Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-12-01 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, December 1, 2010 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM F Wednesday, December 1 2010 3 ,j Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Brian Tucker; Barbara Ste - Tip -,(~hls 'ar Jamie Maugham; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secre Absent: Brian Sullivan Call to Order, Old/New Business 205 Charles Street Present: Donna Fallon, owner Ms. Fink reported that the Fallons had removed 16 trees from the Buffer Zone without first obtaining a permit. Eleven of the trees were located in the Zone of Natural Vegetation less than 25 feet from the wetlands. Mrs. Fallon said the trees were hanging over the roof of the house and were damaging her roof. Dangerous branches were falling off the trees. She was not aware that a permit was required, and agreed to cooperate to correct the situation. The Commission and Mrs. Fallon reviewed a draft Enforcement Order. Mrs. Fallon agreed to prepare a planting plan and plant new trees. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Enforcement Order as drafted. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 26 Sunset Rock Lane, Enforcement Order A site visit was done. The fill was removed, but loaming and seeding will need to be done in the spring. . Ms. Fink will send a letter and the case will remain open until May 16, 2011, by which time the seeding must be completed. 2 C Street, DEP 270-558, RGB 2009-20 The Order of Conditions has not yet been recorded. 40 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-549, RGB 2009-1 The owners have agreed to submit the draft Conservation Restriction to the Division of Conservation Service. Ms. Fink is preparing the application materials. Motion made by Mr. Maugham to issue the Municipal Certification to accompany the submittal to DCS. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Parker Middle School, DEP 270-517, RGB 2007-31 The Commission has not received as-built plans and other. punch list items from the Town Engineer. If no response by next meeting, the Commission will send a letter. 1 Conservation Commission, December 1, 2010 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 and DEP 270-502, RGB 2007-7 The owner has not responded yet to the most recent letter sent by the Commission. 10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35 The owner has not responded yet to the most recent letter sent by the Commission. 20 Chequessett Road, Enforcement Order The owner has not submitted the planting plan as required by the Enforcement Order Lot 49 Azalea Circle, Notice of Intent, RGB 2008-38 More than two years have passed since the last public hearing session without any further submittals by the applicant. The Commission determined that the Notice of Intent has expired. They reviewed a draft letter to the applicant. Motion made by Mr. Tucker to send, the letter as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0 306 Main Street, Chapter 21E Report Ms. Fink had contacted the DEP Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup about the recent finding of PCB's on the site. DEP is investigating the details. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Sawtelle Family Hospice, 320 Haverhill Street, RGB 2010-28 Present: John Crafts, contractor Mr. Crafts proposed the installation of an emergency generator on a concrete pad, an underground propane tank in a concrete vault, and associated plumbing and wiring in the Buffer Zone. Mr. Hecht gave a site visit report. The chief concern was possible damage to several small trees located close to the proposed generator. Mr. Crafts will try to avoid the trees. The Commission reviewed draft findings and conditions. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the conditions as drafted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009-23 Present: Michael Palmer, owner; Jack Sullivan, engineer; Chris Latham; attorney; Patricia Dababneh, abutter Mr. Sullivan presented a revised as-built plan and a proposed modified site plan. The modified plan calls for removal of excess pavement from the Buffer Zone and planting to restore the disturbed areas. The plan calls for leaving the concrete pad on the south side of the"dumpster. Mr. Palmer proposed to carry out the work next spring when paving and planting will be more feasible than during winter. The Commission reviewed the proposed edge of pavement on the modified site plan and determined that it would comply with the original approved plans. The Commission also accepted the proposed use of vertical granite curbing along the edge, rather than bituminous curbing. Mr. Maughan asked what the concrete pad would be used for. The original plan called for this area to be vegetated as part of the Buffer Zone. Mr. Palmer said to store tools like rakes and shovels. 2 Conservation Commission, December 1, 2010 Ms. Fink and Ms. Scanlon raised concerns about several items that have. been stored on the pad recently, including grease barrels, a bobcat machine, and laundry hampers. Materials that may release contaminants into the drainage systems should not be stored on the pad, and Mr. Tucker suggested that a sign be posted with this prohibition if the pad remains on site. There was further discussion. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to allow the concrete pad to remain for storage of items that will not release contaminants. Ms.'Ohlson seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. The proposed planting on the modified site plan called for wildflower seed mix. The Commission reminded Mr. Palmer that the Order of Conditions requires a minimum of 10 trees native to Massachusetts will be planted in the Buffer Zone to replace trees lost during construction. Mr. Palmer agreed to submit a planting plan for approval by the January 12, 2011 meeting. The Commission asked that stone aggregate placed under the excess pavement be removed and replaced with good natural soil to support the plants. They asked for grading to restore the original grades, and to meet the top of the new curb along the edge of pavement. The Commission discussed the bare soils left by construction between the southern retaining wall and the edge of the parking lot on the abutting property. They requested that temporary erosion controls be applied to this area immediately and maintained through the winter. They asked that the. proposed planting plan include a permanent solution for this area. Patricia Dababneh, abutter, asked that the guardrail behind the building be relocated off her property. The Commission asked Mr. Palmer to include this in the corrective work to be done. The Commission requested a site visit on December 12, 2010, and requested that all corrective work be completed by June 1, 2010. Mr. Palmer agreed to this schedule. Johnson. Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 Ted Moore, the developer, called Ms. Fink and will walk the trail route with her tomorrow. He has filed a revised site plan with the CPDC and is asking for site plan modification. The CPDC has set the hearing date for December 13, 2010. Ms. Fink reviewed the modifications with the Commission and explained how these changes increase the amount'of impervious cover. The Commission reviewed draft comments to the CPDC. The Commission wants the Town Engineer to review and approve the new drainage calculations. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to send the comments to the CPDC as drafted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Maplewood Village Trail Easement The owners have not responded yet to the most recent letter sent by the Commission. 25 Curtis Street Ms. Fink reported that work has begun. 20 Fox Run Lane Ms. Fink reported that work has begun. Conservation Commission, December 1, 2010 38 Back Bay Court Ms. Fink reported receiving a complaint phone call. She inspected the site with the owner and consulted the GIs maps for the area. A pit had been dug on land belonging to an abutter. Earth had been stockpiled on both sites, and brush and tree stumps had been stockpiled by the pit. The owner said that he intended to bury the brush in the pit. The land near the house had been graded and the surface was bare dirt. An open fire was burning on the site. The activities were not taking place in wetlands or Buffer Zones. Ms. Fink contacted the Fire Department and they had the fire extinguished. Ms. Fink sent a letter and photographs to the owner of the abutting land. He called after receiving the letter for additional information. 489 Lowell Street The owner called for a site inspection after paving the extension of the driveway. Ms. Fink reported that the sheds have also been installed. Many bare spots have been loamed and seeded, but it is too late for grass to become established this fall. Some bare spots have not been loamed or seeded. Ms. Fink asked for installation of an erosion control barrier to stabilize the yard through the winter. Memorial Park The Commission has not yet received a plan from the Town Engineer to control sediments in the ponds during filling and emptying for the winter skating season so that the stream will not be contaminated. Ms. Fink also reported that the EPA had called and asked for information about the work underway in the park. She had provided information about the history,' wetlands, and current project and had emailed a copy of the Order of Conditions. Hunting Report from Timberneck Drive Ms. Fink reported that the man who installed a tree stand carne to Town Hall after receiving the note left on the stand. He will check to make sure the stand is not on the Town land and will contact the private land owner for permission to hunt there. 19 Grove Street Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve a Minor Project Permit for a deck. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 8 Verde Circle Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve a Minor Project Permit for tree removal. Mr. Maugham seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Minutes for approval: Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes of October 27, 2010 as drafted. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve the minutes of November 17, 2010 as drafted. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-1. Grove Street at Strout Avenue The Commission noted that parking along Grove Street and Strout Avenue was on the agenda for the Selectmen's meeting on December 1, 2010. The Commission is concerned about erosion and stormwater runoff into the vernal pools next to the roads, partially caused by parking on the shoulders of the roads. 4 Conservation Commission, December 1, 2010 Motion made by Mr. Hecht that the Conservation Commission send a letter to the Selectmen asking them to consider the wetlands impacts of parking on Grove Street in addition to safety issues, and to plan for improvements in soil stability and runoff controls. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 39 and 43 Walkers Brook Drive The Commission received the annual maintenance report for the stormwater systems at Bertucci's and Long Horn Steak House. They have cleaned their sumps. Hemlock Road at Sturges Park Ms. Fink received a complaint and inspected this area. There is a large leaf and brush pile right next to the stream that is smothering anything under it. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to work with the DPW to clean up the area, and to send letters about the violation to residents of Hemlock Road. Rice Road and Estate Lane Mr. Hecht reported that the stream channel that goes under Estate Lane also has substantial amounts of leaf dumping. Ms. Fink will send the abutters letters regarding dumping. End of Hunt Street and Morgan/Maillett Conservation Area Ms. Fink made a site visit with the Town Manager, DPW staff, and resident Gina Snyder. There is a bad erosion problem into the wetlands from runoff coming down Hunt Street. The DPW added pavement and grading last summer that funnels. water into the eroded channel. They also added rip-, rap to help slow down the runoff. The channel remains. Several suggestions were made to the DPW about. improving the drainage controls to stabilize the area, and they were planning to survey the area as a first step towards a design. There is also a possibility of recovering a trail through the Conservation Area to the Willow Street side. The old trail has become overgrown, and a bridge would probably be needed to cross the Aberjona River. The Commission will do a site visit to examine the situation. Ms. Fink will ask the DPW for design ideas to address the erosion. Sumner Cheney Place The Certificate of Compliance was. in 2004 but was never recorded. A lawyer requested a new copy to clear the title for sale of one of the units. The Commission members signed a new original. Jacob Way apartment/condo complex Ms. Fink reported that the Design Review Team has reviewed several preliminary plans for redevelopment of the former Addison-Wesley office complex as multi-family housing. Soils tests have been conducted this week for the drainage design. A Notice of Intent will be filed in January, as well as filings with the CPDC. The Commission will do a site visit on December 12, 2010. West Street RMLD Pole Yard Ms. Fink reported a site inspection. The disturbed area has been loamed and seeded, and covered with erosion matting. Some grass has sprouted, but it is still too short and too sparse to stabilize the area. The matting should be kept in place over the winter. Additional seeding may be needed next spring. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0.