🏞️ Conservation Commission 7-9-25 AI Recap

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.

📝 Conservation Commission Meeting Summary

📅 Date: July 9, 2025
📍 Location: Zoom + Select Board Meeting Room
⏰ Start Time: 7:50 (video time)
⏱️ End Time: 2:09:12 (video time)
👥 Attending: Brian Bowe (Chair), Martha Moore (Vice Chair), Walter Talbot, Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, Joseph Fleury (Associate)

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🔹 885 Main Street – Continued Hearing

🕒 11:00–12:04

• Status: Continued at applicant’s request to July 23
• Note: Second round of third-party review comments received and posted online

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🔹 695 Pearl Street – Continued Hearing

🕒 12:04–12:39

• Status: Continued to July 23

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🔹 57 Longwood Road – Continued Hearing

🕒 12:39–14:14

• Status: Continued to July 23 due to lack of applicant response
• Note: Commission discussed possibly removing from agenda if no further contact is made

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🔹 692 Pearl Street – RDA (Tree Removal)

🕒 14:14–47:24

• Applicant: Rick Keogh (Commission member, recused himself)
• Proposal: Remove 11 trees within 100 ft of wetland/intermittent stream
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Safety concerns due to leaning/damaged trees
  • Replanting plan requested with native species (e.g., mountain laurel, red maple)
  • Commission requested clarification on wetland boundary and tree count
  • Brush piles in jurisdictional area to be removed
• Action:
  • Continued to July 23
  • Applicant to submit planting plan sketch by July 16
  • Four previously approved hazardous trees may be removed immediately

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🔹 50 Johanna Drive – Violation & Restoration Plan

🕒 1:13:20–2:07:14

• Applicant: Gino Fedora (represented by Moren Herald, Norse Environmental)
• Violation: Unauthorized tree cutting in jurisdictional area
• Restoration Plan:
  • Plant 8 trees and 6 shrubs (minimum 3 tree species, 2 shrub species)
  • Restore historical lawn area (not to extend into 25-ft no-disturb zone)
  • Install fence to demarcate jurisdictional boundary
• Discussion Highlights:
  • Discrepancy in wetland flagging vs. original plan
  • Commission counted 12 trees removed vs. 8 in applicant’s plan
  • Request to leave one snag for habitat; applicant declined due to safety
  • Fence must include wildlife passage
  • Commission to conduct site visit July 17 at 8:30 AM
• Action:
  • Approved removal of 4 snags, 1 dead maple, and debris pile
  • Continued to July 23 for final approval pending site visit and updated plan

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🔹 Bee Research at t Maillet Conservation Land

🕒 49:35–52:36

• Researcher: Elsie Tally, Rutgers University
• Project: Study of native carpenter bees (Ceratina calcarata)
• Action:
  • Approved by Conservation Administrator
  • Commission updated and supportive

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🔹 New Member Onboarding & Open Meeting Law

🕒 52:41–1:01:38

• New Members:
  • Tim Michel (now full member)
  • Rick Keogh (new full member)
  • Joseph Fleury (new associate member)
• Discussion:
  • Overview of Open Meeting Law, ethics training, and communication protocols
  • Reminder to avoid reply-all and serial communications

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🔹 DPW Coordination Meeting

🕒 1:01:38–1:02:17

• Next Meeting: July 15 at 1:00 PM
• Note: Open to all commissioners

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🔹 Bare Meadow Planting & Watering

🕒 1:02:17–1:05:22

• Issue: Volunteer watering support needed in August
• Request: Commissioners and local volunteers encouraged to help
• Note: Four gardens and $12,000 worth of plantings at risk during dry season

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🔹 Mattera Cabin Deck Update

🕒 1:05:22–1:07:00

• Project: 24×24 ft ADA-accessible deck with ramp and stairs
• Status: Framed and partially decked; expected completion by early August

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🔹 Approval of Minutes

🕒 1:07:00–1:09:37

• Approved:
  • May 14, 2025
  • May 28, 2025 (as amended)
• Pending:
  • June 11 and June 25 (not yet received)

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🔹 Budget & Select Board Meeting

🕒 1:10:14–1:11:48

• Next Select Board Meeting: July 15
• Topics: Conservation budget and Montessori Forest School license
• Request: Commissioners encouraged to attend in support

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✅ Key Outcomes

• ✅ 692 Pearl Street continued; planting plan due July 16
• ✅ 50 Johanna Drive: partial approval granted for snag/tree/debris removal
• ✅ Bee research at t Maillet Conservation Land approved
• ✅ May 14 & 28 minutes approved
• ✅ Deck at Mattera Cabin on track for August completion
• ✅ New members onboarded; Open Meeting Law reviewed
• ⏸️ Several hearings continued to July 23

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