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
- 🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Project – Continued NOI
- 🔹 Zero Small Lane – Continued NOI
- 🔹 24 Dustin Road – Continued NOI
- 🔹 400 Grove Street – New NOI
- 🔹 288 Grove Street – Minor Plan Change
- 🔹 1295 Main Street – Bond Release
- 🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Order
- 🔹 50 Joanna Drive – Enforcement Order Site Visit
- 🔹 DPW Coordination – 2026 Project List
- 🔹 Grant Planning & Five-Year Vision
- 🔹 Mattera Cabin Update
- ✅ Key Outcomes
📝 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Summary
📅 Date: October 22, 2025
📍 Location: Town Hall Select Board meeting room & Zoom Hybrid
⏰ Start Time: 7:05 (video time)
⏱️ End Time: 3:04:38 (video time)
👥 Attending: Martha Moore (Vice Chair, Acting Chair), Walter Talbot, Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, Joseph Fleury (Associate)
🚫 Absent: Brian Bowe (Chair)
🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Project – Continued NOI
🕒 8:47–10:03
- Status: Continued to November 12
- Public Comment:
- Concerns raised about noise, air quality, health impacts, and environmental justice
- Board of Health requested independent sound and air quality study
- Select Board meeting scheduled for October 27 at RMHS Performing Arts Center
- Action:
- Continued without discussion
- Commission to post meeting notice for quorum at Select Board event
🔹 Zero Small Lane – Continued NOI
🕒 27:22–1:18:41
- Applicant: Joseph Marino
- Project: Single-family home with cul-de-sac, wetland crossing, and stormwater infrastructure
- Discussion Highlights:
- Applicant proposed reduced fee of $15,710 (split between Conservation Fund and Tree Fund)
- 57 trees removed; 18 credited via replication plantings, 8 proposed on-site
- Commission requested planting plan and species list
- Concerns about cul-de-sac location, pavement width, and snow storage
- DEP comments received; applicant to respond before next meeting
- Action:
- Continued to November 12
- Applicant to submit updated plans, planting details, and DEP response
🔹 24 Dustin Road – Continued NOI
🕒 1:18:48–1:19:08
- Status: Continued to November 12
- Action: Motion passed to continue
🔹 400 Grove Street – New NOI
🕒 1:19:19–1:50:45
- Applicant: Katherine & Julian Hickman
- Project: In-ground pool, patio, retaining wall, fencing, drainage, grading
- Discussion Highlights:
- One tree to be removed; others to remain
- Pool within lawn area; erosion control to be adjusted for construction access
- Dry well proposed for patio runoff; details to be added
- Commission requested specs for patio, grading, and pool equipment
- Invasive species (Japanese knotweed, bittersweet, tree of heaven) and yard waste observed in buffer zone
- Applicant agreed to remove yard waste and target invasives over two years
- Action:
- Continued to November 12
- Applicant to submit updated plans and O\&M documentation
🔹 288 Grove Street – Minor Plan Change
🕒 1:51:03–1:56:42
- Applicant: Meadow Brook Golf Club
- Change: Addition of sewer and water lines for new storage building
- Discussion Highlights:
- Lines to be installed via trenching; erosion controls in place
- Pump station includes emergency alarm
- Action:
- Determined to be a minor plan change
- Approved unanimously
🔹 1295 Main Street – Bond Release
🕒 1:57:12–2:00:09
- Project: Lot A single-family home
- Status: Certificate of Compliance issued; site in good condition
- Action:
- Bond released to original contractor (Frank Lanzano)
🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Order
🕒 2:00:19–2:01:04
- Update:
- Stream restoration progressing; dam removed
- Awaiting Chair’s review before next steps
- Action:
- Deferred to future meeting
🔹 50 Joanna Drive – Enforcement Order Site Visit
🕒 2:02:24–2:17:03
- Findings:
- 15 trees and shrubs planted; spacing and species reviewed
- Some trees not true natives; Mahoney’s substitutions noted
- Commission agreed to monitor survivability over next year
- Action:
- Enforcement order remains open
- Revisit in fall 2026 to assess survival and potential replanting
🔹 DPW Coordination – 2026 Project List
🕒 2:17:13–2:36:36
- Discussion Highlights:
- Bench replacements at Maillet Sommes & Morgan due to structural issues
- Request for DPW support with concrete slabs and site prep
- Other ideas: trail work, tree trimming, invasive removal, handicap symbol repainting
- Action:
- Commissioners to submit project ideas before November 4 DPW meeting
🔹 Grant Planning & Five-Year Vision
🕒 2:36:42–2:39:01
- Discussion:
- Grant opportunity for design and engineering of trail behind RECAL
- Volunteers needed to assist with proposal writing
- Action:
- Rick Keogh volunteered to assist
- Chuck to prepare draft vision and project list for January
🔹 Mattera Cabin Update
🕒 2:39:01–2:39:49
- Status:
- Meeting with Fire Chief and Building Commissioner pending
- Trails Committee use of garage limited; cabin remains closed
- Action:
- Awaiting next steps from town officials
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ MBTA NOI continued; public comment heard
- ✅ Zero Small Lane continued; fee proposal and planting plan discussed
- ✅ 400 Grove Street continued; invasive removal and drainage details requested
- ✅ 288 Grove Street minor plan change approved
- ✅ 1295 Main Street bond released
- ✅ 50 Joanna Drive enforcement order remains open for survivability monitoring
- ✅ DPW project ideas requested for November 4
- ✅ Grant planning initiated for RECAL trail
- ⏸️ Mattera Cabin update pending
- ⏸️ 445 Pearl Street enforcement deferred
- ⏸️ 24 Dustin Road continued
