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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-13 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, April 13, 2011 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Brian Tucker; Annika Scanlon; Barbara Stewart; Brian Sullivan; Brian Tucker, Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Tina Ohlson, Jamie Maughan Call to Order, Old/New Business Mr. Tucker was absent at the beginning of the meeting. r- 20 Chequessett Road, Enforcement Order ° The Commission reviewed a planting plan from the owners dated April 1, 2011, and a ueso rescind the fines issued previously. They also requested a reduction in the size of the restoration area to be planted. The Commission will do a site visit.and determine the size during their meeting on April 27, 2011. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to rescind the fines. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 281 Main Street, DEP 270-581, RGB 2011-5 The Commission received revised site plans dated March 30, 2011. More time is needed for review, and additional information is to be submitted before construction. The matter was continued to the next meeting on April 27, 2011. 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 Ms. Fink said reported that the Fire Department issued another violation notice today with a deadline for the tank removal. The Commission has not heard from the owners since the last notice was issued. Mattera Conservation Area The cabin opening is scheduled for-April.-30 from 10-12. Ms. Stewart and Mr. Sullivan will attend. Ms. Scanlon and Ms. Stewart reported on the recent work days - the ramp was finished, the cabin was cleaned and painted, and furniture has been delivered. Ms. Fink said new bills have come in for electrical and plumbing materials needed so that the cabin will meet current codes. Some new cash donations have also been received. However, the bills due exceed the remaining funds donated. Also, a wellhead and asbestos shingles have been found on site that need to be removed, and the doors need to be changed to open out. The Commission directed Ms. Fink to ask for additional funds through the Town Manager and Recreation Division. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to use the Conservation Trust Funds to pay bills for the Mattera Cabin. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Mill Street beaver dam The consultant from Beaver Solutions examined the area and recommended breaching and trapping to control flood levels. The river is too large for deceiver-type flow controls. The North Reading DPW breached the dam under the north arch after waiting for flow to subside and allow access. Conservation Commission, April 13, 2011 Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations The Commission reviewed a report from Mr. Maughan that the Selectmen accepted their proposal for a process to review the bylaw and regulations, including public involvement. Mr. Maughan will chair the ad hoe committee, and Ms. Stewart and Mr. Sullivan will also serve. Several former Commissioners will be asked to serve, also. Opinions and advice will be sought from a broad range of people who have experience with the bylaw. Mr. Hecht said Mr. Maughan has done a wonderful job in organizing everything. He also suggested that an arrangement be made for RCTV to interview. Mr. Maughan about this issue. Mr. Tucker arrived. Budget, FY 2012 Mr. Hecht reported that he will be meeting soon with the Town Manager and Department Head about possibilities for regionalizing the Administrator position. The Finance Committee has recommended funding for the position at 20 hours per week, along with the Division Heads for Health and Elder Service. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, TEC Associates, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Right-of-Way, RGB 2011-6 Ms. Fink had prepared a draft Determination by referring to plans and records for the Determination issued in 2005. The Commission received an email request from TEC Associates to schedule a site inspection and postpone the decision until the next meeting on April 27, 2011. The Commission will try to join Ms. Fink on the site visit. Ms. Stewart made a motion to continue the hearing to April 27, 2011. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 Strout Avenue, DEP 270-524, RGB 2008-2 Ms. Fink reported on a site visit with other Town staff to discuss the best areas for ball fields and picnic tables at the former water treatment plant area. Staff is working on plans for reuse of the area. During the visit, existing areas were identified along Strout Avenue and Grove Street where gullies have formed and sediments are washing into the vernal pool. These areas need immediate stabilization and long-term management to prevent erosion in the future. The Commission directed Ms. Fink to contact DPW and ask for immediate corrective measures to be taken, including sediment removal, temporary erosion barriers, stabilization of roadway shoulders, and placement of boulders to prevent parking and snow-plowing. Also, the ZNV markers need to be set, and as-built plans for the demolition site need to be submitted at this time. 17 Wilson Street The Commission reviewed plans for a new deck to replace a deck that collapsed due to snow. The new one will be on the same footprint. Motion made by Ms Stewart to accept the Minor Project Permit for replacement of the deck at 17 Wilson Street. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 2 Conservation Commission, April 13, 2011 Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Reid Blute, Pulte Homes of New England, LLC, Jacob Way, RGB 2011-4 Present: Reid Blute and Mark Mastroianni, Pulte Homes, and Mike Rosati, Marchionda Associates The Commission and applicants had received a draft Order of Conditions. Mr. Blute said they have some questions regarding the draft. Mr. Rosati reviewed the modified sketch plan approved by the Selectmen for the Jacob Way/South Street intersection. The Commission asked about the number of vehicles per day at the intersection and the change anticipated after construction, and Mr. Rosati provided information from the traffic study. Mr. Rosati also said that they are considering the addition of a sewer pump station and force main on site, with connection to the sewer in Main Street, rather than upgrading the South Street system. The pump would be outside the Buffer Zone and would include generators powered by natural gas. Christine Brungardt of 324 South Street had questions about landscaping at the street intersection that Mr. Mastroianni answered. She asked what the "ZNV" is, and the Commission explained. She also asked whether the abutters would be notified before work begins. Mr. Hecht said that final construction sequence plans will be filed with CPDC and Conservation Commission before work begins, and that these are available for public review. However, there is no procedure for direct notice to abutters about construction. Ms. Fink reported that the CPDC had approved the project. Their decision was forwarded to the Commission by email before the meeting. Their decision was issued before the Selectmen met and approved the intersection layout. Ms. Fink also reported that she had met with Mr. Rosati to review the March 9, 2011 plans before drafting the Order of Conditions. The Pulte Homes representatives asked questions and made comments about various conditions in the draft Order of Conditions, and the Commission approved various modifications. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Order of Conditions with the Findings and Conditions as amended this evening. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 292 South Street - Owner has requested removal of one tree. Bob Keating has been consulted, and Planning staff has been notified because South Street is a Scenic Roadway. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve a Minor Project Permit for removal of one tree. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 39 and 45 Walkers Brook Drive,-Bertucci's & Longhorn Restaurants Ms. Fink received drainage cleaning reports. Arthur B. Lord Drive, Burbank YMCA A Design Review Team meeting has been scheduled for a proposed expansion of the parking lot at the YMCA. They want to enlarge the lot by cutting into the nearby cliff and adding more spaces. The Commission had concerns about blasting and drainage which Ms. Fink will convey during the DRT meeting. 3 Conservation Commission, April 13, 2011 Sewer Pump Stations, 268 Grove Street and 571 West Street DPW proposes the removal of underground fuel storage tanks from cement vaults at these two locations. DPW will fill the vaults with gravel after tank removal. No excavation is needed. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve a Minor Project Permit for the tank removal. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 23 Criterion Street House was torn down and new house was built. The owners want to put deck on back of the house. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon.to approve a Minor Project Permit for the deck. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 5-0-0 34 Oak Street Ms. Fink reported a complaint received about tree cutting. She inspected with the owners and found one tree cut. The tree had a hollow center and was in poor condition. The debris was cleaned up and removed from the site. The owners were concerned about use of part of their property as a neighborhood trail to Eaton School, including a bridge over a stream. The Commission will wait for a letter from the owner before pursuing the matter further. Kurchian Woods Ms. Fink reported a complaint received about use of ATV's and snow mobiles in Kurchian Woods. The Police Department has been asked to patrol the area, and the person who called has been asked to call Police if they see activity in the future. A letter will be sent to abutters. Town Forest Trail Repairs Mark Wetzel has designed a bridge and trail surface project to improve the cranberry dam trail in the Town Forest near the Wood End School entrance. Volunteers from Roux Associates may help with the construction and funding. The work will require approval under the town-wide Order for trail work. The Commission will do a site visit and consider the proposal in detail during their meeting on April 27. 2011. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn the meeting at 9:15 PM. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 5-0-0. 4