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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-28 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of Thursday, May 28, 1997 Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Room PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members: David Danis, Clifton Proctor, Mark Gillis, John Kilborn, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau, and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan. ABSENT: Vice Chair Stephen Chapman and Harold "Lucky" Hulse (prior notice given). 7:05 PM Meeting was called to order. A sign for Sledge Woods Conservation Area was discussed. The members selected between a choice of two names. A motion was made and seconded to approve the first sign's language but without the names Larkin & Larkin following Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Another motion was made that 'The' be added before Commonwealth of Massachusetts and was seconded. The maker approved. The members discussed that even though they didn't feel the Larkins' name should be in conjuction with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts they did feel that the Larkins should be mentioned for making the purchase possible. An amended motion was made and seconded that in smaller letters the words 'with thanks to the Larkins' be added to the sign. VOTED: 5-0-0 7:17 PM Approve "Sledge Woods Conservation Area" Interim Land Management Plan The Administrator advised the members that Ted Cohen, Town Counsel, had not reviewed the plan yet. The members reviewed the revised draft. One of the abutters; Mr. Gilbert was present at the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to accept the plain as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. The Administrator is to revise drafted order for next meeting 7:57 PM Request to preserve Oakland Road Town-owned land Ms. Joanne Cusolito, 23 Grandview Rd., explained to the members why her and her neighbors would like to protect this area and is concerned about what the Town plans to do with the land. Mr. Isidoro Perez, 23 Ridge Rd., questioned the Commission whether the Town did own the property. Chair mentioned that the land was taken by tax title. She reviewed the Open Space Committee's functions and stated that this committee would act on recommending the land. Chair explained some of the ideas for the property by different groups in town, ie., a location for a new swimming pool, more low income housing and considered for conservation land. M. Gillis asked if this parcel has been discussed yet in the Open Space Committee. Chair, who is a member of the committee, stated they have only held a couple of meetings. She went on to explain to the attendees how Open Space acquires land or preserves it through other means. 8:15 PM Public Meeting 12B Street R B# 1997-13 Mr. Thomas Guarino presented his plans for an addition to his existing residence including a full basement. Chair read the Commissions site visit into the record. Chair stated that S. Chapman would like to see the owner install a drywell for the deminished impervious area. Chair asked Mr. Guarino if he Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 5/28/97 Page 2 had a septic tank or had town sewerage; he stated sewer. Ms. Henrietta Marotta, 9 C Street, stated her concerns about the water runoff onto her property. Chair explained to her that the drywell should capture the excess water runof. Mr. Paul Maddalena, 14 B Street, stated that there may be an underground stream where Mr. Guarino plans to put a full basement which could cause more water problems. Chair explained to the attendees the Conservation Commission's jurisdiction over water issues. A motion was made to close the Public Meeting. VOTED: 5-0-0. A motion was made and seconded to issue a negative determination of applicability with standard conditions and also that the owner install a drywell to handle additional impervious water, and he should reappear before the Commission if any unusual ground water is found. An amended motion was made which the maker approved for a new plan showing the drywell. VOTED: 5-0-0. 8:50 PM Request $500 Certificate of Compliance Bond Release - Lot 1 Carriage Estates U (66 Roma Lane) DEP# 270-236, RCB# 1991-10 The Administrator stated the ground is stable. A motion was made and seconded to return the remaining $500 Bond. VOTED: 5-0-0. 8:55 PM Violation - 232 Salem Street Mr. Pratt, the owner, appeared before the Commission and was given a copy of their site visit conducted on 5/27/97. Mr. Pratt explained to the Commission that he actually owns two pieces of property that abut each other, 232 Salem St. and 14 Libby Ave., which is the property his house is located on. M. Gillis asked when the kids constructed the treehouse. Mr. Pratt stated around 12/95. Members explained to Mr. Pratt what the meaning of wetlands constitutes, how to identify wetlands and then not to work within the 100' buffer zone. J. Kilborn mentioned other items in the yard that are in violation now. L. Kenney mentioned other structures on the property that were previously allowed when a shed was added to the property. The Administrator suggested that the Commission and Mr. Pratt establish a limit of work line and decide what activities should go on where. He also stated to the owner what steps he could take if he was unsatisfied with the instructions of the Commission. Chair itemized some of the issues in the site visit to be rectified. The Administrator suggested that the Commission allow Mr. Pratt to do what he can and then add the rest of the items to his filing for a paved driveway. D. Danis raised concerns of causing more damage by taking down the tree house. Mr. Pratt told the members that the materials used were old and that the kids are getting older now so the tree house probably wouldn't last much longer. D. Danis reminded owner that no oil or motorized vehicles containing oil should be in the shed, and the Administrator was asked to give Mr. Pratt a copy of the conditions for the shed. Chair stated that he should measure 25' from the pool and that area is where no activity should be. She also advised Mr. Pratt to make his filing for the driveway in June, which he agreed to. L. Kenney suggested no activity within 25' buffer zone, moving all items in that area except the mulch already there, and he should not add any more mulch to what exists now. He stated that he feels the tree house is damaging to the trees and ...b. vvv asa+. a+.vtsssab a.. p,- - V..v F r vas asa a r v rr esy, 111V Y 1;1~,. Lx.1 dog run, the rabbit hutch, the cobblestones and leaving the mulch and the tree house. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 5/28/97 Page 3 Chair advised that if his plan was not submitted by June the Commission would file enforcement orders. Mr. Pratt then stated that if the Commission still made him take down the tree house after he did all that he promised, he would not agree to do anything. M. Gillis advised Mr. Pratt that he is in violation now and that the Commission has the right to enforce. The Administrator advised Mr. Pratt that to work out issues now would be easier and cheaper. Mr. Pratt said he would do what he promised and that he would submit his plan for the driveway by June. Chair thanked Mr. Pratt for coming in. 9:30 PM J. Kilborn left the meeting. 9:50 PM L. Kenney left the meeting. 9:50 PM Public Meeting - 74 Forest Street RGB# 1997-12 Mr. Ruszkowski explained to the members that he had pulled a permit prior to building and that the building contractors, Larkin & Larkin known to be "wetland specialists", said they would file for all necessary permits. A site visit was conducted 5/27/97, and Chair read the report into the record. Chair questioned the owner about the dog run area. The owner stated that once the fence was up the dog would have the run of the inside of the fence, and the old dog run area would be left to grow naturally. Chair asked Mr. Ruszkowski to amend his request and by showing the fence on his plan. Ms. J. Paquette, 70 Forest St., was concerned about this activity altering the wetlands. The Administrator explained wetland species habitat and its growth, and he also suggested that she have a delineation line established. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Meeting. VOTED: 4- 0-0. A motion was made and seconded to issue a negative determination with the condition that the dog run area be allowed to grow back naturally. VOTED: 4-0-0. 10:10 PM Request Partial Certificate of Compliance - Tot 14 "Hopkins Farm" (28 Ha-stack Rd.) DEP# 270-20 & 270-36 A motion was made and seconded to issue partial COC on Lot 14. VOTED: 4-0-0. 10:15 PM Plan Change - 99 Lilah Lane Determination RGB# 1997-10 The owner, Mr. Colvin would like to move his fence to the bottom of the slope shown in his original plan. Chair asked what the vegetation was on the slope; he stated sod. M. Gillis questioned whether the previous order stated no work at that point. Chair pointed out that S. Chapman was the one to mention the fence be placed at mid point on the slope. She said she had discussed it with him and he felt the fence would be all right at the bottom of the slope. A motion was made and seconded to consider this an insignificant plan change. VOTED: 4-0-0. 10:26 PM Notice - trees damaged lots 2/3 Carriage Estates The Administrator did a subsequent site inspection and read it into the record. He stated; one tree badly damaged, two trees very narrow, and third tree okay. He recommended planting five trees and a bond for two hundred dollars ($200.00) each for a total of one thousand dollars Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 5/28/97 Page 4 ($1000.00) or 50%. Chair asked if the grading was done and if the trees are on lot 1 or 2. The Administrator advised they are on the line. A motion was made and seconded to authorize the planting of five trees, similar to species already there and placing a bond of six hundred dollars ($600.00). VOTED: 4-0-0. 10: 3 5 PM Notice - 32 Lucy Drive RGB# 1997-06 Owner will comply. 10:40 PM Notice Lot 5 "Parkview Estates" (28 Francis Drive) DEP#270 22/270 36 A letter was received by fax from the applicant's attorney, Atty. Alper, dated 5/28/97 stating that they didn't believe there was a swale that existed but that they were willing to comply. The Administrator stated that a neighbor had called after a storm with water on her lot and the surrounding area. The Administrator couldn't find a file on the property until a neighbor gave him the file information which was under Parkview Estates. On the old deed there was deeded restriction information which apparently wasn't carried forward onto the current deed. The Administrator said that the neighbors do have a swale on their property. The Administrator recommended that the property at 28 Francis be lowered or request an as-built plan. The Administrator is to follow up on the deed restriction. 10:50 PM Notice - Lot 107 Sanborn Village IV (9-1 L lah Laney ref-, DEP# 270-171 RGB# 1987-12 and 109 Sanborn Village TV (105- Lilah Lane) ref• DEP#270 171 RGB#1987-12 Administrator stated that both properties are in compliance. 10:55 PM Chair mentioned that three members' terms are expiring on June 30th. C. Proctor suggested drafting a letter from the Commission. Members were given evaluation forms for D. Nadeau and K. Morgan and asked to have them for next meeting. The Administrator mentioned that J. Edwards had asked for Commission's approval of GIS Grant from Housing Development through the grant program. All members were in favor. 11:00 PM C. Proctor made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss on going litigation and not to come back into Public Session. A roll-call vote was taken: 4-0-0. Respectfully ,submitted, I Kathy Mo , an Recording`ecretary '