Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-15 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION ~ x , A . Minutes of Wednesday, July 15, 1998 Town Hall Selectmen s 1 Ugfi m2.3 PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Harold "Lucky" Hulse, Will Finch, John Casciano, Kathy Smith, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan ABSENT: Stephen Chapman and Mark Gillis 7:10 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:11 PM Confirmatory letter for 123 Lilah Lane Lot 112 DEP# 2, RGB# 1992-07 Order of Conditions and certificate of compliance signed again. 7:12 PM Extension permit - End of Pasture Rd A motion was made and seconded that an extension permit be granted for 1 year to expire 7116/99. Voted: 5-0-0, 7:15 PM Review draft conservation restriction - Foster Emerson lot by 419 Grove SL Peter Heckenbleikner, Town Manager and Jonathan Edwards, Town Planner were present with the Sidelinkers, the proponents. The applicant and members discussed the limit of activity line. The Sidelinkers were advised to install stone boundary markers. Members were concerned with 5-6 pine trees behind the garage and after some discussion the Administrator felt the work could be done without destroying the trees. Chair also emphasized that the Commission would like to see the underbrush remain for habitat. A motion was made and seconded to approve as amended, subject to State review, granting a conservation restriction to Leslie T. and Cheryl Sidelinker. Voted: 5-0-0. Members asked if they knew what the golf club intended to do with the foundation hole after the house is moved. Mr. Hechenbleikner advised the Commission that the golf club will be advised to take care of it appropriately. Mr. Edwards explained that the Sidelinkers are only responsible for moving the house. 7:50 PM Status - 28 Fox Run Lane This property backs up to an isolated wetland at Sunset Rock, Mr. and Mrs. Barletta were present and were asked if they knew anything about the materials being dumped into the vernal pool. Mr. Barletta explained that limbs are hanging and falling on his property. The Administrator explained to them their options and steps to take for pruning and removing limbs and branches. The Commission required the limbs to be removed promptly. He will meet the Administrator on site to determine the extent. 8:15 PM 51 Sanborn Lane Plan Change DEP# 270-281 RGB# A motion was made and .seconded to accept as a minor plan change. Voted: 5-0-0, Cr d 8:23 PM Maintenance pruning Town Forest road Chair reviewed RGB 5.7.3. Members were concerned with how far into the woods they would be cutting back and felt it may not fall under this regulation. The Administrator will get more information. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 7/15/98 Page 2 8:30 PM Continued Public Hearing - Coolidge Middle School, 89 Birch Meadow Dr. DEP# 270-xxx, RGB# 1998-17 A motion was made and seconded to continue the Public Hearing to 7/29/98, at 7:30 PM in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, with no further notice to abutters. Voted: 5-0-0. 8:32 PM Continued Public Hearing - "Marion Rd," by 51 Mill St DEP# 270-2793 RGB# 1995-29 A motion was made and seconded to continue the Public Hearing to 7/29/98 at 8:00 PM, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, at the request of the proponent, with no further notice to abutters. Voted: 4-0-1, W. Finch abstaining 8:31 PM Continued Public Meeting - Cumberland Farms, 295-307 Salem St RGB# 1998-18 An outside contractor has been hired to clean up the parking lot area and employees will also clean three times a day. The catch basins are scheduled to be cleaned two times a year and will be cleaned prior to the project being completed. The Dumpster will be relocated to the Torre St. end of the property. Thomas Cacciola, Area Manager for Cumberlands, explained that oil waste is stored in the store; and he states that they receive very little. A response plan is in place with the names of Jeff Cutting, General Manager and Michael Kelly, General Counsel given for emergency calls. The applicant will send proof of recording with the registry of deeds. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Meeting. Voted: 5-0-0. A motion was made and seconded that a negative determination be issued with the conditions agreed to by Cumberland Farms and the stipulation of the recording. Voted: 5-0-0. 8:50 PM Continued Public Hearing - YMCA, Arthur B Lord Dr. DEP# 270-304, RGB# 1998-16 The public announcement was read and attendees sworn in. Mr. Jennings explained the changes made to their plan; 14" and larger trees now shown on the diagram, forebays now earth bottom with riprap sides and they will try to maneuver around trees. The proposed conservation restriction area was discussed. The Administrator will advise Natural Heritage that a revised plan is coming and that the Commission would like a response to it. L. Kenney suggested that in the conservation restriction the vernal pool be open to schools for learning purposes and the applicant agreed. A motion was made and seconded to continue the Public Hearing to 7/29/98, at 9:00 PM, in the .Selectmen's Meeting Room, no further notice to abutters, at the request of the proponent. Voted: 5-0-0. 9:30 PM Continued Public Hearing - land between 196-232 Salem St. DEN 270- 305, RGB# 1998-18 The public announcement was read and attendees sworn in. H. Hulse abstained from the project. Also in attendance with the Williams were Atty. Posner, Carl Melberg, Wetland scientist, Chet Redmond, Engineer, and Mr. Murphy, Engineer. A proposed seed mixture was submitted. Shea concrete has been contacted for barriers. The perc test results were 2,33 minutes per inch, ,006 fl. per second. There are three, 3 1/2' drywells around each dwelling which makes a small decrease in runoff Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 7/15/98 Page 3 Mr. Murphy stated there is a slight increase of flow into the vernal pool due to the installation of the second house. A compensatory flood area is proposed for the finger portion, north of the project which Mr. Posner claimed to be on an historic fill area. Atty. Posner reviewed the standards of the Rivers Protection Act as it relates to this project. He .stated that the family has owned the land for over 20 years, dryweils installed to take care of the stormwater management, the driveways will be pitched away from the vernal pool, and with regard to the habitat of rare .species, they have found none. A letter dated 6/30/98, from Michael McCarthy a Fish and Wildlife Biologist was submitted which lists many species spotted since 1972. Mr. Melberg will review. Mr. Posner reviewed RGB regarding 100' surrounding the vernal pool and explained that the 100' should not be built on, it doesn't say it can't. Mr. Posner showed a copy of a deed showing Mr. Williams as the owner, inheriting the property from his mother. The Administrator read from section 1059 from 310 CMR. Mr. Melberg acknowledged that the vernal pool is a sensitive area but felt that where the houses are being built would not have an affect on it. He agreed that there are redbacks in the summer months but saw none in the BVW area. He searched the upland area this week and found nothing. He stated that the upland area near the vernal pool will be a sufficient area for habitat to survive. L. Kenney asked if the area where the houses are being constructed within the 100' buffer would impact habitat? Mr. Melberg stated that if the houses weren't built, species may wander through that area but the houses being built there would not hinder their survival. L. Kenney stated that just because materials were lifted and species not found just means that nothing was found at that time. A motion was made to continue the Public Hearing to 7/29/98 at 9:30 PM, with no further notice, held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Voted: 4-0-1, Mr. Hulse abstaining. 11:20 PM Approve Minor Projects: deck near ZNV - 36 Estate Lane The Administrator advised that some blueberries survived and the deck is staked out. He felt that a red maple, 2'+ away from the deck, may die. The Administrator felt that if the deck was reduced by 2' he would have no problem approving it. A motion was made and seconded to approve as a minor project with deck near ZNV with three stone or concrete boundaries and new proposed deck reduced by T to align with the old deck. Voted: 5-0-0. 11:26 PM Election of officers: A motion was made that Nancy Eaton be reelected as Chairperson for another year, seconded. A motion was made that nominations be closed, .seconded. Voted: 4-0-1, N. Eaton abstaining; Vote taken on the original motion - Voted: 4-0-1, A motion was made that S. Chapman be reelected as Vice Chairman, seconded- A motion was made that nominations be closed, seconded- Vote taken on the - __-original motion - Voted. 5-0-0. A motion was made that Leo Kenney be reappointed as consultant to the Commission, seconded. Voted: 5-0-0. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 7/15/98 Page 4 11:33 PM Plan Change - Harold Ave PRD° Page 5-3-8 #24d & #1a DEP# 270-301 RGB# 1998-12 A motion was made to determine as an insignificant plan change to delete from the Order of Conditions item 24d on Page 5-3-8 under stormwater management and delete sub-section 1-A, seconded. Voted. 5-0-0. 11:50 PM Draft Conservation Restriction and Residents. Association Trust - Harold Ave. PRD The Commission decided to wait until the State reviews before signing the conservation restriction. The Administrator will let Town Counsel know the Commission's concerns. 11.53 PM Cory Lane Members felt the applicant has complied so far and the Administrator will advise the applicant that he can cut the trees. 12:02 PM Review draft violation forms/gyp ocols Members were asked to get back to the Administrator with any comments. 12:10 PM A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Voted: 5-0-0. Respectfully submit ed, Za~thy Mar n, Recordin ecretary