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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-14 Conservation Commission Minutesv Conservation Commission, July 14, 2010 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM' Wednesday, July 14, 2010 ; -G, 3 53 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Tina Ohlson; Jamie Maugham; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Barbara Stewart, Brian Tucker Old/New Business: 20 Chequessett Road - Violation The Commission did a site visit. The backyard was cleared and has been sodded. However, at least five trees have been removed, compared to a 2008 aerial photo view. There are old leaf piles in the wetlands as well as deadfall trees. There is yard waste, brush, leaf piles, and manmade materials that need to be removed. The Commission reviewed and revised a draft Enforcement Order. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to issue the Enforcement Order as amended. Vote was 4-0-0. 1310 Main Street, DEP 270-522, RGB 2007-39 The Commission did a site visit, and the site looks good. All exterior work has been done and the silt fence is being removed. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Vote was 4-0-0. 134 Fairchild Drive, DEP 270-475, RGB 2006-13 The Commission did a site visit, and all looks fine. There was a lighting strike that hit the sprinkler system so some areas of the grass are very dry. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to release the bond in the amount of $10,000. The vote was 4-0-0. 1364 Main Street, DEP 270-387, RGB 2003-4 The commission did a site visit, and the drainage basins have been graded but not planted. Ms. Fink reported that they have ordered cattails and are waiting for delivery. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Patrick Bishop, 11 Oak Ridge Road, DEP 270-573. RGB 2010-13 Present: Patrick Bishop Mr. Bishop described the proposed addition, deck, and driveway reconfiguration. The Commission reviewed and revised the draft findings and conditions. They were acceptable to Mr. Bishop. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to issue the Order of Conditions with the findings and conditions as amended. Vote was 4-0-0. 1 Conservation Conunission, July 14, 2010 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Mark Richards, 30 Harrison Street, RGB 2010-16 Present: Mr. & Mrs. Mark Richards Mr. and Mrs. Richards presented plans for a proposed addition and extension of the driveway behind the existing house. The Commission and Ms. Fink gave site visit reports. A soil test pit was dug in the lawn near the existing shed where the proposed driveway would be located, and the soils profile indicates wetland conditions extending eastward from the stream near the rear lot line. The proposed work thus would alter a significant portion of the wetlands, and the proposed paving and drainage trench might not function properly on saturated soils. Alternative design possibilities were suggested by the Commission that might avoid or minimize these concerns, including use of pervious pavers, placement of proposed garage doors on the south side of the addition to shorten the driveway, eliminating the deck and shifting the addition northward, and reducing the size of the addition. Mrs. Richards said the addition could not be shifted without losing a second floor window, and there may not be enough room to put the garage doors on the south side. She was concerned about the cost of plan revisions. The Chairman said the Commission would like to work with her on a mutually acceptable plan. Mrs. Richards asked whether the Commission should have delineated the wetlands for them before they did the design. Mr. Hecht said that the Commission does not provide this service, and the property owner must hire wetlands consultants to delineate the wetlands. Mr. Maughan suggested that the owners add some wetland restoration planting to the plan, along with revisions to minimize the direct wetlands impacts. Mr. Richards asked if they have just one door on the garage and plant greenery in the back if that would that be an improvement. The Chairman said it might if they also use pervious pavers as well for the driveway, instead of a trench drain. Mr. Maughan said an engineer would need to design it, and that a Notice of Intent should be submitted due to the complexity of the proposed work and wetlands impacts. Various other alternatives were discussed, but the Chairman said it would be best to go back and work with their engineer and architect to come up with the least intrusive plan possible. Ms. Fink suggested more soil tests should be done to determine the wetlands boundary and water table. The Commission noted that direct wetlands alterations will require replication elsewhere on the site. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to issue a positive Determination of Applicability and require a Notice of Intent. Vote was 4-0-0. 88-98 Walkers Brook Drive, DEP 270-489, RGB 2006-39 and DEP 270-502, RGB 2007-7 Ms. Fink reviewed the most recent hazardous materials clean-up report, which states that all necessary work has been completed. The final landfill capping report has also arrived, but has not yet been reviewed. There is still a small amount of planting to be done on site. 107 Main Street, DEP 270-561, RGB 2009-23 Conservation Commission, July 14, 2010 The Commission reviewed the status of work. Ms. Fink distributed a draft letter for the Commission to review. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to send the letter. Vote was 4-0-0. Castine Field Mr. Maugham reported that the wetlands plants around the edge of the playing field had been mowed recently. He would like to see the cattails remain and not be mowed down. Ms. Fink said it may be beneficial to have them mowed down once in the fall, to keep shrubs and trees from moving in. Ms. Fink will review the permit records for the field for the next meeting. Benjamin Lane, DEP 270-466, RGB 2005-49 Ms. Fink did a site visit. The ZNV bounds have been moved to the correct locations. Motion made by Mr. Maugham, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to release the remainder of the bond in the amount of $2,000. Vote was 4-0-0. Memorial Park, DEP 270-546, RGB 2008-45 The Commission did a site visit and the park is quite altered at present. Ms. Fink has done a number of site visits, and work seems to be under control. Harrison Street has been dug up and they are installing the catch basins and manholes. Ms. Fink will send a letter requesting plans be submitted to the Commission, including a third stormceptor for runoff from the southern end of Harrison Street. 22 Roma Lane, Enforcement Order The Commission did a site visit and there are no maple trees on site. Four red maples were supposed to have been planted in addition to the other trees already planted. Ms. Fink will send a letter stating they must be installed by August 16, 2010. 10 Torre Street, DEP 270-538, RGB 2008-35 The Commission reviewed the manufacturer's specifications for the "Unistorm" unit that was installed instead of the approved "Stormceptor". Ms. Fink reported that the Town Engineer had reviewed the design and found that the units provided equivalent water quality treatment. The Commission will ask the developer for a copy of the manufacturer's long-term maintenance recommendations. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to accept the Unistorm as an appropriate substitute for the Stormceptor. Vote was 4-0-0. 84 Martin Road, Violation Mr. Hecht reported that a tree located near the wetland fell on an abutting house. The tree was subsequently removed, along with several others. The owner did not apply for a permit. The Commission will send a letter and request a site visit to follow up. : Commission membership and officers for FY 11 The Commission is still down one member. They will ask the Selectmen to initiate the recruitment process soon. Conservation Commission, July 14, 2010 Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Maugham, to nominate Mr. Hecht as Chairman for the coming year. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson, seconded by Mr. Hecht, to nominate Mr. Maugham as Vice Chairman for the coming year. Vote was 4-0-0. Mass. Association of Conservation Commissions Motion made by Mr. Ohlson, seconded by Ms. Scanlon, to appropriate $628 for annual dues. Vote was 4-0-0. 26 Harrison Street, DEP 270-371, RGB 2002-14 Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Work is complete. Motion made by Mr. Hecht, seconded by Mr. Maughan, to issue a Certificate of Compliance. Vote was 4-0-0. 213 Lowell Street Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to accept the Minor Project Permit for removal on one tree. Vote was 4-0-0. Minutes Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to approve the minutes of June 30, 2010. Vote was 4-0-0. Lobs Mill Conservation Area, DEP 270-565, RGB 2009-31 Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Work is nearly complete, and grass is beginning to grow where soils were disturbed. Bare Meadow Conservation Area Ms. Fink reported that the request for reimbursement and supporting documentation had been sent to DCR. Work is almost on finished, with the exception of blazing and sign posting. 7 Hillside Drive Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Work is complete. Motion made by Mr. Hecht, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to close the Minor Project Permit for the swimming pool. Vote was 4-0-0. 89 Grove Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Work is complete. Motion made by Mr. Hecht, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to close the Minor Project Permit for the deck. Vote was 4-0-0. 104 Forest Street Ms. Fink did a site visit. The owners received a Minor Project Permit for a shed, which has been installed. However, several trees fell during a recent storm, and they present a safety hazard. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to accept the Minor Project Permit for removal of the damaged trees. Vote was 4-0-0. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Scanlon, seconded by Ms. Ohlson, to adjourn the meeting. Vote was 4-0-0. 4