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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-05-25 Conservation Commission Minutes Conservation Commission,May 25,2011 MINUTES f EO Reading Conservation CommissionCLERK Selectmen's Meeting Room, 7:6 0m, M t Wednesday, May 25, 2011P : 2011 ja -5 Present: Bill Hecht, Chairman; Annika Scanlon; Barbara Stewart; Brian Sullivan; Brian Tucker, Tina Ohlson, Jamie Maugham; Fran Fink, Administrator; Maureen Knight, Recording Secretary Absent: none Call to Order The meeting opened at 7:01 PM. Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Maughan, and Ms. Ohlson arrived after the meeting opened. Old/New Business Trail Improvements, DEP 270-568, RGB 2009-36 - Kurchian Woods: Will Guyot and Zack Whelan,Boy Scout projects, Town Forest: Cranberry Dam Trail Will Guyott presented a plan blaze trails and post signs and boundary markers in Kurchian Woods. The Chairman said this would be useful. The Commission is waiting to hear from DPW regarding certain signage, so this may not be in included in the project. Will has raised $256 in donations and has additional pledges from local vendors. Mr. Tucker moved to approve the project. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 4-0-0. Ms. Scanlon and Mr. Maughan arrived at this time. Zack Whelan proposed to construct a bridge to cross the stream in the woods near the Pondview Lane entrance to Kurchian Woods. He reported that the town has recently taken a connecting parcel by tax title which will allow use of the existing trail route. The bridge will be built at the narrow part of the wetlands. The existing crossing is in poor shape due to ATV use. This canbe blocked off and restored. He will also remove a man-made dam that is obstructing the water flow. The Commission asked some questions regarding the construction design and how soils will be handled during work. The proposed pipe footings need a stable base, and soils should not be put where they will block flow. Mr. Whelan has not raised any funds to date. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the project. Mr. Maughan seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Johnson Woods, DEP 270-416,RGB 2004-10 Bob Gargano, Project Manager, was present, He took photos two weeks ago and today, and will email them to Ms. Fink. Most of the woodchips were removed from the area. Mr. Maughan requested a history from Ms. Fink regarding the violation. She described this, and presented photos and a site visit report. The Commission reviewed a draft Enforcement Order with Mr. Gargano, who agreed to the terms of the Order. 1 Conservation Commission,May 25,2011 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Enforcement Order with the findings and orders as drafted. Mr. Tucker seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. 66 Sturges Road,, The Commission reviewed a site.visit'report. Discussion will continue on June 8, 2011 at the request of the owners, who could not attend the meeting tonight. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 244R Ash Street, DEP 270-582, RGB 2011-9 This hearing was postponed to June 8, 2011, at the request of the Applicant. Public Hearing, Notice of Intent, 14 Nelson Avenue,RGB 2011-10 Present: Yvonne Yau and Kam Shiu Yau, applicants, Steven Des Roche and Ed Ratcliffe, consultants Mr. Ratcliffe presented the proposal to demolish the existing dwelling and to build a new one. There is some question about the wetland delineation, and Ms. Fink will meet with the botanist tomorrow. There is a driveway within the 25' buffer zone that will be reconfigured to ran to garage doors on the side of the house. Excess pavement near the wetland will be removed and the area will be restored with buffer zone plants. The applicant requested a waiver of the RGB filing fee for the restoration area. They are also proposing new water and sewer lines to connect to the Town services in Nelson Avenue. The existing septic system will be crushed and removed. The work areas will be buffered with erosion controls. Mr. Maughan gave a site visit report and questioned some of the wetlands flags. The position of the proposed house may have to be adjusted to provide a 35' setback. Mr. Tucker asked about the condition of the clay pipe under the driveway. Mr. Ratcliffe said they looked at the ends and that water does flow, but they did not TV the pipe. Ms. Fink reviewed her written comments. Ms. Scanlon noted a lot of debris she wanted removed. Mr. Ratcliffe said the existing dwelling has a sump pump and the new one is likely to need one as well. They can determine where the discharge should go. Additional information and revised plans will be provided after the site visit to confirm the wetlands delineations. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to waive the RGB fee for work in the restoration area. Mr. Maughan seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to continue the hearing to June 8, 2011. Mr. Tucker seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Public Meeting, Request for Determination of Applicability, 30 Chequessett Road, RGB 2011-11 Present: Dennis Frazier Mr. Frazier proposed to remove a tree at the edge of the wetlands and to plant a replacement tree and several other trees. Mr. Tucker said the tree to be cut is not dead but it arches right over Mr. Frazier's fence. Mr. Frazier said he is afraid it will go right into his pool. The Commission reviewed draft findings and conditions. 2 Conservation Commission,May 25,2011 Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue a negative Determination of Applicability with the findings and conditions as drafted. Mr. Tucker seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Causeway Road The Commission reviewed site visit reports and site plans provided by the Engineering Division of DPW. The plan is to reconfigure and repave the roadway, with a proposed stormwater upgrade in the upper part of the road. Mr. Maughan said the road needs paving and drainage. Pavement is in poor shape and there is a large ponded area part way down the road. The trees have already been cut for the proposed change in layout. Mr. Hecht noted a clear drop in topography from the south end of the street into the wetlands, where skunk cabbage and red maples are dominant. Ms. Fink questioned the flagging posted by Engineering,which did not include all the skunk cabbage in the low area. The end of the roadway is in the Buffer Zone. The drainage from the southern half of the road is piped directly into the wetlands with no treatment. The Commission discussed jurisdiction and the need for stormwater management improvements. A letter will be sent to Engineering asking for installation of a water quality treatment device and/or other improvements that are feasible. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to endorse the sending of a letter. Ms. Scanlon seconded. The vote was 6-0-0. Ms. Ohlson arrived. Castine Field The Commission asked Ms. Fink to send a reminder to DPW to limit mowing to the playing surface, and not to mow the wetlands vegetation around the field. 26 Sunset Rock Lane, DEP 270-483, RGB 2006-27 A final site visit was done and there is grass growing on the disturbed areas. Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to issue a Certificate of Compliance for the project. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 7-0-0. Reading Memorial High School, DEP 270-416. RGB 2003-51 The Commission reviewed site visit reports for the Riverfront restoration area along the Aberjona. Many of the trees and shrubs planted last year area dead. There are tire runts and footprints in the restoration area. One tree may have been knocked over during snow plowing. The Commission will send a letter to DPW and the School Department. They will ask for replacement of the dead plants, and physical barriers to keep people,plows, and other vehicles out of the area. Ms. Scanlon would like bounds to be installed. Another Extension Permit should be issued to allow the corrections to take place. 281 Main Street, DEP 270-581, RGB 2011-5 Ms. Fink reported on a pre-construction meeting with staff, owners, and contractors. She will work with the owners on items required by the Order before work begins. 3 Conservation Commission,May 25,2011 Memorial Park,DEP 270-546,RGB 200845 The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Plants are coming up in the ponds and lawn,but some areas need more seeding. Gullies on the banks of the ponds need to be filled and planted again. The disturbed shoulders along Harrison Street have been seeded. 2 C Street,DEP 270-558, RGB 2009-20 The owner finally recorded the Order of Conditions. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to issue the Certificate of Compliance for the project. Ms. Ohlson seconded. The vote was 7-0-0. 40 Sunset Rock Lane,Grant of Conservation Restriction Ms. Fink received revisions from Division of Conservation Services and forwarded them to Town Counsel and the owners. She hopes to receive their comments soon and then draft the final version of the Restriction. Mattera Cabin Ms.Fink reported that the alarm system and phone line have been activated. The Commission reviewed a letter from James Bonazoli, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, asking that the Commission tum over scheduling and management of the cabin to the Recreation Division, subject to policy set by the Commission. The Commission discussed a number of elements that should be included in the policy to assure proper use of the cabin, including hours of operation, fee schedules, deposits,key system, maximum occupancy,prohibitions on fires, smoking and alcohol, and instructions for rental groups. • Ms. Ohlson would like to know more about Recreation program plans for the cabin. The Commission would like a revolving fund for the fees that would be used directly and solely for cabin bills and maintenance. The Commission would like to receive periodic reports from Recreation about activities,finances, and maintenance needed. A draft policy will be prepared for the June 8,2011 meeting and discussion will continue. Motion made by Ms. Ohlson that, subject to final policy to be set by the Commission,management of the cabin is transferred to the Reading Recreation Division. Ms. Stewart seconded. The vote was 7-0-0. Mr. Sullivan left the meeting. Hunt Memorial Park The Commission reviewed a complaint about dumping in buffer zone and wetlands and a site visit report from Ms. Fink. The materials dumped include used and new clay from the baseball field, and leaves and brush from the park or from neighbors. She contacted John Feudo and Bob Keating and is waiting to schedule an inspection with them to ask for removal of the materials and establishment of a more suitable location for the clay. 320 Haverhill Street The Commission reviewed a site visit report. The contractor removed the dislodged pavers and found that the catch basin was never scaled, and that the filter fabric was not installed under the 4 Conservation Commission,May 25, 2011 sand layer. They will remove and replace the pavers and base materials and correct the catch basin. The slopes around the new tank and transformer have been graded and loamed. YMCA The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Soil Tests were done and there was a lot of bedrock. 58 Mill Street The Commission reviewed a site visit report. Ms. Fink and the Town Engineer met with the owner to review corrections needed in the locations of trees. The owners will arrange another meeting when the contractor is on-site. 49 Longwood Road The,Commission reviewed a site visit report. The owner is arranging for installation of gutters, and the Commission extended the time period to June 30, 2011. The owner will also finish stabilization of the front yard as requested. 19 Track Road Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve a Minor Project Permit for a pergola, patio, and landscaping. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. 19 Chapel Hill Road Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to approve the Minor Project Permit for an above-ground pool. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 6-0-0. Minutes Motion made by Ms. Scanlon to approve the minutes of March 16, 2011, as drafted. Ms. Ohlson seconded. Vote was 4-0-2. Ms. Stewart and Mr. Hecht abstained. Motion made by Ms. Stewart to approve the minutes of May 11, 2011, as drafted. Mr. Tucker seconded. Vote was 5-0-1. Mr. Maughan abstained. 335 Main Street The Commission reviewed a site plan proposing to put a new fagade on the front of the building, outside of the buffer zone. Comments will be sent to the Community Planning and development Commission for the hearing. Adjournment Motion made by Ms. Ohlson to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM. Ms. Stewart seconded. Vote was 4- 0-0. 5