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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-11 Conservation Commission Minutesso~ Conservation Commission, May 11, 2011 MINUTES Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 11, 2011 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Barbara Stewart; Brian Sullivan; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary. Absent: Tina Ohlson, Brian Tucker, Jamie Maughan Call to Order The meeting opened at 7:11 PM. Old/New Business Mattera Conservation Area Mr. -Sullivan reported on the grand opening on April 30, 2011. Ms. Fink reported that DPW is completing a ramp to the front porch. The Commission also talked about setting a schedule for volunteers to open the cabin to the public this summer on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons. Ms. Fink will work with Recreation on scheduling, rentals, and publicity, and with DPW on signs. Ms. Fink also reported that available funding is about $800 short for the final bills. She had asked Town Manager, Finance, and Community Service staff for a transfer from other available funds, but had not received a positive response. The next Finance Committee meeting will not be until the end of June. Mr. Hecht said that he could work with Town officials to identify funds that could be used to pay the remaining bills on time. Motion was made by Mr. Hecht to have Ms. Fink send a note to the Selectmen urging them to find funding for the remaining bills promptly. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Friends and Family. Day The Commission decided to participate in this event being held on June 18, 2011. Ms, Stewart will submit-the registration. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416, RGB 2004-10 Present: Bob Gargano, Project Manager The Commission reviewed site visit reports and photographs that documented recent cutting of numerous shrubs and some trees in the wetland just north of Longwood Road. The cut materials were chipped and then spread on the ground in a layer thick enough to impede wildlife and suppress vegetation. Mr. Gargano said he had carved out the work and had removed both live and dead vegetation. He said they were a little over zealous in "cleaning up" some of the wooded areas and they are willing to plant some bushes as mitigation. Ms. Fink. said the work was a clear violation of the Order of Conditions and wetlands regulations. She recommended that the wood chips be removed and that the owner be required to re-establish Conservation Commission, May 11, 2011 the bushes and the herbaceous cover. She will review the records to see whether the existing species are named in the original wetlands delineation reports. Mr. Hecht asked Mr. Gargano to remove the excess wood chips immediately. The Commission will review any available information about the existing plants during their next meeting. Mr. Gargano agreed to this plan.. 489 Pearl Street, RGB 2010-5 and Minor Project Permit Application Present: Gloria McNeil, Owner Ms. McNeil submitted a Minor Project Permit application to remove an existing above-ground pool and restore topsoil and vegetation to the underlying land. Work will be done on foot and materials will be disposed of properly. Ms. Fink recommended planting with species that are adapted for wet soils because the back yard has a high water table. Mr. Hecht suggested blueberry bushes along the back edge. Ms. McNeil also submitted a proposed tree planting plan under the Determination issued in 2010. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the Minor Project Permit for the pool removal. Ms Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve the tree planting plan submitted under the Determination. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 49 Longwood Road, RGB 2007-20 The Commission reviewed site visit reports and determined that the roof drains have not been completed and the front yard has not been graded and stabilized. They directed Ms. Fink to send a letter to the owner with a deadline of June 1, 2011 to install the roof drains and a deadline of July 1 to finish the front yard. 76 Longwood Road, Minor Project The fence was inspected during a site visit and it looks fine. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to close the Minor Project Permit. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4- 0-0. 40 Sunset Rock Lane Ms. Fink reported that DCS wants some revisions made to the Grant of Conservation Restriction. She will work with owners and Town Counsel on those, and on the necessary mortgage subordination. Town Counsel received a postponement from the Court to allow time to complete the Restriction. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, Vadaione, LLC, 244R Ash Street, RGB 2011-9 Present: Jack Sullivan, Sullivan Engineering Group, the Vadaione family Mr. Sullivan represented the owners of the property, and he presented the proposed plan to the Commission. He said the entire area needs redevelopment and this would be the first property in the area to be renovated. There will be a two-story addition that will be a drive-through area for loading of vans. The company picks up, cleans, and sharpens knives for restaurants. They have received a 2 Conservation Commission, May 11, 2011 variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals and the CPDC also approved the proposal. There have been two DRT meetings to date. Mr. Sullivan reviewed the soil test and groundwater report and the constraints on site for stormwater management systems. He described the proposed systems to collect, treat, and infiltrate roof and parking lot runoff. Due to the high water table, the infiltration system chambers are only 8 inches high and only one foot above the groundwater. DEP discourages pervious pavement and bioretention systems in industrial areas. He could add catch basins before the particle separator to get more TSS removal, but can not get enough cover for a proprietary vortex unit. Mr. Hecht and Ms. Stewart gave a site visit report, and the proposal will create a substantial improvement. Ms. Fink provided written comments and suggested several alternative drainage designs that might provide better capture and treatment of runoff, and longer life for the infiltration bed. She recommended soils tests in the proposed infiltration area, where the surface materials look like fill. The depth of the sewer line also needs to be determined to avoid conflicts with the roof drains, and additional erosion barriers will be needed during construction. Mr. Sullivan agreed to schedule the soils tests and consider revisions in the design. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to May 25, 2011. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 281 Main Street, DEP 270-581, RGB 2011-5 The Commission reviewed the revised site plans. The Commission identified some additional revisions needed on the site plans, and a letter will be sent. The Commission also reviewed construction plans from the LSP. The areas where the tanks were removed and the areas where the soil was treated in the back yard will be treated differently due to the depths of the contamination. Ms. Fink will contact DEP to find out whether the LSP documents are subject to their review and are acceptable to them. Ms. Fink will contact the LSP for additional information about the air quality testing, soil testing, groundwater handling, and work in and near the stream bank. Meadow Brook Golf Club, 292 Grove Street, DEP 270-472, RGB 2006-8 A site visit was done and all looked good. Motion was made by Ms. Stewart to issue a Certificate of Compliance with continuing conditions. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. The Commission reviewed plans for the proposed maintenance building that have been submitted to CPDC for Site Plan Review. The Commission will send comments to CPDC. 39 Old Farm Road and 66 Sturges Road Ms. Fink said the Old Farm Road owner was concerned about the moving of trees and shrubs by his backdoor neighbor on Sturges Road. Ms. Fink distributed photos taken before the removal. The evergreens were reportedly moved to a different area long the fence. A permit was not obtained. A site visit will be scheduled with the owners to find out if a violation has occurred. Conservation Commission, May 11, 2011 285 Main Street, DEP 270-540, RGB 2008-34 Ms. Fink reported that GeoInsight had pumped out and then filled the third tank in place under the building and had followed the pipe out of the tank to identify it as a vent pipe. Lt. Jackson from the Fire Department inspected the work. Soils samples were sent to the lab but results have not come back yet. The onsite PID readings were low and there was no odor. There have been five tanks found to date. A report from GeoInsight is expected soon. Causeway Road Ms. Fink said there was a notice that the Town is getting close to beginning the proposed reconstruction, including grading, widening, and tree removal. The DPW will install new drainage for the northern portion of the road, which discharges to an upland area, but they are not proposing any drainage improvements for the southern portion of the road. The existing drainage is piped directly to the wetlands there, and the end of the road is in the Buffer Zone, and possibly Riverfront. Ms. Fink recommended that DPW file a Notice of Intent and provide stormwater improvements. A. site visit will be scheduled for the Commission. Wetlands Protection Bylaw and Regulations Motion was made by Ms. Stewart to approve the appointment of Jamie Maughan, Brian Sullivan, Barbara Stewart, Mark Wetzel, Will Finch, and Patricia Lloyd as members of the ad hoc committee to review the Reading Wetland Protection Bylaw and Regulations. Ms Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 306 Haverhill Street, St. Athanasius Church Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The riprap held up well over the course of the winter. She contacted Don DeHunt and he will remove the hay bales and seed the bare spots. When the plants come in, he will schedule a final site visit. 320 Haverhill Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The contractors who installed the generator and tank were present, along with VNA representatives. There is a lot of dirt on the pervious pavement area from the generator installation, and also sand and gravel from snow plowing. This area needs to be cleaned up, and some of the pavers may need to be cleaned and set again.. Some grading, and planting is needed to complete the tank installation and stabilize the work area above the retaining wall. Ms. Fink will follow up with the contractor and VNA. 6 Heritage Road Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. A tree with dead limbs and bark is in the side yard of the property and threatens to fall on the house. The Tree Warden will figure out whether it is on Town Conservation Land or private property. The Commission authorized removal of the tree. 152 Walnut Street Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve a Minor Project Permit for a deck. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. Minutes for approval Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes for April 27, 2011, as drafted. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 4 Conservation Commission, May 11, 2011 17 Partridge Road The Commission reviewed a proposed tree-planting plan that was all native species. Motion made by Mr. Hecht to approve the planting plan. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 17 Wilson Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. Deck has been completed. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to close the file for the Minor Project Permit. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 77 Track Road The Commission received a letter from FEMA that the house has been certified as not being in the flood plain. 335 Main Street The Commission reviewed a letter from Bill Stantial, owner, reporting on the work he had completed to correct problems identified last winter. The Commission has received no further complaints from the abutters and will not require a site inspection at this time. 571 West Street, Light Department Pole Yard Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The former stockpile area has tire ruts and sparse vegetation. The hay bales have been scattered. She will contact RMLD to add loam and seed, remove hay bales, and prevent parking until the vegetation takes hold. 26 Sunset Rock Lane Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. There is new grass in the former stockpile area. A site visit will be scheduled. Fox Run Lane Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The trees have been cut. Ms. Fink will contact the owner to find out what work is scheduled in the near future. Money Transfer Motion made by Ms. Stewart to transfer $6,000 from the Wetlands Fee Fund to the Administrator salary fund in the operating budget. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0. 306 Main Street Ms. Fink gave a site visit report. The former Getty station lot next to the Enterprise Car Rental on Main Street is being used as a parking lot for Enterprise vehicles. This use has not been approved. Ms. Fink will send a notice to the Police Chief, Getty, and Enterprise owner. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Stewart to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 PM. Ms. Scanlon seconded. Vote was 4-0-0.