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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-03 Conservation Commission Minutesi D Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 3, 2003 t t ti NA a (I C F! iA u~). Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission; Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall December 3, 2003 Present: William Hecht, Will Finch, Doug Greene, Kelley Meier, Rebecca Longley, and Jamie Maughan, Commissioners; Fran Fink, Administrator; Leo Kenney, Consultant; and Linda Boutoures, Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business 539 Pearl Street, RGB 2003-43 Fran Fink reported that the Town Engineer, Joe Delaney, had reviewed the proposed design for the infiltration system. He noted that there is no total calculation for volume of the roof run-off, but thinks that the proposed system will provide adequate infiltration. The site is not in the aquifer district. Will Finch moved to approve the infiltration plan with additional fabric around gravel, William Hecht seconded. Voted 6-Q=0 in favor. Pondview Lane, DEP 270-45, RGB 2000-52 The Commission has not heard back from developer concerning recent letters. Ms. Fink will keep trying to contact him. 46 Bainbridge Drive, RGB 2003-21 Fran Fink reported that the Town Engineer, Joe Delaney, had reviewed and approved the proposed design for the infiltration system. Rebecca Longley moved to accept the infiltration plan, Kelly Meier seconded. Voted 5- 0-1 in favor, Jamie Maughan abstaining. 7 Harvest Road, DEP 270-372, RGB 2002-17 The Commission reviewed an as-built plan. One of the ZNV markers is in the street right-of-way, but the Commission found this acceptable. The front porch is smaller than on the original plan, and is also acceptable. There were supposed to be shrubs next to the house, and these remain to be planted. Fran Fink will send letter to owner regarding these matters. 211 Pearl Street, DEP 270-396, RGB 2003-15 The junk was removed. William Finch moved to issue a Certificate of Occupancy, William Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 3, 2003 YMCA, DEP 270-304, RGB 1998-16 The pool is going to be drained and new water put in. The present water will be flushed into the sanitary sewer. The Town water department can supply new water with advanced notice. There is no condition in the Crder stating that the pool has to be filled with outside water supply. 54 Haystack Road, DEP 270-355, RGB 2001-18 The Commission reviewed the as-built site plan and notes from their site visit. They noted a number of differences between the proposed plan and the as-built - more impervious cover, steeper slopes, less vegetative cover, more woodchips and stone mulch, retaining wall, and drain in patio. William Hecht reported that the owner said he had tried to plant around the patio, but dirt kept getting into the pool, so he paved there instead. The pool is one foot higher than proposed, which contributed to the steepness of the slope. The Commission would like the owner come in and address these issues. A letter will be sent. 20 Melendy Drive, DEP 270-391, RGB 2003-8 The Commission reviewed a revised site plan and found that it meets setback and grading requirements. Will Finch moved to approve the revision as an insignificant plan change, Kelly Meier seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. 4 Minot, 24 Plymouth, 426 Pearl, 99 Charles, 54 Beaver, 66 Rustic, 115 Colonial Drive, and Meadow Brook Golf Club Final site inspections were reported. Kelley Meier moved to accept and close the Minor Project files. Rebecca Longley seconded. Voted 5-0-1, Jamie Maughan abstaining. 27 Brewer Lane, DA Final site inspection was reported, addition and deck finished. Will Finch moved to close the RDA file for 27 Brewer Lane, William Hecht seconded. Voted 5-0-1 in favor, Jamie Maughan abstaining. Haverhill Street Reconstruction, DA Final site inspection was reported, construction is finished. William Finch moved to close the RDA file for reconstruction of Haverhill Street, Kelley Meier seconded. Voted 5-0-1 in favor, Jamie Maughan abstaining. 1375 Main Street, DEP 270-353, RGB 2001-1 The Commission reviewed the work remaining and scheduled a site visit for December IL Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 3, 2003 8:00 p.m. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Angela Taibbi, Lot 45, Longfellow Road, RGB 2003-52, new home Angela Taibbi, applicant, and Tony Salamenca, engineer, were present. Doug Greene stated that he knew the engineer from time together on the Melroase Conservation Commission about 10 years ago, but he did not think there was any conflict of interest in this case. Mr. Salamenca described the proposed project for a single family home and garage. Most of the lot is flagged as wetlands. They propose a 1:1 replication area. They cannot do a 2:1 ratio for lack of space, and will need to request a variance. Five flags were moved during the site visits, increasing the wetland area. Mr. Salamenca stated that he tried to balance the flood storage area. There is standing water present on site at times. The elevation of the outlet culvert is 90 feet. He submitted a March 1961 plan showing the site and two abutting properties as lots A, B, and C as evidence the lot meets zoning requirements for frontage and access. He also submitted other materials and calculations pertaining to the site. Fran Fink asked what kind of foundationibasement the house would have. Mr. Salamenca said they need to do soils tests to determine the bearing capacity of the soils. Fran Fink reviewed the main points of her memorandum. She stated that the site plan should be revised to show new flags. She went over the history of the property, as well as issues related to drainage, access, hay bale locations, lack of soils tests, lack of wetland replication plan, steepness of slopes, and lack of compliance with ZNV setback standards. Rebecca Longley asked for DEP field data forms for the BVW delineation. The stream flows into a pipe that goes to the Aberjona River near Birch Meadow Drive. The land over the pipe was once a wetland, but was filled for playing fields. Ms. Longley expressed doubts that the Commission should permit the project because of the direct wetland impacts and concerns that replication may not succeed. The wetland does play a significant role in flood control, storm damage prevention, wildlife habitat, and other values. Several other Commissioners expressed similar reservations. Jamie Maughan said that there would be no buffer between the proposed wetland replication area and the adjacent playing fields. Doug Greene opened comments to the public. William Titcomb, Longfellow Road stated the wetland and stream have always been there. The brook starts near the cemetery. Pieces have been piped as the neighboncc nas aeveiopea. 1 ne oroox slows all year long. lie teels the Commission should allow applicant to build and he would have no objection. Mr. Titcomb talked about how the Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 3, 2003 town landlocked this property. He also stated that the trash comes from the nearby playground. The neighbors, including himself, also dump leaves and brush on the site. Dick Morris, 79 Longfellow, said he had also put yard wastes on site. He asked what had happened to the previous order to replace the trees that had been cut. He said the cut trees were still on site. He owns Lot B on the 3-lot site plan. There used to be a locked gate at the end of Longfellow Avenue, but he removed it when he bought the house. He gave the Town permission to put pavement on Lot B after utility work in easement, but the Town refused to put catch basins in Lot B and only put them in the public right-of- way. During big storms, water comes down the hill behind his house and washes away the gravel on his property. He would like to have less runoff from that side. He said the Town snow plows tend to damage the raised catch basins and push snow down Lot B. He allows this because he wants fire access kept open. He submitted a copy of the deed to his property. He said the subject lot has always been wetland and the purchase price in 1983 was only $7,000. He asked whether the applicant intended to build anything on his land. Gerry O'Neill , 211 Bancroft, agrees with Mr. Titcomb that a house would be an improvement to the area. He said the stream flows all year and they occasionally unclog it. He is concerned with water issues. He runs 2 sump pumps every spring and they go on every 4 minutes. He asked that the design for this site not make the water problems worse. Ed & Christine Powell, Bancroft Road, said they were not affected by the water in their basement. The brook runs continuously, it is never dry. Their children love the brook and the wildlife that it attracts. Will Finch asked the applicant to research her access rights. William Hecht moved to continue the hearing to January 14, 2004 at 7:30p.m. Rebecca Longley seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. Old/New Business 32 Old Farm Road Fran fink reported a phone call from owner. Fence was installed this week, and they will reinstall silt fence. Fran Fink will follow up. 29 Dividence Road Fran Fink reported the pre-construction site visit has occurred. Hay bales are in, owner will.demolish old house soon. 201/275 Salem Street, Hazardous Waste Fran Fink reported recent correspondence with Lightship Engineering concerning continuing problems with the tarps on the stockpiles. Lightship conducted additional remove the stocxDiies witnm a 4 Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, December 3, 2003 Castine Field The Recreation Committee is considering not filling the field with water for skating this winter so it will be drier for playing on next spring. The Commission reviewed a draft memo. Kelley Meier moved to approve sending the memo to the Recreation Committee, William Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. 34 Bond Street Applicant submitted slightly changed site plan. William Hecht moved to accept the plan as an insignificant change under the Determination of Applicability, Will Finch seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. 87 Walkers Brook Drive Fran Fink told the Commission that the Selectman have a public hearing scheduled for December 16, 2003, concerning the license of the gasoline station. The Commission reviewed a memo Fran had drafted regarding hazardous waste clean-up. William Hecht moved to authorize the memo to be sent as amended, Kelley Meier seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. 468 West Street (Longwood Farm), Preliminary PUD-R plan The Commission reviewed a draft memo from Fran Fink to the CPDC. She will submit with her name on it and state that the Commission had time constraint and had not reviewed plans in detail. Meeting dates in 2004 Kelley Meier moved to meet the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays from January through October and the 1St & 3rd Wednesdays in November and December in 2004, William Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0-0 in favor. Bare Meadow Conservation Area Leo Kenney commented on the use of motor bikes on Bare Meadow, he saw tracks that would definitely fit a motor bike. Fran Fink will check into this. Kelly Meier moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m., Will Finch seconded. Voted 6- 0-0 in favor.