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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-14 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, October 14, 2009 RECEIVED MINUTES TOW CLERK REPoHG, MASS. Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room,.7:00 PM job j oEC -8 A b Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Present: Mark Wetzel, Chairman; Bill Hecht; Doug Greene; Barbara Stewart; Tina Ohlson; Brian Tucker; Annika Scanlon (late arrival); Fran Fink, Administrator; Brian Sullivan, Associate Member; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Old/New Business 188 and 194 Van Norden Road, DEP 270-541, RGB 2008-33 - Request for Certificate of Compliance The Commission did a site visit. Both sites are in good order. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009-23, restaurant and parking lot Attorney Brad Latham presented revised site plans, construction sequence, and other pre- construction documents. Ms. Fink requested additional information regarding grading at the dumpster, time line, and contact information for contractor. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Ms. Fink to sign off on the building permit application after receipt of the additional information. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 129 Howard Street, DEP 270-556, RGB 2009-14 - Plan revision, status of work Mr. and Mrs. Mancuso, owners, presented revised plans for the front porch. The revision is needed to meet building codes requirements. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the changes as minor. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 40 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-549, RGB 2009-1 The Commission did a site visit. Work is generally complete and clean-outs are visible on the infiltration bed. The pavers at the garage need to be reset': The paperwork for the conservation restriction needs to be completed also, before bond release and Certificate of Compliance. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51- Request for Certificate of Compliance Ms. Fink said there is additional information to be examined so this will have to be continued. 53 Arcadia Avenue, DEP 270-559, RGB 2009-22 - Planting plan for approval Ms. Fink reviewed the requirements in the OOC. The Commission reviewed the proposed planting plan. Mr. Hecht made a motion to accept the plan. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Ms. Scanlon arrived. Conservation Commission, October 14, 2009 Public He Notice of Intent, Reading Public Works Department, DEP 270-552, RGB 2009=9, reconstruction of West Street and intersecting streets between Longwood Road and Border Road -hid earing .was postponed until October 28, 2009. 4 Public Hearing' 'Request to Amend Order of Conditions, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45, Public Works Department, Memorial Park recreation, parking, and drainage improvements Present: George Zambouras, Town Engineer The Commission reviewed the draft Amended Order of Conditions and made revisions at the request of Mr. Zambouras. Mr. Hecht made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Mr. Hecht made a motion to issue the amended Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Dennis Brearley, 885 Main Street, DEP 270-562, RGB 2009-25, confirm wetland boundaries Present: Attorney Josh Latham, Jack Sullivan The Commissioners had a discussion as to whether Mr. Wetzel should participate in this case as he may not be aware of all that was presented at the previous hearing due to his absence. Mr. Greene took over as Chairman for this hearing. The Commission reviewed draft Findings for the Order. Ms. Fink reported that Town Counsel had reviewed the draft and found the findings acceptable. Mr. Greene requested that the 1987 USGS Reading Quadrangle Topography map be added to the documents list because it shows the vernal pool and wetlands. history of the case to date, and Ms. Fink answered questions asked by the Commission and the attending neighbors. Laurie Gorski of 34 Duck Street voiced her opinion of the proposal. Lynne Arena 26 Francis Drive voiced her opinion of the proposal. John Arena of 26 Francis Drive voiced his opinion of the proposal. Jane McCord of 44 Francis Drive voiced her opinion of the proposal. Tom McCord of 44 Francis Drive voiced his opinion of the proposal. The Commission answered the concerns about closing the hearing before delineation of some wetlands resource areas, saying that this does not prevent the Commission from making additional delineations in season. Attorney Josh Latham said the Applicant is only looking for the BVW line confirmation at this time, and the applicant recognizes that further delineation will be needed if and when work is proposed. Mr. Hecht made a motion to issue the Order of Resource Area Delineation with the Findings as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-1-1. (Mr. Wetzel abstained.) 2 Conservation Commission, October 14, 2009 Mr. Hecht made a motion to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-1. (Mr. Wetzel abstained.) Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Erik Kramer, 22 Lindsay Lane, RGB 2009-29, addition to house Present: Mr. and Mrs. Erik Kramer Mr. Kramer presented his proposed addition and patio to the Commission. Ms. Fink said the proposal is very straightforward. There is a vernal pool on the property, but the addition is not in this area and will not alter the habitat. DEP has not assigned a case number and therefore an Order of Conditions cannot be issued yet. The Commission did a site visit and all is as shown on the plan. Mr. Hecht made a motion to continue the hearing to October 28, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Thomas Zerfas, 80 Avalon Road, RGB 2009-32 Present: Thomas Zerfas Mr. Zerfas presented his proposal to the Commission for replacing a deck with a slightly larger screened porch. The Commission did a site visit and it is as shown on the plan. Ms. Fink reviewed the draft Findings and Conditions with the Commission. Mr. Hecht made a motion to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. 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 Present: Attorney Christine Sheehy, Scott Morrison - Wetlands Consultant, David Petkewich - Design Engineer Attorney Sheehy reviewed the history of the property and the proposed restaurant. They have received approval from the Zoning Board and are presently under review with the CPDC. They expect a Response Action Outcome soon for the recent hazardous materials cleanup. They have contacted the owner concerning the process to obtain a Certificate of Compliance from the Commission under the Order for the cleanup. Mr. Morrison reviewed the wetland resources, Walkers Brook, Bank, and BVW, and the existing conditions on the site. Mr. P.etkewich reviewed the proposed drainage plan, and the layout and landscaping changes that have come about because of the requests by the CPDC. The project will require a permit from MassHighway for work in the street corridor. He said impervious cover would be reduced slightly, and they would add catch basins and a particle separator to treat runoff. The separator will have vent to relieve vacuum pressure due to stream flow. They are revising the plan to discharge roof runoff via a pipe directly into the stream. Ms. Fink questioned whether the direct discharge met DEP policy. Conservation Commission, October 14, 2009 Mr. Wetzel asked for copies of the drainage calculations, and asked about drainage divides, and the dumpster area. Mr. Hecht and Mr. Greene gave a site visit report. They noted room for improvement, but the site is tight. Mr. Greene said the flood stage flags need to be moved higher up, based on the mosses present. Ms. Fink reviewed the memo she had submitted to the Commission, including concerns about the condition of the foundation, the hazardous waste status, the drainage design, the BVW delineation, and other matters. Attorney Sheehy said they would be submitting a written detailed response to Ms. Fink's memo and the questions raised tonight. The only plan being considered by her client is to use the existing foundation. The Commission discussed whether the applicant would work with the owner of 281 Main Street on removing the portion of the parking lot that extends into that site. Ms. Sheehy said the applicant could not control the other site. There were no public comments. Mr. Hecht made a motion to continue the hearing to October 28, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Conservation Commission, Bare Meadow Conservation Area, RGB 2009-30, Trail improvements Mr. Wetzel recused himself. Mr. Greene took over as Chairman. Ms. Fink reviewed the trail improvements being proposed for the Bare Meadow Conservation Area. This work is being funded by a Recreational Trails Grant. The Trail Committee, Town Engineer, Mr. Wetzel, and others have been involved in the design. Proposed bridges will be the subject of a later permit. Ms. Scanlon gave a site visit report. Commissioners asked questions about drainage and materials. Mr. Wetzel answered and Ms. Fink. Carol McLaughlin, Batchelder Road asked about the permit process, DEP involvement, bridge materials, and NHESP involvement. Ms. Fink explained the DEP appeals process, and said the project is not located in NHESP Habitat. Mr. Wetzel described the bridge, to be permitted at a later date. The Commission reviewed the draft Findings and Conditions. Mr. Hecht made a motion to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. BEGIN HERE Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Conservation Commission, Lobs Pound Mill Conservation Area, RGB 2009-31, Fishing platform, trail, and parking spaces Ms. Fink presented the proposal for the Lobs Pound Mill Conservation Area to be installed next spring. The State Fish & Game Engineer is helping with the project. 4 Conservation Commission, October 14, 2009 The Commission did a site visit, and the project would be an improvement for the area. Mr. Greene requested a site plan with an engineer's stamp. Kim Honetschlager of 51 Mill Street said she would like to see some seating in the area. Ms. Fink will see whether this can be added with the present funding or at a later time. Virginia Adams of 59 Azalea Circle asked whether the trail would have edging. Mr. Wetzel said it would be at grade to avoid filling the floodplain. Mr. Hecht made a motion to continue the hearing to October 28, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Longwood Road Conservation Land - Access easements Ms. Fink said the Town owns this piece of land. Two property owners were granted access easements in conjunction with the Johnson Woods project. A third abutter and the DPW were granted access, but the easement documents were never signed or recorded. The Commission members signed the documents. 134 Fairchild Drive DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Revised plan for approval Kevin Simard presented his revised plan for approval. Rich Bova was also present. Mr. Hecht made a motion to accept the revised plan as a minor plan change. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Mr. Simard will come back to the Commission with a proposal to prevent erosion from the roof run-off. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance - Lot 2, status of work The owner of Lot 2 requested a Partial Certificate of Compliance. The Commission inspected. Ms. Ohlson made a motion to issue the Partial Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 - Request for Extension, status of work Ms. Fink is reviewing what has been done to date at Johnson Woods. There are some documents that have not been submitted as required by the Order. The Commission will schedule an inspection on October 25th and will continue this matter on October 28tH 129 Howard Street, DEP 270-556, RGB 2009-14 - Plan revision, status of work Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Fill for the driveway has been extended out 10' beyond the limit of work. They have weeded out a lot of plants from the wetlands. The proposed lawn has not been seeded. They have planted trees in the wetlands that have not been approved yet. The Commission will do a site visit. 29 Shackford Road, DEP 270-507, RGB 2007-16 - Site plan revision Ms. Fink said the owners presented a plan that only answered half the questions from the Commission. This case will be placed on the October 28, 2009 agenda. Conservation Commission, October 14, 2009 Drainage maintenance, 45 Shackford Road, DEP 270-482, RGB 2006-30 The DPW will be removing sediments from a drain outfall near Walkers Brook under the town- wide maintenance permit. Ms. Fink inspected the area with them. West Street, RMLD Pole Yard Ms. Fink reported that there is a big pile of dirt with a chain link fence around it on this site. On the fence there are signs that said PCB's. The Aberjona River runs by the site and there are wetlands in the back part. Ms. Fink contacted RMLD for information and to discuss permit requirements. RMLD has been doing construction at the Causeway Road substation and encountere the contaminated soils there. They have engaged and LSP and will work with the Conservation Commission on permitting. Austin Preparatory School Mr. Wetzel reported that there are two parking areas that hold water after storms. The Commission will schedule an inspection. 285 Main Street Mr. Hecht made a motion to accept the Minor Project Permit for soils test at 285 Main Street. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. 232 Forest Street (stairs and landing) Ms. Stewart made a motion to accept the Minor Project Permit for a porch and staircase. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0. Mr. Hecht made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 7-0-0.