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
Opening and Roll Call
6:59 – 8:13
- Chuck Tirone (Conservation Administrator): Opens meeting, notes it’s conducted in-person and remotely per Chapter 2, Acts of 2025, extending remote participation until June 30, 2027. Meeting is recorded.
- Chuck Tirone: Outlines agenda, including public comment periods and roll call.
- Brian Bowe (Commission Chair): Reviews agenda: Mulberry Forest Montessori School presentation, continued hearings (119 Winthrop Ave, 288 Grove St, 885 Main St, 695 Pearl St), new hearing (269 Main St), and old/new business. Conducts roll call: Walter Talbot, Tim Michelle, Martha Moore, Brian Bowe present.
Mulberry Forest Montessori School
8:30 – 19:02
- Dr. Mary Gerana Saba & Dr. Annmarie Faust (Malbury Forest Montessori School): Present proposal to locate school on conservation land near Mattera Cabin for 2025-2026. Key points:
- Focus on land stewardship, accessibility, community care, Montessori education.
- Propose collaboration with Conservation Commission (e.g., work days, donation to fund, invasive species removal).
- Request use of temporary tents, outdoor sink, storage, restroom, and indoor cabin use during winter.
- Plan to operate 8:30 AM–3:00 PM, Monday–Friday, outdoors year-round.
- Commission Questions:
- Student numbers (3–12 years, up to 20 expected), state regulations (no indoor space limits for nature-based programs), furniture use, poison ivy management, adult-to-child ratio (10:1 max), health emergencies (physician on call, first aid kits).
- Chuck Tirone: Notes synergy with conservation goals, underutilization of Mattera Cabin, and parking experience.
- Karen Herrick (Select Board Member): Supports proposal, highlights Mattera’s underuse, raises parking concerns.
- Outcome: Commission expresses interest via informal poll, requests formalized plan (parking, class sizes, maintenance) by end of June for a one-year pilot. To be reviewed by town counsel and select board.
119 Winthrop Ave
19:10 – 55:22
- James Gallagher (119 Winthrop Ave): Continues public hearing for garage addition within 100-ft wetland buffer.
- Presents engineering report with rainwater retention and erosion control plans.
- Proposes 3-ft planting strip with ferns, wild ginger, blueberries; soil testing underway.
- Commission: Requests detailed planting plan (dimensions, soil depth, plants). Approves notice of intent contingent on submitting plan to Chuck Tirone before occupancy, with max 2 inches of soil in buffer strip.
- Outcome: Hearing closed, order of conditions issued (Motion: Walter Talbot, Second: Martha Moore, All in favor).
Hearings Continued
55:47 – 57:06
- Brian Bowe: Continues hearings for 288 Grove St, 885 Main St, 695 Pearl St to May 28 at applicant’s request.
- Outcome: Motions to continue approved (All in favor).
269 Main Street
57:13 – 58:33
- Brian Bowe (Commission Chair): Opens public hearing for Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA 2025-5) by 269 Main Street LLC, under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131, Section 40 (Wetlands Protection Act) and Reading Wetland Protection Bylaw Section 7.1. Proposal involves placing an 8×16-ft fence and two 2-yard garbage dumpsters within the 100-ft wetland buffer zone. Application details available at Town Hall or online (Assessor’s Map 12, Lot 40).
58:45 – 1:09:07
- Dr. Bruce Doyle (Applicant, 269 Main Street Resident): Presents proposal to relocate garbage storage from indoor garage to outdoor dumpsters due to persistent odor issues.
- Describes indoor setup (three garbage bins, two recycling bins) and convenience of not facing New England weather.
- Highlights severe odor issues (e.g., rotting smell lasting 48 hours, likened to a decomposing body) as primary motivation, dismissing convenience as secondary.
- Notes ineffective fan in trash room and internal condo disputes.
- Argues outdoor dumpsters are common (cites multiple nearby buildings with outdoor dumpsters, e.g., 159 Main St, 243 Main St).
- Proposes dumpsters on a non-absorbent surface with closed lids, drain plugs, wooden fence enclosure, and regular cleaning (2-4 times/year).
- Shares engineer’s report (Joe Peznola, Hancock Associates) confirming no impact on stormwater system, as runoff will be managed by existing catch basin and infiltration system (approved June 2022).
1:09:13 – 1:31:51
- Commission Questions:
- Walter Talbot: Asks about alternative odor abatement systems (e.g., exhaust systems). Doyle confirms only a fan was tried, no other systems explored.
- Martha Moore: Inquires about odor source (spoiled food, not diapers or bodies), trash volume exceeding bin capacity, and maintenance plan for chewed lids. Suggests composting or disposals to reduce odor and a system to assist less able residents (e.g., elderly) to prevent trash being left outside.
- Brian Bowe: Requests an operation and maintenance plan addressing trash containment, snow on lids, and wetland protection (e.g., regular trash pickup along wetland path). Questions snow storage, lighting (to avoid wildlife disruption), and cross-hatched area purpose (possibly for emergency vehicles or snow).
- Chuck Tirone: Notes trash outside dumpsters isn’t a wetland violation unless it smothers wetlands, but conditions like an operation plan could be imposed. Warns overly strict conditions may lead to an appeal win for the applicant.
- Doyle: Confirms two-day pickup plan (potentially three), service contract for lid repairs, and no lighting planned (needs safety check). Notes camera surveillance and dog waste station, but unsure about cross-hatched area’s purpose.
1:31:59 – 1:53:47
- Public Comments:
- Nancy McKel (Unit 3005): Opposes dumpsters, noting nearby modern buildings (e.g., Reading Commons) use indoor storage successfully. Claims prior board’s bin washing was effective, stopped by current board. Suggests converting recycling bins to trash and moving paper recycling outside. Highlights difficulty lifting lids (5 ft tall).
- Pam Fleming (Unit 101): Lives above trash room, denies odor issues due to exhaust fan. Opposes dumpsters, citing inability to lift lids, snow storage impacting wetlands (oil, salt runoff), and animal attraction (coyotes, rats). Notes clean ecosystem (ducks, frogs).
- Denise Nolles (Unit 2001): Supports dumpsters, citing persistent odor and ineffective bin cleaning. Denies outdoor odor from nearby dumpsters (e.g., pet hotel). Claims snow storage already impacts wetlands, not worsened by dumpsters.
- Dr. Linda Johnson (Unit 106, HOA Board): Opposes dumpsters, denies odor issues (suggests carpet cleaning). Cites safety risks (slipping), vermin, and trash leakage risks. Notes indoor storage as a selling feature.
- Ally Numovich (Unit 102): Opposes dumpsters, citing proximity to her unit, past Boston experiences with vermin (raccoons, skunks), and preference to avoid such issues.
- Dr. David Maul (Unit First Floor): Opposes dumpsters, denies odor issues, suggests alternative odor solutions (e.g., disposals, certified bin cleaning). Claims outdoor dumpsters risk wetland contamination (leaky plugs, rust).
- Brian Bowe: Clarifies commission’s focus is wetland protection, not internal condo disputes (odors, association decisions).
1:53:52 – 2:05:24
- Commission Discussion:
- Brian Bowe: Notes engineer’s report assures stormwater system handles runoff, but conditions needed to prevent wetland impact (e.g., trash containment). Suggests motion for positive (approve) or negative (deny or require notice of intent) determination or continuance.
- Walter Talbot: Moves for positive determination to deny project, seconded by Tim Michelle.
- Martha Moore: Opposes immediate denial, prefers continuance to allow applicant to submit an operation and maintenance plan addressing trash containment and wetland protection.
- Chuck Tirone: Agrees wetland impact (not resident safety) is key, supports continuance for plan.
- Walter Talbot: Withdraws motion to deny.
- Outcome: Motion to continue hearing to May 28, 2025, approved (Motion: Walter Talbot, Second: Tim Michelle, All in favor). Applicant must submit operation and maintenance plan by May 22, addressing trash containment, lid maintenance, snow, and wetland cleanup.
2:05:30 – 2:09:25
- Bill P (Resident): Suggests later continuance for condo association to review plan internally.
- Brian Bowe: Reiterates May 28 date, notes applicant can request further continuance if needed. Residents can comment on plan at next meeting.
- Outcome: Hearing confirmed for May 28; no additional notification required.
269 Main Street – Key Outcomes
Engineer’s report confirms no stormwater system impact, but commission seeks safeguards to prevent trash spread to wetlands.
Hearing for 269 Main Street’s RDA continued to May 28, 2025, to allow applicant to submit an operation and maintenance plan addressing wetland protection concerns (trash containment, lid maintenance, snow, cleanup).
Plan due to Chuck Terrone by May 22, 2025, for distribution.
Commission focuses on wetland impacts, not internal condo odor disputes.
Mixed resident views: some cite severe odor and support outdoor dumpsters; others deny odor, oppose dumpsters due to wetland risks, vermin, and accessibility issues.
Old/New Business
2:09:41 – 3:24:00
- Various Discussions:
- Tree removal at 51 Sanborn Lane: Commission approves tree permit for two live trees (cherry, pine) and one dead oak, allows up to four trees per policy, pending planting plan.
- Restoration plan modifications for Williamson Sporades (Mike Rivers): Retaining wall removal, northern bank restoration first, inspection required before southern bank work. Expected start: late June/July.
- Funding for Birch Meadow pollinator garden: $500 approved for native plants, mulch, compost (Motion: Walter Talbot, Second: Tim Michelle, All in favor).
- Land gift at 0 Waverly Rd: Accepted from Cheryl A. Serret in memory of Samuel and Gloria Bolino (Motion: Brian Bow, Second: Walter Talbot, All in favor).
- Forest St (114) occupancy permit: Developer failed to plant required trees/shrubs; commission delays approval pending clarification and compliance.
Minutes
3:24:00 – 4:02:38
- Chuck Tirone & Commission: Discuss upcoming work day (May 17), trail maintenance, and DPW coordination. Approve meeting minutes.
- Outcome: Meeting adjourned at 10:59 PM (Motion: Brian Bow, All in favor).
Key Outcomes
- Ongoing issues with Forest St planting compliance noted.
- Mulberry Forest Montessori School proposal advances as a pilot, pending formalized plan and approvals.
- 119 Winthrop Ave notice of intent approved with conditions.
- Multiple hearings continued to May 28.
- 269 Main St hearing opened and continued.
- Tree permits, restoration plans, funding, and land gift addressed.
