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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-19 Conservation Commission MinutesMinutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 19, 2003 Minutes of the Reading Conservation Commission 4-' Selectman's Meeting Room, Town Hall November 19, 2003 Present: William Hecht, William Finch, Doug Greene, Rebecca Longley, Kelley Meier, Jamie Maughan, Commissioners; Lucky Hulse, consultant; Fran Fink, Administrator, Linda Boutoures, Recording Secretary The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Old/New Business 7:00 Ipswich River Stream Team, Lob's Pound Mill Conservation Area Gina Snyder and Butch Conary of the Stream Team presented preliminary plans for improvements to the Lob's Pound Mill Conservation Area. The work that they would like to do includes trail improvements, replacing a broken sign board, improving the canoe launch, clearing shrubs from the meadow, especially buckthorn, and installing picnic tables. The group would use some of the old mill dam stones that were set aside when the bridge was rebuilt. Virginia Adams of the Historical Commission was present. She had visited the site with the Stream Team. She requested that no alterations be made on the north side of the river - where the remains of the original mill are located. - The work is in resource areas and buffer and will require a Notice of Intent. The Commission had inspected the site. The Commission is willing to serve as applicant because the site .is Town Conservation Land. A Chapter 91 license or approval may be needed for the canoe launch. 7:30 Sumner Cheney Place (1375 Main Street) Order of Conditions, DEP 270-353, . RGB 2001-1 Four of the unit owners and the two developers were present to discuss the transition in ownership and maintenance responsibilities. The Commission provided handouts including site plans, long-term maintenance requirements from the Order of Conditions, and maintenance funding requirements from the Comprehensive Permit and Master Deed. The Commission reviewed the areas designated for parking and the areas that should be kept clear for fire truck access. The owners can contact the Fire Chief to discuss ticketing cars parked in the fire lanes. The Commission reviewed the impervious cover limit that governs the site, the locations and nature of the drainage system components, the maintenance needed to keep the system in good working order, and the work remaining before a Certificate of Compliance will be issued. The Commission answered questions from the owners. Donald Van Dyne stated that the stone rip-rap wall is partly located within the MHD right- - - of--way. He said that he had contacted MHD and they were going to inspect it. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 19, 2003 7:45 Public Meeting, 40 Harvest Road, Request for Determination of Applicability, RGB 2003-50 Mr. and Mrs. Kenney were present and submitted a revised site plan. They propose demolition of the existing house and construction of a prefab house on a new foundation. Two existing sheds will remain on site. Flood elevation is 85 feet and part of house and above ground pool are proposed in floodplain. Soils tests were completed to determine water table. First floor elevation is 92. Plan does not show intended front porch and stairs. The house is different from the one approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the applicants will need to return to them. Mrs. Fink recommended a positive Determination because the plan alters Bordering Land Subject to Flooding and compensatory flood storage is required. The Commission reviewed draft Findings. Mr. Finch moved to issue a positive Determination of Applicability with Findings attached, and require a Notice of Intent. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 6 to 0 in favor. 8:00 Public Hearing, Reading Memorial High School, 82 Oakland Road, Notice of Intent, RGB 2003-51 The Chairman opened the hearing. Keith Hoffsis, architect, presented the plan. Part of the existing building will be renovated, and the rest will be demolished. New buildings will be constructed and an addition will built on the field house. Changes are proposed in grading, driveways, parking areas, retaining walls, playing fields, utilities, and drainage systems. The little league field will be raised to reuse materials excavated from other parts of the site. Paved walkways will be extended to the playing fields for wheelchair access. A one-way limited use driveway will be extended from the field house to Birch Meadow Drive for emergencies and special events such as voting days. Oakland Road will not be changed. Josh Alston, engineer, described the wetland areas and existing and proposed drainage systems. The Aberjona River flows through the playing fields, with the middle section routed in a large culvert under the fields. The football field and the lacrosse field will be changed from grass to artificial turf, including underdrain systems. The proposed work will increase the total impervious cover on the site by 2.44 acres, including 280 additional parking spaces. Soils tests to date have identified ledge near the surface on the hillside and groundwater near the surface at lower elevations. Thus, the existing soils are not suitable for groundwater recharge. Stormceptors will be added throughout the drainage system to meet the TSS removal standards. Two large underground pipe detention systems are proposed to maintain the present runoff characteristics. Existing outfall pipes into the upper Aberjona will be replaced. The artificial turf fields have sides and will also detain water. New drainage systems will be piped into existing manholes to the west and north of the site. Dick Morris, Longfellow Road, asked about existing and proposed drainage into the system would reduce the rate of flow into this system. 2. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 19, 2003 Dave Conway, engineer, showed a sample of the artificial turf and described the layers and drains that are employed. Some of the water will infiltrate the soil, but excess water will enter the underdrains and be conveyed to the Aberjona. Mr. Maughan noted that the proposed work would result in a significant reduction in groundwater recharge due to the increase in impervious cover. Mrs. Fink handed out a memorandum and reviewed the main points. Jack Downey, Whittier Road, said that the stream flows year-round. He asked whether any of the altered wetlands could be restored, especially reopening the stream channel. He reported that the Whittier Road area and part of the football field were flooded during the March 2001 storm. He expressed concerns about filling in this area and possible flood impacts. He reported that the arch culvert had collapsed at the upstream end recently and asked whether the proposed emergency road could cause it to collapse again. Mr. Alston responded that he would look into this with the Town Engineer, and would review the present condition of all drains. Mr. Maughan asked whether the stream could be restored. Mr. Hoffsis said that the School did not want to lose any playing fields. Mrs. Longley noted that such restoration can be done but it is expensive. - An abutter noted that trash was a problem at the football field. Mr. Finch noted that the RMHS population is not expected to increase significantly and asked whether all of the proposed parking spaces were really necessary. He asked the School Department to justify this part of the design in light of the impact on groundwater recharge. Mr. Finch moved to continue the hearing to December 10, 2003 at 8:00 PM. Ms. Meier seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. Old/New Business: Haverhill Street Steven Haverty, 735 Haverhill Street, described a new beaver dam across Bare Meadow Brook near his house and the flooding it is causing in his back yard. He wants to have the beavers trapped in the upcoming trapping season and then remove a notch in the dam to lower the water about a foot. He is considering installation of a "beaver deceiver" next spring if the animals continue to use the site. The adjacent land is Town Conservation Land (North Cedar Swamp). The rising water could also undermine Haverhill Street. Mr. Finch moved to authorize the trapping of beaver on the Town Conservation Land. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 19, 2003 Sunset Rock Lane, new elementary school, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-341, RGB 2000-38 The Commission reviewed a revised design for the fire lane around the building. Mr. Hecht moved to accept the design as an insignificant plan change. Mr. Finch seconded. Voted 5 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention (Mr. Maughan). Walkers Brook Drive reconstruction, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-363, RGB 2001-29 Mrs. Fink will meet with the developer and contractor on November 21 to review the proposed structural design and methodology for installation of the new culvert and headwalls at the stream crossing. Minor Project and Determination files Site inspection reports were given. Ms. Meier moved to close the Minor Project files for the following sites: 55 Old Farm Road, 1 Indiana Avenue, 46 Bond Street, 14 Intervale Terrace, 15 Varney Circle, and 64 Batchelder Road and the Determination files for reconstruction of Route 129, 7 Lewis Road, 64 Glenmere Circle, 84 Longwood Road, 169 Haverhill Street, and 53 Willow Street. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 5 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention (Mr. Maughan). 49 Grey Coach Road, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-368, RGB 2002-8 A site inspection report was given. Mrs. Longley moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the project. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. 41-43 Wilson Avenue, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-308, RGB 1998-25 and Order of Conditions, DEP 270-310, RGB 1998-29 A site inspection report was given. The owner will need to continue cutting back the Japanese knotweed plants and maintaining the detention basin and other drainage system components. Mr. Finch moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance for satisfactory completion of the project under DEP 270-310, RGB 1998-29, with continuing conditions as discussed. Mrs. Longley seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. Work never commenced under the first Order of Conditions, DEP 270-308, RGB 1998- 25. Ms. Meier moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance stating that work never commenced and the Order has expired. Mr. Hecht seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. 32 Old Farm Road Site inspection was reported. Pool is constructed but not permanent fence. Landscaping is not complete, silt fence is falling down. A letter will be sent to owner to stabilize site. 18 Symonds Way Site inspection was reported. House is nearing completion, but final landscaping will not be completed until next spring. Applicant requests Certificate of Occupancy. Mr. Finch moved to authorize the Administrator to sign off on the Occupancy permit. Ms. Longley seconded. Voted 6-0 in favor. Minutes, Reading Conservation Commission, November 19, 2003 46 Bainbridge Road A new plan was submitted. The Commission will review it and continue discussion during the December 3, 2003 meeting. Adams Way, Order of Conditions, DEP 270-333, RGB 2000-8 Ms. Fink reported that the developer had not responded to recent correspondence. The letter will be sent again with a note asking him to respond. 7 Harvest Road An as-built site plan was submitted. The Commission will review it and continue discussion during the December 3, 2003 meeting. The DPW is reviewing a complaint about a fence in or near the site. YMCA, Arthur B. Lord Drive The Commission reviewed a request from the YMCA to empty the water in their indoor pool and then refill the pool. The Commission prefers that the discharge be conveyed into the sanitary sewer, not the street drain system. The Commission also prefers that the pool be filled from an outside tanker, not from the Town wells. The Administrator will obtain additional information from the DPW and Water Department, and will review the Order of Conditions. 34 Mill Street Site inspection report - shrubs are not planted yet. The meeting adjourned at 10:30 PM.