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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-05-08 Conservation Commission MinutesF, Tom', READING CONSERVATION COMMISSION (lccfrvWnutes. frv) Minu(z; o~ Yi, 1 Meeting No. 12 PRESENT: Chairman Camille Anthony, Vice-Chairman Jennifer Lach- mayr, James Biller, Harold Hulse, Edwin Loschi, Joan Nickerson, M. Clifton Proctor; Associate Members Elizabeth Fuller, James Keigley and Jennifer Miksen; and Conservation Administrator Donald Nadeau ABSENT; none 7:00 PM Opened Public Hearing for 18 Beaver Road, DEP# 270-237, RUB#.1991-12. Vote to continue. 6-0-0 7:05 Min_iLt-e-sa- of 3-2 0-91. Moved that minutes be accepted as noted, (J. Nickerson abstained) VOTED 5-0-1 Ed Loschi arrived. 7:06 Discussed minutes of 3-27-91. J. Nickerson suggested that future minutes be written in the past tense. C. Proctor moved that, the minutes be accepted as amended. Seconded. VOTED 7--0-0 7:10 C. Anthony opened public meeting for 1102 Main Street, RUB# 1.991-14. M. Kouki presented C. Proctor moved that thePublic Meeting be closed. mmission. VOTED 7-0-0 7:30 Continued Public Hearing for Carriage Estates Phase II, DEP# 270-236, RGB# 1991-10. P. Ogren presented for the ap- plicant, He, stated that the applicant had no additional information at this time. He objected to moving the road crossing :=southward because he felt it, would significantly increase the amount of cut and fill that would be neces-, sary. It, would also create a "fallow piece of frontage P. Ogren expects to find organic soils in the area of the sewer crossing. They will be replaced in the order that they are removed. The utility crossing is proposed a;~, a limited project. P. Ogren expects that blasting will have no effect on the wetland. He also feels that the sewer line will not act, as a french drain on the wetland. J, Biller objected to the heavy equipment used and the apparent lack of caution exer- cised during the drilling of test holes on site. Wetland growth will be encouraged in the detention area. This laid is currently forested. Reading Conservation Commission minutes of 05-08-91 The Box culvert at the road crossing volume of flow but, because the concr the natural stream bed, the velocity velocity can be mitigated by setting vert. Page 2 will not affect the ete is smoother than will increase. The rocks into the cul- D. Nadeau commented that while the water body near the road crossing is not a certified vernal pool, it does function as a vernal pool. The Commission's role is to protect, rare species habitat. Mike McCaffrey of 38 Emerson Road introduced beading Citizens to Protect Wetlands. They expressed a number of concerns: There are two wetlands in beading that are certified as rare species habitat. This is one of them. While the yellow spotted salamanders that were found in the area of question are no longer officially listed as "rare", thy are unofficially "watched". In the past, blue spotted salamanders have been found within 1/3 mile of the "vernal pool". The typical range of ;salamanders is 1/4 mile. The increased velocity of outflow from the box culvert will lead to scouring activity. The development is proposed to be built on aquifer protection land. The development could adversely af- fect potential well-land (confirmed by Ted McIntyre). The increased use of fertilizers and other chemicals will- adversely affect the environment. ,k The deforestation of the land could potentially cause a reduction of wetlands due to increased evaporation. M. McCaffrey felt that the sewer line will act as an avenue for water to--be drained from the wetland (he is a registered PE). RCPW contended that some of the demolition debris on site came from Wellington Circle. ,x Lori Murphy of 65 Dividence Road commented that while in--ground tanks may have been removed, residue will remain in the soil for years. M. McCaffrey contended that all plans for the entire area should be submitted to the Army Corp. of En--- gineers, particularly in regards to the flood plain, J. Keigley stated that it. is the Commission's respori- sibility to protect wildlife habitat in Reading and that we cannot continue to displace wildlife. 9:40 P. Ogren would not agree to an extension. C. Proctor moved to close the hearing. Seconded. VOTED 4-2-1 ' (J Nickerson a-nd J Bit-ter voted "no" , H-else abstained) Reading Conservation Commission minutes of 05-08-91 Page 3 9:50 Public -Hearing, Reading DPW culverts maintenance, DEP# 270-238, RGB# 1991-15. The DPW intends to clean the ap--. proximately 82 culverts in Reading over the next four years. Records will be kept as the work is done. John Downing of Whittier Road expressed concern about stable slopes, being destabilized during maintenance work. He questioned the wisdom of rip-rapping stable slopes that happened to have a grade greater than 3:1, because of loss of habitat. C. Proctor made a motion to close the hearing. Seconded VOTED 7-0-0 Some suggestions were made for the Order of Conditions: Item 17 - Slopes should not be destroyed if possible. When possible, they should be revegetated. Sections A, B, and D of Item 3 can be removed. 10:25 Continued Public Hearing, Lot 35 Azalea Circle, DEP# 270- 232, RGB# 1991.-03. B. Ch.irco presented for M. Fafard. Ted Cohen, Town Counsel, recommended that the Commission not concern itself with the bankruptcy title issue and consider M. Fafard the owner. J. Biller expressed the opinion that, in this case, the 25 foot zone of no activity is insuffi-- cient. Steve Shilling', 27-C Carnation Circle, commented that the project seems contrary to the spirit of the law. Wendy Small of 16-D Carnation Circle mentioned that once (if) the house is built, the 25 foot zone of no activity would be virtually impossible to enforce. 10:55 C. Proctor motioned to close the hearing. Seconded. VOTED 7-0-0 11:00 Continued Public Hearing, Lots 29 & 30 Brook Street, DEP# 270-233; RGB# 1991-()6. H. Buttrick represented the ap- plicant, Simon Zaltman. S. Zaltman was found to be filling the land illegally in 1973. Since that time, no fill has been added by him. If the illegal fill were removed (it was reported that much more has been added since 1973 by unidentified persons), the upland may not meet the .area re- quirements. 11:35 J. Lachmayr moved that the hearing be closed.. Seconded. VOTED 7-0-0 11:45 J. Miksen and H. Hulse leave. 11:46 RGB Extension., Lowell Street, at R.R. Michael Morris,- 1990-12. Approved. VOTED 6--0-0 11:55 Meeting adjourned.