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Home My WebLink About2001-01-24 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - January 24, 2001 1 .-HIVED Minutes of the Conservation Commission TC Y N CLERK kFADING. MASS. Town of Reading Selectmen's Meeting Room ZQ01 FEB 20 A I : ' 2 Wednesday, January 24, 2001- 7:00 pm Present: Chair Nancy Eaton; Will Finch, Doug Greene, Pat Lloyd, Commissioners; Conservation Administrator Fran Fink Absent: Mark Gillis and Vincent Falcione, Commissioners, Leo Kenney and Harold Hulse, Consultants 7:10 PM. The meeting called to order. Minutes. William Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion that the Minutes of August 2, 2000 be accepted as drafted. Vote: 4-0-0. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion that the Minutes of January 10, 2001, be accepted as amended. Vote: 4-0-0. Reminder: DEP site visit for appeal on new school site is Tuesday, January 30 at 11 AM. The Chair said we have received copy of appeal under local bylaw to Superior Court. Town Engineer Joe Delaney will meet with Fran to show her site and indicate points at issue and also attend the DEP site visit. 7:15 PM - Public Hearing - DEP#270-XXX, RGS#2001-01 Notice of Intent - Town wide - installation and maintenance of sewer and water lines, Joseph Delaney, Town Engineer. DEP number has not been received yet. Joe Delaney, Town Engineer and Jim Richardson, water and sewer superintendent were present and asked for a 5-year Order of Conditions for water and sewer projects around town. Realizing filings were slowing down action, they thought a town-wide order would simplify and expedite the procedure, especially since they have started a program to rehabilitate the sewer system, doing sealing, slip lining, and spot repairs. There are two types of projects: repair and minor system extensions, falling entirely within paved surface of road, which will be 95% of the proposed work. Also, some falling outside paved surface, e.g., in easements, etc. No project will result in a direct impact to wetlands, or removal of vegetation within the 25-foot buffer zone. Any project the Conservation Administrator questions, they will file an RDA or an NOI. When the Town identifies a project, Jim will meet with Fran and do site walk to determine placement of erosion controls, which will then be inspected, then proceed with construction. Sample memo included in file will be prepared for each site. Mr. Delaney said he did not exclude riverfront areas and work within 100 feet of vernal pool because he did not believe that was advantageous. He felt the same conditions would apply even - -if they filed. Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - January 24, 2001 2 Chair indicated at water treatment plant, when the Town installed the sewer line, the work wasn't done under the Commission's Order of Condition, but under DEP Consent Decree. The vernal pool at Strout Avenue was one of better breeding sites in the state. Town used erosion control with no critter gaps and we suspect a crushed stone bed may wick the groundwater from the pool. Water doesn't stay in pool at its previous depth. That history is why we're concerned with how the work gets done. Joe Delaney said the Conservation Administrator can require a filing if there are environmental conditions. Jim Richardson stated it is standard construction for sewer lines to put in stone bed to give support and to control any groundwater. The proposed work is not long trenches like at the treatment plant, but mostly spot repairs. For water mains, they don't use stone because the pipe is strong enough. If need to, bring in processed gravel. Most sewer pipes are around 7 feet deep and water pipes 5 feet. Will Finch suggested if they are doing work in vernal pool areas, it might make sense to use special measures like clay check dams to keep ground water from migrating. Jim Richardson said many repairs will be made on older main installations that didn't use crushed stone. The Chair asked, using Eaton Street as example, by the playground, there are wetlands on both sides of the street. There are know problems in area. They will be replacing existing sewer line, put in crushed stone bed. If channel acts as a wick, what is impact on wetland on either side? Joe Delaney said in most cases there will be no impact because they are only replacing small sections. If the projected needed major excavation, he would file. Will Finch asked about the sewer line east of the landfill. When dealing with beaver dam, he noticed a sewer smell. Coliform test levels weren't high, but he wondered if leakage or plans to work there. Mr. Delaney said that was installed in the 1970s and is considered a fairly new line. Manholes have vents and could possibly emit smell. Mr. Delaney agreed to take look at plans for Strout Avenue to see what was done and whether installing the line could have contributed to decreased water levels in the vernal pool. Chair asked him to submit information about check dams and recommendations for installing them so the Administrator can try to incorporate it into the order. Fran Fink asked if they needed to drive equipment across wetlands. Mr. Delaney said he doesn't know but doesn't think so. If they have to cross wetlands, they will file a Notice of Intent to do that. The Administrator recommended on the form, instead of "blanket order of conditions" it should say "order of conditions." In emergency situation, can issue emergency orders by calling the chair or administrator. f Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - January 24, 2001 The Administrator also suggested reseeding unless outside growing season, then leave erosion controls in place. Will Finch said the Order of Conditions will be good because when the Town does work, they will refer to document to see if a filing is required. Hopefully, this process will improve communication. Chair asked Mr. Delaney to stay on top of getting the DEP number. There were no public comments. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to close the public hearing. Vote: 4-0-0. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to approve an of Order of Conditions subject to receipt of information on the clay dams being submitted so it can be included in order of conditions, citing the regulations allowing us to approve 5-year order, and obtaining the DEP number. The Administrator will prepare a draft order for approval and issuance at the next meeting. Vote: 4-0-0. 8:00 Continued Public Hearing - DEP 270-342, RGB# 2000-39, PRD off Fairchild Drive/Van Norden Road - PRZ - Proposed construction of two access roads, and six single family homes. Applicant has requested continuance because they were not available to get information in to us to meet our filing deadline. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to continue the Public Hearing until Wednesday, February 7 at 8:00 PM, at the request of the applicant with no further notice to abutters. Vote: 4-0-0. Old/new business: No new information was available on the beaver situation. Extension of Order of Conditions under the local bylaw DEP#270-323, RGB#1999-27 908 Main Street from September 15, 2000 to September 15, 2001. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions as requested by applicant. Vote: 4-0-0. Extension of Order of Conditions under the local bylaw DEP #270-322, RGB #1999- 24, 379 Haverhill Street from November 3, 2000 to November 3, 2001. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions as requested by applicant. Vote: 4-0-0. Extension of Order of Conditions under the local bylaw DEP #270-326, RGB #1999- 36, 59 Forest Street from December 16, 2000 to December 16, 2001. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions as requested by applicant. Vote: 4-0-0. Extension of Order of Conditions under the local bylaw DEP #270-310, RGB #1998- 29, between 170-184 Pleasant from January 29, 2000 to January 29, 2001. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to extend the Order of Conditions as requested by applicant. Vote: 4-0-0. Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - January 24, 2001 4 Offer of land donation - 908 Main Street. Commission agreed to communicate our interest in discussing donation. Minor project 292 South Street - deck - could fall under minor projects signoff. Wetlands come up to fence in rear. Discussed recommending crushed stone under deck for erosion control. Administrator would need to approve stilling basin and excess materials removed off site. No grading changes and any disturbed earth to be restabilized. Administrator signoff - meets 35 foot distance. Already existing lawn area. Limitation on equipment in the back. Stockpile in front of house. Will Finch moved and Doug Greene seconded a motion to approve the administrator's signoff. Vote: 4-0-0. Endorsement of DEM Trails Grant for Lobs Pound Mill Conservation Area. Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to approve administrator writing a letter of approval of grant's goal of increasing access and education of area and fellowship with North Reading and assisting goals of Open Space and Recreation Plan. Vote: 4-0-0. March 21 was an acceptable date for a joint workshop meeting with CPDC for Fraen Corporation redevelopment, 80 New Crossing Road. This is not a regular meeting night. The Zoning Board of Appeals will continue its hearing on a Comprehensive Permit on February 1" for 1385 Main Street. There are historical preservation issues as well as possible wetland impacts. Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, H L ,V L ~-~v C, Nancy L. Eaton, Chair, from notes taken by Patricia Lloyd, Commissioner Approved 2/7/2001