HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-03-28 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001
Minutes of the Conservation Commission rASS
Town of Reading 2001 1. A 10: Q Q
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Wednesday, March 28, 2001 - 7:00 pm
Present: Nancy Eaton, Chair, William Finch, Douglas Greene, Pat Lloyd, and Thad Berry,
Commissioners; Leo Kenney, and Harold Hulse, Consultants; Frances Fink, Administrator.
Absent: Mark Gillis and Vincent Falcione.
7:10 p.m. Eagle Scout Project - Matthew Shapanka - Would like to build bridge at Bare Meadows
and build and/or maintain a trail. He handed out written description of what he would like to do for,
his Eagle Scout project. Matt asked if it had to be handicap accessible. We said we'd like it to try to
be. Matt was thinking about guide rails on trail and bridge. Matt doesn't know exactly the spot
where it needs to be done, but he is working on it. There are some boundary signs there, but could
use some more. Will Finch said we can cover that on site visits where signs should be and where
bridge could be. Leo Kenney asked if there would be more detailed plans before final approval.
Doug Greene asked whether there would be blueprints? Matt said he would probably do drawings
of the bridge. The Commission approves of the project in concept but would like to see details.
7:15 Continued Public Hearing DEP 270-349, RGB#2001-06, Notice of Intent, 518 Summer
Ave. , Paul Foley - addition. Chair read hearing procedure. Attendance sheet circulated, the
commission introduced themselves and witnesses were sworn. Paul Foley passed out more
comprehensive plan with updated drawings. Fran Fink did a site visit this morning and confirmed
wetlands below at bottom of slope. Plans look thorough.
Will Finch asked if he wanted a drywell at west end of house also? Paul Foley said he didn't
consider it. Mr. Finch noted there are downspouts at both ends. Mr. Foley said it would have to be
really close to drainpipe, so encroaching into protected area. There was no audience commentary.
Will Finch moved and Thad Berry seconded a motion to close the public hearing. Vote: 5-0-0 in
favor. Thad Berry moved and Will Finch seconded a motion that the Commission approve an
Order of Conditions to be drafted and issued by vote at the next meeting. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
7:30 Continued Public Hearing DEP 270-346, RGB#2001-03, Notice of Intent 87 Walkers
Brook Drive. Motiva Enterprises. Chair read procedure, an attendance sheet was circulated, the
commission introduced themselves and witnesses were sworn. Attorney Gallant said they were
back with additional filing material and revisions requested by commission. Revisions were also
made based on suggestions of the planning board. Regarding easement, plan not inconsistent with
easement so letter will be sent to that effect.
Nick Balboni explained changes in plan. Extended landscaping 5-8 feet. Also made trash enclosure
on concrete pad that will be gated in. Miscellaneous changes on landscape plan. Revised grading
plan. Grooved around concrete mat to contain potential spills. Can't make further grading changes
due to need to keep mat flat.
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001 2
Peter Andromalos - Handex New England presented a soil excavation plan. Impacted soil that
might be encountered. Accounts for 10-year 24-hour rainfall event to estimate flow as result of
event. Calculations on p. 5 and 6. Slight change in groundwater flow velocity during such storm
event. Page 6, example no. 4. Calculation of displacement of water during excavation. Scope of
work for soil excavation - referred to report. Fran Fink asked about soil excavation, not clear if
excavating soil just for building or also remove contaminated soil. Peter said they were just going
to remove contaminated soil found during excavation. Bonnie Bradshaw from Handex said where
contamination, will use rebuild opportunity to remove soil that could be impacted. They won't go
to site areas that aren't being impacted by the renovation. Eaton asked if they were intending to
remove existing hottop and regrade? Nick Balboni said they will be removing some pavement, but
only in certain areas will they be going down 5 to 6 feet and removing soil. Peter said the soil
observation work plan estimate based on footprint of work areas taking into account the depth of
construction. Eaton asked if the IRA plan filed with DEP identified a certain location where soil
had to be cleaned. Bonnie said it didn't deal with soil, but groundwater and sheen on the wetland.
She suspects in area of footing they will find impacted soil. Peter said a soil plan will be part of
IRA plan addendum submitted to DEP. Eaton asked that a copy of the DEP addendum be
submitted to the Conservation Commission. Bonnie said she suspects problem near pump islands,
but doesn't know if soil problem further down gradient. Will Finch noted in other filings when
dealt with suspected area of soil contamination, tests done on wall of excavation to see if
more needs to be done. That's where DEP comes in. Mr. Gallant said that removal of soil part of
whole project of doing rebuild. If no rebuild, won't remove soil unless DEP requires it.
Eaton asked about page 3 of soils document - field screen for total ionizable compounds. How does
this relate to petroleum? Bonnie said it will pick up anything volatile like gasoline. Use on site
screening to see what needs to be removed. Page 4 under site restoration says limited number of
monitoring wells may be destroyed. Which wells and how many will be destroyed? Peter said it
depends on field activity. See how many damaged or destroyed during field activity. Can't say
exactly. Eaton asked once doing site work, what is DEP timetable for follow-up monitoring? Are a
certain number of monitoring stations needed? Bonnie said if you look at map, the site is littered
with wells, which were part of an old investigation and old remediation system that are not
operating now. There are so many points on there, if destroyed 1/3, they may not need to be
replaced. Certain ones in key locations would need to be replaced. The LSP will decide.
Eaton asked if the site was going to be reclassified. Bonnie said the site is Tier II. NO DEP site
classification changes are being made. Eaton recommended that site work during major rain events
should be a restriction in the Order of Conditions. Fran passed her memo passed around. She feels
the plans are now pretty good. Site work is going to start as soon as all permits received. Will try
to do steps simultaneously to get it done as soon as possible. Eaton suggested the work should be
done during summer when the groundwater levels were lower and rainfall less. Everything will be
closed from day 1. In this case, it is quicker to take everything down at once. Nick said for
construction, concern with binder course having to be pulled up to do drainage, etc. Eaton said the
site normally has to be stabilized. Fran is concerned about infiltration of groundwater. Even with
gravel on top, contaminants are open to precipitation and the longer they are in an exposed state,
the more stuff will wash into Walkers' Brook. When applicant checked with Motiva engineers,
they felt it meant extending length of project.and increasing chance it will rain during the course of
project. Will Finch said the engineers need to evaluate risks and tradeoffs. Thad Berry said the
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001 3
faster in and out the better. Sequence of putting it down and taking it up can create more problems
than not. Fran asked how much of the time period proposed is actual construction of the building?
Nick said six weeks for complete building and canopy. At the same time, fuel islands and pumping
tank will be put in. Fran said the rest of points in her memo were self-explanatory.
Eaton said on the site plan, general notes, second sheet, page 1, would like to see additional
condition noting contractor needs to abide by Order of Conditions and must have preconstruction
meeting with Conservation Administrator. On page 3, grading drainage and utility plan, item 16
erosion controls need to be approved by Conservation Administrator. She said she was not sure
how note 22 impacts? Page 4 demolition erosion control plan same concern about soil removal
not being part of sequencing. Asked that language be made clearer.
Phase I - administrator needs to approve erosion controls. Also, where is stockpiling area on plan?
Dewatering sites need to be approved. Erosion controls, paragraph 2, maintained at actual time
intervals. Long term maintenance plan under item 1, define major storm event; paragraph 2
should be swept on a specific schedule. Paragraph 5 snow stockpiled on perimeter or trucked off
site as necessary. Over past weekend at site visit noted concerns. Looked like snow was lifted over
guardrail and placed in wetlands. Tremendous amount of trash blown or
pushed into wetlands by snow plows. Include daily site inspection in maintenance plan. Battery and
10-15 gallon container with liquid with label toxic waste. We removed next to dumpster.
Asked about absorbent boom, was it removed or replaced? Bonnie - they are monitoring weekly.
Inspects booms. She found after rainstorms, level climbs, and during dry periods, primarily fed by
groundwater. Set booms up, can tell when it is saturated and changes it. Here, the booms very
clean. Haven't seen sheen in wetland since September or October. It has not been replaced yet, but
still in good condition.
Applicant had nothing further to add, no members of public want to speak, and no further
information other than was addressed here was requested. DEP number was given to Fran.
Can we close the public hearing and have them submit revisions by Friday?
Pat discussed it might be wiser to leave hearing open until all info comes in, but not substantive
info, so may not matter either way. Will Finch moved and Thad Berry seconded a motion to close
the public hearing. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor. Thad Berry moved and Will Finch seconded a motion to
approve project as presented with modifications to draft Order of Conditions will be made at the
next meeting. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
8:45 p.m. DEP 270-345, RGB #2000-52 Ashley Place Extension. Nothing was submitted, but
applicant e-mailed a request for continuance. Pat Lloyd moved and Will Finch seconded a motion
to continue the Public Hearing, at the request of the applicant, until April 11, 2001 at 8:00 PM, with
no further notice to abutters. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
8:50 p.m. DEP 270-347, RGB#2001-10, Notice of Intent, 15 Tennyson Road. addition to house.
Robert Given, Jr. Chair read the hearing procedure, the attendance sheet was circulated, the
commission introduced themselves and witnesses were sworn.
Fran Fink distributed her
more. Work more than meets minimum setbacks even if wetland line is moved. There won't be
much stockpiling, but will keep away from wetlands.- Doug Greene moved and Will Finch
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001 4
seconded a motion to close the public hearing. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor. Will Finch moved and Pat
Lloyd seconded a motion to approve the project as presented with an Order of Conditions to be
drafted and issued at next meeting. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
DEP 270-xxx, RGB#2001-09 - NOI for was withdrawn for 52 Munroe, so there was no
continued Public Hearing.
9:05 Public Hearing DEP 270-xxx, RGB#2001-11, Notice of intent, 1375 Main Street - S unit
condo townhouse development. Michael E. Hennessey. Chair read procedure, the attendance
sheet was circulated, the commission introduced themselves and witnesses were sworn.
Denise Moynihan, attorney, was present. Fred Geisel made the presentation.
Ms. Moynihan said she just received the memo so just becoming aware of its content. The soils
will be tested next week. Fred Geisel, civil environmental engineer said the project is the
construction of 8 condos under comprehensive permit. Site is approx one acre with some wetland
issues.
Wetlands delineated to south of project on neighboring property. Wetland line closer to property.
Impacts work done in buffer zone. Route 28 roadway drains from north and south into catch basins
in front of site. Two culverts discharge from Route 28 into wetland in front of Wingate Nursing
Home. Exact limits are not mapped out yet. Question raised by Fran whether it is perennial stream,
but he believes it is just drainage, not a stream.
On issue of drainage, they propose infiltration to allow rainwater to percolate into soil to mimic
existing conditions. Willing to make any necessary modifications to meet commission's
requirements. Have not done percolation tests. Timetable is within next couple weeks.
Scheduled site visit with Fran for next Wednesday and will try to test soils at same time.
Eaton said the drainage plan hard to read and we need it at a larger scale. Fran said based on her
research, Gavin Circle is a dam between drainage divides. She asked if there was a connection
under Main Street to the wetland across the street. Drainage design needs more work. Applicants
have proposed pervious paving stones to meet 20% rule impervious cover zoning requirement.
Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator have reservations about these. The rest of her
memo is details about drainage and construction methodology. Entered three memos from Joe
Delaney, Town Engineer, into the record.
Eaton said on the Reading quad sheet, 1987 USGS typographic map, doesn't show a perennial
stream in this location, but town-wide waterways maintenance plan shows a stream through this
location with series of three culverts crossing Main Street. Fred said there is a drainage easement
through property, but no pipe or culvert.
Harold Hulse said when Gavin Circle first put in, the whole area drained west to Main Street.
Owners of the property abutting complained. DPW, to alleviate flooding problem, put in storm
drain on adjacent property. Area still floods during heavy rain. Most of the time, drain
controversial because plugs up and floods Main Street. It was installed 14 to 15 years ago.
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001
Fred said the area appears pretty flat, which would cause problems.
Eaton noted the Commission did a site visit Sunday morning and read the notes into the record.
Thad Berry said the drainage map, doesn't match site plan. Infiltration bed different. Some of the
grading changed, so we don't know if drainage calculations reflect changes. We need larger scale
plan. Also, in soil logs, 6 test pits, but 9 actual holes. Deepest test pit 9 feet. Ten foot elevation
change, but test pit is only 9 feet deep. In back of units, also have invert about 4 1/2 feet where
test pits were 5 feet. Maybe meant something else, but doesn't add up. On plan, hard to figure out
back units 5-8, graded so water running off sites going to back of buildings. Flow in 114 will run
right towards building. Swale may be created, but not shown on plans. Need much more detail on
drainage. Clarify 6 test pits versus 9 holes.
Robert Angelo, 1381 Main Street, expressed concern with runoff so it doesn't flow onto his land.
Applicant said they would grade so water is contained on 1375 and not flow onto his property.
Fred thought he could actually improve situation. There is a mislabeled address on plan. There
were no further comments from audience. Applicant requested continuance. Pat Lloyd moved and
Thad Berry seconded a motion to continue the Public Hearing, at the request of the applicant, until
April 25 and 7:30 PM, with no further notice of abutters. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
9:50 PM - DEP 270-317, RGB 1999-13, 12 Timberneck Drive. Applicant requested permission
to move to move shed. Thad Berry moved and Will Finch seconded a motion to allow the moving
of the yard shed as an insignificant plan change. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
9:55 PM - Old/New Business: Minutes - The Administrator identified some typos. Doug Greene
moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to approve the Minutes of February 28, 2001 as amended.
Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
Administrator reported the Order of Conditions, DEP 270-236, RGB 1991-10, Carriage Estates
has expired. Commission requested the Administrator contact Mr. Emery.
Pat Lloyd moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions for DEP
#270-312, RGB #1999-06, 24-30 Bay State Road (Melendy Drive), from May 11, 2001 until
May 11, 2002. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Thad Berry moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions for DEP
#270-337, RGB #2000-18, 24 Cory Lane, from May 8, 2001 to May 8, 2002. Eaton suggested
that might need a site inspection because erosion problems on lot 3. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
The Administrator said the applicant has requested an extension Permit for DEP #270-246, RGB
#1992-21, Gulf Oil, Route I-93: This order has expired under both the state and the local. They
owe us status reports for survival for growing seasons. No additional work needs to be done. Could
do partial certificate of compliance with two years left. Can't extend order as it is too old. Send
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001 6
10:10 PM - Appeal - DEP #270-341 School site off Roma Lane/Sunset Rock Lane, Response to
DEP request. There has been no communication with the new attorney regarding DEP's request for
info. The school has supplied information tweaking the drainage systems. Consensus was we
should ask for our own counsel so he or she can respond on our behalf to DEP.
Town Meeting Warrant Articles, including request to release portions of Town easement across
Texaco site at 87 Walkers' Brook Drive. This article has been withdrawn. Proposed work will not
impact easement.
Regarding Bear Hill the land was transferred to the town when developer built condos. Ben Nichols
of the Land Bank Committee said it was given to Town of Reading to be kept in open space in
perpetuity. Eaton said she believed because of that it was inappropriate to transfer to Reading
Open Land Trust, which owns one small piece of land on opposite side of street.
Will Finch moved and Thad Berry seconded a motion that the Commission recommend to Town
Meeting that the 4 parcels in Bear Hill Map 13, Lots 79-82 and Map 14 lot 18 be transferred to the
care, custody and control of the Conservation Commission pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, Section
8C. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
Will Finch moved and Thad Berry seconded a motion that the Commission recommend to Town
Meeting that the following parcels be transferred jointly to the care, custody and control of the
Conservation Commission pursuant to MGL Chapter 40, Section 8C and the Department of Public
Works for drainage purposes: Summer Ave, Map 20, Parcel 23, Colburn Road, Map 154, parcel 4,
John Street, Map 46, parcel 5. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
Thad Berry moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that the Commission recommend to Town
Meeting that the Line Road parcel, Map 68, Lot 6 be transferred to the Reading Open Land Trust.
Vote: 5-0-0 in favor.
Eaton recommended the following comments on zoning articles be conveyed to CPDC:
Site plan review bylaw - talk about what should be on plan.
4.3.3.5.1c Should read: all wetland resource areas, including as approved by Reading
Conservation Commission.
4.3.3.6a "area of wetland area displaced" if approved by Reading Conservation Commission.
5.1.2 table of dimensional controls should read not divided by lot area, but by useable lot area
outside of wetlands. Thad Berry moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to let Administrator
convey that information to CPDC. Vote: 5-0-0.
Wood End Cemetery land transfer Partridge Road. Asked for complete disclosure of status of all
these pieces to verify proposed document, including 10-foot trail easement, swaps between
Conservation and Cemetery.
Filing fees and other RGB regulatory changes are needed. The Chair and Administrator will work
Administrator reviewed proposed schedule Walker's Brook Drive development.
Minutes - Conservation Commission - March 28, 2001
Received request from Linda King on Main Street for campfire group to remove dead flora from
trails at Bare Meadow Conservation Area. She works with a group home schooling kids. Thad
Berry moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that Ms. King and her group be allowed to
move dead limbs blocking trails to the edge of the trail. Vote: 5-0-0 in favor of sending
permission/thank you.
There being no further business to come before the Commission on motion duly made and
seconded the Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
7
Nancy L. Eaton, Chair, from notes taken by Patricia Lloyd, Commissioner