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
- 🔹 102 John Carver Road – RDA
- 🔹 CPA Presentation – Community Preservation Act
- 🔹 32 Harvard Street – Minor Plan Change
- 🔹 15 Carriage Lane – Site Visit Review
- 🔹 Land Donation Policy Discussion
- 🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Update
- 🔹 Administrator’s Report
- 🔹 MBTA Liaison Appointment
- 🔹 MBTA Update
- 🔹 Minutes
- ✅ Key Outcomes
📝 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Summary
📅 Date: September 24, 2025
📍 Location: Town Hall & Zoom Hybrid
⏰ Time: 2hr44min
👥 Attending: Martha Moore (Vice Chair), Brian Bowe (Chair), Walter Talbot, Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, Chirag Sthalekar, Joseph Fleury (Associate)
🚫 Absent: None
🔹 102 John Carver Road – RDA
🕒 7:46–22:33
- Applicant: Jack Sullivan (Sullivan Engineering Group)
- Project: Garage replacement and deck addition; minor work within 100-ft buffer zone
- Discussion Highlights:
- Site visit confirmed flat yard with minimal erosion risk
- Existing swing set and treehouse within 25-ft zone noted
- Grass clippings and leaf piles to be removed
- Rain barrel proposed for roof runoff mitigation
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Negative determination issued
- Conditions: remove yard waste, install rain barrel, remove swing set/treehouse when no longer in use or upon sale
🔹 CPA Presentation – Community Preservation Act
🕒 22:38–1:04:12
- Presenters: Martha Moore (ConCom rep), Sanford Matathia (At-large rep)
- Overview:
- CPA funds support open space, recreation, historic preservation, and affordable housing
- Funded via property tax surcharge (0.5%–3%) with state match
- Reading considering 1% surcharge (~\$100/year per household)
- Discussion Highlights:
- Examples of eligible projects: trail upgrades, cabin repairs, historical markers, affordable housing
- CPA funds cannot be used for general maintenance or capital plan items
- Commission to vote on support and preferred surcharge rate at next meeting
- Action:
- Vote postponed to October 8
- Commissioners to send questions to Martha for follow-up
🔹 32 Harvard Street – Minor Plan Change
🕒 1:05:13–1:37:50
- Applicant: Ellen (Homeowner)
- Requests:
- Waiver of infiltration requirement due to high groundwater
- Fence installation for dog containment
- Relocation of native planting area
- Discussion Highlights:
- Alternatives to infiltration discussed (stone drip trench, rain barrel, backflow preventer)
- Fence approved with wildlife passage requirement
- Planting relocation allowed with increased native coverage
- Action:
- Fence and planting changes approved as administrative decision
- Infiltration waiver decision postponed pending engineer review
🔹 15 Carriage Lane – Site Visit Review
🕒 1:37:56–1:41:25
- Project: Above-ground pool and deck
- Findings:
- Plantings healthy and exceed requirements
- Minor substitutions noted (e.g., river birch for white spruce)
- Trampoline in 25-ft zone flagged for future removal
- Action:
- No further action required; homeowner to be notified of successful completion
🔹 Land Donation Policy Discussion
🕒 1:41:33–2:01:06
- Issue: Clarifying Conservation Commission’s policy on accepting land donations
- Discussion Highlights:
- Recent donation led to tree falling from conservation land onto private property
- Tree warden requested future notification prior to land acceptance
- Commission reaffirmed authority to accept land with Select Board approval
- Survey required prior to acceptance; tree condition not part of current review process
- Action:
- Letter to Town Manager and Select Board approved
- Motion passed to send letter clarifying donation policy
🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Update
🕒 2:01:06–2:07:38
- Issue: Stream restoration progress
- Findings:
- Southern bank shaped and stabilized
- Northern bank partially completed
- Large soil pile blocking stream flow; culvert outlet obstructed
- Action:
- DPW to be contacted if obstruction not removed promptly
- Continued monitoring required
🔹 Administrator’s Report
🕒 2:07:59–2:17:19
- Mattera Cabin:
- Code compliance review underway
- Initial occupancy limit proposed at 20; upgrades needed for higher capacity
- Volunteer work may reduce costs (e.g., paneling, door handles)
- MBTA NOI:
- NOI received for turnback track project
- Site visit scheduled for October 6
- Select Board presentation requested for October 7
🔹 MBTA Liaison Appointment
🕒 2:29:08–2:33:13
- Appointee: Joseph Fleury
- Role: Attend MBTA-related meetings, report back to Commission
- Action:
- Motion passed unanimously
🔹 MBTA Update
🕒 2:33:13–2:35:08
- Summary:
- Two public meetings held in September
- NOI submitted; site visit and Select Board presentation pending
- Public concerns raised over transparency and environmental impact
🔹 Minutes
🕒 2:35:08–2:38:28
- Approved:
- August 27, 2025
- Pending:
- August 13, 2025
- September 10, 2025
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ 102 John Carver RDA approved with conditions
- ✅ Fence and planting changes at 32 Harvard approved administratively
- ✅ Land donation policy letter approved
- ✅ MBTA liaison appointed
- ✅ August 27 minutes approved
- ⏸️ CPA vote postponed to October 8
- ⏸️ Infiltration waiver at 32 Harvard pending engineer input
- ⏸️ 445 Pearl Street enforcement ongoing
- ⏸️ August 13 and September 10 minutes pending
