sediments are deposited in the inner Buffer and wetlands. The parking lot has a lot of sand for storm control. Pavement at the southwestern corner of the parking lot extends into the residential zoning district beyond the 30-foot distance allowed by Zoning. The site appears to provide possibilities for stormwater management improvements such as removing excess pavement and planting vegetated swales and basins to stabilize soils and provide detention. Relocation of the dumpster and narrowing the driveway will also help. Ms. Fink distributed copies of the requirements for Minor Project Permits. They include removing pavement and adding plants in the buffer zone. This type of permit does not require a public hearing and does not provide for recording long-term maintenance conditions at the Registry. Mr. Hecht generally favored the proposal, but would like to see more of the pavement removed and stormwater controls added. Mr. Sullivan said the owner is reluctant to remove pavement but understood the runoff concerns. Mr. Sullivan said he would present a plan along with the minor project permit application that would incorporate some of the requests. Ms. Fink will send a letter to the owners listing what the Commission would like to have done and request that these changes be made. She also would like to know what the pipe is in the rear and is it discharging somewhere. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to send a letter to the owner, advising him to request a Minor Project Permit for the proposed work and to include a proposal to stabilize the existing erosion and improve stormwater management on site. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Stephen and Tracy Leach, 197 South Street, DEP 270-569, RGB 2009-38, addition to house, grading, and landscaping Present: Jack Sullivan of Sullivan Engineering Group Mr. Greene gave a site visit report and noted that some of the wetlands flags were missing. Mr. Sullivan said the flags were posted in April 2008 by the previous owner. Mr. Sullivan presented the proposed project. The Applicants would like to build a small addition to the house, clean up some brush and debris, extend the driveway, relocate the stone walls, grade part of the back yard, and landscape. They also would like to construct a shed. Work is proposed in Buffer Zone and outer Riverfront Area. Less than 10% of the Riverfront Area will be altered. No structures are proposed within 35 feet of wetlands. Mary Ann Downing of 13 Heather Drive asked questions about the expansion of the back yard and Mr. Sullivan explained what would be done. Conservation Commission, January 13, 2010 Commissioners discussed existing trees and requested additional information about locations and which ones would be removed. Mr. Sullivan agreed to revise the site plan. He also said they will reconfigure the driveway so a nearby tree does not have to be removed. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing to the next meeting on January 27, 2010. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The 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 until January 27, 2010 at the request of the applicant. Mr. Hecht left the meeting. Mass Highway Depot, Causeway Road, DEP 270-313, RGB 1999-5 - Request for Certificate of Compliance (haz mat removal project). The Commission reviewed the final 21E report. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Camp Curtis Guild, 25 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-534, RGB 2008-30 As-built plan, request for Certificate of Compliance The Commission reviewed the final as-built plans. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Mr. Hecht returned to the meeting 28 Summer Avenue (a.k.a #26R), DEP 270-454, RGB 2005-27 -As-built plan, request for Certificate of Compliance The Commission reviewed the revised as-built plan showing the locations of the Zone of Natural Vegetation bounds. The bounds north of the house are close to the approved line, while the bounds east and west of the house are closer to the wetlands than approved. The bounds west of the house are still well outside of the minimum ZNV setback, but those east of the house are not. One is not located on the owner's property. There is no bound at the front lot line. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to relocate the two bounds east of the house back to the approved line and to add another bound at the front lot line east of the driveway. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-2-0. 45 Causeway Road and West Street, Reading Municipal Light Department, Emergency Certification - Status of work Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The chain link fence is still up at the West Street stockpile area. There is snow on the ground so Ms. Fink could not see what remains there, but the stockpiles and work machinery have been removed. The Commission reviewed the RAM Plan and asked Ms. Fink to find out where stockpiles will be kept during the next phase of work, and how vehicles will be washed down. The next step is to do a grid pattern of further borings at greater depths to further determine how far the contamination has spread. Conservation Commission, January 13, 2010 10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35 - Status of work Ms. Fink said the boulders have not been relocated at the Track Road restoration area. The snow plowing has not been causing any problems on the site. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 - Status of work The Commission reviewed the Restoration Area Report., Ms. Fink will review the file and prepare for finalization in the spring. Maplewood Condominium, Salem Street - Proposed trail easement The condo association has not yet commented on the draft easement document sent in December. Bare Meadow Conservation Area - Request for evening program by Library The Library wants to do an evening program onsite with children and their parents to view the owls. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to allow the Library to carry out the proposed program. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Kurchian Woods - ORV use A resident has complained about off road vehicle use in the woods. The Commission will send a letter to the residents of the area. Town Forest - Management plan Ms. Fink did a site visit with the Town Forest Committee, Kim Honetschlager, and some state Forestry management officials to discuss what some of the uses could be. Ms. Honetschlager is preparing a grant application for an in-depth study of the existing resources and management strategies. . Earth Removal Bylaw - draft Ms. Fink explained the draft by-law that was being reviewed regarding earth removal. Much discussion ensued. This is a complex bylaw and discussions will continue. The Selectmen and Town staff want to have it ready for the April Town Meeting as a Zoning By-law revision. 508 West Street Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve a minor project permit for a shed. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. MACC Annual Meeting, February 27, 2010 Ms. Fink reminded the Commission members to submit their applications to her as soon as. possible. Minutes for approval: December 16, 2009 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes for December 16, 2009 as drafted. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Annual Report for approval Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the Conservation Annual report for 2009 as drafted. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Conservation Commission, January 13, 2010 39-43 and 55 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-494, RGB 2006-13 The Commission reviewed a Riverfront restoration report for 55 Walkers Brook and letter from the engineer describing signs and other as-built information. Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The RFA restoration area seems acceptable. The owner of #39-43 recently submitted the fall stormwater management report, but the owner of #55 has not submitted any storm management reports. The Commission will postpone action on the Certificate of Compliance until the reports are submitted. The Mattera Cabin Ms. Fink is working with the Selectmen and the Town Manager regarding fundraising for the work that must be done at the cabin. They have received over $1,300 to date, plus a $2,000 grant. The vocational school will do a site visit at the cabin soon to measure and develop a detailed budget for materials. Ms. Fink will work with Friends of Reading Recreation on another grant application, and two residents have offered technical advice. The Trail Committee There was a meeting last night and the Committee is going to invite the town scout leaders to a meeting to learn about the review process they should be using in their projects for the Town. The Reading Land Trust members were also in attendance and they spoke about some land that they had recently obtained as well as other sites that could contain trails.. 87 Walkers Brook Drive Ms. Fink received a new hazardous materials status report from a new company the management company is using at the gas station. There is still additional work to be done. Ms. Fink will ask them to send the Commission a copy of future reports and notices, so that the Commission can continue to monitor the site. Fishing Dock The bid has gone out and will be opened on January 28tH Reorganization Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to nominate Mr. Hecht as the new Chairman. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-1. Adjournment Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 5