Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-30 Conservation Commission MinutesC7, V READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION - A I . Minutes of Thursday, January 30,1997 Town Hall Selectmen°s Meetin Itoom 3 --a , PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Harold "Lucky" Hulse, David Danis (7:35), Clifton Proctor, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau, and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan. ABSENT: M. Gillis and J. Kilborn (prior notice given) 7:14 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:20 PM Minute. Approval of Minutes of 4/17/96. It was determined that the minutes for the 4/17/96 meeting had already been approved. Approval of Minutes of 5/01/96. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 4-0-1. S. Chapman abstaining. Approval of Minutes of 5/15/96. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. Approval of Minutes of 5/29/96. S. Chapman questioned whether the extension of the Town's order to 10/31/96, which had expired, was re-visited. It was determined that an additional extension was given for three years. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 4-0-1. H. Hulse abstaining. Approval of Minutes of 12/04/96. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 4-0-1. S.Chapman abstaining. Approval of Minutes of 12/18/96. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 4-0-1. D. Danis abstaining. Approval of Minutes of 01/09/97. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. 8:30 PM Self-Help Program Agreement - Pasture Road. Motion was made and seconded that the Commission sign the Self-Help Program Agreement. VOTED: 5-0-0. 8:40 PM Final Order of Conditions - 40 Azalea Circle, RGB# 1991-03. Chair was advised that Town Counsel requested a postponement of the Appeals Court and has been put on the 2/13/97 and 2/27/97 agenda schedule. 8:45 PM Conservation area maintenance: survey. N. Eaton circulated a list of projects that might need surveying. L. Kenney stated that he didn't think that any of the conservation areas had been surveyed. He stated that certain portions have had projects started by Scout groups with no closure. He suggested the Commission get closure on projects such as Kurchien Woods and Bear Meadow. He also stated that there may be town land encroached on by abutters at the N. and E. side of Timberneck and the N. and S. of Cedar Swamp and felt these areas should be a priority. S. Chapman questioned the Administrator if the Engineering Dept. has a licensed surveyor and if not, he wondered if there would be any validity of the properties surveyed. L. Kenney suggested that a Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 1/30/97 Meeting Page 2 surveying service be brought in. The Administrator will check into whether the town surveyor is licensed or not. L. Kenney mentioned that the Scout projects are surveyed by licensed surveyors. Chair passed out her report dated 7/14/95 to members of her meeting with Ted McIntire, D. Nadeau and herself stating her concerns with DPW at the time she took office. Chair read a thank you note from Joanne Nickerson. 9:00 PM 1997 MAC Annual Meeting. Attendance at the meeting was discussed. Members should get in touch with the Administrator for enrollment in certificate programs. The Administrator advised that there was money in the budget to cover the registration fees and L. Kenney's membership to MACC. 9:30 PM Status of Wood End Cemetery cleanup and drainage system retrofit. A memo from Bob Keating, Cemetery Supervisor, dated 1/27/97 was reviewed. The Administrator advised the Commission to get an "as built" plan and to do a site visit. Chair mentioned that there is an abutter on Partridge Lane who is very concerned with this project and would like to be notified when anything comes up before the Commission. 9:45 PM Reissue Partial Certificate of Compliance Lot 22 "Hopkins Farm" (31 Haystack Rd.) DEP# 270-20. A new Partial Certificate was signed due to the original not being recorded. 9:55 PM Kramer Colonial Manor Realty land off Charles St., Timberneck Swamp- Members reviewed the materials sent from Judi Kramer of Colonial Manor Realty regarding a piece of property for sale in the vicinity of Timberneck Dr., Charles St., H. St. and Belmont St. The land is said to be surrounded by town-owned wetlands. Chair mentioned to other members that a site visit is needed. She also suggested that on future possible land acquisitions site visits should always be conducted prior to consideration by the Commission. 10:00 PM valuation of Legal Services Chair asked for members' comments. Some members felt that the present Town Counsel lacked expertise in environmental law and that the legal services on conservation projects were not completed on a timely basis. 10:07 PM Proposed 1997 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles It was discussed whether the Commission wanted to put any warrant articles on for proposed land acquisitions. Chair advised members that a decision didn't have to be made until the next meeting. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 1/30/97 Page 3 10:10 PM Calendar of Events 1-31-97 - DEP hearing on Fafard. 2-04-97 - the Board of Selectmen will be having their final policy hearing on providing representation for town employees and volunteers before the Ethics Committee. 2-5-97 - Goddard case at the District Court. Chair asked for direction from other members with regard to a settlement. The members felt that she should start with the previously stated figure of $2,800.00. 2-5-97 - Community Day Meeting. 10:15 PM Site Visits. N. Eaton asked members if they would consider doing site visits in the afternoon on Saturdays or on Sundays on the weekends of 2/22, 318, 4/5 and 5/3/97 due to personal business conflicts. Members didn't have a problem with the change, and N. Eaton expressed her appreciation for their cooperation. 10:17 PM 490, 500 and 508 West St The Administrator explained a meeting with Peter Tassi, Water Treatment Supervisor; Ben Nichols, President Reading Open Land Trust, and himself at the site. Maher Well Drilling will bring a track vehicle in to do a test well on the property and both Mr. Nichols and the Administrator had no problems with that. They will be crossing a stream at frozen ground conditions, and the Administrator told them that he would want to be on site during the crossing. Chair questioned why this project wasn't coming in as an RDA. The Administrator felt that the project fell within the guidelines of a minor project approval and the applicant requested for the project to be considered as such. Chair asked about notification to the abutters on Enos Circle. The Administrator stated the Commission could request for a determination. S. Chapman was concerned with the pressure and amount of water that would be discharged over frozen land. He felt that if the project came in under a request more information would be available for the Commission to make a determination. It was agreed by the Commission that the project should come in under an RDA. 10:25 PM Rear lot of 905 Main St. The Administrator advised the Commission that this property is going before the Zoning Board of Appeals to be considered as a buildable house lot, and he feels there is a water issue. 10:30 PM A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. RespegAfully submit LKathy Morgan, Recording Secretary