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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-22 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of Wednesday, September 22, 1999 Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Rdom' PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members, Will Finch, Bethann Matathia, Vincent Falcienb, ` 5 80 Ronald Tanner, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Karen DeFrancesco and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan ABSENT: Mark Gillis and Consultant, Harold "Lucky" Hulse 7:05 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:07 PM Minor Proiect Sign offs- 90 Bachelder Road The Administrator will advise the homeowner that the Commission has given approval to remove the dead trees. 7:12 PM Joint Discussion with CPDC - Walkers Brook Drive (Landfill Site), Corporex David Proch-Wilson, representative for Corporex, Brian Lawlor, SMMA, Mark Vaughan of Riemer & Braunstein Counsellors at Law, Atty. Fred Paulson, representing Corporex were present for the applicant and Rick Spieler of Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. representing the Town was present for the Town. Mr. Lawlor gave a presentation. The grade elevations will not be changing greatly with pre-grade elevations at 1907191 up to 218 and post elevations to be 190-191 up to 214. Smaller detention basins will be located close to the wetlands to drain the cap as well as surface runoff. The cap itself will be impermeable. Mr. Lawlor stated that DEP recommended that the development should not extend beyond the limit of the existing landfill. The limit of construction will not meet BVW. The wetlands would need to be capped over to the north of the site and then would be restored with wetland vegetation. Mr. Lawlor stated that water quality would improve by this project because of cleaner runoff. DEP has concerns with storing water within the cap. They propose removing the trash under the detention basins. Chair questioned the outfalls of the detention basins and stated that regulations require that the discharge pipe be 25' away from a wetland and then run over vegetated land prior to entering a wetland. Mr. Lawlor believes they can meet this requirement. Chair advised that all consultants should submit curriculum vitae. Some questions raised and comments addressed to the applicant were: - is the impervious area on site known? - concerning site grading, if can not meet 3:1 slope, retaining walls will be required and may need to have a stamped engineering design. - more details on the fill over the cap. - roof runoff ? - revegetation plan- species, size, depth of fill ? - landscaping plants outlined. - the project will be regulated under 310CMR, Sec 58, sub-section 5 redevelopment under previously disturbed area unless the applicant receives a waiver from the state. - northern site to be cleaned up - clean up plan? Page 1 of 5 Mark Vaugh, Riemer & Braunstein, counsel for Corporex felt the project will fall under a redevelopment. The development improvement is not to extend beyond the limit already disturbed. Chair advised that the area of improvement, the cap to the riverfront, is also within the Commission's jurisdiction. All work is to be done only on Town property and not on the 128 Ford adjacent property. Rick Schubert, CPDC, asked if once the capping is in place could alterations to the capping be done? Mr. Ozarowski, engineer from Haley and Aldrich, explained two methods of how the cap could be installed, one where the foundations were put in simultaneously with the cap and another where the foundations were constructed prior to capping. Mr. Spieler advised members that this procedure has been approved in other towns and explained that DEP would consider this project as a new development and would require new development criteria. 8:00 PM Continued Public Meeting - 11 Norman Road, RGB# 1998-26 Applicant not present. Chair and the Administrator obtained soil samples along the rear corner of the proposed house and they were found not to be hydric until up to Flag 9. Haybales would be placed at the 25' line. Soils match the line delineated by vegetation a year ago. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. Voted: 5-0-0. A motion was made and seconded to issue a positive determination with Flags as described by the Administrator which roughly follow the proposed haybale line on plan dated 6/6/97, last revised 5/11/99. Voted: 5-0-0. 8:15 PM Continued Public Hearing - 379 Haverhill Street, DEN 270-322. RGB# 1999-24 Jack Rivers, the owner, and Steve Riceland, the hydrologist, were present. A revised plan dated 9/2/99 was submitted. The plan shows the grading raised F in a triangular wetland area. The trees in the area would remain. The area would be replanted with upland vegetation. The applicant would like to connect wetland flag 6 to 9 and use that area as ZNV. L. Kenney suggested to the applicant that he should just request a waiver of the 25' ZNV. Drainage for the project will have all paved areas going into a catch basin. The catch basin will discharge into a 4' pipe to an underground detention basin, which will then drain out into a 12" pipe to a stilling pool, and then to the wetlands. Chair advised the applicant that the drainage easement was not shown on the plan. Chair questioned the elevation of the drainage pipe. Members questioned the status of the test pits. Mr. Rivers stated that the test pits were all done on the same day and witnessed by the Board of Health. The data is not shown on the plans. A note with regard to a swale is to be removed from the plan and granite curbing will be installed for curbing. The Administrator spoke with Joe Delaney, Town Engineer, and he has approved the drainage calculations but would like more inspection covers. Chair submitted for inspection previous deeds of ownership for the property. By acquiring the land of Charles Wakefield, the town is a successor in interest to the right-of-way to parcels 171 & 172 and according to Town Counsel, it would take a vote at town meeting to relinquish that right-of- way. The applicant stated he would like to go forward with the original plan without the wetland replication and take care of the right-of-way at the April town meeting. A motion was made and seconded to continue the continued Public Hearing to 10/6/99, at 8:30 PM, at the request of the - - - applicant, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, with no further notice to abutters. Page 2 of 5 9:15 PM Continued Public Hearin 2- 38 Cross Street, DEP# 270-314, RGB# 1999-7 The public announcement was read and attendees sworn in. Paul Finocchio presented revised plans dated 9-17-99. The changes reflect the house being raised and grading on the right-hand side of the house to elevation 194. The area under the house would be used as flood storage area. There would be cut outs in the foundation for drainage. Michael Carter performed the test pit data. Mr. Finocchio read a construction sequence guide which will accompany the plan. A letter from Helen Filippone was read into the record dated 9/16/99. This plan has not been approved by the Board of Health. B. Matathia had concerns with flags G4 & G5. Carol Mohn, 2 Cutter St., Wakefield, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Castanino, 59 Cross Street, Reading, questioned if Mr. Finocchio used June 1998 calculations. She doesn't believe the storm in June was a 100 yr. storm. Mr. Finocchio stated that the 194 elevation figure would be a reasonable elevation to use and was mentioned by members at site visits and abutters previously. Mr. Pacillio read his letter dated 9/22/99 into the record. Mr. Pacillio read the weather article from Reading Cronicle which was mentioned in his letter. Chair stated that a 100 yr. storm is based on 24 hours. Mr. Pacillio showed a plan that outlined elevation levels at his neighbor's properties. Mr. Pacillio stated that the non-activity line was stated by Nancy Eaton, Steve Chapman and Leo Kenney on 3/11/ and no grass was there at the time. He also stated that Don Nadeau, former Administrator, delineated the wetland on 3/30/95 but the Commission never addressed the line during their meetings. Chair stated that Mr. Pacillio referred to Mr. Nadeau's letter of 3/30/96 stating that the area wasn't mowed. Chair advised Mr. Pacillio that several site visits by the Commission indicated that the lawn had been mowed. Chair asked if any of the submitted plans show the length of the drainage pipe on Cross St. Mr. Finocchio will check with engineer and submit to the Commission. A motion was made and seconded to close the Public Hearing. Voted: 5-0-0. Mr. Finocchio is to submit a plan to the Commission showing the length of the culvert on Cross St. A motion was made and seconded to approve a waiver of the 25' ZNV under the local bylaw. Voted: 0-5-0. Motion failed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and issue an Order of Conditions under the local bylaw. Voted: 0-5-0. Motion failed. A motion was made and seconded to approve and issue an Order of Conditions under the state law. Voted: 5-0-0. 10:50 PM Review of Planting Plan - Harold Ave., DEP# 270-301, RGB# 1998-12 Ed Mahoney, the owner, was present and advised members that he has planted a mixture of 31 red maples and gray dogwoods. He stated that his consultant had suggested 46 but now that the trees are in he would like the Administrator to review the coverage and determine if 31 will suffice. The Administrator will do a site visit but stated to the Commission that she is not an arborist and if the consultant felt that 46 were required for proper coverage, the applicant should have planted 46. The driveway on Lot 27 has been relocated. The Administrator and the applicant will also review the detention basin out in the field. 11:15 PM A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Voted: 5-0-0. Page 3 of 4 Respectfully Submitted, ' n Kathy Morgan Recording Secretary