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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-10 Conservation Commission MinutesV Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 ED MINUTES Q YES z CLERK A 5S. Reading Conservation Commission to G Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, June 10, 2009 JUL 10 Al . 58 ` Present: Bill Hecht, Vice Chair; Tina Ohlson; Barbara Stewart; Doug Greene; Brian Tucker; Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Old/New Business Memorial Park, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45 - Skating ponds Present: George Zambouras, Town Engineer Mr. Zambouras submitted a revised site plan showing both skating ponds delineated as vegetated wetlands by Curt Young from Wetlands Preservation, Inc. They did an inspection with Fran Fink. Mr. Zambouras said they still would like to line the ponds to control the water level for skating. The Commission and Ms. Fink had questions about the effect of the liner on groundwater, surface water, soils and vegetation. They asked for revised plans and a request for Amended Order of Conditions. 53 Arcadia-Notice of Violation The owner, Erik Hagstrom, was present. The Commission received site visit reports. There were some trees that were cut down and fill was brought in that changed the contours of land in Riverfront Area and Buffer Zone. This caused water to flow onto adjoining property. Mr. Hecht asked the owner to stake hay bales at the lower edge of the filled area. The owner agreed to file a Notice of Intent for grading, stabilization, and tree replacement. The Commission has the option of an Enforcement Order if the Notice is not filed in a timely fashion. 110 Grove Street The owner, Brad Van Magness, said the Building Inspector wants a second egress at the rear of the addition. He submitted a revised site plan showing what he was doing. The porch would have a 4' x 4' landing and external stairs to grade. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the revised site plan as a minor change under the Order of Conditions for the work. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 565 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-516, RGB 2007-27 - Request for Certificate of Compliance Ms. Fink said mowing beyond the zone of natural vegetation has been continued. Ms. Stewart said the owner has put up yellow tape and instructed his landscaper to not cross the yellow line and the landscaper has agreed. Ms. Stewart said the grass beyond the tape appeared to be slightly taller. Ms. Fink will send a list to the owner, and the Commission will inspect again in two weeks. 516 West Street, DEP 270-548, RGB 2008-46 - Retaining wall plans The Commission reviewed plans for the retaining walls and grading. Ms. Fink reported that the Town Engineer and the Building Inspector both said the retaining wall design was acceptable. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the retaining wall design as presented. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 188 and 194 Van Norden Road;; DEP 270-541, RGB 2008-33 - Status of work Ms. Fink said there is additional paper work that must be submitted. There are questions about the grading and ponding. The Commission did a site inspection and will do an additional one. Ms. Fink will send a letter to the bui d6r.ar3d the two owners. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51- As-built information, request for Certificate on Compliance Ms. Fink has received a maintenance report and as-built information. There are gaps in the as-built information. They are not ready for a Certificate of Compliance yet. Ms. Fink will send a letter. 8 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-525, RGB 2008-3 - Maintenance report Ms. Fink said they owe two trees to make up for ones that were cut down, and there is information on RFA impacts to be put on the as-built. Ms. Fink did get a drainage maintenance report that was very good and well organized. Ms. Fink will send a letter. Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 - Lot 3 landscaping plan The Commission reviewed a letter from the landscaper concerning use of mulch. The Commission determined that mulch is not appropriate in the grassed drainage swale. Ms. Fink will send a letter. 15 Timothy Place, DEP 270-539, RGB 2008-27- Request for Certificate on Compliance The Commission did a site visit and said it looks good. Ms. Fink said the owner put in a new front sidewalk and it looks somewhat permeable. Motion made by Mr. Greene to issue the Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 - Site plan revision for sign, status of work and roof drains The Commission is waiting for soils tests and design specifications before approving a new sign. Ms. Fink has a site inspection appointment tomorrow with the landscaping contractor. Ms. Fink has not heard anything yet about the roof drains. Ratify Emergency Certification - beaver dam off Track Road Motion made by Mr. Greene to ratify the emergency removal of the beaver dam. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 105 Lilah Lane, DEP 270-514, RGB 2007-26 - Site plan revision and planting plan The owners, Jay and Lori Burke, were present. The Commission reviewed a revised site plan for a rear deck. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the revised site plan as a minor change. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. The Commission noted that they have not yet received a planting plan for the ZNV restoration area as agreed last November. The owner questioned how much planting is needed, specifically whether 2 trees is enough, or whether shrubs are also needed to fill the restoration area. Mr. Hecht asked Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 them to provide a written plan and to schedule a site inspection with the Commission to look at the area on June 22, 2009. The matter will continue on the June 24th agenda. 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 was postponed until June 24, 2009, at the request of the applicant. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Ronald and Gretchen Baker, 62 Glenmere Circle, RGB 2009-15, addition to house Present: Ronald & Gretchen Baker The Bakers presented plans for an addition to the house. Ms. Fink reported that existing house has a deep back yard with a stream channel at the rear. The proposed work is in the outer buffer zone. The Commission reviewed draft conditions. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the conditions as drafted. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Alberto Maitino, 450 Branklin Street, RGB 2009-16, grading, fencing, and landscaping for new house Present: Mr. and Mrs. Maitino, owners Mr. Maitino presented the site plan and proposed to change the height of the fence to 6' along the retaining wall on the western side of the lot. He also stated that he had cut down one tree in the Buffer Zone, and some shrubs and vines. Mr. Hecht referred Mr. Maitino to the Building Inspector for approval of the fence. Ms. Fink reviewed site conditions. Pat Dewolfe, abutter, asked about proposed grading and for information on the recent excavation and piping in the back yard. She also asked about dry wells. Mr. Maitino and Ms. Fink described the plans for a dry well in front and a propane tank in back of the house, and for grading. Mr. Maitino stated that there was a sump pump in the basement. Joanne Viola, abutter, also was concerned about grading and groundwater. Mr. Hecht noted that most of the proposed filling and the drywell are outside the Buffer Zone, and that these are subject to review by the Town Engineer and the Building Inspector. The Commission reviewed and revised the draft findings and conditions. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. 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 Mr. Li indicated the trees he would like to remove, as numbered on the revised site plan and in the field. There was a site visit by the Commission. They reviewed these trees and told Mr. Li the dead black cherry near the street should also be removed. Ms Fink also identified a dead tree next to tree #5 that should be removed. Mr. Li submitted information on the pervious pavers he proposed for the driveway. The Commission reached a consensus to allow removal of ten trees and resurfacing of the driveway as proposed. They requested that at least two new trees be planted to Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 replace those lost. The filing fee and DEP file number must be addressed. Ms. Fink will prepare a draft Order of Conditions for the June 24th meeting. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to continue the hearing to the June 24, 2009 meeting. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Brian Ago, 58 Longfellow Road, RGB 2009-17, addition to house Present: Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ago The owners presented plans for a small addition to their house. It will not go any farther back towards the wetlands than the existing house. Ms. Fink did a site visit and said the addition would meet the setback requirements. The owner did not have any questions on the draft conditions. Norma Sweeney, 193 Bancroft Avenue, had some questions about the paper road and the addition. Mr. Ago answered. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with Conditions as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, David Mancuso, 129 Howard Street, RGB 2009-14, construct shed, two decks, and covered porch; resurface driveway, patio, and walkway; remove trees and extend lawn Present: Jack Sullivan, David Mancuso, Mary Rimmer Mr. Sullivan described the changes he had made to the site plan and provided a sample of the deer fence materials. Ms. Rimmer explained the changes she had made to the proposed tree removal and planting plans. Ms. Fink reviewed the memo she had submitted to the Commission and applicant. The Commission discussed the deer fence location, trees to be removed and replaced, ZNV delineation, filing fees and DEP file number. A site plan revision was requested. The Commission reviewed the filing fees under Reading General Bylaws. Some adjustments were made. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to reduce the assessed RGB fees as discussed. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to June 24, 2009. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Madlyn Fafard, Lot 49 Azalea Circle, RGB 2008-38, new house and driveway This hearing has been postponed until July 22, 2009, at the request of the applicant. Old/New Business: End of Arcadia, DEP 270-482, RGB`2006-30 Status of work Ms. Fink said there is some erosion, and the silt fence needs to be removed. She will contact the f, DPW to finish off this area. 4 Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51- Status of work Ms. Fink reported that the remaining site work has been put out to bid and a new contractor will begin work soon. The Town Manager asked Engineering, the Tree Warden, and Ms. Fink to work on the design for RFA restoration and Imagination Station. The Selectmen are also reviewing plans for new recreational facilities in this area. 10 Pasture Road, DEP 27-476, RGB 2006-14 - Status of work Ms. Fink did a site visit with the new owner and the builder. They need to remove the wood chips silt fences, plant the remaining areas, add a ZNV marker and cease mowing in the ZNV, and other work.. Ms. Fink will send a follow up letter. 41-43 Wilson Street, RGB 2008-41 - Status of work The Reading Housing Authority will do a site visit with Ms. Fink. They intend to plant the shrubs. Mattera Conservation Area - Log cabin improvements The plan for renovation of the log cabin has been designed by the Vocational School. Ms. Fink reviewed the plan with the Commission and they found it acceptable. 134 Fairchild Drive DCS has sent comments on the draft Conservation Restriction. Ms. Fink will work with the owners on revisions. 46 Latham Lane Ms. Fink reported that work was complete and the site was stable. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the file on the Determination of Applicability. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 43 Latham Lane Ms. Fink reported that the shrubs have not been planted in the restoration area. A letter will be sent to the owners with a deadline of July 1 for planting. Trails The Commission discussed the new trail from Maplewood condos to Harvest Road. The trail needs a name. The abutters on Harvest Road have asked for information and a survey to make sure the trail is on town land. The Commission has been awarded the Recreational Trails Grant for Bare Meadow improvements. The Commission approved use of Conservation Lands by the Library for summer programs. 1381 Main Street, Enforcement Order The owner requested additional time to finish work. The Commission will extend the deadline to July 10, 2009. .F Parker Middle School Conservation Commission Meeting, June 10, 2009 Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The stream channel dredging area has not been cleaned and planted yet. Grass has been planted around the aritificial turf field. Kylie Drive Ms. Fink reported that Lot 5 is under construction. The developer has not submitted the final paper work and did not notify the office to inspect the roof drains. Ms. Fink will send a letter and ask for a response by June 24th 87 Walkers Brook Drive and 281 Main Street The Commission received 21 E status reports. Some contaminants are still present on both sites. Minor Projects: 61 Whitehall Lane (tree removal), 27 Blueberry Lane (pool and deck) Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minor project for 61 Whitehall Lane. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minor project for 27 Blueberry Lane. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Minutes for approval May 13, 2009 Motion made by Mr. Tucker to accept the minutes for May 13, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. j, . 6