HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-12 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - July 12, 2000
Minutes of the Conservation Commission
Town of Reading
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Wednesday, July 12, 2000 - 7:00 PM -
Present: Nancy Eaton, Chair, William Finch, Douglas Greene, Patricia Lloyd, and
Mark Gillis (7:30 PM), Commissioners; Leo Kenney, Consultant
Absent: Vincent Falcione, Commissioner and Harold Hulse, Consultant
7:15 PM - Continued Public Meeting - RGB 2000-26,15 Lucy Drive, Russell
Berman, Proposed 32' x 24' addition to east of existing house. Mrs. Berman, owner, and
her builder Steve were present. Proposed elevations were reviewed. The Chair inquired
about surface of expanded driveway and whether there was sufficient room for cars to
back. It will be asphalt and adequate space has been designed. Wall will be dry fit.
They will use two layers of filter fabric before the stone to prevent soil from eroding
through the wall. The walkway from the mudroom to the front walk will be at the same
floor elevation (0). There will be no grade changes in the rear of the structure.
Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to close the Public Meeting. Vote:
4-0-0. Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to issue a Negative
Determination with stabilization condition. Vote: 4-0-0.
7:25 PM - Reorganization and Consultants. Discussed postponing reorganization
until fall. Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion that the Commission
appoint Leo Kenney and Harold Hulse as Consultants to the Commission for one year.
Old/New Business: Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion that the
Commission issue an Extension to the Order of Conditions for DEP 270-297, RGB
1998-03, 659 Haverhill Street from February 19, 1999 to February 19, 2001.
Vote: 4-0-0.
7:30 PM - Public Meeting - RGB 2000-28, One General Avenue, proposed
resurfacing of parking lot. John Ogren was present for Hayes Engineering and submitted
a full scale plan. He described the proposed work. They goal is to maintain the parking
lot which has many cracks and dips in it. He submitted a letter from Peter Ogren
answering questions the Commission raised in its Site Visit. Mr. Ogren said they would
install silt fence to protect resource areas and will do the work during dry weather and try
to limit any activity during rain. Administrator asked about parking lot maintenance.
Mr. Paul Casciano, from DANCO said they do a weekly patrol and sweep seasonally.
Pat Lloyd moved and Will Finch seconded a motion to close the Public Meeting. Vote:
5-0-0. Pat Lloyd moved and Will Finch seconded a motion that the Commission issue a
Negative Determination with condition of erosion controls. Vote: 5-0-0.
Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - July 12, 2000 2
7:45 PM - Certificate of Compliance - DEP #270-281, RGB #1995-35 - 51 Sanborn
Lane. Owner Steve Chuha was present. He agreed they would install ground cover on
the side slope. They did not plant it with grass because it would be too hard to mow. The
Chair asked the Administrator what was in the order about roof runoff. She said there
was nothing about drainage on the approved plan. There should have been a deed
restriction. Mr. Chuha said he would be happy to add that into his deed. Eaton asked Mr.
Chuha to watch the outlet at the end of the driveway for erosion and to address it if it
becomes a problem. Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion to close the
Public Meeting. Vote: 4-0-0. Will Finch moved and Pat Lloyd seconded a motion that
the Commission issue a Certificate of Compliance, with the condition that the
Administrator not release the document until Mr. Chuha provides proof of recording the
deed restriction; and that the Commission release $900 of the bond and retain $100 to
ensure stabilization. Vote: 4-0-0.
Informal Presentation - Lot 12, 10 Cory Lane - DEP 270-287, RGB 1996-15 - Kevin
Emery, owner. Commission did site inspection on July 12. Mr. Emery outlined his
proposal to the Commission. Interested buyers would like to extend the back yard
further. He submitted a proposed plan. The back is currently proposed with a wall. He
is proposing enlarging the rear yard and removing the wall and providing 3:1 grading.
The Administrator clarified that the stone bounds in the field are the 25' offset from the
vernal pool and 100' from the BVW line at the rear. The haybale line on adjacent Lot 1,
Cory Lane Extension, is correct and marks the limit of work 100' buffer and
Conservation Restriction line.
Pat Lloyd inquired about grading at adjacent Lot 1. Mr. Emery said he is in discussion
with that owner. Mr. Emery said wall would have 4" weep holes and would be approved
by the building inspector. Mr. Kenney reminded Mr. Emery that the house may not even
have been allowed to be built due to the sensitive enviromnental issues and that the
Commission protects a 25 foot Zone of Natural Vegetation and asked if he would grant a
Conservation Restriction to provide permanent protection for the habitat areas.
Discussed Conservation Restriction and land to abut to Cory Lane Conservation
Restriction. Mark Gillis requested a letter from a certified arborist to discuss impacts of
fill on the tree roots and the distance fill needs to be kept away from them. The
Commission felt the proposed changes warranted a reopening of the Public Hearing and
an issuance of an Amended Order of Conditions.
8:25 PM - DEP 270-295, RGB #1997-26 - Lot 2 Sunset Rock Lane - Peter
DeGennaro. Applicant was reminded that Commission requires material to be submitted
at least five days before a meeting. Mr. DeGennaro explained that the future owner
wants to have the garage come in from the side. Commission discussed changes with
deck, stairs and walkways. Proposed changes are under the impervious cap ceiling.
Mark Gillis moved and Will Finch seconded a motion that the proposed changes are
outside of jurisdiction. Vote: 5-0-0.
Minutes of the Reading Conservation Conunission - July 12, 2000
Mr. DeGennaro reviewed the status of the project. Curbing is in. Silt sacks have been
cleaned. Administrator will meet with Libby Wallace on wetlands replication.
Conservation Restriction signs have been attached with liquid nail and will monitor the
success of that material with winter weather. Discussed an ATV entering Town property
from Lot 6. Detention basin elevations have been modified and stabilized. The Chair
reminded him to deal with Conservation Restrictions and items needed for Certificate of
Compliance.
Minor Project Sign-Off -195 Salem Street. Motion was made and seconded that the
Commission approve Administrator's sign-off with modifications. Vote: 5-0-0.
Miscellaneous: Administrator updated Commission on 38 Cross Street litigation status.
Discussed Trail Grant for area along Ipswich River. DPW assistance may be needed to
deal with the stone wall and large chunks of concrete. Leo Kenney would like to see
trails installed.
Discussed contractor using shoulder of Mill as staging area for sewer project.
Administrator requested orange construction fencing along Mill Street near the River.
They will store only pipes, grates and stone in this location. Mark Gillis moved and Pat
Lloyd seconded a motion that the contractor be allowed to use the shoulder area for
staging of hard materials, no sediments, to be stored along Mill Street, which will be
closed to traffic during this time. Vote: 5-0-0.
Will Finch asked about the speed limit on Mill Street and that he did not believe the
Town had to go with the state recommendations. He said there are locations in town
where the speed limit is lower than the state.
Violation - Sunset Rock Lane/Roma Lane - School Site. Leo Kenney, Consultant,
although voted a Special Employee by the Board of Selectmen, stated he was not
participating in this project as he is an employee of the School Department. Chair noted
she and Will Finch had visited the site as a result of a citizen complaint. Applicant had
not asked for permission to do test holes within jurisdiction. Administrator related her
conversations with Mike Dowhan, from the landscape architect's office. Discussed
options of sending a letter to the contractor with copy to Flansburgh and Geller of the
violation. Commission decided to wait until the Notice of Intent filing to handle any
remediation that may be necessary. Letter should remind the architect that he needs to
notify and/or check with the Administrator before doing any work on site.
695 Pearl Street - Proposed Land Swap. Administrator was asked to check with
Town Counsel whether the Town Meeting vote for a land swap with Mr. Harper needed
to be revoked. Appraisals showed that the proposed swap parcels were not of equal
value.
9:20 PM - Public Comment - Kendra Cooper was present and asked to update the
Commission on the new Reading Elementary School. She said she would like to " -
Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission - July 12, 2000 4
commend the commission for not writing a letter stating it would approve the school.
Tom suggested sending Dr. Harutunian a fine now to shake him up.
9:27 PM - Leo Kenney reported he visited the vernal pools this weekend and roof runoff
is not draining correctly. He asked the Administrator to check the Order of Conditions
for the Burbank Ice Arena and send a notice if appropriate.
Chair asked Administrator to send a copy of the list of outstanding Town Projects
needing Certificates of Compliance to Selectwoman Camille Anthony and request it be
placed on the Action List.
The Administrator was also directed to send a letter to the Town Manager regarding
transfer of the remaining land at Symonds Way to the Conservation Commission as
required pursuant to the Order of Conditions for the ballfield development.
Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Commission, on
motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.
C Respectfully submitt d,
Nancy L~ton, Chair, from notes of the Administrator