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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-06-09 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 9, 2004 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall June 9, 2004 Present: Doug Greene, Will Finch; Becky Longley, and Jamie Maughan, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business Pinevale Conservation Area i- DIVED CLERK D'NG, MASS. LL~ , ~ { 5 Chris Colorusso presented a proposal for a Boy Scout Eagle project in Pinevale CA. Work will include bridge repair, new bridge construction, and trimming brush from trails. The Commission thanked Chris for volunteering and approved the plan. 54 Haystack, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-355, RGB 2001-18 Mr. Berglund, owner, stated that he had not constructed the interlocking block wall to stabilize the slope below the swimming pool as previously directed by the Commission. He presented a sketch plan of the wall he had actually built and described the grading and surface treatments that he had installed above and below the wall. He said the cost of the block wall had been too high. The Commission had inspected the new wall. Jamie questioned the cost of the wall and the cost of the.pool and other work related to the wall. Becky noted that yard wastes had been deposited in the stream bank behind the vinyl fence. The Commission questioned the long-term stability of the wall and said that the design should have been submitted for their approval before it was built. They suggested that the Town Engineer and Building Inspector review the wall. They decided to inspect the area again after the coming winter to determine whether the wall stands up to harsh conditions. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Johnson Woods Realty Corporation, 468 West Street, 6 Kelch Street, and 11 Longwood Road, DEP 270-424, RGB 2004-10 The Chairman opened the hearing. Brad Latham, attorney, and Bill Bergeron, engineer were present. Mr. Bergeron presented responses to a list of questions from a recent meeting with the Town Engineer and Conservation Administrator. He submitted a letter from the landscape architect concerning proposed plants in Courtyard Place. He answered questions about certain pipe sizes, locations of access manholes; buoyancy calculations for Stormceptors, elevations of certain drainage components, and proposed planting over RES 02. He stated that revised plans would be submitted after the close of the hearing before CPDC, anticipated to be June 14, 2004. He asked that the Commission continue their hearing until after the CPDC decision. Mr. Finch moved and Ms.Longley seconded to continue the hearing to June 23, 2004 at 8:00 _PM. Voter--4-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 9, 2004 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Warren Cochrane, Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street, RGB 2004-18 At the request of the applicant, the Commission did not open the hearing, but continued it to July 14, 2004, at 7:30 PM. Old/New Business: 335 Main Street, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2001-34 Ms. Fink reported a recent site visit in response to a violation notice. A Notice of Intent is expected soon. 19 Zachary Lane, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-236, RGB 1991-10 The Commission reviewed the status of work. Ms. Longley moved and Mr. Finch seconded to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance under the Order of Conditions for the subdivision accepting all work on the lot at 19 Zachary Lane. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Mr. Finch moved and Ms. Longley seconded to release the $500 security in full. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Meeting Dates Due to vacation schedules, the Commission decided to cancel the meeting on August 11, 2004 and to schedule a meeting on August 18, 2004. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Harry Gresek,1503 Main Street, DEP 270-425, RGB 2004-1.5 Ms. Fink handed out a memorandum on the status of the NOI. No one was present for the applicant. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to mail the revised plan to NHESP and to mail the memorandum to the applicant and project engineer. Mr. Finch moved and Ms. Longley seconded to continue the hearing to August 18, 2004, at 7:30 PM. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Old/New Business: 8 Morgan Park, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2001-32 The Commission reviewed a proposed infiltration system design and asked Ms. Fink to send a letter to the engineer containing questions and concerns. 17 Smith Street The Commission reviewed the response of the owner to a violation notice concerning abandonment of a swimming pool. The Commission was satisfied with the response and asked Ms. Fink to send a letter to the owner and his attorney stating that they are closing the file on this matter. Walkers Brook Crossing, Order. of Conditions, DEP 270-352, RGB 2001-14 - Mr. Finch moved and Ms Longley seconded to issue-an Extension Permit through August 30, 2006. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 9, 2004 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, William Drachler,107 Walnut Street, RGB 2004-14 The Chairman opened the hearing. Mr. and Mrs. Drachler, the applicants, were present, along with their wetland consultant, Erin MacGregor. Ms. MacGregor presented revised site plans and planting plans. The plan would provide 750 s.f. of plantings south and west of the vernal pool including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. Buttonbush would be planted in the pool. Mr. Finch asked why the plan did not cover a full 25-foot zone of natural vegetation. Ms. MacGregor said the goal was to provide a 2:1 replacement for the habitat lost to the addition, and to keep cost reasonable. Mr. Finch suggested that the owner could cease mowing within the 25-foot zone. Mr. Greene asked for additional tree canopy west of the pond. Ms. Fink distributed and reviewed a memorandum. There was further discussion about plant locations and mowing limits. The owner had some reservations about losing part of the existing lawn. The Commission explained the functions of buffer zone vegetation. Mona DeAngelo, Strawberry Hill Lane, asked for clarification of the proposed planting area, and Mr. Greene answered. The Commission and owner reached an agreement on the area to be planted. The site plan - will be revised for the next meeting. Mr. Finch moved and Ms. Longley seconded,to continue the hearing to June 23, 2004, at 8:30 PM. Vote:4-0 in favor. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, William Burke, 16 Bolton Street, RGB 2004-21 The Chairman opened the hearing. Mr. and Mrs. Burke and their children were present. Mr. Burke present the plan to put an addition on an existing house and extend the driveway. (Work had commenced earlier without an Order of Conditions.) The plan includes a drywell system to recharge roof runoff and offset the additional impervious cover. It also includes planting shrubs adjacent to the existing stream at the edge of the lot to improve the zone of natural vegetation. Mr. Maughan asked whether soils had been tested to determine the water table and percolation rate. Mr. Burke reported direct observations of the water table in the foundation excavation. Ms. Fink distributed and reviewed a memorandum. Ron Wood, Wahington Avenue,--asked-whether the stream could be entirely enclosed in a - culvert. The Commission said a Notice of Intent would have to be filed. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 9, 2004 Neil Sumner, 12 Bolton Street, expressed concerns about oil, tires, shopping carts and other materials seen in the stream. He also noted that the water in the stream can rise quite high during major storms. In 32 years of living there, he has seen the stream go over the bank on only one occasion. The Commission suggested that he contact the Police and the Conservation Commission if he notices any new contaminants in the stream. The Commission arrived at a consensus to grant a waiver of the 35-foot setback and permit the gravel drive to be extended to the addition. They asked that the driveway be sloped to , discharge towards the street, rather than the stream. Ms. Fink will draft an Order of Conditions for the next meeting. Mr. Finch moved and Ms. Longley seconded to close the hearing. Vote:4-0 in favor. Old/New Business: 7 Smith Avenue Mr. Greene moved and Ms. Longley seconded to approve a Minor Project permit to remove a diseased tree. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 45 Lilah Lane Mr. Greene moved and Ms. Longley seconded to approve a Minor Project permit to remove two trees. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 22 Whittier Road Mr. Finch moved and Ms. Longley seconded to approve a Minor Project permit to several trees. Vote: 4-0 in favor. 518 Summer Avenue The owner, Paul Foley, was present in response to a recent Enforcement Order. He stated that he was getting bids for the gutter installation. The Commission reviewed the Order of Conditions and Enforcement Order issues with him. They extended the deadline for completion of the response to the end of August. Camp Curtis Guild, Haverhill Street The Commission reviewed an Environmental Notification Form for a proposed maintenance garage. Mr. Finch reported that Leo Kenney had been conducting a wildlife survey on the site. Ms. Fink will draft comments for June 23. 3 Line Road Comments will be sent to the Zoning Board of Appeals for an up-coming public hearing. The site has wetland resource areas. 21 Line Road The Commission decided that an as-built site plan was not necessary because the new -work-used an-existing foundation. - 4 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, June 9, 2004 40 Harvest Road The owner will be contacted to reset the erosion controls and sweep the street. Pondview Lane, Lot 5 The Commission reviewed a proposal to expand the driveway, but declined to approve it. The owner will be contacted. Longfellow Road The Commission discussed the status of the appeal to DEP. 24 Harold Avenue The Commission approved a proposal from the owner to plant additional shrubs on the drainage berm. 3 Zachary Lane, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-411, RGB 2003-41 The Commission reviewed a proposed planting plan. The owner will be contacted to revised the plan to provide a 25-foot zone of natural vegetation. Greenhouse Acres Condominium Ms. Fink reported that she had not yet been able to reach the contact person concerning a possible donation of land to the Town for conservation purposes. YMCA, Arthur B. Lord Drive Ms. Fink reported a site inspection. The vegetation in the drainage area looks healthy, but some sediments need to be removed from the forebay. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.