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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-24 Conservation Commission MinutesREADING CONSERVATION COMMISSION ..a A : 4 Minutes of Wednesday, February 24, 1999 Town Hall Selectmen's Meeting Room PRESENT: Chair Nancy Eaton, Members, Harold "Lucky" Hulse, Will Finch, Mark Gillis, Consultant Leo Kenney, Conservation Administrator Karen DeFrancesco and Recording Secretary Kathy Morgan ABSENT: John Casciano 7:05 PM The meeting was called to order. 7:06 PM Eagle Scout Project - Andrew Pearson, Linnea Thelin Bird Sanctuary The Administrator suggested Mr. Pearson make a brochure describing the area and the wildlife there. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Eagle Scout project. He is to check in with the Administrator prior to beginning and get back in touch with her if he has any questions and at completion. Voted: 4-0-0. 7:15 PM Discussion - Preliminary Plans for Athletic Field at Symonds Way, oJoe Delaney, Town Engineer Mr. Delaney explained the plans for a baseball diamond and soccer field with irrigation, sub-drainage in the in field and some in the outfield, a fence around the parimiter and lighting possibly around the parimiter. Most of the site is within the 100' buffer. The delineation has expired but Don Nadeau went out over last summer and did some flagging. The fields will be encroaching on the westerly ZNV. They plan to fill in an area of 109 sq. ft. and questioned whether the Commission would require replication. He also asked the Commission if they would like a full drainage system done and how they would feel about the use of fertilizer. Members were concerned with the boundary line, especially the B line, and suggested to Mr. Delaney that he get the Army Corp. plan. Some wetland flags were not labeled. Mr. Delaney said they would be doing more perc tests but for right now they are trying to get the drainage back to the detention basin. Chair stated she would like the vernal pools identified to establish the 100' buffer. She also mentioned that the detention basin there acts like a retention basin at times. Mr. Delaney will look into it further. Members asked how the town will deal with trash and food. They would not like to see any sodium chloride products used and felt as far as fertilizer, less is best. The drainage study can wait until further information is obtained. If the town stays out of the wetlands, no replication would be necessary. Members advised Mr. Delaney to preserve the Atlantic White Cedar in the area. 7:58 PM Request for Certificate of Compliance - 32 Randall Road (Lot 89), P File #871 A motion was made and seconded that a Certificate of Compliance be issued. Voted: 4-0-0. Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 2/24/99 Page 2 8:00 PM Continued Public Meeting - RGB# 1999-2, East Bank of the Ipswich River, Reading (Rear of 60 Concord St., North Reading) Proposed Well Locations MSM Industries Mr. Weiss explained that DEP has requested monitoring wells on the Reading side of the river. The equipment used will be transferred by boat from the No. Reading side to the Reading side. The fill will be spread around the area which he felt would re- vegetate naturally and quickly. The gas operated machine, weighing 300 to 400 pounds, will be set up and disassembled at each well. Members were concerned with refilling at the site area and would like to see any refueling done over some absorbing material, any drilled material removed off site outside of Zone 2 or the Commission's jurisdiction, no need for erosion controls, and the results of the monitoring should be reported back to the Administrator. A motion was made and seconded to approve a negative determination of applicability with conditions as delineated by the Commission. Voted: 4-0-0. 8:20 PM Eagle Scout Proiect - Matthew Sousa, Bare Meadow Conservation Area Matthew submitted a plan showing where the existing horse path that he plans to clean up is located. Don Nadeau had flagged the path in the fall of '98. L. Kenney mentioned that part of the path may not be on Conservation or town property. He also suggested that the path be located more in the woods. Members felt that a site visit would be beneficial. 8:45 PM Plan Change - 450 Haverhill St., DEP# 270-291, RGB# 1997-01 Mr. David Barrett plans to purchase the property from Mr. Larkin (who was also present) and has come before the Commission with plans for a larger size house with a full basement which would be pulled away from the wetlands. Mr. Barrett doesn't have a definite plan for his house and, therefore, doesn't know the exact footage or have any drainage calculations. He is planning to construct a 4000 sq. ft. house and would install catch basins if necessary. The pine trees between the property and the adjacent neighbor seem to be on the boundary line. Mr. Rogers, 444 Haverhill St. believes the trees are on the boundary line and would like to see the trees stay. He questioned survivability of the trees if the house was constructed so close to them. Curt Nitzche, 453 Haverhill St. was speaking for Mr. Schurman, 456 Haverhill St., who has a right of easement and would like the existing driveway to remain. The owner at 462 Haverhill St., asked about hazardous materials on the property. Mr. Larkin advised the neighbors that both local and state agencies have found that no further action is necessary. Beth Ann Matathia, 10 Stonehill Rd., referred to a report from Ensol, dated over two years ago, that stated that they found soil analysis contained lead and arsenic so high that it triggered the two hour notification. The Administrator produced a letter dated 1/7/99 from DEP to Mr. and Mrs. Larkin stating that no further requirement was necessary. The owner at 462 Haverhill St., was insulted that Mr. Larkin would insinuate that the neighbors are trumping charges to stop development. Mrs. Matathia was also concerned Reading Conservation Commission Minutes of 2/24/99 Page 3 with the elevation at the property, resulting in drainage problems for the neighbors. After a short recess, the applicant withdrew his request for a plan change. 9:50 PM Reevaluate Bond Release - $500, Lot 6, 34 Duck Rd, RGB# 1992-20 Mr. Larkin was present for the meeting and he has agreed to replant the trees. 10:00 PM Review/Approval of Planting Plan - Pleasant St., DEN 270-310, RGB# 1998-29 A motion was made and seconded to approve the planting plan. Voted: 4-0-0. 10:01 PM Request for Extension Permit RGB# 1998-1,80 New Crossing Road, extend from 3-6-99 to 3-6-00 A motion was made to grant an extension from 3-6-99 to 3-6-00. Voted: 4-0-0. 10:05 PM Request for continuance of Continued Public Meeting to 3-10-99 RGB# 1998-26, 11 Norman Roa , proposed single family house A motion was made to continue until 3-10-99 at 8:45 PM. Voted: 4-0-0. 10:15 PM Chair advised members of a conversation she had with Mr. Keating of Forestry and Parks regarding the dumping of debris in close proximity to the wetlands on Strout Ave. A motion was made to issue a violation letter to the DPW and to remove the material immediately. Voted: 4-0-0. 10:17 PM The Tiger Cubs in town have contacted the Administrator asking for permission to have a sleep over in Bare Meadow Conservation Area. The Administrator will send a letter with a specific date. A motion was made and seconded that the Conservation Commission approve of the Tiger Cubs having a sleep over in Bare Meadow Conservation area subject to the rules and regulations of the Conservation Commission and subject to the Fire Dept. regulations. Voted: 4-0-0. 10:25 PM A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. Voted: 4-0-0. Respectfully submitted, Kathy M r an, Recordin Secretary