No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-27 Conservation Commission MinutesConservation Commission, April 27, 2011 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, April 27, 2011 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Barbara Stewart; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Brian Tucker, Tina Ohlson, and Jamie Maughan Call to Order The meeting opened at 7:08 PM. Old/New Business: v 20 Chequessett Road Ms. Scanlon gave a site visit report. Water in the vernal pool is within about 7 feet of the stone wall, and the new grass is within about 16 feet on the other side of the wall. There were woodpeckers and frogs calling, and deer tracks around the vernal pool. The vernal pool is lacking in upland habitat around it. The Commission will continue to require restoration of at least a 25-foot wide buffer. 281 Main Street, DEP 270-581, RGB 2011-5 Ms. Fink received revised site plans and also documents from the LSP concerning the handling of hazardous materials during work. Ms. Fink reviewed the submitted site plans with the Commission, and will send a letter to the application about certain concerns. The documents from the LSP will be considered during the May 1 lth meeting. 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 Ms. Fink spoke with Lt. Jackson. The owner has not yet scheduled the tank closure as ordered by the Fire Departmen. 1364 Main. Street, Wingate, DEP 270-387, RGB 2003-4 Ms. Fink gave a site visit report, and conditions generally looked good. The Commission reviewed the as-built plan for the drainage and wetlands restoration work, and what has been done to date seems correct. The Commission reviewed a proposed plan revision to pave some of the fire lane for wheelchair use. Motion by Ms. Stewart to accept the proposed plan as a minor plan change under the Order. Seconded by Ms. Scanlon. Vote 4-0-0. Town Forest, Trail Order, DEP 270-568, RGB 2009-36 The Commission reviewed a proposed plan for a bridge and surface stabilization at the cranberry dam trail. Additional information is needed, and a letter will be sent to the Town Forest Committee. Conservation Commission, April 27, 2011 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, 595 Haverhill St., RGB 2011-7 Present: Kerry Giordano Ms. Giordano described the poor condition of four trees on her property. She would like to remove them, with the stumps to stay in the ground. They also want to build a small shed for storage use. They will replace the four trees with suitable native trees. They are not pursuing the driveway at this time due to the present elevated cost of asphalt. Mr. Sullivan presented the site visit report. Ms. Stewart asked that the shed be set as far from the wetlands as possible in the back yard. The Commission reviewed and amended the draft findings and conditions with Ms. Giordano. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and conditions as amended this evening. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Route I-93, RGB 2011-8 Present: Andrea Norton-Wnezel for Mass Department of Transportation Ms. Norton described the proposal to remove old signs and put up new signs along Route I-93 in Reading. A site visit was done by Ms. Fink and Ms. Norton to identify areas that needed erosion barriers. These are shown on the proposed plan. The footings will be the same type as in the previous Determination for signs farther south on I-93. The Commission reviewed the draft findings and conditions with Ms. Norton-Wenzel. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and conditions as drafted. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 40 Sunset Rock Lane Ms. Fink spoke with the owner and Town Counsel has also been in touch regarding the court case. The court has set a deadline for resolution of the case. The draft Conservation Restriction and supporting documents have been sent to the Division of Conservation Services for review. Mattera Conservation Area Ms. Fink reviewed work being done for occupancy and the grand opening on April 30th, Mr. Sullivan will speak for the Commission at the event. Ms. Fink also reported that the remaining bills will exceed the funds available by about $1000. The Commission asked her to continue to seek funding through available Town funds and private donations. Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations Mr. Hecht reported that Mr. Maughan has been recruiting members for the ad hoc committee. Ms. Fink will have Mr. Maughan email the slate of candidates for appointment by the Commission. Aquifer Protection District Ms. Fink distributed copies of a memorandum from staff to the Selectmen concerning State requirements and the Zoning Bylaw provisions for aquifer protection. Conservation Conunission, April 27, 2011 Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Right-of-Way, RGB 2011-6 Present: No one attended from TEC Associates. Ms. Fink gave a report on the site visit with representatives of TEC. Spray zones were marked along the train tracks. The Commission reviewed the draft findings. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and drafted. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Back Bay Court Ms. Fink did a site visit regarding tree cutting but it was a private matter between neighbors. 968 Main Street Ms. Fink inspected with the owner and provided information about the wetlands. The owner reported snow dumping activity in the wetlands last winter. Meadowbrook Golf Club The club has begun the removal of the old pump house, and they are requesting a final site visit and Certificate of Compliance. The matter will be included in the May 11 th agenda. Causeway Road Reconstruction This is going out for bid soon and there are wetlands involved. Ms. Fink sent a memo the DPW. Bare Meadow The Police Department reported that teens were using Bare Meadow at night and making fires. They have asked for larger signs stating hours when the area is closed to the public so that they can pursue violations. Cedar Glen A resident reported that there have not been any sounds of peepers this spring. Austin Prep School, DEP 270-544, RGB 2008-44 Ms. Fink reported that she had met with the new facilities director, Marie Opidee, to review the work needed to finish the parking lot expansion project, the on-going operation and maintenance requirements, and a pending application for reconstruction of the tennis courts. A site inspection will be scheduled soon. Minutes for approval Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve the minutes of April 13, 2011 as drafted. Ms. Stewart. seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. New proposed permit for MS4s Mr. Sullivan reviewed information he received at a seminar about new requirements that the EPA will promulgate soon for stormwater management for public streets and properties. The EPA will require Towns to take specific actions to improve management systems that discharge to wetlands. 3 Conservation Commission, April 27, 2011 The Commission would like to meet with the Town stormwater management committee to review plans and options to respond to the EPA requirements. Administrator Position Mr. Hecht will attend a meeting on May 3rd with Town Manager, Community Services Department Head, and Selectmen about possible regionalization of the Administrator's position. Town Meeting Mr. Hecht will draft some comments for Town Meeting concerning the possible impacts of the proposed budget cuts on Conservation services and the legal responsibilities of the Commission. He will not submit any further request for an increase in hours to 60% for the Conservation, Health and Elder Services Administrator positions. Old Farm Road and Sturges Road Ms. Fink reviewed a complaint from a resident of Old Farm Road about tree relocation work done by a neighbor on Sturges Road. The Commission asked Ms. Fink to look for photographs or other records to document conditions on site before the work took place. The matter was continued to the May 11 th meeting. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 PM. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0: 4