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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-28 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission Meeting, October 28, 2009 RECEIVED` MINUTES TOWN CLERK READING, MEAS. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM 100`1 DEC -8 A I t b , Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Present: Doug Greene, Acting Chairman; Bill Hecht; Barbara Stewart; Annika Scanlon; Fran Fink, Administrator; Brian Sullivan, Associate Member; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Tina Ohlson, Brian Tucker Old/New Business The Joshua Eaton School has asked if any members of the Commission would like to come to the school and read to the kindergarten students. Ms. Stewart volunteered. 64 Glenmere Circle, DEP 270-518, RGB 2007-34 Commission did a site visit. They were unable to find the ZNV bounds, needed before issuing the Certificate. 62Gleumere Circle, RGB 2009-15 Commission did a site visit. Work is complete. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 129 Howard Street, DEP 270-556, RGB 2009-14 The Commission did a site visit. The owner wants to add a line of stone. There are no pervious pavers under the deck. Poison ivy has been removed. The owner said they put in a silt fence as requested but the line of gravel has not moved. Work will continue in the spring. 58 Mill Street, DEP 270-555, RGB 2009-10 Commission did a site visit. It looks stable with one small bare spot. Riprap was used on the slope and this should make it stable. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a Certificate of Compliance with continuing Conditions. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to release the bond in the amount of $10,000.00. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 306 Haverhill Street, St. Athanasius Church Ms. Fink did a site visit. The Church will put the fence back up and replace the stone where it should be. They will call Ms. Fink when complete. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51 Ms. Fink reviewed the as-built plans. There were two things missing from the as-built plans and additional information is needed regarding roof drains on the press box. There is a low spot in the Oakland Road parking lot but Ms. Fink thinks this has been repaired. Another site visit is required. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Reading Public Works Department, DEP 270-552, RGB 2009-9 Conservation Commission Meeting, October 28, 2009 This hearing was postponed to November 18, 2009, at the request of the applicant. Public Hearing,Notice of Intent, Erik Kramer, 22 Lindsay Lane, RGB 2009-29 Present: Erik Kramer The DEP has issued a file number. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions and revised several. Mr. Kramer asked questions about some of the conditions in the draft. He wanted to know if an as-built of the foundation was necessary, and Ms. Fink said it was required by the Commission and the Building Inspector. Mr. Kramer said he would not be doing the patio, but will instead plant in this area and reconfigure the existing deck. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as revised this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 25 Walkers. Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51 Ms. Fink said she had received the DEP 21E report, and it was acceptable. The easement has been approved and has been sent to the mortgage company for their sign-off. Other as-built documents have not yet been provided. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Chris Ritondo, 46 Timberneck Drive, RGB 2009-33 Present: Chris Ritondo Mr. Ritondo reviewed his proposal for the second floor addition and deck. He has an issue with frost protection for the foundation and needs to excavate along the back of the foundation. He will plant'ground cover on an eroding slope. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions. Mr. Ritondo had no questions. . The Commission did a site visit, and they don't anticipate any problems. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 The Commission did a site visit, and the area is in good shape and under control. Ms. Fink said she has not received much in the way of drainage cleanout documentation or other necessary reports. Ms. Fink will send a letter listing items needed. Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street The Commission's site visit showed that there were a few wet areas on the porous pavement. Everything else was dry. The steep slope behind the building has not been graded and stabilized, and several other areas have "sparse grass cover. The rest of the work area looks good. There have not been any maintenance reports submitted yet. A letter will be sent. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Conservation Commission, Lobs Pound Mill Conservation Area, DEP 270-565, RGB 2009-31 Present: Doug Cameron, MA Fish and Game, Fishing Access Program 2 Conservation Commission Meeting, October 28, 2009 Mr. Cameron described the agreement between the Town and his Program for a fishing platform at Lobs Pound Mill. He reviewed the proposed plans for parking area, path, and fishing area. There will be a railing system. as a barrier.. Some granite blocks will be moved from the proposed fishing pier area to another area for canoe access. Seating and a passing area in the path will be provided. The River is stocked by the Fish and Game division. The Commission did a site visit, and there are a few large trees they would like to see preserved. Butch Connery, 13 Henzie Street, a Stream Team member, said he initiated the idea of the canoe launch in this area. He asked questions of the Commission and Mr. Cameron regarding the two additional parking spaces, trees to be removed, the canoe launch, and the path surface. He also asked the Commission to look for new volunteers to mow the meadow periocally. He also asked for another canoe launch/fishing area in the Town Forest. The Commission noted that the Town Forest Committee is beginning plans for that area. John Costigan, 75 Mill Street, asked about the parking area expansion. He would like some plantings done between his house and the conservation area, and the Commission will try to find funds to do some plantings. He asked about sidewalks along the street, and the Commission referred him to DPW and Selectmen. He asked about ways to discourage improper use. Mr. Cameron will place boulders at the path entrance to keep vehicles out, and the Commission will post rules for use. The Police will respond to reports of problems. Will Finch of 51 Mill Street talked about the history of sidewalks in the area. He said there are enough new people in the Adopt a Trail group that someone has been assigned to this area. He said he has red cedar trees in his yard that the Town can move to this area as screening. Kim Honetschlager of 51 Mill Street said there is a spruce tree in the conservation area that could also be moved to the parking area as screening. She also asked if there could be a bench in the area, and Mr. Cameron said he had added one to the plans. The Commission reviewed the draft Order of Conditions. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Max Gabriello, 285 Main Street, DEP 270-564, RGB 2009- 28 This hearing was postponed to November 18, 2009, at the request of the applicant. 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 Ms Fink reported that some test borings were done for a structural analysis of the foundation, and two more tanks were discovered, as well as a strong odor of petroleum. The Fire Department has issued an order to the owner to remove the tanks by a specified date. The Conditions of the Order will allow the work to be done. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41 Conservation Commission Meeting, October 28, 2009 The Commission did a site visit. The utility trench on Lot 5 was still open, grading is very rough, and the yard has not been loamed or seeded. There are no gutters or downspouts. The east side yard is very steep and eroding, and a change in grading plan may be needed. It did not appear ready for occupancy. There is a final coat of paving on the roadway. The developer may need an extension of his permit in order to do the required planting next spring. Ms. Fink will draft a letter to the owner asking how they plan to resolve the outstanding issues. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to give Ms. Fink authority to sign off on occupancy if required items have been completed. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the revised site plan for Lot 5 showing a patio behind the house. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept a revised plan to add a fence at Lot 8. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 Ms. Fink did a site visit with the plant consultant and all looks good. One of the pine trees on Lot 3 died, but it is not in the ZNV or replication area.. Ms. Fink thinks they are close to a Certificate of Compliance. The Zone of Natural Vegetation bound locations need to be added to the as-built. The developer will be contacted. Strout Avenue, DEP 270-524, RGB 2008-2 Ms. Fink did a site visit with the design engineer, the contractor, and Peter Tassi. They have replanted the demolition area and it looks good. Nothing has been done about the footpath between the construction fences and the vernal pool, and ZNV bounds need to be set. Ms. Fink will contact DPW about final items needed. 18 Small Lane, DEP 270-532, RGB 2008-14 and 22 Small Lane, DEP 270-531, RGB 2008-15 Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The herbaceous and shrub plants look very good. They have planted very small trees at this location. The Commission will do a site visit in the spring. 43 Latham Lane, RGB 20.04-9 Shrubs have been planted and the site looks good. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination file. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Mattera Conservation Area - Grant application Ms. Fink submitted an application for cabin improvements. The Commission discussed other possible sources of funding for the work needed to prepare the cabin for public use. Trail Committee - Plans for dedication day, Mattera and Bare Meadow Conservation Areas The dedication will be on November 14 at 9:00 AM. Invitations have been sent out. The Commission is invited to attend. Mr. Hecht volunteered to give a speech. Minutes for approval: Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the minutes of September 9, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 4 Conservation Commission Meeting, October 28, 2009 8 Walkers Brook Drive Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The owners have removed the invasive plants and planted a few trees. They also added some shrubs to the woodchip areas. The Commission will do a site visit before their next meeting. Charles Street Cemetery Some cleanup has been done where there were erosion problems last spring, and additional barriers have been installed to control the earth storage area. 232 Forest Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Minor Project Permit. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 39 Old Farm Road The Commission reviewed a proposed planting plan with species information. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the planting plan. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Truck Spill on Haverhill Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report concerning an accident near 565 Haverhill Street. A truck hit a guard rail, and its fuel tank ruptured directly over a catch basin. It was not raining, and only 30 - 40 gallons leaked out. Commercial clean-up was brought in and the spill was contained and removed. Police, Fire, and other Town staff provided support. Grove Street Flooding Residents at the north end of Grove Street reported higher water levels than they had ever seen before. Ms. Fink did a site visit. There was no beaver dam on the nearby stream, but it was not flowing where it entered the culvert under I-93. Ms. Fink contacted Conservation Administrator in Wilmington and MassHighway officials, and then inspected the other end of the culvert in Wilmington. A tree had fallen across the stream at that end and there were a lot of sticks and sediments caught under the tree and blocking flow. Ms. Fink got Mass Highway to respond and clear out the blockage. 22 Roma Lane, Enforcement Order The owner requested more time to plant the trees. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to extend the deadline to June 15, 2010. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Barrows School A site report was given. The lawn has been patched up and the slopes stabilized. There is a solid cover for the catch basin and they put in more grass seed on the swale. The rubber chips are still overflowing out of the playground area, and the deep gullies along the stairs have not been filled or stabilized. Adjournment: Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 5