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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-11-16 Conservation Commission MinutesFE. a 15, READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION 1. Meeting No. 24 Minutes of November 16, 1994 PRESENT: Chair, James Biller; Josh Drexler (7:20 PM-10:50 PM); Nancy Eaton (8:10 pm); Harold Hulse; Joan Nickerson; M. Clifton Proctor; and Leo Kenney (8:15 PM-11:10 PM); Conservation Administrator, Donald Nadeau; and Recording Secretary, Elizabeth McDonough ABSENT: vice-Chair, Stephen Chapman 7:10 PM The Chair called the meeting to order and reported that the salary classification increase for the position of Conservation Administrator (from 11, Step 6 to 13, Step 1) was approved at the Fall Town Meeting. DRAFT MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 2 1994: The discussion of the minutes of November 2, 1994 was past-poned until the November 30, 1994 meeting. ADMINISTRATOR/SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT: 1. Article 15 - Re: Flood Plain zoning Deliniations: Mr. Biller cannot attend the Fall Town Meeting, and Ms. Nickerson agreed to take his place. Mr. Hulse reported that the Articles many be post-poned until the Spring Town Meeting. No official notice has been received by the Commission. 2. 8 Rurchian Lane: Applicant had made repeated requests to cut down hazardous trees as they believed the trees were in an area where the silt fence was allowed to be set 15' to the rear of the proposed dwelling. However, the Commission had denied the requests as this was not shown on the final plan. Applicant's attorney reviewed the order. An amended provision had been omitted from the final plan. The Commission apologized to the applicant for the error. The applicant will file for a Request for a Determination (order has expired) for November 30, 1994 meeting which would be expedited with an Affirmative Action. 3. Unit 12, Greenhouse Acres (enforcement order not issued as of this date.) Administrator stated that the OOC was written in 1987, and it does not appear to be comprehensive or complete. Current developers have been with the project for one year. The Foundation walls of #12 enter the corner of the wetland, are zoo c Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94 2. the wetland. The requirement was 20' but the plan shows less; nevertheless, they were not directed to file a new plan. The Administrator recommended 600 to 800 feet of replication if the foundation walls remain as is. This is agreeable to the builders. Greenhouse Acres has been scheduled to come before the Commission on the November 30, 1994 meeting. The Administrator will write an Enforcement order. 7:30 PM Policy Discussion/Meeting Schedule As Ms. Eaton cannot attend the Policy Discussion meeting on December 7, 1994, the Commission agreed to tentatively schedule the meeting for January 11, 1994. The purpose and nature of this Policy Discussion meeting was then discussed by the Commission. MOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO POST-PONE THE POLICY DISCUSSION MEETING SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 7, 1994 MEETING UNTIL JANUARY 11, 1994 (tentative). THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING FOR DECEMBER 28, 1994 WILL BE SKIPPED AND THERE WILL BE REGULAR MEETINGS ON JANUARY 4, AND 18, 1995. VOTED 6-0-0 ~ Old,/New Business: 1. 725 Haverhill Street: Admin. Sign-Off - shed on lawn. The shed on 725 Haverhill Street meets requirements for being on a developed area. Mr. Nadeau reported that he had been signed off on the shed. 2. Approve Restoration Plan - Treatment Plant - AP-NE-92-901 The Commission reviewed the Louanis Water Treatment Plant Wetlands Restoration Plan modifications submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection on October 31, 1994. NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO APPROVE OF THE WETLANDS RESTORATION PLAN MODIFICATIONS AS SUBMITTED BY DONALD NADEAU TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ON OCTOBER 31, 1994. Discussion: Mr. Kenney had concerns with the lessor amount and smaller size of trees approved for a town project versus the same for other applicants. Mr. Nadeau commented on the following: 1.) the plan follows state law regarding replacement of a mature tree; 2.) there is no original wetland in that area, thus trees are new comers; and 3.) smaller trees are more vigorous; and 4.) DEP enforced this Restoration Plan. Mr. Restoration discussion post-pond until 10:55 PM. Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94 3. 8:40 PM Public Meeting - 110 John Carver Road RGB# 1994-30, Liaison: xxx Summary: Mr.'Nadeau explained that this project came into the edge of the buffer zone, and the applicant was allowed to contain it within a stockade fence. However, the owner removed a section and pushed some fill out beyond the fence. Mr. Nadeau issued a Citation which was viewed by Peter Kramer and subsequently revoked. Mr. Nadeau stated that he had explained filing procedures to the owner, and the owner's proposal is to put a fence up according to the submitted plan. Presentation: Steve Setra, applicant, was present to address the commission. He explained that he obtained a new plot plan which indicates the actual property layout. He is requesting to reclaim some of the land (16' to 201). He commented that the town had dumped fill that was dredged out of the Aberjona River along the banking which causes water to build up in his yard. He stated that his intention is to attempt to correct that problem, lay fill, and regain some grass in the yard. He added that he had mistakenly pushed some fill out beyond the fence, it was scooped back out at the request of the Conservation Administrator. Deliberation: A site visit was made by Mr. Kenney, Ms. Eaton, Mr. Drexler, and Mr. Hulse. Mr. Hulse gave a narration of the site report. The Commission requested that paint marks be placed at the base of the trees before any fill is layed, and the marks should be visible after the smoothing of the terrain. As the fence would not be installed at that time the work is done, the Administrator suggested that a silt fence or haybales be put in place to secure the graded-in soil. MOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC MEETING. VOTED 6-0-0 MOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ISSUE A NEGATIVE DETERMINATION TO 110 JOHN CARVER ROAD, RGB #1994-30, WITH THE CONDITIONS AS DISCUSSED. VOTED 6-0-0 9:00 PM Partial Certificate of Compliance - Carriage Estates Phase II DEPT 270-236, RGB# 1991-10, Liaison: J. Drexler Summary: The Administrator explained that the Order of Conditions require that mitigation be done prior to construction. This will be verified in the form of a Partial Certificate of Compliance. The PCC would include stipulations regarding: sewer line crossing, detention basin, haybales, cleanup of the site, etc. six commission Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94 4. Mr. Biller commented that there are massive areas of noncompliance at this point, and he gave a narration of the lengthy site report. Mr. Drexler visited the site the morning of November 16, and commented that he did not see any of the requested changes since the November 13 site visit. He commented that he could not understand the pattern of the markers on Roma Lane. Administrator's Report: After the November 3, 1994 Conservation Commission meeting, Mr. Nadeau sent a letter to the applicant summarizing the requirements that had been discussed (prior to site inspection). Some of the items in that letter were: Augment plantings and sewer crossings with shrubs. Their response was that they would be adding fifteen plants, six of which would be five or more feet. Augment soil and sewer crossing with at least two inches of high organic mulch. This has not been done. Add staked haybales and/or silt fence along 25' foot setbacks from the wetlands at water and sewer crossings. This has not been done. Remove and properly dispose of unsuitable fill. Mr. Nadeau also commented on the following: Existing wetland flags have been located; they appear to be within the 25' zone. Rocks were observed in an area that is not to be disturbed. Fill was placed beyond the original fill line at Lot #12; it has been pulled. back. This lot will require a separate filing. There are a lot of rocks on the slope. Control of grading is necessary between the finished sidewalk and the drainage outlet that goes into pool #3. A silt fence needs to be placed in that area. Vernal pool #2 was cleaned up by hand. There are concrete- filled pipes in the pool; these must be removed. There are trees with substantial fill around them. Deliberation: Peter Ogren, Hayes Engineering, Inc. addressed the commission. He distributed as-built and as-proposed plans and addressed the following: Work on the gravel base of the road had begun; Proposed drainage; Rim and berm elevations; Shape of retention pond; Remedies for storage situation; Emergency spillway elevation; Actual grade of the level in the pond; Soil compaction. Also, Steven Caruso, builder, addressed the dumping and filling of lots as it relates to compaction: He Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94 5. stated that they will continue to work diligently to meet expectations. Mr. Biller will also discuss speak with DPW regarding the builders getting compost from the Town. It was the recommendation of the Administrator that the builders be allowed to install the paving; however, no foundation work would be allowed until a Partial' Certificate of compliance is received. He added that shrub plantings and haybales are to be installed before winter. The Commission requested a progress report for the next meeting. MOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED THAT THE BUILDERS BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED WITH THE BINDER AND BASE COATS. VOTED 4-1-1 10:45 PM Public Meeting - 113 Lon Road RGBI 1994-31, Liaison: xxx Presentation: The Applicant stated that he is requesting to add a small addition to the west side of the house. This addition would require the removal of some trees. The site plan was reviewed by the Commission. Deliberation: The Commission asked the Applicant about the trees to be removed, and he explained that the house is suffering because of the overgrowth of three trees at the front. The area is just barely within the 100' buffer zone. NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. VOTED 6-0-0 NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED THAT A NEGATIVE DETERMINATION FOR 113 LONGWOOD ROAD, RGB# 1994-31 BE ISSUED. VOTED 6-0-0 Other Correspondence: "Sian-Off" (Blanket Orders culvert---outlet maintenance - end of Arnold Avenue. Mr. Nadeau Visited the site, and explained that the Blanket Order included the :culvert maintenance at the end of Arnold Avenue. The work would be done only within the confines of the outlet which is covered in the Order. The Commission agreed with the sign-off. Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94 6. 10:55 PH Continued - Approve Restoration Plan - Treatment Plant - AP-NE-92-901 The Commission continued their discussion on the Restoration Plan,, and agreed that they would have preferred to have reviewed and commented on the report before its submission. They agreed with the exception that 100 of the planted trees be of a larger caliber. Mr. Nadeau reminded the Commission that the plan includes a two- year review provision. NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO APPROVE THE RESTORATION PLAN - TREATMENT PLANT - AP-NE-92-901 WITH THE EXCEPTION AS DISCUSSED. VOTED 5-0-0 11:05 PN Town Meeting Warrant Articles The Commission discussed the Warrant Articles which reflect modifications to the zoning articles as they relate to the Flood Plain map being presented the Town Meeting. Also, Article #13 was discussed, and it was the Commission's agreement that a vote would be taken to support #13. NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ENDORSE ITEM #13. VOTED 5-0-0 (Mr. Kenney departed at 11:10 PM). Items for _next meetina: 1. Birchmeadow Estates -violations 2. Carriage Estates - Phase I - Enforcement order 3. 25 Brook Street (bulldozing next to wetland) Items for Policy Discussion meeting: 1. Policy Discussions 2. Order of Conditions Form 3. Applicant responsibility for expiring permits, per local bylaws. NOTION - A MOTION WAS MADE AND SECONDED TO ADJOURN AT 11:30 PM. VOTED 4-0-0 Respectfully submitted, Eli beth McDonough Recording Secretary Approved: December 21, 1994 Reading Conservation Commission 11/16/94