HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-19 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Corrunission, January 19, 2005
Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission;
Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall `1 r-~ S S.
January 19, 2005
NF 3 A Q:
Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman, Jamie Maughan, Doug Greene, Becky Longley,
Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Old/New Business:
320 Haverhill Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-386, RGB 2003-2
The Commission reviewed site visit reports.
Mr. Greene moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the project. Ms. Longley
seconded. Vote 4-0.
Mr. Greene moved to release the bond in full. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0.
40-70 West Street, Archstone Reading, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46
The Commission reviewed revised site plans and drainage calculations.
Ms. Longley moved to accept the revised plans and calculations as an insignificant revision
under the Order of Conditions. Mr. Maughan seconded. Vote 4-0.
The Commission asked the administrator to prepare comments on the MEPA Notice of
Project Change for the next meeting.
Maplewood Village, between 201 and 275 Salem Street, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-
423
Ms. Fink reported that revised site plans will be submitted for the next meeting.
Public Meeting, 16 Nugent Lane, Request for Determination of Applicability, David R.
Nugent, RGB2005-1, remove deck and build covered porch
The Chairman opened the meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Nugent presented the plan. The
Commission asked questions and reviewed draft Findings and Conditions.
Mr. Greene moved to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the Findings and
Conditions as amended. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0.
The Commission reminded the Nugents that the Order of Conditions for the Nugent Lane
Subdivision remains incomplete and requested that they take all necessary actions to obtain
a Certificate of Compliance.
Old/New Business
Walkers Brook Crossing, Amended Order of Conditions, DEP 270-352, RGB 2001-14
The Commission reviewed a site visit report and proposed reciprocal easements. Town
Counsel and the Town Planner will be asked for opinions on the easements.
Minutes, Reading Conservation Connnission, January 19, 2005
Public Hearing, Strout Avenue, Abbreviated Notice'of Resource Area Delineation, Town
of Reading Public Works Department, RGB, 2004-40
The Chairman opened the hearing. No one was present for the applicant.
The Commission reviewed and revised draft Findings.
Mr. Greene moved to close the public hearing. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0.
Mr. Greene moved to issue an Order of Resource Area Delineation with the Findings as
amended. Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0.
Old/New Business
9 Mill Street, North Reading, DEP 245-1037
Mr. Hecht reported what happened at the pre-hearing conference before DEP on January 10.
DEP asked the applicant to consider revising the site plan to meet the RFA standard.
Public Hearing, 8 Buckskin Drive, Notice of Intent, Paula L. Tucci, 8 Buckskin Drive,
RGB 2005-2
The Chairman opened the hearing. Mrs. Tucci was present and described the proposed
addition to house. The Commission reviewed a site visit report and asked questions. The
Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions, but noted that comments have not
arrived from NHESP, and DEP has not issued a file number.
Mr. Greene moved to continue the hearing to February 9, 2005 at 7:30 PM. Mr. Maughan
seconded. Vote 4-0.
Public Hearing, Oakland Road at Birch Meadow Drive, Notice of Intent, Patrick
Schettim, Town of Reading School Building Committee, RGB 2005-3
The Chairman opened the hearing. Assistant Superintendent , Josh Alston of
JNET, Inc., Dave Capaldo of DPC, Inc., Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager,
and several abutters were present.
Mr. Alston presented plans to replace the main stream culvert under the Birch Meadow
playing fields. Part of the existing culvert had recently collapsed, and the rest of the aging
culvert presents a safety hazard.
The Commission asked questions about erosion controls; stockpiles, dewatering, methods
for cleaning and comlecting the laterals, crossing the water and sewer mains, diverting the
stream, use of flowable fill, and other aspects of work. Mr. Alston and Mr. Capaldo
answered the questions.
The Commission reviewed a memorandum from the Town Engineer. The Commission
reviewed and amended draft Findings and Conditions, but noted that comments have not
arrived from NHESP and DEP had not issued a file number.
Ben Crupi, 112 Winthrop Avenue, noted that basements in his neighborhood flood when
water levels are high, especially when Castine Field is flooded for skating. The Commission
noted that Castine Field is not going to be flooded this winter due to construction.
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Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, January 19, 2005
Jack Downing, 91 Whittier Road, asked whether the stream could be opened to the surface
and restored as a more natural stream. He thought it would be easier to maintain and cause
less flooding than the culvert. Mr. Alston said the School Department was not considering
opening the stream due to reduction in playing fields that might result. Mr. Downing also
asked about the depth of cover over the culvert and its angles and bracing. Mr. Downing
said an increase in cover over the culvert might cause flooding upstreamn or on the playing
fields. Mr. Alston responded.
Pat Iapicca, 75 Tennyson Road, said he has had problems with water in his basement since
the addition was put on Coolidge Middle School. He said the catch basins surcharge in his
neighborhood. He asked whether a larger culvert should be used to alleviate groundwater.
Mr. Alston said this could cause more flooding downstream, and suggested that additional
detention upstream would be a better solution.
Al Berardi, 90 Whittier Road, had similar concerns about flooding and groundwater. He
was concerned about the timing of the construction in winter and early spring. Mr.
Hechenbleikner suggested that the Selectmen should review the policy on flooding Castine
Field.
There were no additional public comments. Mr. Greene moved to close the public hearing.
Ms. Longley seconded. Vote 4-0.
Ms. Longley moved to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as
amended, pending receipt of the file number. Mr. Greene seconded. Vote 4-0.
Old/New Business
Barrows Elementary School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-41.4, RGB 2003-49
The Commission reviewed a site visit report.
Wood End School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000-38
The Commission asked the Administrator to inspect the site and call the School Department
if there were problems.
The meeting adjourned.