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Home My WebLink About2009-09-23 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission Meeting, September 23, 2009 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, September 23, 2009 TO'V CLERK READING, MIASS- V 4L N91 WOV 30 P 12= S9 Present: Doug Greene, Vice Chairman; Bill Hecht, Barbara Stewart, Annika Scanlon, Tina Ohlson, Brian Tucker, Commissioners; Brian Sullivan, Associate Member; and Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Old/New Business: Maplewood Condominium, Salem Street Brad Latham was present. The Commission received and reviewed a list of concerns about the proposed trail, and suggested solutions, following up on a site visit. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the letter, with details to be determined at a later date. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0 Bare Meadow Conservation Area Tom Cochrane presented a proposed Boy Scout project for a bridge on the trail from Wood End Cemetery to Bare Meadow. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the project. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 188 and 194 Van Norden Road, DEP 270-541, RGB 2008-33 Al Couillard, applicant, was present. The Commission reviewed an as-built plan and site visit report. A letter will be sent with list of work needed for Certificate of Compliance.. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the ZNV bounds as shown on the as-built plan. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 7 Adams Way, DEP 270-519, RGB 2007-35 The Commission reviewed an as-built plan and site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a Certificate of Compliance with continuing conditions. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-295, RGB 1997-6 The Commission reviewed the status of work. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to take the Letter of Credit and use it to plant the required trees. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Conservation Commission Meeting, September 23, 2009 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51 The Commission reviewed the status of work and as-built information. Mcrtlan made by Mr. Hecht to send a letter with items remaining for Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent,, 39 Old Farm Road, DEP 270-563, RGB 2009-27 Applicant Eugene Ware presented plans for a swimming pool and patio. The Commission asked questions about impervious cover and trees to be cut. Abutter Diane Chapin asked that trees be preserved where possible. The Commission reviewed a draft Order of Conditions and made revisions. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Resource Area Delineation, 885 Main Street, DEP 270-562, RGB 2009-25 Josh Latham, lawyer, and Jack Sullivan, engineer, represented the applicant, Dennis Brearley. Mr. Sullivan revised the site plan to include an additional BVW flag at the rear lot line. Mr. Greene submitted photos by Walter Mack of flooding behind his house on Main Street. He also submitted NRCS soils data for the site. Ms. Fink gave a site visit report concerning the added flag. She also submitted photos from Bernard Dann, 39 Francis Drive, of the certified vernal pool. Barbara Argonish, 895 Main, presented photos. The Commission reviewed the draft Findings for the ORAD. Mr. Latham asked about the floodplain, to be delineated at a later date. Several members of the public (John Arena, 26 Francis and Tom McCord, 44 Francis Drive) asked for the hearing to be continued to next spring so that the vernal pools could be delineated and reviewed in a public hearing. Mr. Hecht noted that the Findings clearly state that such delineation has not been done and should be done during the spring. Mr. Sullivan said this would be done with a Notice of Intent. Mr. Latham said the applicant does not want to continue and is only seeking BVW delineation at this time. He said the applicant recognizes the Commission's right to further delineate in future. Ms. Fink noted that, if a NOI is filed out of vernal pool season, the Commission may continue the hearing until the season arrives. Jane McCord, 44 Francis Drive, asked what differences there were between State and Town definitions and regulations. Mr. Greene explained the vernal pool and ILSF differences. Lynn Arena, 26 Francis, asked whether grading can begin. Mr. Hecht said that the ORAD will not permit any work to begin, and a Notice of Intent is expected. - Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue the ORAD with the Findings as amended tonight. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 3-3-0. Motion did not pass. Conservation Commission Meeting, September 23, 2009 Motion made by Mr. Greene to continue -the hearing to the second meeting in April, 2010. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-1-0. Mr. Latham challenged the legality of the continuation. The Commission discussed the matter further. ` Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to October 14, 2009, and seek advice from Town Counsel. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-2-0. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to withdraw the previous motion to continue to the second meeting in April, 2010. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4-2-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, West Street Reconstruction, DEP 270-552, RGB 2009- 9 Present: George Zambouras, Town Engineer, Bill Murphy and Geoff Howie, design engineers Mr. Murphy presented revised site plans for reconstruction of West Street and intersecting streets between Longwood Road and Border Road. The Commission asked questions about proposed planting, traffic signals, wetlands boundaries, drainage systems, existing constraints within the right-of-way, and soils test data. The Commission found the revised plans acceptable and asked Ms. Fink to draft an Order of Conditions. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing to October 14, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing, Request to Amend Order of Conditions, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45, Memorial Park Present: George Zambouras, Town Engineer Mr. Zambouras presented revised site plans for park improvements, particularly the skating pond/wetland areas. Ms. Fink presented comments. The Commission asked questions and made comments. The Commission found the revised plans acceptable and asked Ms. Fink to draft an Order of Conditions Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing to October 14, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Old/New Business: 110 Grove Street Brad Van Magness, owner, presented a revised plan for retaining walls. Additional technical details are needed. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Ms. Fink to approve a final design including additional technical details, with advice from the Building Inspector. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 306 Haverhill Street, St. Athanasius Church A site visit will be scheduled to inspect a fallen fence and drainage system washout. Mr. Tucker left the room. Conservation Commission Meeting, September 23, 2009 141 Belmont Street, DEP 270-461, RGB 2005-37 The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a one-year Extension Permit. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 26 Bond Street, DEP 270-557, RGB 2009-19 The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Several areas need work before occupancy. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Ms. Fink to sign off on occupancy after the work is completed as discussed. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mr. Tucker returned. 62 Glenmere Circle, RGB 2009-15 The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Site is in good condition but grass needs to grow in before closing file. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Ms. Fink to sign off on occupancy. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Earth Removal Bylaw Ms. Fink had attended the Selectmen's meeting. They have asked several staff members to work on a draft bylaw to govern large earth-moving activities. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-502, RGB 2007-7 and DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41 The Commission will send a letter to the developer and lot owners concerning the status of work and upcoming permit expiration. 134 Fairchild Drive The Commission reviewed the Grant of Conservation Restriction. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the Grant. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. A site inspection will be scheduled next week to review work. Recreational Trails Grant The Trails Committee has scheduled a work day for October 17th. Ms. Fink will prepare a permit application for the next meeting. Minutes Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the Minutes of August 26, 2009 as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 516 West Street The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Several areas need work before occupancy. 4 Conservation Commission Meeting, September 23, 2009 Motion made by Mr. Hecht not to approve the paving of a walkway from the front porch to the deck stairs. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize Ms. Fink to sign off on occupancy after the work is completed as discussed. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Memorial Benches, Bare Meadow Conservation Area Motion made by Mr. Hecht to pay the bill for the concrete pads from the donations received in the Conservation Trust Fund. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0 15 South Street The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the file for this project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 53 Arcadia Avenue The Commission will send a letter to the owner concerning deadlines that have lapsed. 39 and 55 Walkers Brook Drive The Commission will send a letter to the owner concerning the fall maintenance report and readiness for a Final Certificate of Compliance. 113 Longwood Road The Commission will send a letter to the owner concerning soil stabilization needed after a sewer connection was installed. 28 Catherine Avenue The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the file for this project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Austin Prep, 101 Willow Street, DEP 270-544, RGB 2008-44, The Commission will schedule a site inspection to review the status of work. Route I-93/I-95 Interchange The Commission reviewed a notification for an engineering firm that MassHighway is planning to install new lighting fixtures, cameras, electrical conduits, and other structures in the interchange. The Commisssion will send a letter to the firm and MHD concerning the need to obtain permits for work near wetlands. 78 Timberneck Drive The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the file for this project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to adjourn. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0.