HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-07-31 Conservation Commission Minutes- PCC a AJA
L_ `READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION
i z.. i ° , ' RedrAshutes. fn)
Minutes of 07-31-91 Meeting No. 19
PRESENT: Chair Camille Anthony, James Biller, Harold Hulse, Ed-
win Loschi, Joan Nickerson, M. Clifton Proctor; As-
sociate Members Elizabeth Fuller, James Keigley and Leo
Kenney; and Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau
ABSENT: Vice-Chair Jennifer Lachmayr and Associate Member Jen-
nifer Miksen
7:10 PM Public Meeting - 32 Old Farm Road, RGB# 1991-22 Ap-
plicants Mr. and Mrs. Dean Ericson presented the project.
D. Nadeau stated the project is in the buffer zone - ac-
tually benefits the wetlands because the crushed stone
reduces run-off, providing a mitigating effect. The ap-
plicants wish to cover the crushed rock with loam and seed.
It was originally a lawn area, and they would like to re-
establish that. The proposal is to raise the level of yard
along the back fence.
H. Hulse recommended a gentle Swale along the side property
line to prevent excess runoff onto the neighbor's land.
Eileen Bornstein, 80 Haystack Road was concerned with the
possibility of water backing-up onto the neighbors'
property. H. Hulse stated that replacing the huge boulder
with crushed stone would improve conditions.
Motion to close the meeting. Seconded. VOTED 6-0-0
D. Nadeau recommended the removal of the stone around the
tree trunks or at least leave it uncovered there; Swale
the southern edge of the property or leave it exposed; al-
low owners to loam and seed or otherwise revegetate with
buffer zone vegetation, but not use chemicals. J. Nicker-
son prefered that they use something low maintenance,
rather than be tempted to fertilize in the future.
C. Anthony proposed conditions:
1. fence to remain absolute limit of fill and work and
must remain at existing contour;
2. open ring, approx. five feet diameter around trees to
protect tap roots;
3. Along.southern border leave a two-foot strip of stone
along property line or remove crushed rock to create a
Swale;
4. Recommend no- or low-maintenance ground cover with the
understanding that chemicals are not to be used. _
5. Maximum slope 3:1 (horiz. : vert.)
Reading Conservation Commission minutes of 07-31-91 Page 2
7:55 Motion to issue a Negative Determination under MGL and RGB#
1991-22 with C. Anthony's proposed conditions. Seconded.
VOTED 6-0-0
E. Loschi left to attend the North Suburban Water Supply
Protection Committee meeting.
8: 03 Minutes Motion to accept the minutes of April 24, 1991 as
amended. Seconded. VOTED 5-0-0
8:15 Site Visits scheduled for August 1, 1991:
10:30 A.M. DEP Hearing on Azalea Circle
•12:30 P.M. Brook Street
Ted Cohen will be at Commission meeting of August 14, 1991.
8:23 Upland Ditches Draft Order of Conditions Discussion of how
to address potential increased flooding downstream caused
by ditch cleaning upstream. Any new homes/developments
should have taken into account the full working ditches;
they can't confront the Commission with problems that were
caused by intentional or accidental disregard for those
conditions.
L. Kenney reported extensive excavation of ditch in woods
off of Pasture Road north towards Blueberry Lane. He asked
how the Commission distinguishes between vernal pools it
has knowledge of versus those presently certified.
9:00 Modifications made to the draft: Takeuchi machine use to
be integrated into the Order of Conditions; individual
streams not to be listed. The Conservation Administrator
will have the responsibility of approving the list of
streams on which the machine can be used; page 5-3-4:
# 6: "five" working days
# 6i: delete
# 61: add: "Planned pathway of equipment approach and
exit including provision to minimize damage to adjacent
areas shall be indicated.".
# 6m: add: "Responsibility of DPW to evaluate poten-
tial impact, if any, and so inform the Commission."
Page 5-3-5 # 7: delete bold faced wording.
Page 5-3-6 #20: move bold face wording to "Findings" sec-
tion.
Page 5-3-7 #22: move to #16.
9 30 E. Loschi returned. As a member of the Aquifer Protection
Subcommittee, he reported on MAPC's Water Resources overlay
' districts and land use plans for the North Shore area. To
accomplish this goal, new zoning law models and policies
are being developed.
Reece- dd 7 n- Conservation Commission minutes of 07-31-91 Page 3
9:45 Discussion of 7-1-91 draft Rules and Regulations for the
wetlands bylaw. The question was raised as to why
qualifications were listed for persons evaluating wildlife
habitat, but none were listed for wetlands scientists. It
was recommended that reference should be made to the fact
that documentation of qualifications for Professional En-
gineers is stated in the Genreal Instructions section.
Other points considered:
Verify fee for Determinations;
Define "majority";
Ask Town Counsel if a Positive Determination under the
bylaw can be appealed;
Define "agriculture" and "agricultural use";
Page 18: minimum 25 feet sufficient - possibly 'more
than 25 feet in some cases;
Use paragraph 2 for "person aggreived";
Use definition 2 for "pond";
Item M. Stormwater Run-off, under Performance Stan-
dards: delete "increase or decrease" and insert
"significant change".
Discussion on Rules and Regulations will continue on August
14, 1991.
10:30 Correspondence:
Copies of the new bylaw were distributed;
Conservation Office Hours are now 8:30 a. m. - 1:00 p.m.
Violation at 60 Willow Street: he will file for a
Determination.
10:35 Discussion of finances for MACC dues and professional mem-
berships. The Town Manager had indicated that .the Commis-
sion is allotted $260, which amount is not adequate.
10:45 Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elizabeth Fuller, Associate Member
Joan Y. Nickerson