Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-01 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, October 1, 2008 Minutes - Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM nERK ,MASS Wednesday, October 1, 2008 G'rp, - Present: Chairman Mark Wetzel, Vice Chairman Bill Hecht, Barbara Stew goC19n, Pr is Fink, Conservation Administrator, Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. Old/New Business 18 Small Lane, DEP 270-532, RGB 2008-14 - Site plan revision Present: Eric Hughes and Bill Dyment The Commission did a site walk, but it was too wet to enter the wetlands. The Applicant said the area has grown up around the pool area so the planting plan previously agreed to now seems excessive. He submitted a plan showing the existing and the proposed plan. Ms. Fink said the tree canopy should be filled in and there should be some shrubs planted. Mr. Hecht said perhaps an interim solution is to not issue a Certificate of Compliance but instead to wait for the spring and see what has grown in.. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the proposal as an interim step and then to re-inspect in the spring. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 22 Small Lane, DEP 270-532, RGB 2008-15 - Site plan revision Present: Eric Hughes and Bill Dyment The Applicant put in some flags and markings with Ms. Fink during a site walk. There has been a pine tree canopy around the edge for over 40 years and he has lost much of his land to the no cut zone. He would like to change to smaller shrubs and smaller trees. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the proposal for multiple smaller trees. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to clarify the blueberry bush locations on site. Mr. Green seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to stay with the present zone of natural vegetation condition. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 26R Summer Avenue, DEP 270-454, RGB 2005-27- Site plan revision Present: Kevin Fulgoni Mr. Fulgoni submitted a revision for the driveway to the Commission. Ms. Fink said the problem is the revised driveway revision reaches into the 35' setbacks. Mr. Hecht said they need the area around the house surveyed and the grading for the driving. Mr. Wetzel said he does not approve of a driveway into the no mow zone. The Commission said they would not be able to approve a plan. that does not have the necessary information. They need to see a survey of the driveway and the house that shows exactly what Mr. Fulgoni plans to change. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to grant an Extension Permit. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Conservation Commission, October 1, 2008 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Helen Arloro,1310 Main Street, DEP 270-522, RGB 2007- 39, remove septic system, install water and sewer service, additions to house Present: Helen Arloro, applicant, and Ben Osgood, engineer Mr Osgood presented plan revisions. The garage will be bumped to the front and will meet the 35' setback. They have added buffer plantings. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions for the Order. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a variance from the wetland setback standard under Section 3.D of the Reading Wetlands Protection Regulations for the addition to the western side of the house. Ms. Stewart seconded.. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the public hearing. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue an Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as drafted. Mr. Green seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Gary Doherty, 68 Glenmere Circle, RGB 2008-40, addition to house Present: Jack Sullivan, engineer, Gary Doherty, applicant Jack Sullivan, P.E., presented the case to the Commission. The Applicant wants to add a single bay garage and add a new section to the second story. The addition is going over an existing driveway so they are not increasing the impervious area. They plan on keeping the shed. Mr. Wetzel said there should be some type of buffer plantings and the applicant agreed. Ms. Fink will draft an Order of Conditions for the next meeting. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to continue the public hearing till October 8, 2008. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Reading Housing Authority, 41 and 43 Wilson Street, RGB 2008-41, drainage connection Present: Lynn White and Frank Vaglia, RHA Lynn Whyte said the RHA is requesting to tie in the existing sump pump discharge pipe to the catch basin in Pleasant Street, and to put a post and rail fence in front of the house. They have been working with the Town Engineer to make sure they are doing everything correctly. Ms. Whyte said the water levels have been higher this year because it has been so exceptionally wet. The Commission reviewed a memo from the Town Engineer concerning details of the pump operation. Peter Kramer, 187 Pleasant Street, objects to the pump even being in the basement at this property and said the RHA does not take proper care of their property and this property is in violation of the original Order of Conditions. He objected to past tree cutting and dumping of grass clippings. . Ms. Fink reviewed the history of this property and requirements by Health and Building inspectors that led to installation of the sump pump. A Certificate of Compliance was issued for this work when the house was built. 2 Conservation Commission, October 1, 2008 Mr. Wetzel said the Commission could not reopen past cases and would rely on advice from the Town Engineer. Frank Gentile, abutter on Wilson Street, said he agreed with Mr. Kramer. He reported that grass clippings had been put in the detention basin, and that RHA had removed them when he reported it. He was also concerned about flooding from the stream if the pump discharge is allowed, and whether the drain pipe at the north end of the house reaches the detention basin. Mr. Hecht said he could report drainage problems to the Commission as well, because they are governed by on-going maintenance provisions. Ms. Fink said the drain pipe north of the house may be extended. Janice Grant-Menes of 16 Osborne Avenue said there are water problems in this neighborhood and it is the fault of the system itself. The Chairman explained the Town is working on the water drainage in this neighborhood as well as in other low-lying areas in the Town. Ms. Fink said that some of the shrubs previously planted in the zone of natural vegetation are no longer present and should be replaced. Mr. Hecht requested a site visit including access to the basement to see present pump arrangements and water conditions. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to October 8, 2008. Mr. Hecht seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Randall and Susan Kneeland, 68 Longwood Road, DEP 270- 542, RGB 2008-36, addition to house This case was continued to October 22, 2008, at the request of the applicant. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Robert Zeraschi,10 Torre, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35, day care center, parking lot, drainage, and grading This case was continued to October 22, 2008, at the request of the applicant. Old/New Business 64 Pasture Road, DEP 270-529, RGB 2008-11 Request for Certificate of Compliance Present: Mr. Skenderian. Ms. Fink gave site visit report. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 - Request for occupancy, Lot 2 Present: Bill Johnson. The Commission reviewed information from Jack Sullivan, the engineer, and site inspection reports. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to authorize the Administrator to sign off on an occupancy permit for Lot 2. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Mattera Conservation Area - Request for funding for access ramp The Eagle Scout interested in doing this project has had trouble getting funding but he has asked several local group for donations. Conservation Commission, October 1, 2008 Motion made by Mr. Hecht to give $500 from the Conservation Fund. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0 Bare Meadow Will Finch presented plans for the viewing platform. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the viewing platform and the removal of one small pine tree in the area. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Ms. Fink reported that application for Recreational Trail Grant for improvements in Bare Meadow was mailed today. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to send letter of support as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4- 0-0. 72 Van Norden Road - Request to cut tree in Conservation Restriction Area Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the removal of the tree but leave a 20' standing snag. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 1 General Avenue, DEP 270-428, RGB 2004-22 - As-built plans, request for Certificate of Compliance The Commission reviewed a site visit report. The trees that were planted are bunched together and need to be more evenly spaced throughout the ZNV. Some wood chips have been washed away. More as-built information is needed. Kylie Drive, DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- Site plan revision, status of work Ms. Fink issued some tickets and the Applicant still has not hydroseeded. Soils tests on lot 7 were done. Lot 8 foundation-only building permit application was filed and is on hold until the Commission approves plans. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 - Status of work The Commission heard site visit reports. The gravel was moved out but other work is incomplete. Mr. Wetzel said they would do another site visit in two weeks to measure the progress. Archstone, West Street, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 - As-built information and maintenance report, request for Certificate of Compliance Ms. Fink reviewed the situation and there are still a few things that need to be addressed. The as- built plans show the drainage systems are where they should be, but there is no letter from the engineer certifying this. Archstone will be contacted. 25 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-470, RGB 2005-51- Status of work, revised planting plan Ms. Fink met with Mr. Ed Shaw who will plant appropriate species of vine, as requested, on the chain link fence. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to accept the vine as described. Mr. Wetzel seconded. Vote was 3-1-0. Conservation Commission, October 1, 2008 54 Lawrence Road, DEP 270-395, RGB 2003-12 - Request for Certificate of Compliance Mr. Wetzel said everything looked completed and stable. Applicant is not mowing the back. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 48 Whittier Road, RGB 2007-25 and RGB 2008-7 - Status of work Grass was in and all is as it should be. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 48 Pasture Road, DEP 270-471, RGB 2006-4 - Request for Certificate of Compliance There was a requirement that the Applicant add some plants in the ZNV, and they have not done so. Ms. Fink will send them a reminder letter. 572 Haverhill Street, RGB 2007-13 and RGB 2007-32 All work has been completed and the ground is stable. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 20 Covey Hill Road, RGB 2007-33 - Status of work The Applicant has finished the work and the grass looks good. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Determination. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0 45 Causeway Road, RGB 2005-16 - Status of work Mr. Wetzel recused himself due to potential conflict of interest. Ms. Fink gave site visit report and recommended closing the file. Due to absence of a quorum, this will be continued to the next meeting. 7 Adams Way, DEP 270-519, RGB 2007-35 - Status of work Ms . Fink gave site visit report. Pool is in the ground and there was some fill around the perimeter of the pool. The fill is too deep near the deck and may cause ponding at the basement door. The owner will be contacted. 4 Eastway, Minor Project - Status of work Ms. Fink reported shed has been completed. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the Minor Project file. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 20 Briarwood, Minor Project - Status of work Ms. Fink reported the fence is in and the grass is green. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to close the minor project. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 5 Conservation Commission, October 1, 2008 Wood End School and South Street, DEP 270-481, RGB 2006-29-Request for Certificate of Compliance This will be continued to next meeting. Wood End School playground, RGB 2006-24 - Status of work This will be continued to next meeting. 87 Walkers Brook Drive Ms. Fink reported sediments were removed from the wetland recently. Morton Field Ms. Fink received a report of the baseball team putting grass clipping in the swale and branches in the stream. She inspected but did no see anything of concern. End of Woodland Street Grass has come in but poor maintenance and deposits of yard debris all around. DPW has not requested a Certificate of Compliance. 281 Main Street, RGB 2007-28 The Commission reviewed a new hazardous waste cleanup report. The heating oil tank is out, they removed soil, and then found an old gasoline deposit from a tank removed some years ago. The Applicant is filing to deal with the removal of the gasoline deposit. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to allow the removal of the gasoline deposit as an insignificant plan change under the present Order of Conditions. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 186 Van Norden Road The Commission reviewed a letter from the owner of #202 Van Norden, who is concerned about the new house next door and the proposed drainage system. Ms. Fink did a site visit and the silt fences were all in the right place for construction to begin, New NHESP Habitat Maps NHESP published new maps and removed one of the endangered species habitat areas because the last reported sitings were out of date. New field work should be conducted this spring to try to document that the species is still present. Ms. Fink will contact local colleges to see if there are any biology students who would like to be interns on the project. Parker Middle School They dredged the stream and there was a gas main higher than the stream. hey were lowering it to correct the situation. DPW needs to grade the stream banks and stabilize the soils after the dredging is done. Meeting adjourned.