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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-08 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission meeting, July 8, 2009 RECEIVED C G1, MINUTES TOWN CLERK Reading Conservation Commission Meeting MASS. Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM i o Wednesday, July 8, 2009 P 1Z. 314 Present: Mark Wetzel, Chairman; Tina Ohlson; Barbara Stewart; Doug Greene; Annika Scanlon; Brian Tucker; Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator; Brian Sullivan, Associate Member; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Old/New Business 105 Lilah Lane, DEP 270-514, RGB 2007-26 - Proposed planting plan The Commission has not yet received a planting plan from the owners. 10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35- Revised site plan and bond for approval The Commission reviewed the revised site plan. Some members had questions about how close the trees will be to the retaining walls. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the revised site plans except to eliminate 12" of crushed stone over the four trees on the northwest side and to pull back the stone wall along the southeast side to be at least one foot from the tree trunks there. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Annika Scanlon arrived. The Commission reviewed the revised performance bond. Town Counsel had no problems with this new bond. Motion made Ms. Stewart to accept the bond as submitted. Mr. Greene seconded. The vote was 5-0- 0 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Wande Li, 16 Varney Circle, RGB 2009-12, remove trees, repave driveway Present: Wande Li DEP issued the file number today and the fees are paid. The driveway will not be removed and repaved but instead repairs will be made to it. Ms. Fink reviewed changes made to the draft Order of Conditions. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the order of conditions as revised. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 1381 Main Street, Enforcement Order - status of work Ms. Fink did a site visit. The owner did some planting but it still does not seem properly seeded. Ms. Fink has not issued the ticket because of the current activity. 188 and 194 Van Norden Road, DEP 270-541, RGB 2008-33 - As-built plans The Commission has not yet received the as-built plans. Ms. Fink will contact the builder. I- 1 Conservation Commission meeting, July 8, 2009 178 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-486, RGB 2006-26 - As-built plan and request for Certificate of Compliance The Commission received site visit reports. Work is complete, but there is a pile of brush in the Y wetland:that must be removed. Ms. Fink will send a letter. Mark Wetzel arrived. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Donald and Tammy Stapleton, 26 Bond Street, RGB 2009- 19, addition to house, landscaping Present: Donald Stapleton The Commission reviewed the draft Order with Mr. Stapleton. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue the Order of Conditions with the attachment as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to close the public hearing. Mr. Greeen seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Darren Abreu, 2 C Street, RGB 2009-20, grading and landscaping This hearing is postponed to July 15, 2009. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Erik Hagstrom, 53 Arcadia Avenue, RGB 2009-22, grading, landscaping, and fence Present: Erik Hagstrom Mr. Hagstrom presented plans for grading, seeding with grass, and fencing. The Commission asked questions about topography, fence materials, and the number of trees cut before the Notice of Intent. Ms. Fink said the entire property is in the riverfront area. In her site visits she saw at least 16 new tree stumps. She distributed an aerial photograph of the site from 2008 showing the trees. She said the fill has created a concentrated flow pattern and the proposed grading will shift that pattern. The Commission determined that replacement trees must be planted to bring the site into compliance with the performance standards for Riverfront Area. Mr. Hagstrom would like to space out the new trees instead of clustering them. Mr. Wetzel said the Commission would like a planting plan showing the replacement of 16 trees as close to the original locations as possible. James Reagan, 43 Arcadia Avenue, said he attended just to hear what was going on. He questioned the chain link fence in the riverfront area and Mr. Wetzel explained why it was preferred. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to continue the hearing to July 15, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing, 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 This hearing is postponed to August 12, 2009. 2 Conservation Commission meeting, July 8, 2009 Austin Preparatory School, 101 Willow Street, DEP 270-544, RGB 2008-44 - Revised plan Present: Attorney Chris Latham; Thad Berry, Engineer, Gus Niewenhous and Tony Pimentel for the school Mr. Latham and Mr. Berry presented a proposal to install the porous pavement without underdrains, and will only 2.5 inches of pavement rather than the DEP standard of 4 inches. If it does not work they will put in what was originally proposed. The Commission reviewed the design standards, advice from the Town Engineer, and asked questions about storage capacity, long-term maintenance, and loading capacity. Mr. Berry stated that the pavement would function properly. Motion made Ms. Stewart by to approve the 2.5 inch thickness for the porous pavement as proposed, and that it should be inspected after the winter. Seconded by Mr. Tucker Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the proposal not to install the sub-drain. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 19 Nelson Avenue, DEP 270-506, RGB 2007-17 - As-built plan and request for Certificate of Compliance Ms. Fink did a site visit. The trees and plants look healthy, the grass is stable and the downspouts are good. Ms. Fink said the zone of natural vegetation bounds were not visible. Ms. Fink will speak to the owners. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Status of work, request for well installation The Commission reviewed site visit reports and they have some issues. The gravel driveway lot on Lot 8 was not shown on the site plan. The Lot 2 owner wants to install a well for his irrigation system. Motion made by Mr. Greene to accept the well installation. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to order removal of the gravel driveway. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 134 Fairchild Drive - Draft Conservation Restriction Ms. Fink is reviewing comments on the draft Conservation Restriction from DCS and is waiting for comments from others. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51 Status of work The new contractor is moving along getting areas stable, and the grass is coming up well with all the rain. The Town Engineer will provide plans for Imagination Station. Parker Middle School Ms. Fink said the grass is doing well around the playing field, but the stream banks have not been finished as planned and the area under the bleachers has not been stabilized as requested. Barrows Elementary School Ms. Fink said the School has not yet completed the 2006 punch list and received their Certificate of Compliance. There are still a number of questions and they have not submitted an as-built. Also in the recent rain storms, the rubber chips for the playground have been washed out of the play area Conservation Commission meeting, July 8, 2009 and cover a great distance, and need to be cleaned up. Mr. Wetzel thought the Commission should send a letter to the School Department asking them to attend the August 12 meeting and propose a plan for finishing the work. . 88/98 Walkers Brook, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 - Plan revision (sign) The Commission has not received any new information on the sign. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51- As-built plan They have made progress with the draft easements. There have not been any new as-builts submitted. 8 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-525, RGB 2008-3 - Plan revision (flagpole) The proposed flagpole is located out in front of the bank outside of the Riverfront Area. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the proposed flagpole. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6- 0-0. Maplewood Condominium, Salem Street - Proposed trail easement The Commission reviewed the main provisions of the draft trail easement, which will be sent to the condo association for comment. . Recreational Trails Grant The Trails Grant contract documents have been signed by the Town and sent to the State for signatures. The Trails Committee will buy the materials with the grant. Volunteers will do the labor. The Commission will work on the design details with the Trails Committee. Minor Projects: 2 Beaver Road (deck) Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to approve the minor project. Mr. Greene seconded. The vote was 5-0-0. Commission membership, officers, and MACC dues Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to nominate Mr. Wetzel as Chairman. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to nominate Mr. Greene as Vice Chairman. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to pay the MACC dues. Ms. Ohlson seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Minutes for approval: June 10, 2009 Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the minutes of June 10, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 717 Pearl Street The owner will be asked to file a Request for Determination for proposed house construction. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 4