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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-13 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission Meeting, May 13, 2009 MINUTkS rogtMcet 4 Co Reading Conservation mio! Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 1 0 1 b A 8~ 52 Present: Mark Wetzel, Chairman; Tina Ohlson; Barbara Stewart; Doug Greene; Brian Tucker; Fran Fink, Conservation Administrator; Brian Sullivan, Associate Member; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Old/New Business 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 - Request for Occupancy Present: Kevin Simard Mr. Greene did a site visit and he said there is a corner of the yard that has not been seeded yet. The Applicant said it would be done tomorrow. Ms. Fink also did a site visit and said there was additional work that needed to be done but it should not hold up the occupancy. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to authorize the Administrator to sign off on the project for an occupancy permit to be issued by the Building Inspector. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Maplewood Condominium, Salem Street - Trail project Present: 9 residents of the condominium Ms. Fink reviewed the trails that were being built behind Maplewood Village. Ms. Fink explained that this trail was a condition of the Comprehensive Permit issued for the complex and is also contained in the master deed. Mr. Wetzel described how the trail route was chosen and the work underway. The Commission reviewed the concerns of the residents. Some occupants objected to the trails being placed there and having people walking and riding bicycles in the area. The Commission will work with the residents on posting appropriate signs to keep the public away from private areas. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, John and Cynthia Rodrigues, 31 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-554, RGB 2009-7, resurface driveway Present: John & Cynthia Rodrigues The Board and the Applicants did not have any problems or questions about the project or the order of conditions. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to close the public hearing. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 16 Bolton Street, DEP 270-550, RGB 2009-4 - Revised plan for approval Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the revised plans. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Conservation Commission Meeting, May 13, 2009 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Bradford and Tracey Van Magness, 110 Grove Street, DEP 270-553, RGB 2009-8, addition to house Present: Bradford Van Magness Ms. Fink reviewed the revised site plan. The retaining wall was designed by Mr. Van Magness and not by the engineer, Jack Sullivan. Mr. Van Magness asked if blueberry bushes could be used instead of seed mix, and the Commission agreed. The Commission reviewed draft findings and conditions. The lawn goes right to where the wetlands begin. Mr. Greene wanted a 10' zone of natural vegetation. Mr. Van Magness wanted to place ZNV bounds at Al and A2, and use the 18" maple tree as a third bound marker instead of adding 600 more square yards of fill. The Commission agreed to the 18" maple, but set the bound at the edge of lawn above Al on the other side. Mr. Van Magness asked if Mr. Sullivan could locate the drain being questioned by the Commission on the foundation as-built plan at a later date and the Commission agreed. The Commission also discussed the bond amount, the use of Bio-fence instead of a silt fence and hay bales, handling of excess fill, and other conditions. Revisions were made to the draft. John Grant, 106 Grove, spoke is support of the project. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to close the public hearing. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Greene to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Nicholas Stead, 58 Mill Street, RGB 2009-10, demolish house, build new house and site work Present: Jim Hanley, Nicholas Stead Mr. Hanley distributed revised plans to the Commission and reviewed the proposed project. Three trees will be removed due to construction. They have reduced the impervious surface by 24%. The driveway slope is outside the buffer. Ms. Fink said any Commission members who have not done a site visit should do so. The Chairman wants the limits of work defined. Joan Hoyt, Trails Committee, said they might want to use the ramp materials for trail construction. Bernice Pierce of 66 Mill Street would like walkways in the area. Ms. Fink referred her to the Town Engineer. Ms. Pierce is concerned about the water in the area because she has a wet basement already and standing water every spring. The. Commission asked for revised grading to keep driveway runoff away from her house. Ms. Fink will do a site visit and then prepare a draft order of conditions. Motion made by Mr. Greene to continue the hearing to May 27, 2009. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 2 Conservation Commission Meeting, May 13, 2009 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, James and Kerry Giordano, 595 Haverhill Street, RGB 2009-11, driveway extension Present: James & Kerry Giordano Mr. Giordano said he is fine with the draft Conditions. Ms. Giordano had questions about the location of the silt fence. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the conditions as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 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 until May 27, 2009. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41 -Status of work, revised plan for Lot 8 Present: David Hanson, owner The Commission reviewed a revised plan for Lot 8. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the plan as a minor plan revision. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 39 and 55 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-494, RGB 2006-37 - Request for plan revision to alter sign in Riverfront Area, Operation and Maintenance plans for approval Present: Attorney Chris Latham, Frank DiPietro, Engineer; Todd Freemont-Smith, Hazel Wood Hopkins Attorney Latham requested a Partial Certificate of Compliance for Bertucci's and Longhorn. They think they have fulfilled all that was asked by the Commission. There is a substantial monetary loss to the owners if they do not receive the partial certificate of compliance. Mr. DiPietro reviewed what they have done to satisfy the Commission's questions and requests. Ms. Fink reviewed the meeting that had taken place on-site and mentioned who had attended. She reviewed what work had been done and said it was moving in the right direction. She will work with Frank DiPietro on the last items for Lot A3. Ms. Hopkins presented a proposal from Bertucci's to raise the existing sign off the ground three feet. The existing foundation will be the same with the same frame box. She did not know what type of machinery would be required to work on the sign or if any would be needed. Motion made by Mr. Greene to approve the new sign under the condition that the no vehicles be driven on the lawn during work. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Tucker to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance for Lot A3on May 27, 2009, based on the Applicants request and contingent on the revisions for the operations and maintenance plans. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Conservation Commission Meeting, May 0, 2009 516 West Street, DEP 270-548, RGB 2008-46 - Revised retaining walls and grading, foundation as-built plan Ms. Fink has the foundation as-built and the foundation is farther from West Street than expected so it may be in the 35' setback. Retaining walls have been built without plan approval and appear to be over 4' feet high. The drywell is not completely covered. A letter will be sent to the Applicant, ordering that framing not begin until the wall specifications are submitted and approved. 20 Eastway, DEP 270-510, RGB 2007-21- Request for Certificate of Compliance This case was voted on at the last meeting but the Certificate of Compliance form was not ready. Ms. Fink passed the Certificate around for signatures of the Commission members. 9 Gregory Lane, DEP 270-236, RGB 1991-10 - Grant of Conservation Restriction for signature The owner requested one revision that had been previously accepted by DCS. Ms. Fink made the revision and sent the Grant to the owner for signature. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51 - Vegetation report, maintenance report, as-built plans, request for Extension Permit, request for Certificate of Compliance Town Engineer and the owner did not follow up on the easement paperwork that had been sent to them. The vegetation report did not come from the botanist, nor the as-builts from the engineer. Ms. Fink said they should issue the extension permit at this meeting and review the case again at the next meeting on May 27, 2009. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Extension Permit effective until December 31, 2009. Ms. Greene seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 8 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-525, RGB 2008-3 - Status of work Ms. Fink said that 21E reports have all been received, with final outcome status. The as-built site plan needs more information about the riverfront on it. There is no topsoil so they need augmentation in the seeded Riverfront Area. They did not plant the two replacement trees yet. More drainage information is needed. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51- As-built drainage, grading and utility plans and status of work Ms. Fink did not yet have a chance to review the as-built plans. 1381 Main Street, Enforcement Order - Request for extension of time The owner had been issued deadlines to remove the pavement and they have not been met. The owner continues to say that her finances are tight. The Commission extended the deadlines to June 30, 2009. 721 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-551, RGB 2009-5 - Request to withdraw Notice of Intent The owner sent a letter requesting withdrawal of his proposal. The Commission will send a letter accepting the withdrawal without prejudice. Conservation Commission Meeting, May 13, 2009 88 and 98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 - Roof drain connections, status of work Ms. Fink reviewed correspondence from the last few weeks. The owners did not complete all actions requested before occupancy, but have moved in and brought vehicles for display. The Commission is concerned about the roof drains at #88, status of site work, and other matters. The Commission will send the Applicants a letter stating they need to submit information regarding the roof drain, schedule a site visit, and review the maintenance with the Commission. 306 Main Street, DEP 270-492, RGB 2006-41- 21E reports, status of work Ms. Fink did a site visit and the vegetation looks okay. There were contradictory 21 E reports sent to the Commission. Site Visit Reports 281 Main Street Stockpile of contaminated dirt has.been removed from site. They are seeding the disturbed areas. Benjamin Lane The owner of Lot 4 wanted to do some landscaping, but Ms. Fink said they needed to have the developer finish his work first. She inspected with Leah Basbanes, who is doing the work. The new wetland replication has good herbaceous cover, but there was only one bush. Restoration is not complete in the wetland. The ZNV and drainage basin look good. The owner of Lot 3 put in a layer of wood chips on the Swale when he moved the pine trees. Ms. Fink will contact him. The owner of Lot 2 exceeded their lot coverage and now wants to add a shed. Ms. Fink told them they needed to file a formal application with the Commission. Minor Projects: 10 Morgan Park - replace deck Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the minor project. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Minutes for approval Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the revised minutes of April 8, 2009. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the revised minutes of April 22, 2009. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 Beaver Dam at Track Road The Health Inspector will order the trapping of the beavers. Ms. Fink will issue an Emergency Certification for trapping. DPW will remove the dam after beavers are gone under the town- wide drainage Order of Conditions. Conservation Commission Meeting, May 13, 2009 450 Franklin Street There is a new house being built and the wetlands had been delineated. The owner stated that no work would be done in the Buffer Zone and set a silt fence to delineate the limit of work. The basement is set on grade and the house and garage are both up very high. Now he is bringing in fill and building retaining walls. He is clearing shrubs and trees in the Buffer Zone. There is a tank being installed in the buffer zone, and groundwater in the excavation. Ms. Fink will send the owner a Notice of Violation, and ask for a Notice of Intent. The Commission will inspect for the May 27 meeting. Friends and Family Day is June 20, 2009 Mr. Greene volunteered to man the Commission's table for the day. Deadline for plantings There are a number of locations that were supposed to have plantings done by today. Ms. Fink will contact them and check status of work. Paintball Ms. Fink has turned down the request to allow paint-ball players in conservation lands. She would like them to come back and repair the damage they have already done. Eagle Award Ceremony Ms. Fink received an invitation for the ceremony for Pat Gildea. Mr. Wetzel will attend. Adjournment Motion made by Mr. Greene to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 6