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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-09 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of Wednesday, September 9, 1998 Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Room PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Stephen Chapman, Harold "Lucky" Hulse, John Casciano, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan ABSENT: Will Finch, Mark Gillis, and Kathy Smith 7:15 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:20 PM Approve Minutes A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of 8/12/98 as amended. Voted: 4-0-0. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of 6/22/98. Voted: 4-0-0. A motion was made and seconded to accept as corrected by Nancy Eaton the minutes of 1/12/98, 3/4/98, 5/13/98, 5/27/98, and 6/10/98. Voted: 4-0-0. 7:30 PM Continued Public Hearing - Lot 12 .Cory T n DEP# 287-279, RGB# 1996- 15 The public announcement was read and the attendees sworn in. Rich Williams from Hayes Engineering stated that the maximum height of the stone wall would be 4' and there would be no filling on the down side of the rock wall. Mr. Williams said that the Town Engineer hadn't seen the wall design, but that he would have to sign oft' on anything over 4. S. Chapman stated that the supplemental detail sheet should be clearer and asked if it is going to stand alone or will it be outlined on the plan. S. Chapman also felt that the stone wall should have weep holes. It was determined that the applicant will resubmit the plan with clearer wall details, the stone wall detail revised and clarified, address the issue of weep holes, clarify the term "existing ground" on the rock wall and get concurrence from the Town Engineer and Building Inspector. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. Voted: 4-0-0. 8:45 PM Certificate of Compliance - Lot 12(#105) Fairchild Dr. DEP# 270-2V, RGB# 1996-20 Members reviewed the fax'd copy of the conservation restriction received tonight from Cheryl Blaine, Town Counsel. The Administrator will send a copy of the conservation restriction to the applicant for his review and signature. The Certificate of Compliance will be signed when the conservation restriction is executed. 8:38 PM Status - Fox Run Lan The Administrator has had no response from the applicant and will revisit the site and issue fines if necessary. 9:00 PM Review draft pre-construction meeting checklist Members reviewed and edited. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 9/9/98 Page 2 9:10 PM Continued Public Hearing "Marion Rd," by 51 Mill St DEP# 270-279, RGB# 1995-29 The public announcement was read and attendees sworn in. Chair summarized the history of the project and also referred to the Rivers Protection Act. Present with the applicant, Mr. DiRaffael, was Curt Young, Bob Cormier, and Atty. Roberts. Mr. Young submitted a Wetland Impact Mitigation Summary. Atty. Roberts explained that an attachment plan specifically outlining the conservation area will go along with the conservation restriction. Mr. Young explained how the surface and ground water will go into catch basins and through 5 chambers before going into the isolated wetland. He stated that the hydrology of the lower isolated wetland will not be changed due to the infiltration of the 5 chambers and the catch basins. He also claimed that because of the development, 23 houses in the area will go from private septic systems to town sewerage. A 10.0' buffer will be maintained around the vernal pool with a conservation grass mix around the detension pond. A stone wall, using the stones from stone walls in the area, will go behind the houses on Lots 4 & 5 to exclude critters from going into the development. Chair asked what kind of construction would be involved in installing the wall. Mr. Young said they would work around the trees and there should only be low impact on the area. The revised plans have been submitted to Natural Heritage. S. Chapman would like to see more details of the stormwater management, more information on the "wet" pond area, and treatment of the pond surfaces. Mr. Chapman also asked if the applicant was going to get a guarantee from the manufacturer for the cone at the manhole access. Mr. Young explained that there is going to be a leaching catch basin on Lot 4. Mr. DiRaffael told of a small swale on Lot 5 to divert water into the road. Chair asked how the catch basin on Lot 4 will be maintained. Mr. Young said that would be the homeowner's responsibility. The Administrator suggested a drainage easement be outline in the deed. Atty. Roberts stated a deed restriction or easement could be done. Members questioned the applicant about soil tests on Lot 4 which had been previously requested. Mr. Young stated that at other areas in the development there is a 4" per minute perc. S. Chapman asked if the applicant would do a perc test on Lot 4 because he is uncertain that the soil could take the drainage. S. Chapman asked what the impact would be on habitat in the area of the detention basin. Mr. Young said he doesn't see a problem with critters residing in the detention pond. L. Kenney mentioned that Lot 4 is within the 100' buffer and provides better habitat than the rocky upland on Lot 5. Mr. Young outlined the 25' no cut line and the conservation restriction behind that. Ms. Honetschlager, 51 NO St. asked if the mean annual high has been determined. Atty. Roberts stated that it was taken from the edge of the bank area as applicable to the regulations. Mr. DiRaffael mentioned again that the 200' line was drawn just to show where it would be and isn't outlined in compliance with the Rivers Protection Act. Mr. Young showed pictures of the area on 3/7/90. L. Kenney asked whether _Natural Heritagehad received an updated copy of the plan. Mr. Young stated they have sent them a copy. L. Kenney asked if the applicant would consider making some Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 9/9/98 Page 3 provisions for access to the river in the terms of the conservation restriction. S. Chapman asked that the applicant make a detail note of the thickness of layers of riprap. Bernie Pierce, 66 Mill St., stated that the isolated wetland area does remain wet. A motion was made to continue the Continue Public Hearing to 9/23/98, at 9:00 PM, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, with no further notice to abutters. Voted: 4-0-0. 9:45 PM Plan Change - 80 New Crossing Rd DEN 270-298,RGB 1998-01 New plans were submitted 9/8/98 for a second story on the existing building that would require additional parking. Mr. Williams, Hayes Engineering, explained the previous amount of impervious area to be removed was 6060 square feet, the new plan calls for 6055 square feet. Mr. Williams stated that the applicant is willing to give a conservation restriction on the easterly side of Walkers Brook. L. Kenney mentioned the sever eroding on the bank at Walkers Brook. S. Chapman outlined details on the plan that need to be reviewed. A motion was made that the Plan Change be considered as a significant change and the Commission directed the applicant to provide notice to abutters. Voted: 4-0-0 10:12 PM Chair reviewed with members the budget packet. She also advised members that there will be a Town Ethics Meeting on 9/17/98, at 7:00 PM, in the Lecture Hall at the Reading High School. 10:15 PM A motion was made by H. Hulse to go into Executive Session to discuss on- going litigation and approve minutes and not to return to Public Session. S.Chapman seconded the motion. Roll-call vote; N. Eaton - yes, S. Chapman - yes, H. Hulse - yes, J Casciano - yes. Voted: 4-0-0. Resptfully sub Titt f Kathy Morgan, Recording Secretary