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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-08 Conservation Commission Minutes1. CU, Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, September 8, 2010 r I L 01 Present: Jamie Maugham, Acting Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Tina Ohlson; Brian Tucker; Barbara Stewart; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Bill Hecht Call to Order, Old/New Business Thomas Haggerty, Reading Eagle Scout Mr. Haggerty wants to build a six-bridge trail section in the Town Forest. There will be two phases. He explained the cleanup and building process he will use for the project and how he will solicit building materials and donations to cover the expected cost of $1,050. The Commission asked a number of questions about the building process to insure that this will be a sturdy, long lasting improvement. The Commission advised Thomas to talk to the Trail Committee and Town Forest Committee as well. On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to approve the project. The vote was 6-0-0. Kylie Drive DEP 270-462, RGB 2005-41- As-built plan, request for Certificate of Compliance and bond release, transfer of Lot A to Town for conservation purposes Attorney Julie Palmaccio gave a current report as to the condition of the lots. Ms. Fink said it did look good when she did a site visit. On a motion by Mr. Sullivan, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the Conservation Commission moved to issue a Certificate of Compliance. The vote was 6-0-0. On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to accept the Deed for transfer of Lot A to Town ownership under the care of the Cornrnission. The vote was 6-0-0. On a motion by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Conservation Commission moved to release the bond to Deer Run Developers in the amount of $20,000. The vote was 6-0-0. Will Finch, Trail Committee - Bare Meadow Conservation Area Mr. Finch said the Trail Committee would like to move the existing sign from the north side of the Pearl Street parking lot to a position where it can be seen from the street. A large stand of Japanese knotweed must be cleared. The best method is to cut the stems and then apply glyphosphate inside each stem. He will contact DPW to ask for the herbicide to by applied by their licensed staff. On a motion by Mr. Tucker, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to approve the project. The vote was 6-0-0.. s Loll 1 Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Andrew Pywell, 46 Walnut Street, RGB 2010-20, garage, driveway, grading, and landscaping Present: Andrew Pywell, applicant Mr. Pywell reviewed his plans to construct a garage and breezeway, change the driveway layout, and fill and grade the back yard. He said he would revise the plan and return if his proposal was not acceptable. Mr. Maugham asked for revisions in the grading to maintain present runoff patterns to the wetlands and avoid fill over tree roots. Ms. Scanlon asked for plantings in the Zone of Nautral Vegetation. Ms. Fink suggested changing the driveway entrance to avoid a utility pole, and providing proposed grading for the driveway. The Commission reviewed a letter from Ilene Bornstein of 80 Haystack Road concerning runoff patterns. Dick Patterson, 21 Holly Road, asked how big the proposed garage would be. Mr. Pywell said about 24' by 26', one-story with a loft for storage. Mr. Pywell agreed to revise the site plan and continue the hearing. On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Stewart, the Conservation Commission moved to continue the hearing to September 22, 2010. The vote was 6-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Douglas Malone, 149 Walnut Street, RGB 2010-21, cut and remove trees Present: Mr. and Mrs. Malone, applicants Mr. Malone reviewed his proposed removal of 22 trees from his property due to their proximity to his house, weakened condition, and limiting of sunshine on the house. He will be doing other plantings to offset the loss of the trees on the slope. The Commission members did a site visit and thought some trees should have limbs trimmed, rather than removal, especially the trees in the inner buffer zone on the steep slope. Mr. Malone agreed to this. The Commission reviewed the draft findings and conditions and made revisions. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms Ohlson, the Conservation Commission moved to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and conditions as revised this evening. The vote was 6-0-0. 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB' 2009-23 - Status of work Present: Attorney Brad Latham and owner Michael Palmer Attorney Latham said Mr. Palmer would like to address the list of work needed as set forth in letters sent by the Commission in July and August. He reviewed several items on the list and said that they would be addressed soon. He described the retaining wall behind the building, and the measures being taken to arrange inspection and maintenance of the drainage systems. He also said that Mr. Palmer will request an Amended Order of Conditions and will submit a plan to extend the parking lot eastward into the undeveloped part of the lot. He said they were considering offering a land swap with the Town as mitigation. Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 Mr. Palmer said that the restaurant has a parking issue. He will be seeking approval from the Town for additional parking beyond the pavement that is now in place. They hope to accomplish this within the next thirty days to see what options may be possible. The Commission reviewed the location of the wetland, floodplain, and zone of natural vegetation with respect to the existing excess pavement and proposed extension. They also noted that the DEP stormwater regulations would apply, and that the lot was partly located in a residential zoning district that might limit work. They asked whether off-site parking could be arranged for staff. Mr. Palmer said that he does have an arrangement with the muffler shop nearby for some parking. The Commission reviewed a letter from the abutter at 113 Hopkins Street who voiced her concerns with the present drainage flow and plantings between her property and 107 Main.. 26 Sunset Rock Lane, Enforcement Order - Status of work Bob Beckman, the owner, was present. He reported that the Town Engineer will allow the fence to remain in the easement, with the understanding that the DPW may remove it if need for access to the drainage system. Mr. Beckman said that he has a landscape contractor coming to bid on resolving the earth stockpile. However, he still did not think this was necessary. The Commission reviewed the reasons that the stockpile is not stable, and Mr. Beckman agreed to address it by the end of September. Memorial Park, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45 The Commission did a site visit. The ponds look bigger than envisioned, and the liners are in. A silt sock was in the stream and should be moved onto the bank. There were a lot of piles of brush where the stream banks had been cleared. More new catch basins may be needed when the south end of Harrison Street is paved, as set forth in the Order of Conditions. Ms. Fink has requested additional plans from the Town Engineer. Castine Field - Mowing operations Ms. Fink said there has been no reply to the letter that was sent to the DPW regarding the mowing operations: 80-100 Main Street -Revised plans for CPDC Site Plan Review The Commission reviewed revised site plans for the CPDC hearing next week. The storm water management is similar to one that was presented by a previous developer. Rain gardens have been added to the plans, but detailed information has not been supplied. The Commission reviewed a draft memo to the CPDC. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, the Conservation. Commission moved to send the memo. The vote was 6-0-0. 20 Chequessett Road, Enforcement Order Ms. Fink reported that the Enforcement Order, sent by certified'mail, had been returned by the Post Office as unclaimed. She had mailed it again by regular mail. She had spoken to the owner and provided information needed to draw up a planting plan, but the owner had not submitted the plan by the deadline. The Commission decided to send a letter with a deadline of September 22 for the plan, to send the Enforcement Order again by certified mail, and to call the owner to follow up. Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 Strout Avenue, DEP 270-524, RGB 2008-2 There was an Order of Conditions to demolish the water treatment plant and the order will expire this coming February. All the work has been done and the disturbed area has been vegetated. The ZNV bounds need to be set, and as-built plans provided. A plan for a ballfield and other recreational amenities was approved, and these have not been built. A memo concerning the status of work was sent to DPW, but they have not replied yet. 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 - Plan for tank removal The tank removal must be done by the present owner in a manner that does not damage the foundation so that the new owner can use it. The Commission has requested a construction methodology from the present owner's engineers, but has not yet received a plan. 306 Haverhill Street, Enforcement Order - Status of work A site visit was done. The fence, rip-rap, and grading looked good, but the plantings did not look healthy. The church will be asked to continue watering, and another site visit will be done before the next meeting. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 and DEP 270-502, RGB 2007-7 Status of work Ms. Scanlon said she had seen turtles in Walkers Brook. Ms. Fink had reviewed the history of the Honda Gallery, and the recent landfill closure report and 21E Response Action Outcome report. The Commission will send 'a punch list for the remaining work, as-built plans, and engineer's certification. They will also request the quarterly reports on the drainage system inspections. A site visit will be scheduled before the next meeting. 67 Forest Street, RGB 2004-38 - Status of work There was a site visit and the plantings have been done adequately. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to send a letter closing the file. The vote was 6-0-0. 197 South Street, DEP 270-569, RGB 2009-38 - Site plan revision The Commission reviewed a revised site plan. The proposed addition has been reduced in size, and a tree in front of the house will be retained. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to approve the revisions as a minor plan change under the Order of Conditions. The vote was 6-0-0. 56 Van Norden, Minor Project - Request for occupancy and file closure The house is ready to sell and the owner wants a sign off for occupancy. Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The work was completed and the ground was seeded. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to sign, off on the occupancy and close the file for the project. The vote was 6-0-0. 26 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-170, RGB 1987-5 - Request for Partial Certificate of Compliance A site visit was done and no issues were seen on the property. Ms. Fink reviewed the history of the property. 4 Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the Conservation Commission moved to issue a partial Certificate of Compliance. The vote was 6-0-0. 8 Strawberry Hill Road, RGB 2006-20 - Request for file closure A site visit was done and the work looked stable. Ms. Fink reviewed the history. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to send a letter closing the file. The vote was 6-0-0. 905 Main Street - Notice of Violation After receiving a phone call from a neighbor who was concerned about work in the wetlands, Ms. Fink made an inspection with the owner. They had been rebuilding part of their foundation, and had placed earth and construction rubble in and along the edge of the wetlands in the back yard. The owner agreed to remove the materials, and Ms. Fink sent a letter to follow up. She also recommended that the owner contact the Building Inspector to review the work on the foundation. Another inspection will be made before the next Commission meeting. Lobs Mill Conservation Area - Signs and shrubs Ms. Fink is working with Bob Keating, Tree Warden, on a plan for planting shrubs next to the parking lot. His DPW crew will carryout the work. On a motion by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to spend up to $400 from the Conservation Trust Fund for the shrubs. The vote was 6-0-0. The Commission also reviewed a proposal from Doug Cameron, MA Fish and Game, for signs related to the fishing access project. They would like to consolidate some of the signs on the existing kiosk to reduce the visual impacts. Ms. Fink will contact Mr. Cameron. Wetlands Fee Fund - Request for expenditure The present Conservation Division camera is not working. Ms. Fink will find out whether it can be repaired. If not, a replacement must be purchased. , On a motion by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the Conservation Commission moved to expend up to $500 from the Wetland Fee Fund for a new camera. The vote was 6-0-0. 146 Willow Street On a motion by Ms Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Tucker, the Conservation Commission moved to accept a Minor Project Permit for removal of one tree. The vote was 6-0-0. Minutes for approval: August 18 and 25, 2010 On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Stewart, the Conservation Commission moved to accept the minutes of August 18, 2010 as drafted. Vote was 6-0-0. On a motion by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Stewart, the Conservation Commission moved to accept the minutes of August 25, 2010 as drafted. Vote was 6-0-0. Conservation Commission, September 8, 2010 Associate Member The Commission received a recommendation from the Selectmen to appoint Thomas Loughlin as an associate member. The Commission will contact Mr. Loughlin to find out whether he is interested in the position, and to invite him to participate in the next site visits and meeting. 62 Scotland Road On a motion by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, the. Conservation Commission moved to accept a Minor Project Permit for a fence. The vote was 6-0-0. 1364 Main Street, Wingate Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The plants are coming in well in the two detention basins. The paving improvements have not yet been carried out. Johnson Woods Ms. Fink reported that the developer, Ted Moore, has flagged a trail route. The Commission asked her to schedule a site visit with members. of the Trail Committee to review the route, and then to let the Commission know so that they might participate as well. Adjournment:. On a motion by Ms. Stewart, seconded by Mr. Sullivan, the Conservation Commission moved to adjourn the meeting. The vote was 6-0-0. 6