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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-01-28 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, January 28, 2004 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM S. Wednesday, January 28, 2004 Present: Bill Hecht, Doug Greene, Will Finch, Becky Longley, Commissioners The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. 7:00 Old/New Business 54 Haystack Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-355, RGB 2001-18 The Commission reviewed the as-built site plan and site inspection report. They noted differences between the approved plan and the as-built conditions. The main concern is a low retaining wall added between the pool and the original white fence around the back yard. The retaining wall does not appear to be stable. The Commission will send a letter to the owner asking for an engineer to certify the stability of the wall or submit a revised plan for a more stable wall. 538 Pearl Street, Determination of Applicability, RGB 2004-1 The owner submitted a request to enlarge the size of the deck that had been approved by the Commission previously. The approved size was already less than the standard setback. Mr. Finch moved to retain the approved deck size in the Determination. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 74 Old Farm Road, Determination of Applicability, RGB 1991-29 During the site inspection, the shed was found to be located with the wetland and it appears to be too close to the lot line also. Mr. Hecht moved to require the owner to remove the shed from the wetland. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. The Commission would consider a request from the owner to relocate the shed in a portion of the site that meets present wetland and zoning setbacks. Coolidge Middle School, Birch Meadow Drive, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-306, RGB 1998-17 All work was reported to be complete. Mr. Finch moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance with Conditions in Perpetuity for the project. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. Pondview Lane Subdivision, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-345, RGB 2000-52 The Commission reviewed a revised grading plan for the area between the houses on Lots 4 and 5. Mr. Finch moved to accept the plan for this area. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 335 Main Street After the recent tree cutting, the Commission will ask the owner to attend the meeting on February 11 and discuss a planting plan and plans for drainage improvements. 7:30 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Lot 45, Longfellow Road, DEP 270-415, RGB 2003-52 .f The Chairman opened the hearing. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, January 14, 2004 Tony Salamanca, project engineer, submitted and described revised plans, calculations, photographs, and a videotape. He described proposed wetland and floodplain alterations and replication areas. Mr. Hecht asked whether the foundation would be slab or have a full basement. He asked for soils tests to determine the water table. Mr. Finch moved to continue the hearing to February 11, 2004 at 7:30 PM. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 7:45 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 40-42 and 70 West Street, DEP 270-412, RGB 2003- 46 At the request of the applicant, the Commission continued the hearing to February 11, 2004 at 7:45 PM. 8:00 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Reading Memorial High School, 82 Oakland Road, DEP 270-416, RGB 2003-51 The Chairman opened the hearing. Josh Alston, project engineer, presented revised site plans. The plans establish the Bank of the upper Aberjona as the 197-foot contour, identify Castine field as a wetland, and show the revised BVW boundary at Longfellow Road. The plan shows details for the culvert crossing and changes the walkway near the tennis courts. The Commission asked about ZNV plantings and Mr. Alston said they could be added to the plans. The Commission asked for additional plan revisions. Mr. Hecht moved to continue the hearing to February 11, 2004 at 8:00 PM. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 8:15 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Lob's Mill Conservation Area, Mill Street, RGB 2004-2 The Chairman opened the hearing. Gina Snyder and Butch Conary of the Ipswich River Stream Team described plans to make trail improvements, remove invasive plants and keep the meadow open, install picnic tables, repair a stone wall, replace a broken sign, and improve the canoe launch. Granite blocks left on the site from a bridge repair project can be used for tables and the canoe launch. The stones will be moved with the help of the DPW during winter when the ground is frozen. They may-have help from Boy Scouts. The Commission asked that the red osier dogwoods be retained and the buckthorn be removed from the meadow. The Commission is waiting for comments from MNHESP and a DEP File Number. Bill Reed, Chairman of the North Reading Conservation Commission, was present and stated that they hadused indestructible picnic tables on concrete slabs at some of their conservation areas. He t 1 asked how much of the area will be mowed and asked for a copy of the Order when issued. 2 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, January 14, 2004 Mr. Greene suggested that the Commission identify plants to be cut and those to be saved in the spring, and further define the limits of mowing. Bernie Pierce, abutter, expressed support for using the granite blocks and improving the trails. She said the meadow used to be used for parties, but the placement of boulders across the trail head had discouraged this use. She said that fishermen sometimes park on Mill Street, rather than in the lot on site. She asked about provisions for trash collection from picnics. The Commission said the policy was for visitors to take all trash away when they leave. A sign about parking could be added to the sign board, but Mill Street is not posted to prevent parking. Mr. Finch moved to continue the hearing to February 11, 2004 at 8:15 PM. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. Old/New Business: 335 Main Street Ben Nichols and other abutters were present. Mr. Nichols presented a site plan showing lot lines and zoning districts. The eastern portion of the site is in a residential district and the western side is in the business district. The Commission stated that the owner of the property will be asked to attend the meeting on February 11 to discuss plans for the site. Minor Projects -10 Pine Ridge, 11 Oak Ridge, 553 Haverhill Street Mr. Hecht moved to approved tree cutting at 10 Pine Ridge and 11 Oak Ridge, and an above- ground pool at 553 Haverhill Street. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 2003 Annual Report of the Conservation Commission Mr. Finch moved to submit the Annual Report for the Town Warrant as drafted. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. 562 Pearl Street The Commission reviewed the site inspection report and status of work. Will Finch moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the addition to the house in 1992. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 4-0 in favor. MACC Annual Meeting Mr. Greene and Ms. Longley have registered. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.