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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-23 Conservation Commission Minutes Conservation Commission,February 23,2011 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 23, 2011 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Barbara Stewart; Tina Ohlson; Jamie Maughan; Brian Sullivan; Brian Tucker; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight,Recording Secretary. Absent: Annika Scanlon Call to Order, Old/New Business 20 Chequessett Road,Enforcement Order The Commission has not received the work schedule by the deadline requested. They will issue another ticket and ask for the schedule by March 2r'd .205 Charles Street, Enforcement Order The Commission reviewed a revised planting plan. The owners have switched to flowering dogwoods,which are native. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to accept the planting plan as amended. Mr. Sullivan seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Ms. Ohlson arrived. Jacob Way Reading Woods,EEA#14688 The Commission reviewed comments dated January 25, 2011 from DEP NERO to MEPA, and the decision issued by MEPA on the Environmental Notification Form. The applicants do not need to submit an Environmental Impact Report with the state. Minutes,February 9, 2011 Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to accept the minutes of February 9, 2011. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-1. Mr. Maughan abstained. Mr. Tucker arrived. 29 Shackford Road The Commission reviewed the site visit report and letter listing work remaining to be completed from last fall. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to issue a 2-year Extension of the Order to August 2012 in accordance with the Permit Extension Act. Ms Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 2 C Street The work had been done last summer, confirmed by a site visit. The Order of Conditions had not been recorded at that time. A new original was sent to the owner in October for recording, and reminders have been sent. The Commission will send a letter and request that the recording be done by March 14th to avoid a violation notice. 1 Conservation Commission,February 23,2011 Cemetery Garage Several locations have been explored, and Bob Keating seems to favor the Laurel Hill location. Sam's Bistro Ms.Fink received a drainage maintenance report. Meadowbrook Golf Club A DRT meeting was held last week to review the plans for anew maintenance building. The building is outside the buffer zone. A septic system to be abandoned at the existing building may be in the buffer zone. The Club manager called and is working on final tasks to finish the irrigation system Order. Public Hearing,Notice of Intent,Boston Gas Company d/b/a National Grid, 0 John Street (Lot between 55 and 87 Walkers Brook Drive),DEP 270-578,RGB 2011-2 Present: David Halliwell,VHB Mr.Halliwell reviewed the project for the Commission. They want to remove an existing cinder block building as it is not being used and it has become a safety issue. They will also be removing an existing septic between this building and another building next to it. The Health Division will be involved in the removal of the septic system. The Commission and Mr. Howell reviewed the draft Order of Conditions. Mr. Halliwell handed out a letter with comments on some of the findings and conditions. There was some discussion as to how much alteration will be done to the land as well as the cost for the removal of the septic system,and the fees for both. The Commission decided upon a fee of$25 for work in Buffer Zone and Floodplain under the Town Bylaw. There was also a discussion about how much of the Riverfrom Area would be restored to meet the WPA standards for redevelopment. The Commission settled on 2,500 square feet, approximately the area of the building to be demolished and the septic system work. Several other parts of the draft Order were revised, also. Motion made by Mr. Tucker to issue an Order of Conditions permitting the work with the findings and conditions as revised this evening. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing,Notice of Intent,David Lusk,30 Gavin Circle,RGB 2011-3 Present: David and Anne Lusk,owners Mr. Lusk presented a proposal to build a covered porch addition on his house. The Commission reviewed the site visit reports and a memo from Ms. Fink. The proposed roof will be set over an existing sidewalk and meets the wetland setback standards. The land near and in the wetlands was mostly covered with snow,but a previous inspection of the wetlands boundary was made during the summer for a nearby property. The Commission did not question the delineation. The Commission reviewed a letter from the owners of 17 Gavin Circle in support of the project. David Guihnet,representing Wingate at 1364 Main Street,commented about drainage concerns but did not object to the plan. 2 Conservation Commission,February 23,2011 There is no DEP number issued yet. Ms. Fink will draft an Order of Conditions for the next meeting. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to continue the hearing to March 2, 2011. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Meeting,Request for Determination of Applicability, MassDOT—Highway Division, RGB 2011-1 Present: Andrea Norton-Wenzel, Mass DOT Ms. Norton represented MassDOT and proposed routine maintenance resurfacing (mill and pave) of the entire length of Route 28 in Reading except the area between Ash Street and Salem Street that has just been reconstructed. Reconstruction of the Ipswich River Bridge is not included in this project. MassDOT considers this routine maintenance, and not a redevelopment project subject to the DEP Stormwater Management standards. Existing drainage, curbing, signs, and other structures along the roadway will,be adjusted as needed to meet the new pavement. About 10 wheelchair ramps will be added at substandard intersections, and some existing asphalt ramps will be replaced with concrete ramps and rumble strips. About 22 feet of new sidewalk will be installed near the Stoneham line. The roadway will not be surveyed before work. Existing site plans date to the 1930's and may not show existing conditions. Mr. Maughan asked who owns existing drainage systems. Ms.Norton said Mass DOT owns systems and cross-culverts within the 66' right-of-way. She could not find any record of easements for off-site outfall areas; and MassDot is not planning to take any easements or do work on private property. None of the drainage systems will be upgraded,but they will clean structures and repair as needed. There will not be any new water quality treatment systems or other systems installed. They will add eliminator hoods to catch basin outlets if the Commission requires installation. Mr. Hecht asked about erosion controls. Ms. Norton said catch basins would be protected with silt sacks or steel plates. She suggested a site inspection before work by the Commission or Administrator to determine where hay bales or silt fences should be installed. Dave Guilmet from Wingate, 1364 Main Street, expressed concerns about lack of maintenance where catch basins empty into the stream at Wingate. Sediments accumulate and block flow in this area. Ms. Norton said she would ask the maintenance crew to address this. Mr. Hecht asked what can be done in areas where flooding occurs. Ms. Norton said they can inspect; clean, and repair culverts to restore design flow. She asked for alist of areas where flooding occurs. Ms. Fink recommended that the Commission issue a positive Determination and require stormwater management improvements under the redevelopment standards of the DEP policy. Ms. Norton said MassDOT considers this project to be routine maintenance that warrants a negative Determination of Applicability. They need the permit to qualify for.f ending as soon as it is available. r Christine Brungardt, 324 South Street,had some questions about the previous paving history of Route 28. 3 Conservation Coffinission,February 23,2011 The Commission briefly reviewed a draft decision. Ms. Norton had questions about some of the conditions. Mr. Maughan took a straw poll, and the concensus was to issue a negative Determination at the meeting on March 2, 2011, after allowing more time for review and revision of the draft conditions. He asked Ms.Norton to review her concerns with Ms. Fink between meetings. She agreed to the continuation. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the meeting to March 2, 2011. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Public Hearing,Notice of Intent,Reid Blute,Pulte Homes of New England,LLC,Jacob Way, RGB 2011-4 Present: Reid Blute and Mark Mastmianni of Pulte Homes,Michael Rosati, Engineer Mr. Rosati reviewed the proposed plans for a multi-family housing complex. He pointed out the areas of the property that were wetlands and buffer zone, as delineated in an ORAD issued in 2008. He described the work sequence and existing and proposed topography. They want to keep as much vegetation on the site as possible and will incorporate a large stand of trees into a village green area. Mr. Rosati reviewed where certain types of units would be located on the property. Building number seven will be in the buffer zone, 42 feet from the wetland, and they will vegetate a Zone of Natural Vegetation between the building and wetland. They want a six to eight foot wide area of grass behind this building for service purposes. Mr. Rosati described existing and proposed drainage systems and run off patterns. Part of the site drains to South Street,but most of it drains to the wetland in the southwest comer. The existing system consists of catch basins and pipes. To meet DEP redevelopment standards,they propose the use of infiltration beds,water quality units,rain gardens,vegetated swales, and other upgrades to improve detention,recharge, TSS removal, and water quality treatment. Final discharge points will be into the buffer zone,rather than directly into the wetlands as in the present system. Impervious cover will be reduced. Infiltration beds and rain gardens will have overflow drains to handle larger storms. Soils tests have been done and most of the site has good infiltration rates and depth to groundwater. Mr. Rosati said the neighbors on South Street at the northwestern comer of the site have raised concerns with CPDC about flooding from the isolated wetland in that area. He is looking into possible controls, and may submit a design in the near future. Mr. Maughan suggested that he evaluate the capacity of the South Street drainage system to accept additional flow if he is proposing a change in input. Mr.Maughan asked about temporary stabilization measures during work, and how long the work period would be. Mr. Rosati described various control measures including temporary drain lines and sediment basins that might be in use for several years. New drainage structures will be protected from sediments until they are ready for use. Ms.Fink noted that vegetated drainage systems need to be graded and planted in the growing season well ahead of use. The Chairman said he was pleased with what was presented. The proposal for the buffer area is good and makes sense.He did,however,want more detail and sequencing information. Mr. Sullivan liked the proposal.Mr. Maughan was a little concerned about the buffer area but he 4 Conservation Commission,February 23,2011 thought overall it was a good plan. He wanted to know if there would be an engineer on-site and Mr. Rosati said it could be done and has been done on other sites. Ms. Fink said MEPA is not requiring an Environmental Impact Statement for this project. Ms. Fink distributed her comments to the Commission and the Pulte Homes representatives for their review. The Commission has not yet received comments from the Town Engineer. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to March 16, 2011. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 5-1-0. Grant Opportunity Grant Opportunity from Pepsi to have a work crew come to Reading and do a community project. Ms. Fink will submit an application for a crew to paint and/or seal the cabin. Mattera Cabin Planning Group The Committee overseeing the Mattera Cabin renovation was looking ahead to spring with a grand opening on April 30th. The student work crew expects to finish their part of the renovations by the end of March. Painting, cleaning, and furnishing will be scheduled. More donations are needed to complete basic furnishings. The Committee would like to have volunteers at the cabin every Saturday and.Sunday morning to welcome visitors and acquaint them with the cabin. Several members of the Commission volunteered to take a turn staffing the cabin. Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulation revisions The Chairman said the Selectmen removed the Wetlands Protection Bylaw from the Town Meeting warrant during their meeting on February 15th. They asked him to have the Commission review the bylaw and regulations and see what changes might make them easier to use. He expects a letter from the Selectmen to this effect. Ms.Fink and Mr. Maughan are scheduled to meet with the Town Manager and Department Head on February 24th to discuss revisions. FY 12 Budget The Commission reviewed comments drafted by Mr. Hecht for the March 9th meeting of the Finance Committee concerning the proposed budget for the Community Services Department, particularly Conservation, Health, and Elder Services. Mr. Hecht proposed to contact the chairs of the Council on Aging and Board of Health, and ask whether they would like to join in the comments. Motion made by Mr. Maughan to present the comments as drafted to the Finance Committee. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 5