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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-15 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 15, 2004 J A 0, Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall l' 91 P December 15, 2004 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman, Will Finch, Doug Greene, Becky Longley, and Jamie Maughan, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business: 500 West Street Kevin Jaynes, owner, was present. Ben Nichols was present for Reading Open Land Trust. Ms. Fink distributed a site visit report and other materials documenting recent activities at the site. Work has been done recently in the Buffer Zone without submitting a Notice of. Intent. Mr. Nichols reported that some of the work, including construction of a fence, was located on land belongin to Reading Open Land Trust. ROLT would like the fence to be removed from their land. The Commission discussed several actions that could be taken to address erosion concerns, boundary concerns, and restore a Zone of Natural Vegetation. Mr. Jaynes agreed to file a Notice of Intent. Mr. Greene moved to accept the site visit report and require that a Notice of Intent be submitted by Mr. Jaynes by the end of February. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Cornerstone Ventures, LLC, 105 Libby Avenue, RGB 2004-36, demolish existing house and construct new house and driveway The Chairman opened the hearing. Bob Lynch, the project engineer, presented a revised site plan and drainage calculations. The calculations are based on an assumed percolation rate because soils tests have not been done. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions and revised several items. Mr. Maughan moved to issue an Order of Conditions for the project with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening.. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Judy Cianciolo and Keith Ballantyne, 128 Van Norden Road, RGB 2004-37, tree cutting Judy Cianciola, the owner, was present and described the poor condition of several trees in her back yard. One large tree fell recently. The trees have been examined by the Tree Warden and by Northeast Tree Service. The Commission reviewed a site visit, report _and identified trees to_bexemoved_and trees _to be trimmed. They reviewed and amended draft Conditions. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 15, 2004 Mr. Finch moved to issue a negative Determination of Applicability subject to the Conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Stephen O'Neill, 67 Forest Street, RGB 2004-38, tree cutting and deck reconstruction Stephen O'Neill, the owner, was present and described the proposed work including construction of a deck and removal of a tree in poor condition. The Commission reviewed a site visit report and identified two other trees and a brushpile to be removed. They asked Mr. O'Neill to delineate the wetland boundary and continue the matter. He agreed. Mr. Finch moved to continue the Request to January 5, 2005 at 7:30 PM. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Old/New Business: 80 New Crossing Road The Commission reviewed site visit reports. The flood storage compensation area is progressing well. However, the pavement at the loading dock within a few feet of Walkers Brook was recently replaced with new concrete paving. The owner did not file a permit application. The adjacent stream bank is disturbed and eroding. A letter will be sent requesting immediate stabilization. Archstone Reading, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003-46 A letter will be sent concerning preconstruction submittals. Wood End Elementary School, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000-38 Ms. Fink reported that the only response to a recent letter concerning the status of work on the site came from John Thiffault in the School Department, and he did not know how the contractor or others were planning to respond. The Commission will contact the Town Manager about the lack of response. Reading Memorial High School Ms. Fink reported that John Thiffault had indicated that he would provide the snow storage plan, but it had not yet arrived. The Commission reviewed recent site visit reports. They decided to send a retroactive violation notice for significant sedimentation of the stream due to erosion control failures. They scheduled a site inspection for 10 AM on December 22. They discussed the recent collapse of part of the main stream culvert and the fact that the Conservation office was not notified immediately or consulted about temporary stabilization of the area. Maplewood Village, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-423, RGB 2004-13 Revised site plans were received. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to review them and then discuss any concerns with the developers. 72 Van Norden The Commission reviewed the site plan for the Conservation Restriction Area and found it acceptable. The owners will be contacted to sign the Grant of Conservation Restriction. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 15, 2004 Timberneck Conservation Area, end of E and F Streets The Commission reviewed site inspection reports and aerial photos. It appears that an abutter at the end of E Street is mowing the Conservation Land and storing materials there. A letter will be sent. Pinevale Conservation Area The Commission reviewed a site visit report. An abutter had complained that the stream was blocked, and Ms. Fink had determined that sediments and brush had plugged the stream below the sewer main crossing. The DPW will be asked to clear the materials. Master Plan Ms. Fink will ask the Town Planner for information. 9 Mill Street, North Reading Ms. Fink will attend the hearing at DEP on January 10, 2005. Barrows Elementary School Ms. Fink reported a site inspection. The infiltration bed is nearing completion. There are major erosion problems on the steep slopes above the tennis court that need immediate attention. There are concerns about the work between the edge of the parking lot and the wetlands. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to inspect again with the contractor and project manager to address the immediate problems. 46 Bainbridge Road The Commission reviewed a site inspection report and as-built plan. Mr. Finch moved to close the file on the Determination of Applicability. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Strout Avenue Water Treatment Plant Ms. Fink reported a recent site visit. The Water Department will submit an ANRAD soon. 3 Zachary Lane The Commission reviewed a site inspection report. They will return in the spring to determine whether the plants in the ZNV and wetland survive. 21 Line Road The Commission reviewed a site inspection report. Mr. Greene moved to close the Minor Project Permit for the deck. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. 116 Van Norden Road Mr. Finch moved to., approve the Minor Project Permit fortree -work. -Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 5-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 15, 2004 553 Haverhill Street The Commission reviewed a site inspection report. A letter will be sent to the owner concerning a boat parked in the ZNV and planting to be carried out next spring. Bond Records Ms. Fink reported that she is working with the Treasurer to update records on bonds being held for work under Orders of Conditions. Sanborn Hill gas station A leak occurred at the gas station on north Main Street. The Fire Department responded immediately and was able to contain the leak before it left the catch basin and entered the Ipswich River. Biodiversity Map The Commission received a new map from NHESP identifying important habitat areas for biodiversity and rare species. Several areas in Reading are included on the map. The meeting adjourned. 4