HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-08-09 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes - August 9, 2001 Conservation Commission 1
Minutes of the Conservation Commission u,?MASS.
Town of Reading 2001 GEL I A 10: 0 9
Senior Center Dining Area
Wednesday, August 9, 2001 - 7:00 pm
Present: Nancy Eaton, Chair, William Finch, Thad Berry, Doug Greene and Patricia Lloyd,
Commissioners; and Leo Kenney, Consultant; Fran Fink, Administrator
Absent: Mark Gillis, Thad Berry and Vincent Falcione, Commissioners, Harold Hulse, Consultant
Continued Public Hearing DEP 270-352, RGB.#2001-14 Notice of Intent Walker's Brook
Crossing - Capping former municipal solid waste landfill and subsequent redevelopment
Chair read the hearing procedures; commission introduced themselves; an attendance sheet was
circulated; and witnesses were sworn.
Because of the complexity of this project, Commission agreed to discuss proposed Order of
Conditions language while keeping Public Hearing open, in case additional testimony was
requested or offered.
Usually hearings are closed after evidence is complete, and the Commission does not accept input
during the drafting of the Order of Conditions. The Chair recommended that on any particular
paragraph, only one person from the applicant speak to the point, because of the length of the
document and the need to proceed. Attorney Brad Latham requested that both counsel and an
expert be allowed to speak on any issue.
Two new documents were received from the applicant: revised stormwater plan and revised
maintenance and operation plan. Chair read a note from an anonymous citizen re: snow removal
dumping at the former landfill location. The town has to come up with plan and new location for
stockpiling snow, and the Commission has addressed this issue in previous hearings.
In draft Order, denials are proposed for two items. The Chair asked if they wanted to present more
information. The Chair reported on the meeting yesterday to discuss issues involved in draft Order
and, in particular, a lengthy discussion about temporary stormwater management issues.
George Hines, Reading Board of Selectmen, thanked the commission for holding additional
meetings. He said this is an important project for the town and delays can have significant
economic impacts. He request flexibility and expediency.
Mr. Latham suggested proceeding through the most recent draft of Order of Conditions.
Yesterday's meeting reviewed to page 15 and stated Fran did good job in drafting a complex
document. Commission had no questions or comments, nor did the public.
Testimony and evidence tentatively closed and Commission reviewed order and conditions.
Focused on paragraph 13 and waivers first.
Minutes - August 9, 2001 Conservation Commission 2
Waiver Motions: Pat Lloyd moved and Will Finch seconded a motion that the Commission grant
the waiver requested in finding 13. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Waiver of section 3132 in that work does not meet standard for minimum 25 feet of undisturbed
area, as discussed. Pat Lloyd. moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that the Commission
grant the waiver requested in finding 14 except for walls. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Suggested lettering bullet points in paragraph 14 for easier reference.
Re: constructing three ornamental retaining walls and signs in the ZNV. In draft, Commission
denies the waiver. Attorney Latham said ornamental wall in that area was intended to
accommodate sign in restaurant and jog coming out toward Walkers' Brook Drive. Given the area,
applicant felt putting wall to allow sign would be helpful. It is also the sign for Home Depot,
Jordan's and Restaurant at the main entrance to the property. Fran suggested discussing the walls
separately.
Mark Nogueira said the first wall could be moved back ten feet and the same with regard to the
stone wall on the other side of driveway. Third wall is a retaining wall and its purpose in front of
restaurant is to provide a low area by the brook as compensatory storage. Area behind that contains
landfill waste. Placing waste under there. Purpose is to place pylon sign.
(Leo Kenney arrived.)
Proposed location is about 13 feet from wetland. Pat Lloyd moved and Will Finch seconded a
motion allowing waiver for sign.and pylon in front of restaurant and deny the other two walls with,
the understanding the applicant could and should move them away from the resource areas.
Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Attorney Latham said applicant would like to withdraw request for waiver for cul-de-sac right now.
They are negotiating with a potential hotel tenant/owner and they will be bringing in a new design.
He submitted a written withdrawal.
Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that the Commission grant the waiver
requested for 2:1 slopes pursuant to Section 3 H 1 as shown in revised paragraph 15. Vote: 4-0 in
favor.
Attorney Latham agreed the Commission had dealt with all waiver requests.
Documents 5 and 6 need to be modified to change dates to August 1.
Document 11 Purchase and Sale Agreement goes in as of date of document even if there are
subsequent modifications. Document 13, correct spelling of Speiler.
Document 29 add "draft" before table one and two.
Document list will not includine the anonymous note -received tonight
Editing changes were discussed for Findings 1-7.
Minutes - August 9, 2001 Conservation Commission 3
Discussion finding 8 Dave Picart said temporary stormwater plan was prepared for construction
phase. The basins we're discussing are not detention basins, but sedimentation basins. Will also
provide some detention, but primary function is to trap sediment. DEP policy only requires
compliance with stormwater management standards when project is completed. Can't match peak
rates of runoff during construction period. Can do some things to lessen impacts, but understand
primary purpose is to trap sediment.
Mark Nogueira went through Erosion Control Handbook and found criteria for sizing
sedimentation basins is a half inch of storage over entire area, and spillway has to pass 10-year
storm requirements. Suggested prior to moving them, they can be seen in field by administrator.
Dave Picart said the sedimentation basins are the last line of defense. Sedimentation will be
controlled and prevented first. They have proposed very detailed provisions using temporary
mulch, sideways tracking, bonding and putting down daily cover, etc.
Fran suggested adding Erosion Control Handbook to list of documents.
Amount of area with exposed plastic will be relatively small compared to total acreage of the site,
10-20 percent at most, mainly where seaming the welds.
Discussed whether commission was satisfied with paragraph 8.
(Commission recessed from 8:55 to 9:10 pm to draft proposed language for paragraph 8.)
Proposed language was read by Mark Nogueira. Commission slightly modified and agreed
handwritten condition was acceptable.
Commission reviewed additional findings. Administrator will redraft document incorporating
changes prior to the next meeting.
Pat Lloyd moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to continue the Public Hearing and
discussion on the draft Order of Conditions to August 16, 2001, at 7 pm at the request of the
applicant. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Adjournment: Pat Lloyd moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that the Commission
adjourn. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy L. Eaton, Chair, from notes taken by Patricia Lloyd, Commissioner