HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-10 Conservation Commission MinutesR 0,[1V ED
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READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of Thursday, April 10, 1997 Town Hall Selectmen's Meets Doom
PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Vice Chair Stephen Chapman, Harold "Lucky"
Hulse, David Danis (7:15), Clifton Proctor, John Kilborn, Consultant Leo Kenney, and
Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau.
ABSENT: Mark Gillis (prior notice given)
7:10 PM Meeting was called to order.
7:15 PM Vote re: entering mediation "Cory Lane Estates", selection of expert DEP#
270-280, RGB# 1995-34 Motion was made and seconded to enter into mediation on
Cory Lane Estates project. VOTED: 6-0-0.
7:30 PM Public Meeting - 32 Lucy Drive RGB# 1997-06, Mr. and Mrs. Thomson
were present at the meeting. Site visit conducted today and observations made by
attending members were explained. Members reviewed pictures taken at the property.
Owner stated that concrete wails were removed on 4/8/97 and it was then that he was first
notified. The Administrator stated that on 4/2/97 Mrs. Thomson was advised there may
be a problem at the property. Owners stated they were unaware of the proper process to
follow. N. Eaton asked when the trees were cut - before or after the Administrator new of
work being done. Mrs. Thomson stated that some of the trees were diseased, and they
were concerned they would fall. Ms. Nancy Lovell of 26 Lucy Dr. spoke to the
Commission about her concerns that the Thomsons are going to disturb the contours of
the land and create a water problem in her yard. Mr. Thomson advised that if he raised
the level of the land, he would make it level with Ms. Lovell's property. Chair mentioned
the area north and north east of the property that were of most concern to her. She would
like to see the chipper pile removed 25' away from the wetland as soon as possible and
trees replanted on the N.E. D. Danis advised the applicant to plot out a landscaping plan.
The Commission advised that no work should be done beyond the gas pipe in the yard. A
small dozer would be okay to pull back the chipper pile. A line of haybales should go
along the no work line which is between the pipes. A Motion was made and seconded to
close the Public Meeting. VOTED: 5-0-1. H. Hulse abstaining. Motion was made and
seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions; erosion control measures and
following the dig stakes in the field, that chipper pile beyond the line of erosion control be
removed without going over the fine, that the applicant loam and seed area, provide the
Administrator with the name of the contractor, and that no work be done until then. The
owner should plant two trees in the N.E. area & S. area and trees be no smaller than
2 1/2". That the final grading not to impede water flow of the neighbor's yard. VOTED:
5-0-1. H. Hulse abstaining. The Commission advised the owner to check with engineering
regarding the drainage pipe.
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 4/10/97 Page 2
8:30 PM Continued Public Hearing - La_Fayette Rd., end DEP# 270-292, R #
1997-03. Mr. Marchionda of Marchionda and Assoc. summarized his revisions made to
his previous plan. S. Chapman stated that the 4" pipe outletting to the existing gravel path
had water in it and was functioning. He questioned the pitch in the road. Mr. Marchionda
explained that it was a center-line crown pitched in both directions. Mike Sheehy, 29
Lafayette, asked about his driveway abutting the paved road. Mr. Johnson said he would
pave up to the driveway. Mr. Brian Mahoney, 30 Ashley, asked for a 4" pipe restriction.
Motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. VOTED: 5-0-1. H. Hulse
abstaining.
Chair yielded to S. Chapman.
8:45 PM Continued Public Hearing "Marion Rd." by 51 Mill St DFP##270 279,
RGB# 1995-29. Motion was made and seconded to continue to June 11, 1997 in
accordance with the applicant's request. VOTED: 5-0-1. N. Eaton abstaining.
8:50 PM Chair returned to N. Eaton. Recess taken.
8:55 PM Carlson Real Estate/Better Homes and Gardens tree donation for Arbor
Day, May 1, 1997 Several sites were recommended - none decided on. The members
accepted the donated tree and agreed that a sign should go along with the tree.
9:03 PM Public Hearing - Pasture Rd, end DEP #270-xxx, R B#,1997 07 There still
is no DEP# issued. Mr. Larkin came before the Commission to ask to widen the existing
cart path to 12' and to construct a turning around area. The two areas are within the
buffer zone. Site visit conducted and observations were given by the Chair. The flagging
had been taken down by someone and Mr. Larkin replaced them. Mr. Larkin asked the
Commission's permission to go on the dirt path with some machinery to remove an
abandoned vehicle - members agreed to a small machine. Chair noted the owner has done
a good job of cleaning up the area. Mr. Don Hitchcox, 149 Van Norden, questioned what
material the road would be made of and if he intended on doing curb stones. Mr. Larkin
told him crushed stones. S. Chapman questioned why he had filed as a Category 1 for site
preparation. It was determined that an order of conditions already exists on the other
property. Natural Heritage had not notified the Commission and, therefore, there was a
motion made and seconded to continue the hearing until 4/24/97 at 9:00 PM with no
further notice to be given to abutters. VOTED: 5-0-1, S. Chapman abstaining.
9:30 PM Approve sign-offs; Henzie St Site visit done. A ditch is to be dug out to
30'W x 2'D. The Commission discussed draining the ditch without affecting the pool.
L. Kenney suggested that debris in north area be cleaned up. S. Chapman suggested that
the Administrator get a profile along with ditch.
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 4/10/97 Page 3
9:35 PM 6X8 fort in woods Lot 10 Carriage Estates H The owner came in and spoke
with the Administrator. The members felt it wasn't a problem but the Administrator
should let the owner know that he is responsible for any litter or damage in the woods.
Chair yielded to S. Chapman.
9:45 PM Status "Old Mill Villages' plan changes retaining wall as built plan
Continued to next agenda.
9:50 PM Update on 51 Mill Street S. Chapman explained to the other members that
Town Counsel had taken his memo verbatim to Kenwood's attorney. Mr. Chapman and
Town Counsel had some discussion over verbiage in the memo regarding the delineation
of the line which counsel had omitted from the memo to Kenwood. Counsel felt that
Kenwood would not go into mediation with that verbiage and asked what the Commission
wanted done if they decided to go for a summary judgment and turn away from mediation.
I Kilbom stated that phase 1 of the mediation was to determine the line and phase 2 was
to discuss the issues. S. Chapman stated that I Woffard had been recommended through
Town Counsel to Kenwood's attorney as the mediator. Kenwood's attorneys have also
recommended mediators.
Chair returned to N. Eaton.
10:00 PM Votelsign Order of Conditions: 40 Azalea Circle RCB# 1991-03 Still
waiting for a report.
10:01 PM Status report 1090/1100 Main Street Mr. Goddard is questioning whether
he had an enforcing order on 1090. Trial scheduled for 4/24/97.
10:02 PM 722 Pearl St. DEP# 270-64 Plan received but doesn't list wetland, marked as
"forest". Motion made and seconded to issue Certificate of Compliance. VOTED:
6-0-0.
10:15 PM Chair advised the other members that the Town Manager has told Mrs. Hurton
that the town is not interested in buying her property for $100,000. L. Kenney also
mentioned that the back property between her house and the Bonnie residence is being
donated to conservation.
10:18 PM Chair gave a status report of the Board of Selectmen's Meeting concerning the
Articles being presented. Article 9 - Restructuring Plan, Chair asked the other members if
the Commission wanted to take a stand. There has been no commitment to increase
staffing. C. Proctor stated he was against the article. The Administrator stated that when
he,.has to help covering clerical -duties he can't get his job done. He feels that staffing is -
critical, work facilities important, and a computer necessary. A Motion was made and
seconded that the Commission support Article 9. VOTED: 2-3-1. D. Danis and
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 4/10197 Page 4
S. Chapman in favor; C. Proctor, H. Hulse, and N. Eaton against; I Kilborn abstaining.
Motion failed. Article 23 - no opinion. Article 24 - Motion was made and seconded that
the Commission support Article 24. VOTED: 6-0-0. Article 27 - Motion was made
and seconded that the Commission support Article 27. VOTED: 5-0-1, C. Proctor
abstaining. Article 35 - Motion was made and seconded that Commission endorse Article
35. VOTED: 6-0-0.
10:50 PM Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kathy Moran
RecordingSecretary