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
- 🔹 Zero East Haverhill Street – Order of Conditions & Stormwater Permit
- 🔹 57 Longwood Road – NOI
- 🔹 553 Haverhill Street – New RDA
- 🔹 Tree Preservation Bylaw Presentation
- 🔹 7 Heritage Drive – Minor Plan Change
- 🔹 32 Harvard Street – Plan Change Discussion
- 🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Order Update
- 🔹 DPW Coordination Meeting
- 🔹 Land Donation Policy
- 🔹 Mattera Cabin Update
- 🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Project
- 🔹 Minutes
- ✅ Key Outcomes
📝 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Summary
📅 Date: September 10, 2025
📍 Location: Town Hall & Zoom Hybrid
⏰ Time: 3hr12min
👥 Attending: Martha Moore (Vice Chair, Acting Chair), Brian Bowe (Chair), Walter Talbot, Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, Chirag Sthalekar, Joseph Fleury (Associate)
🚫 Absent: None
🔹 Zero East Haverhill Street – Order of Conditions & Stormwater Permit
🕒 6:22–48:05
- Applicant: Town of Reading (RECAL Project)
- Action:
- Order of Conditions approved with amendments
- Stormwater permit approved with added compliance clause
- Key Conditions:
- 11 granite bounds to mark 25-ft buffer zone
- Visual screening (evergreens) added as needed to reduce light leakage from pickleball courts
- Lighting upgrades must meet dark sky standards if technology becomes available
- 3-year survivability for buffer zone plantings
- Concrete washout station outside buffer zone
- Tree protection language included
🔹 57 Longwood Road – NOI
🕒 48:12–1:11:17
- Applicant: Patrick Trojer
- Project: Garage addition within 200-ft riverfront area
- Discussion Highlights:
- Mitigation includes planting plan and donation to Conservation Commission Fund
- Additional planting plan for right side of driveway to be submitted
- Foamflower replaced with native asters
- Three flowering dogwoods confirmed
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Order of Conditions issued
- Conditions: 3-year survivability, planting plan updates, donation to Conservation Fund
🔹 553 Haverhill Street – New RDA
🕒 1:11:39–1:36:49
- Applicant: Tim & Jean Proopio
- Project: 34×64 ft sports court with chain link fence and lighting
- Discussion Highlights:
- Fence height: 6 ft at wood line, 3 ft facing house
- Lighting to be dark sky compliant and reviewed by Chuck
- River rock trench for runoff control
- Erosion control required on two sides
- Debris (bricks, pallet, wire) to be removed
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Negative determination issued
- Conditions: erosion control, lighting review, debris removal, soil stabilization
🔹 Tree Preservation Bylaw Presentation
🕒 1:37:03–2:18:32
- Presenter: Genady Pilyavsky, Reading Climate Advisory Committee
- Proposal:
- Bylaw to preserve residential tree canopy during major construction
- Developers to replace removed trees or pay into town fund
- Applies to new construction and large additions
- Discussion Highlights:
- DBH vs canopy area debate
- Concerns about crowding, cost, and enforcement
- Suggestion to align with Conservation Commission standards (6″ DBH, native species)
- Potential for future Tree Preservation Committee
- Action:
- Draft bylaw to be shared with Commission for review and feedback
🔹 7 Heritage Drive – Minor Plan Change
🕒 2:18:39–2:45:37
- Applicant: Scott (Homeowner)
- Proposal: Add two small retaining walls to address frost line issue
- Discussion Highlights:
- Walls to be built where patio stones are removed
- Mitigation includes patio removal and lawn restoration
- Structure described as freestanding stone-filled crib
- Action:
- Approved as minor plan change
- Chuck to review updated plan for compliance
🔹 32 Harvard Street – Plan Change Discussion
🕒 2:45:50–2:53:32
- Issue: Fence and planting revisions
- Status: Continued to next meeting
- Action: Applicant to attend and clarify proposed changes
🔹 445 Pearl Street – Enforcement Order Update
🕒 2:54:26–2:58:32
- Update:
- Streambed dry; work to begin soon
- Retaining wall to be removed
- Slopes and willow staking per approved plan
- Chuck to be notified before work begins
🔹 DPW Coordination Meeting
🕒 2:58:38–3:00:11
- Update:
- No meeting held in September
- Brush clearing at Town Forest causeway pending site visit
🔹 Land Donation Policy
🕒 3:00:20–3:01:25
- Update:
- Draft policy under review
- Final version to be discussed at next meeting
🔹 Mattera Cabin Update
🕒 3:01:25–3:02:22
- Status:
- Cabin remains closed
- Draft classification assessment received
- Final review pending with Assistant Town Manager
🔹 MBTA Turnback Track Project
🕒 3:02:30–3:09:07
- Update:
- First meeting held with vocal abutters
- Second public meeting scheduled for Sept 15
- Conservation Commission quorum expected; meeting to be posted
🔹 Minutes
🕒 3:09:36–3:10:32
- Status:
- August 27 minutes received; vote postponed
- August 13 minutes pending
- Commissioners asked to review and send corrections
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ Zero East Haverhill Street Order of Conditions and stormwater permit approved
- ✅ 57 Longwood Road NOI approved with planting and donation conditions
- ✅ 553 Haverhill Street RDA approved with erosion and lighting conditions
- ✅ Tree Preservation Bylaw draft to be reviewed
- ✅ 7 Heritage Drive approved as minor plan change
- ✅ 32 Harvard Street continued
- ✅ 445 Pearl Street enforcement update received
- ✅ MBTA meeting scheduled and quorum posted
- ⏸️ August minutes pending approval
