Below is a summarized version of the Conservation Commission meeting, organized by timestamps and speakers, focusing on key points raised during the discussion in Reading, Massachusetts. This summary condenses the discussion into major themes, speaker contributions, and decisions, avoiding excessive detail while retaining the essence of the conversation. Timestamps correspond to the video linked at the bottom.
Contents
Meeting Overview
Meeting Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2025
Start Time: 7:00PM
Format: Hybrid (in-person at Town Hall conference room and Zoom)
Key Participants:
- Charles (Chuck) Tirone (Conservation Administrator)
- Brian Bowe (Commission Chair)
- Tony Rodolakis, Walter Talbot, Tim Michelle, Martha Moore (Commissioners)
- Details:
- Meeting begins at 2:15 with a sign-in sheet check.
- Audio check conducted at 2:22 (Tony and Brian).
- Charles Tirone introduces the hybrid format at 2:35 and notes the meeting’s legal basis.
- Roll call at 3:51: All commissioners present (Tony Rodolakis, Walter Talbot, Tim Michelle, Martha Moore, Brian Bowe).
- Outcome: Meeting officially starts, agenda outlined (695 Pearl Street, 246-248 Walnut Street, violations, tree policy update, etc.).
695 Pearl Street
2. Public Hearing – ANRAD (5:06 – 22:28)
- Speakers:
- Brian Bowe (Chair)
- Jack Sullivan (Sullivan Engineering Group, Project Engineer)
- Tony, Chuck, Commissioners
- Chad Griffith (Public, 651 Pearl Street resident)
- Details:
- Hearing opens at 5:13 for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131, Section 40.
- Jack Sullivan presents at 6:19: 4.2-acre parcel with a single-family home, wetland delineation by Norris Environmental, three wetland areas (C, B, A series).
- Discussion at 8:26-14:27:
- Tony asks about vernal pool investigation (8:46).
- Chuck questions wetland size jurisdiction (9:14) and tree mapping (10:30).
- Commission requests a site visit (10:24) and third-party review (13:57).
- Public comment at 19:35: Chad Griffith asks about Lot 64 plans (no development or donation planned).
- Motion to continue at 22:11.
- Outcome:
- Hearing continued to April 9, 2025, for third-party review and site visit (vote at 22:19, unanimous).
- Third-party review authorized (vote at 17:18, unanimous) to assess wetland lines and vernal pools.
246-248 Walnut Street
3. Minor Plan Change: (22:35 – 57:22)
- Speakers:
- Brian Bowe (Chair)
- Ian Ainslie (Engineer, MBC)
- Mike Napier (Developer)
- Tony, Martha Moore, Chuck, Commissioners
- Details:
- Request presented at 23:00: Extend a berm (3 ft high) with a 7 ft PVC fence for noise/visual screening near I-93.
- Discussion at 25:09-45:23:
- Tony questions existing fence and tree impacts (25:09, 26:38).
- Martha critiques fence height efficacy and zoning (28:16, 30:17).
- Chuck raises tree protection and berm width concerns (34:35, 47:33).
- Mike commits to avoiding tree damage, offers 3:1 tree replacement if needed (43:36).
- Site visit proposed at 45:02 to mark berm footprint.
- Erosion control and berm stabilization discussed (47:33-56:07).
- Outcome:
- Hearing continued to March 26, 2025 (vote at 56:28, unanimous).
- Applicant to submit revised plans by March 20, 2025, with berm footprint marked for site visit on March 24, 2025.
445 Pearl Street
4. Violation: (57:29 – 1:18:17)
- Speakers:
- Brian Bowe (Chair)
- Martha, Tony, Walter, Chuck
- Details:
- Violation discussion begins at 58:50 (homeowner absent).
- Site visit findings (59:34-1:06:29):
- Martha notes erosion and retaining wall shift closer to stream (59:34).
- Tony highlights structural instability and wetland fill (1:02:27).
- Walter critiques wall integrity (1:02:01).
- Restoration suggestions at 1:05:05: Slope reduction, vegetation, netting (Tony).
- Enforcement debate at 1:10:08-1:15:54:
- Tony requests stamped engineer plans (1:10:39).
- Chuck suggests fines for non-compliance (1:15:04).
- Issue ongoing since 2021 (1:16:15).
- Outcome:
- Motion to amend enforcement order (1:17:07, unanimous) to require stamped plans by April 9, 2025, restoring original bank condition.
- Fines considered but deferred for town consultation.
Discussion Items
5. (1:17:44 – 1:38:24)
- Speakers:
- Brian Bowe (Chair)
- Chuck, Tony, Martha Moore
- Details:
- Tree Policy Update (1:17:44): Chuck presents updates; adopted unanimously at 1:19:10 (effective March 12, 2025).
- Conservation-DPW Meeting (1:20:03): Chuck reports on container updates, paving application, and wishlist (trail maintenance, etc.).
- Administrator’s Report (1:23:56):
- 885 Main Street stormwater permit upcoming (1:24:03).
- National Grid power line project update (1:25:54).
- Minutes Approval (1:28:13): December 11, 2024, approved (1:28:46); others pending.
- Easton Gateway Project (1:32:04): Wetlands concerns raised; commission to monitor.
- Outcome:
- Tree policy adopted.
- DPW coordination ongoing; stormwater permit review assigned.
Key Outcomes
- 695 Pearl Street: Continued to April 9, 2025; third-party review and site visit scheduled.
- 246-248 Walnut Street: Continued to March 26, 2025; revised plans and site visit set.
- 445 Pearl Street: Enforcement order amended for April 9, 2025, compliance; fines considered.
- Tree Policy: Updated policy adopted.
- Administrative: Stormwater permit review and DPW coordination assigned.
