Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-26 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, January 26, 2011 MINUTES i' Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 26, 2011 L ~ 5 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Brian Tucker, Barbara Stewart; Jamie Maughan; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator Absent: Tina Ohlson; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Call to Order, Old/New Business 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009-23 The Commission reviewed a site plan entitled, "Proposed Site Modification Plan", dated 11/26/10, revised through 1/20/2011, signed and stamped by John D. Sullivan, III, RPE #41586. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the plan as a minor plan revision under the Order of Conditions. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. Mr. Maughan arrived during the discussion and did not vote. 10 Gregory Lane, DEP 270-236, RGB 1991-10 The, Cominission reviewed a site visit report and photographs. The Commission will contact other lot owners in the subdivision who have not yet received final certification. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Partial Certificate of Compliance for all work on the lot at 10 Gregory Lane under the Order for Carriage Estates II Subdivision. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 147 Belmont Street; DEP 270-499, RGB 2007-6 The Commission received the recording information for the Order of Conditions. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance for this project. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Mr. Tucker to release the bond in the amount of $1,500. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-363, RGB 2001-29 No as built plans have been submitted yet, and discussion was postponed. 311 Haverhill Street, DEP 270-429, RGB 2004-24 The Commission reviewed site visit reports, photographs, and draft letters to the owner and to the DPW concerning recent tree work. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the 2004 project. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to send the letter as drafted to Ms. Grimmer. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Conservation Commission, January 26, 2011 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to send the letter as drafted to the DPW. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 205 Charles Street, Enforcement Order The Commission reviewed a proposed planting plan received on January 18, 2011. The Commission decided to send a letter to the owners asking for a revised plan using native trees, and locating the trees at the top of the slopes above the wetlands. Mattera Cabin In conjunction with the committee for Climate Change, a blower door test and energy efficiency audit will be conducted at the cabin on Saturday morning. The public is invited. Handouts will be provided of the trail map for Bare Meadow/Mattera and the cabin fundraiser flyer. Ms. Fink will attend. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, John McCracken, 37 Pinevale Avenue, RGB 2010-29 Present: John McCracken Mr. McCracken proposed to enlarge the addition to 27' by 14.8'. He will act as the supervisor for the work. He does not have final plans yet for the proposed grading and retaining wall. He would like to stockpile the existing patio paver blocks which will be removed for the addition, and install them elsewhere on the site, but has not determined the location yet. The Commission reviewed draft Findings and Conditions for the Order, answered questions raised by Mr. McCracken, and revised the draft. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Order with the Findings and Conditions as revised this evening. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. MACC Annual Conference MACC has mailed flyers and registration forms for the Annual Conference on March 5th in Worcester. Ms. Fink will check on funds available for registration fees. Meadow Brook Golf Club, DEP 270-472, RGB 2006-8 Ms. Fink reported meeting with Lt. Jackson of the Fire Department and representatives from the Golf Club to review preliminary.plans for anew maintenance building. She also reviewed the status of work under the 2006 Order. The club has not yet moved the electric service for the new irrigation pump or demolished the old pump house. The Order expired in 2009 but was revived by the Permit Extension Act. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue an Extension Permit to May 18, 2011 in accordance with the Permit Extension Act. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. FY 2012 Proposed Budget and Proposed Bylaw Revision Present: Will Finch. Brian Sullivan was present for most of this discussion but left around 9:00 for an emergency. The Commission reviewed the following documents: 2 Conservation Commission, January 26, 2011 • Memorandum dated January 25, 2011, from Jean Delios, Community Services Director/Town Planner to Peter Hechenbleikner, Town Manager, re: Regulations Summary - Conservation, State and Local, with attached chart entitled, " Comparison of Wetlands Regulations„ • Schedule of Finance Committee meetings in March to review the FY 2012 budget. • Draft memorandum dated January 20, 2011, from Conservation Commission to Board of Selectmen, re: Reading Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Section 5.7 of the General Bylaws • Memorandum dated January 17, 2011, from William J. Hecht, Sr. to Board of Selectmen, re: Conservation Preliminary Response to Budget and Bylaw Issues, with attached chart entitled "Conservation Permitting Activity", 2001-2010 The Commission discussed the similarities and differences between the state and town wetlands laws and regulations and identified key points to present to the Board of Selectmen during their meeting on February 1, 2011. Key points include: • That revoking the bylaw will not reduce the workload of applicants, Conservation Administrator, or Commissioners because the state law determines the procedures that must be followed for Determinations and Orders, and there is no duplication of forms or hearings during the review process. • That revoking the bylaw will, instead, increase the workload and the time and expense of obtaining permits because the Minor Project Permit will no longer be available to applicants for smaller projects. • That revoking the bylaw will result in less protection for wetlands and floodplains and the functions that they provide, including flood and storm damage prevention, water quality, fisheries and wildlife habitat, drought relief' and erosion control. y` • That revoking the bylaw will result in an 81% drop in filing fee revenues, based on fees collected in the last ten years, and will eliminate options for peer review fees, bonding, and fines for violations. • That the citizens of Reading value the protection of natural resources, which makes Reading and attractive place to live and work. The Commission revised the draft memorandum on the bylaw dated January 20th Motion made by Ms. Stewart to submit the memorandum on the bylaw, as amended this evening, to the Board of Selectmen in the packets for their meeting on February 1, 2011. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. The Commission discussed the impacts of reducing the Conservation Administrator position to half time as proposed in the FY 2012 budget. Mr. Hecht will prepare to present these impacts to the Selectmen on February 1st. The Commission discussed changing meeting dates in March so that they can be represented at the March 9th Finance Committee meeting when the Community Services budget is scheduled for hearing. The meeting schedule will be set at their February 9th meeting. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to find out when the Town Meeting Warrant closes and when comments on articles are due for publication in the Warrant. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was F _ 5-0-0. 3