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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-08-08 Conservation Commission Minutesr READING CONSERVATION COHNISSION READING, MASSACHUSETTS Minutes of 8/8/90 Meeting,,No. 19 PRESENT: C. Anthony, Chmn.; H. Hulse; R. Longley; E. Loschi; J. Nickerson; M.C. Proctor; J. Biller, Assoc. Member; J. Keigley, Assoc. Member; D. Nadeau, Administrator ABSENT: J. Lachmayr 7:05 PM Meeting called to order. 7:08 PM Discussion of the minutes of 8/1/90. Minor corrections were made. It was moved and seconded to accept the minutes of 8/1/90 as amended. VOTED 3-0-2 7:10 PM Discussion of the book "A Chemical-Free Lawn" and the need for a small reference library for the public on conservation related items. 7:13 PM E. Loschi arrived 7:14 PM Don presented a brief discussion of the agenda items. A discussion of a possible Certificate of Compliance for Mrs. Conlin (200 Forest St.) was added to the agenda. Don reported that there may be a change in the wetlands line for the "Kurchian Woods" project. He will discuss the matter with Debora McCartney of Hayes Engineering. 7:15 PM New/Old Business: Certificate of Compliance for 45 Sanborn Lane. Joanne and William Ebrecht, DEP #270-189, RWB #1990-11. Don reported that the 10as-built" was not proper and that the statement of completion was not from a registered professional engineer. A discussion was held on the policy of requiring certification by a professional engineer. The general concensus was that the 562 Pearl St. situation was unique and should not be considered a precedent. 7:19 PM A preliminary discussion of an extension request for Johnston Circle, DEP #270-152, RWB #1986-14 was held. The applicant has requested a 1 year extension. The discussion will be continued later in the evening. 7:23 PM The Bill Roll to pay for the course taken by C. Anthony was signed. 7:24 PM Don reports that the easement for 75 Mill St. is not ready to be signed as originally planned. 7:27 PM A discussion was held in regards to office time. Helen is needed to help Connie and the Town Manager has authorized 20.hours for this purpose,.- Five_ hours of ,.Elaine-'-s--time,-is--also --needed- to---help get-. -t-he warrant article ready for Town Meeting. The Town Manager has also FINAL CORRECTED MINUTES 8/8/90 Page 2 given his okay for this. The Commission will meet with Elaine on 9/5/90 to discuss the changes to the bylaw and regulation 7:33 PM Plan Change for 168 West St. (Charles Gillis, DEP #270-207, RWB #1989-35). Mr. Bill Bergeron of Hayes Engineering was the representative for Mr. Gillis. Mr. Bergeron indicated that his company was not involved in the original planning, but is helping Mr. Gillis with the Plan Change. The house at 168 West St. was built differently than approved in the Order of Conditions. The house was moved to a different location and rotated 900 to front on West St. The longer driveway has resulted in an approximate increase of 400 ft.2 of impervious area, the grading is not as approved, and the house is slightly smaller. In response to a question from the Commission, Mr. Gillis contended that the cellar elevation is the same as in the original plan and Mr. Bergeron agreed to check on this and provide the answer. Don indicated that the current location of the house is probably better from the neighbors point of view since the house is not as close to the neighbors property. Mr. Gillis reported that no groundwater was encountered when the foundation trenches were dug. In response to a question from C. Anthony as to how the situation occurred, Mr. Gillis indicated that he asked Mr. Buttrick (the original engineer) to move the house. The altered plans were submitted to the building inspector and approved. Don indicatedthat it appeared that there was a blatant disregard of the Order of Conditions by Mr. Gillis and Mr. Buttrick when the plans were modified. Don also indicated that the work did not take place beyond the allowed limit, the drainage was not significantly altered, more grading was involved than approved, more impervious surface was created (but this was offset by previous decreases), there is probably no problem with increased runoff or flooding, and the house now sits closer to the wetlands which may increase the probability of future violations. A new Public Hearing will be needed if the changes are considered significant. H. Hulse expressed the opinion that the builder should have known better and indicated that it is within the power of the Commission to require the house to be moved to the approved location. Mr. Bergeron suggested that the exposed areas be loamed and seeded if an extended period will be needed to decide the matter. Don can deal with this issue. An abutter is concerned with increased runoff onto his property and thinks the higher elevation of the current structure will be worse. 8:09 PM J. Nickerson moved that the Plan Change be considered SIGNIFICANT. A new Public Hearing will be held. Hayes Engineering was asked to show all changes in detail including grading, elevations, high groundwater table, house position, additional runoff, and possible mitigation. VOTED 6-0-0 8:11 PM Continued Public Hearing on the "Kurchian Woods" subdivision (DEP #270-222, RWB #1990-23). Mr. Bill Bergeron of Hayes Engineering was present to represent the owner and began with a review. The 10, 25, and 100 year storm events will will result,in a_decreased rate- of runoff due to the design of the detention area. All impervious road FINAL CORRECTED MINUTES 8/8/90 Page 3 surfaces, and most house runoff will be directed to the detention area. Catch basins will be equipped with sumps and have gas and sediment traps. The floor of the detention area will have a 1% slope. The control structure was discussed. The detention area will be maintained as grass and a drainage easement will encompass the entire detention area. A 25' natural vegetation buffer will be left between the maintained area and the wetlands. Ms. McCartney will meet with Don onsite to discuss the wetlands line. 8:30 PM Discussion of the parking area to be provided for access to conservation land. The town will be given a formal easement. 8:35 PM Discussion of the location of the wetlands line. Don indicated that the Town Engineer has been on vacation and that no report on the proposal is available from him. Mr. Bergeron requested that a draft order be ready by 8/22/90 if possible. Mr. Kurchian agreed to continue the hearing until 8/22/90 at 7:30 PM. 8:58 PM J. Nickerson moved to continue the Public Hearing with the consent of the applicant for the "Kurchian Woods subdivision" at 284 Franklin St. (DEP #270-222, RWB 1990-23). VOTED 6-0-0 9:00 PM Open Public Hearing for Joseph Haungs, 16 Plymouth Rd., under Chapter 131§40 (DEP #270-223) and Article 5§7 (RWB #1990-25). The project involves a small addition to the house, a deck, and a small increase in driveway width. The backyard slopes toward a marsh. 9:15 PM J. Nickerson moved to close the Public Hearing for 16 Plymouth Rd. (DEP #270-223, RWB #1990-25). A discussion was held concerning the fact that no DEP file number is yet available and whether the commission should hold Public Hearings before the DEP file number is available. Don indicated that the state is taking a long time to issue numbers and that the recent Orders of Conditions have specified that no work may take place until the DEP number is issued. It was felt that although a DEP file number should be available, it is perhaps an unfair burden to some projects to hold up the entire process because the state is not timely in providing file numbers. VOTED 6-0-0 9:23 PM Discussion of the draft Order of Conditions for the "Old Orchard Rd." subdivision (DEP #270-221, RWB #1990-22). A concern was expressed about Lot 2 having very little yard in some areas. The wording of the Order of Conditions should warn of future work within the buffer zone. Whether a warning against such future work should be given, or it should be prohibited completely was debated. The use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides should be similar to the Order of Conditions for 562 Pearl St. Whether it is proper for the Commission to decide broad public policy via an Order of Conditions (in areas such as the use of chemicals) was discussed. It was suggested that Don_ contact the, MACC about _any exis_t_ing chemical__ residue policy. Limits on any further increase in impervious surface FINAL CORRECTED MINUTES 8/8/90 Page 4 were discussed as well as the bonding situation and any overlap in bonding with that required by the CPDC. It was suggested that a partial Certificate of Compliance might be issued to allow the bond on the Detention Area to be returned since this must be completed before any other work is done on the site. The bond amount will be set by the Town Engineer. 9:48 PM Discussion of the Order of Conditions for 562 Pearl St. (DEP #270-224, RWB #1990-19). After many changes, the site plan ended up being only 8.5" x 11". This and all future site plans should be scaled at 1:20. Various document number and wording changes were made. A discussion of the justification for the loss of BVW under the local bylaw was held. 10:45 PM The Commission expressed its opinion that Don did an outstanding job in the drafting of the Order of Conditions for 562 Pearl St. 10:45 PM H. Hulse moved that the Order of Conditions for 562 Pearl St. under Chapter 131§40 and Article 5§7 as amended be approved and issued. VOTED 6-0-0 10:55 PM The Order of Conditions for town well 82-20 is not yet ready. A discussion was held on the contents of the order and the need for a possible extension. 11:00 PM Discussion of a request for an Extension Permit for Sunrise Homes on Johnston Circle (DEP #270-152, RWB 1986-14). The request was for 12 months, but the Order of Conditions expired on 8/25/89. A two year extension retroactive to 8/25/89 will be issued. 11:07 PM H. Hulse moved'that a two year retroactive extension be granted for DEP #270-152, RWB #1986-14. The extension will expire on 8/25/91. 11:09 PM Discussion of the letter from C. Anthony, Commission Chairman, to the Town Manager regarding the dumping of street sweeping debris in the town forest. The letter proposes a task force of town boards be set up to discuss the situation. 11:12 PM Discussion of the warrant article concerning the proposed changes in the bylaw and regulations. This is a priority issue. Don will get copies of the proposed changes to the Commission members ASAP. 11:14 PM J. Nickerson moved to adjourn. Seconded. VOTED 6-0-0 Respectfully submitted J. Biller Assoc. Member FINAL CORRECTED MINUTES 8/8/90