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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-08-26 Conservation Commission Minutesw Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 MINUTES R CE I ED Reading Conservation Commission Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:~> Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Present: Doug Greene, Vice Chairman; Bill Hecht; Barbara Stewart; Tina Ohlson; Brian Tucker; Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Mark Wetzel, Annika Scanlon Old/New Business 320 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-527, RGB 2008-5 - Request for Certificate of Compliance Keith Taylor, project designer, present. Mr. Greene gave a site visit report. Mr. Taylor said they would continue to remove the invasive plants present. He would like to remove the erosion barriers and will allow volunteer plants to populate the ZNV. Mr. Hecht said St. Athanasius should be asked to address flow from their property that is causing erosion on site. Ms. Fink reviewed the Order of Conditions and said the 25' ZNV planting plan has not been followed. The herbaceous cover was buried with wood chips, and should have been left as it was. Also,,the area south of the stream was not planted after removal of the invasive species and is now eroding. The outlet pipe has become clogged with leaves and dirt. Mr. Taylor said he had a different understanding regarding the plantings but could address the Commission's concerns. Mr. Hecht said to pull the hay bales and wood chips out of the ZNV, and seed the bare areas this fall, and it can be reviewed next spring. Ms. Fink will contact the church. 68 Longwood Road, DEP 270-542, RGB 2008-36 - Request to revise planting plan The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Kneeland, were present. They proposed a change in the configuration of the mitigation area. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the planting plan as submitted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 26 R Summer Avenue Owner, Kevin Fulgoni, was present. The Commission reviewed an as-built site plan, including a shed, covered porch and deck not on the approved plans. Ms. Fink said there were no Building Permit records for these , and the Building Inspector is reviewing them. The as-built plans do not show the conservation restriction bounds or the zone of natural vegetation bounds. Ms. Fink also said the driveway configuration is not as shown on the approved plans and extends beyond the easement. Part of the retaining wall and trench are within the 25' ZNV. The front walkway is also larger than proposed. Overall, there is 400 s.f. of impervious cover over the original plans. Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 Mr. Hecht thought there„was• only a small amount of increased impervious cover considering the lot is so large. He asked thia the zone of natural vegetation bounds be shown on the plan. Mr. Fulgoni said e moved the shed from one lot to the other. He had hoped for the bond release so he could use that money for" the driveway. Mr. Hecht said the Commission could release the bond money but not issue the Certificate of Compliance until the zone of natural vegetation bounds are shown on the plot plan. He also said the silt fences could be removed and the Japanese knotweed could be removed outside the ZNV. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to release the $10,000 bond. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Susan Tsiatis, 201 Pearl Street, RGB~2009-26, three-season porch addition Present: Mr. Camarano & Mrs. Tsiatis Mrs. Tsiatis asked what they needed to do before work.. Mr. Hecht said hay bales or silt fence should be installed. The Commission reviewed the draft conditions. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a negative Determination of Applicability. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Hearing, Request to Amend Order of Conditions, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45, Public Works Department, Memorial Park recreation, parking, and drainage improvements This hearing has been postponed till September 9, 2009. 212 Main Street, DEP 270-505, RGB 2007-15 - Status of work The Commission did a site visit and there were 7 maple trees and some arborvitae. The owner wants to pave the rest of the parking lot this fall. Mrs. Fink reported an inspection with the abutter and Tree Warden on the Knollwood Road site. The trees on the conservation land are not a safety threat and were not blocking flow at the culvert under the street. 60 Willow Street, RGB 2006-3 - Status of work Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a letter to close the file. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 29 Shackford Road, DEP 270-507, RGB 2007-16 - Status of work, site plan revision Mr. Hecht said a lot of erosion was present. Revised plans had not been submitted. The owners will be contacted by letter. Barrows School, DEP 270-414, RGB 2003-49 - Status of work, site plan revision Ms. Fink had not received a revised plan yet, but had met with DPZ and Recreation. The parties involved seem to be in agreement as to what is required. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51- Status of work, punch-list, as- built site plans Ms. Fink had a meeting last week with the contractor, engineer, landscape architect, and architect. They determined the list of items remaining for the present contractor to complete. The School maintenance staff has been asked to remove buckets and plastic containers that were being stored under the bleachers to a more secure storage area. Ms. Fink said the August as-built plans looked pretty good. She had a few questions that she mentioned in a memo she sent to the project architect after the site visit. 2 Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 Public Hearing, Notice of Resource Area Delineation, Dennis Brearley, 885 Main Street, RGB 2009-25, confirm wetland boundaries Present: Attorney Josh Latham and numerous abutters Attorney Latham presented the plan that was prepared by Jack Sullivan and Arrow Environmental. He said Mr. & Mrs. Brearley and Jack Sullivan could not be present at this meeting. He noted that some flags had been changed during the site inspection by the Administrator and wetland consultant and expected the hearing to continue so that site plans can be revised. Ms. Fink provided written comments and reported observations made during the inspection. The eastern wetland includes a Certified vernal pool, and the northern wetland also has habitat characteristics such as blackened leaves and absence of vegetation that indicate prolonged periods of standing water. Ms. Fink explained the State by-laws and Town by-laws regarding vernal pools. The plan does not delineate the ponded areas, just the BVW around them. Ms. Fink also reported that several flags were missing during the visit, and others were moved to encompass areas where vegetation and soils indicated wetland conditions. More examination is needed of the area between the two wetlands and inside the fence at 34 Duck Road to determine whether the two wetlands are connected as one. Mr. Hecht reported that the north slope and wetlands continue down to 911 Main Street. He also questioned the location of flag #8. The Vice Chairman explained to the considerable crowd that this hearing was only for the delineation of the wetlands and they must confine their comments to this subject. The Commission has not yet received application for proposed construction. John Arena of 26 Francis Drive noted the large change in topography across the site and said the neighborhood experiences flooding from the wetlands. He said he had photos of flooding, and that flooding occurs along the Swale behind houses on Francis Drive and behind the houses on Main Street to the north. He noted that a sewer main runs through the site. He asked whether State or Town delineation standards take precedence. Mr. Hecht said that both standards apply, but the Town standards are more restrictive in some ways. He also said any proposed work would be reviewed for drainage and flooding impacts. Linda Toth of 55 Francis Drive said she has observed water in the CVP behind her house every spring and has seen ducks, coyotes, and foxes in the area. They sometimes skate on the pond in winter. She is also concerned about drainage and flooding, and tree removal. Mr. Greene noted that the Town vernal pool regulations require a 100' setback to preserve habitat around the pools. The Commission would also be concerned about maintaining the water quality and quantity in the CVP. Ralph Marden of 13 Bunker Avenue said he has seen deer and has seen additional wetlands not shown on the plan. He has also skated on the pond. Barbara Argonish of 895 Main Street gave her views on the water table in the area and showed 3 photographs of the area to the Commission. She has to use sump pumps in her basement. She will submit photos of the water and wildlife. Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 Chaya Patel of 905 Main Street also reported surface flooding and basement flooding at her house and at 911 Main. Robert Bowles of 18 Duck Road submitted photographs of the wetlands taken last March. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing to September 9, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Michael Palmer, 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009- 23, restaurant, parking lot, and drainage systems Present: Attorney Brad Latham, Wetlands Consultant Bill Manuell, Architect Domenic Sicari, Michael Palmer, Engineer David Comerford The Applicant has revised his plan and provided additional fees to Ms. Fink. She returned the State fee check to him so he can send it to the State. Mr. Manuell and Mr. Comerford reviewed the plans for the Commission. Ms. Fink and George Zambouras have submitted memos to the Applicant. Ms. Fink reviewed these memos for the Commission and the Applicant's consultants. Attorney Latham and Mr. Comerford made responses to a number of the questions raised. Mr. Hecht was impressed with the additional improvements proposed to the property. He did think the snow storage was a problem because of nut-off. Mr. Latham said that snow can be removed from the site. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to grant a variance to allow the proposed paving within 25 feet of the wetlands as shown on the revised plans. Ms. Olson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the hearing to September 9, 2009. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 19 Knollwood Road Steve Cook, owner, was present. The Commission informed him about the discussion earlier in the evening about 212 Main and the Town Conservation land. He said that one of the trees lying on the ground may be blocking runoff from leaving his back yard. Ms. Fink said she would make an inspection with him to evaluate the situation. 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Request to revise planting plan The Commission reviewed a letter from the owner requesting modifications to the area planted just north of the driveway. He wants to removed herbaceous plants and cover the ground with bark mulch. Ms. Fink did a site visit and reported that the bushes planted recently are healthy. The Commission determined that the proposed work was not appropriate because it would impair the vernal habitat and destabilize the soils. A letter will be sent. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 - Planting report, status of work The Commission did a site visit during a downpour. The swales in the back were full of water. Ms. Fink did a visit several days after the rain event. The swales in the back were still under water. The 4 Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 Commission will request that marsh plants be planted in the swales, and also that vehicles be parked only in the marked spaces in the parking lot. Kylie Drive Subdivision Mr. Hecht reported seeing vehicles parked on the gravel area on Lot 8. The Commission will send a letter. 281 Main Street - IRA Completion Report, RTN 3-27883 The Commission received completion reports for the oil and gasoline removal projects, but not yet from the pesticide removal project. Austin Prep, 101 Willow Street, DEP 270-544, RGB 2008-44 - Status of work They have been ordered by the Town Engineer to remove the surface they had installed in the new parking lot and to replace it with material that will be pervious. Strout Avenue WTP demolition, DEP 270-524, RGB 2008-2 - Status of work Ms. Fink said during a site visit she met with Peter Tassi. The pump was operating to clear the lines and the water was very rusty. The water was spreading out and the vegetation next to it seemed to be maintaining. Today on a site visit there was no standing water and most of the vegetation looked good. Mr. Tassi said they were not pleased with the grass and had asked the contractor to come back and redo. 188 and 194 Van Norden Road, DEP 270-541, RGB 2008-33 - As-built site plan Ms. Fink sent a letter requesting the as-built plan, but did not hear back. She spoke with the owner today and he is talking with his engineer about submitting it by September 7, 2009. Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-295, RGB 1997-6 - Request for bond release Ms. Fink said Town Counsel wants the Commission to take a vote on bond releases. Ms. Fink will get more information and put this on the agenda. Motion was made by Mr. Hecht to cash in the letter of credit and plant the trees. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Recreational Trails Grant - Design for trail improvements Mr. Wetzel is going to put a design on paper. 202 Charles Street Ms. Fink received an as-built for this project and inspected. Work is complete. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 43 Latham Lane The owner has submitted a planting plan and the Commission reviewed it. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the planting plan. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 82 Fairchild Drive Ms. Fink reported that the work was complete and the site was stable. Conservation Commission Meeting, August 26, 2009 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination file. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 25 Walkers Brook Drive The Commission reviewed the draft drainage easement. They would like the advance notice time for work to be reduced 20 days to 72 hours. Ms. Fink will follow up. 2 C Street They are continuing to do-work and Ms. Fink will monitor the situation. 80 Avalon Road (tree removal) Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept minor project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mindtes for approval Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the minutes for July 15, 2009 as submitted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion for Adjournment Motion made by Mr. Greene to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 6