HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-03-27 Conservation Commission MinutesREGEIVED
MOW CLERK
1~A D p lei Jn i`'E r°te v".
READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of Thursday, March 27, 1997 Town Hall Selectmen°s Meeting Room
PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members Vice Chair Stephen Chapman, Clifton
Proctor, Mark Gillis (7:45), John Kilborn, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation
Administrator Donald Nadeau, and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan.
ABSENT: David Danis and Harold "Lucky" Hulse (prior notice given).
7:10 PM Meeting was called to order.
7:12 PM Public Meeting - Main St. sidewalk rom 1152north to end RGB# 1997-04
Mr. Joe Delaney, Town Engineer presented a plan to the Commission for sidewalks on Rt.
28 in the above-referenced area. He stated that four different wetland sites are involved
and they would be working within 100' of the wetlands but would have staked haybales on
the backside of the guardrails. The Administrator felt that the maps being used were
sufficient and asked that flagging the wetlands be waived. He also mentioned that a 300'
notification was not done. S. Chapman questioned whether the guardrails would remain.
Mr. Delaney said they would. N. Eaton asked whether the work was being done by an
outside contractor; Mr. Delaney answered yes. Mr. Steven Scullin, 1252 Main St. asked if
his mailbox would remain where it is and if his driveway could be widened during the
process. Mr. Delaney said that mailboxes would not be moved and that he would take a
look at his driveway. Mr. Fairchild, 1166 Main St. declared that he was very happy that
the sidewalk was going in. A Motion was made and seconded to close the Public
Meeting. VOTED: 4-0-0. A Motion was made and seconded for a negative
determination with standard conditions, conditions being; erosion control measures as
outlined in their application and the waivers as requested. VOTED: 4-0-0.
7:20 PM Status: Franklin St. cemetery DEP# 270-269, RGB# 1995-10 Mr. Bob
Keating, Cemetery Director and Mr. Joe. Delaney came before the Commission.
S. Chapman asked if any monitoring of water levels was being done. B. Keating
explained to the members that as far as the stone leaching is concerned they overbuilt.
They have had a busy season with a lot of man hours to fix the situation and they would
like to wait until the end of May to do clean up when the ground won't be as muddy and
they can get more help. His help has worked exclusively on removing the silt. Chair
asked Mr. Delaney if any measurements had been taken on the side slope. He stated that
they hadn't taken measurements there but suggested action that could be done if the slope
was steeper than designed. N. Eaton mentioned that the haybales were unstaked. B.
Keating explained that the ground had been frozen but now the haybales were staked.
Chair asked the Administrator if he had inspected the haybales in the back lot; which he
had. Mr. Ewing of Partridge Rd. is concerned that the system will not handle a large
amount of water. He went over with Mr. Delaney the diameters of the new elbow piece
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 3/27/97 Page 2
change the drainage system. Mr. Delaney stated they will wait and see how the system
handles the problem first. Chair advised Mr. Keating to keep a log of the measurements.
The Administrator has scheduled a status report for June 11th.
N. Eaton then questioned the status of the land transfer at the Merry Hills Properties. Mr.
Keating stated that the bond issues were resolved, the deeds were going to Ted Cohen for
transfer and Town Manager expects everything to be completed by the end of the month.
The wetland line has been established. Chair questioned Mr. Keating on the land in the
back which was thought to be Conservation land. Mr. Keating was uncertain as to
whether it was designated as Conservation land and will investigate further.
8:00 PM Public Meeting - 37 Wilson St. RGB# 1997-05 Mr. John Woodman, owner,
came before the Commission with a proposal for an extension to his existing house. The
Administrator gave his site report to the members. The members also conducted a site
visit on 3/09/97 and Chair explained some observations they made. Ms. Mary Morris, 9
Osbourne Ave., mentioned her concerns with the water problems in the area. Mr.
Malcome Robinson, 20 Osbourne Ave, stated that the area was once a swamp that was
built on and now there is a severe water problem. Mr. Woodman told the members that
he will replace the existing fence with a 6' stockade fence in the same location.
S. Chapman asked him if he was going to put a slab or full basement. Mr. Woodman
stated he would like a full basement. S. Chapman suggested haybales and silt fence.
N. Eaton explained the state guidelines regarding drainage features. She also mentioned a
public hearing that will take place to discuss town-wide drainage issues. The
Administrator advised the neighbors in attendance to contact Mr. Delaney if there is a
problem with the maintenance in a drainage area. A Motion was made and seconded to
close the Public Meeting. VOTED: 5-0-0. A Motion was made and seconded to issue
a negative determination with standard conditions of haybales at the rear of the property.
VOTED: 5-0-0.
The Chair turned over to S. Chapman.
8:20 PM Discuss Determination of Applicability - land by 51 Mill St., R B#,1995-
03 and Notice of Intent "Marion Road" - DEP# 270-279 RGB# 1995-29
Motion was made and seconded to move into mediation to discuss determination of
applicability and Notice of Intent. VOTED: 4-0-1. N. Eaton abstaining.
The Chair was returned to N. Eaton.
8:25 PM Trees cut 30 Azalea Circle Site visit conducted 3/09/97 and report was read
into the record. Ms. Karen Janowski, owner, apologized to the Commission for cutting
the trees. Chair advised her of the 100' wetland restrictions. S. Chapman mentioned that a
8:30 PM Recess taken.
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 3/27/97 Page 3
8:40 PM Notice - yard debris in drainage easement/watercourse - 588 Pearl Street
The Administrator advised there has been no contact with the owner.
8:42 PM 722 Pearl Street 1978 filing has no Certificate of Compliance. Chair advised
the lawn is well established, the excavations are done, and sonar tubes are in. Owners
seem to be responding to clean up. The Administrator signed off on the deck.
8:47 PM Old Mill Village 48 Mill The Administrator advised that the owner hadn't
submitted a plan in time for the agenda. S. Chapman reviewed the progress made with the
other members. The Administrator will ask the applicant to remove sediment basin.
8:50 PM 40 Azalea Circle Town Counsel is still reviewing the proposed order.
Continued to next agenda.
8:48 PM 905 Main Street Nothing received from owner. Administrator to notify owner
regarding trench.
8:49 PM 232 Salem Street tree house Administrator to send second letter.
Chair handed out a questionnaire entitled Top Ten Reasons To Protect Open Space.
8:50 PM Status - Lot 11 Carriage Estates DEP# 270-236, RGB# 1991-10
Administrator advised that the wall appears to be in the right place. Reminded them that
anything other than clean fill had to be removed.
Members reviewed the materials on the Metropolitan Area Planning Green-Space
Initiative and the Land Bank Legislation and a Community Preservation Act (to be
combined) The later will involve a 2% surcharge on all properties purchased with funds to
be used towards the community.
9:10 PM Status - Strout Avenue Clean up needed on the ruts in the road. The
Administrator will give a verbal cease and desist on all other activity until clean up is done.
9:12 PM Status - Pasture Road S. Chapman advised that the spoil pile is still there.
N. Eaton and the Administrator went out to the site and said that critter gaps are in but the
haybales are not staked. CPDC approved A & R plan to join and make one lot.
S. Chapman mentioned the order conditions "work will be done in dry or frozen ground
conditions" and we are now in a wet season. Mr. McIntyre told Mr. Larkin that the town
would be interested in having the wetland soils for stockpiling. The Administrator was
advised to get an update on soil removal and check the haybale lines.
9:20 PM Status -m 32 Lucy Drive Tree cuttings. Residence under major renovations.
The Administrator is to check on erosion controls and have chipper pile removed.
Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 3/27/97 Page 4
9:30 PM Minutes Minutes of the 2/8/97 meeting reviewed. Motion was made and
seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. Chair yielded to
S. Chapman. Executive minutes of the 2/8/97 meeting reviewed. Motion was made and
seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 4-0-1. N. Eaton abstaining
Chair returned to N. Eaton. Minutes of the 2/13/97 meeting reviewed. Motion was made
and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. Executive minutes of
the 2/13/97 meeting - Litigation of Cory Lane Extension reviewed. Motion was made
and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED: 5-0-0. Chair yielded to
S. Chapman. Executive minutes of the 2/13/97 meeting - Litigation of 51 Mill St.
reviewed. Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as amended. VOTED:
4-0-1. N. Eaton abstaining. Chair returned to N. Eaton.
A Motion was made by J. Kilborn to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation - land
by 51 Mill St. RGB# 1995-03 and "Marion Rd." - DEN 270-279, RGB# 1995-29, and
not to return to public session. Roll call vote was taken. VOTED: 4-0-1. N. Eaton
abstaining.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Morgan
Recording Secretary