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 Vine Street – MBTA Turnback Track Project
- 🔹 Zero Small Lane – Continued NOI
- 🔹 24 Dustin Road – Continued NOI
- 🔹 400 Grove Street – Continued NOI
- 🔹 Zero Annette Lane – Amended NOI
- 🔹 75 Dana Road – New RDA
- 🔹 Certificate of Compliance – 21 Baker Road
- 🔹 Carnation Circle – Tree Removal Request
- 🔹 Cross Street Dumping Issue
- 🔹 MBTA Update
- 🔹 DCR Trail Grant Discussion
- 🔹 Budget Planning
- 🔹 Enforcement & Administrative Updates
- 🔹 Minutes
- ✅ Key Outcomes
📝 Reading Conservation Commission Meeting Summary
📅 Date: November 12, 2025
📍 Location: Town Hall Select Board room & Zoom Hybrid
⏰ Start Time: 7:04 (video time)
⏱️ End Time: 3:35:54 (video time)
👥 Attending: Brian Bowe (Chair), Martha Moore (Vice Chair), Walter Talbot, Tim Michel, Rick Keogh, Joseph Fleury (Associate)
🚫 Absent: None
🔹 Zero Vine Street – MBTA Turnback Track Project
🕒 10:29–12:08
- Update: MBTA requested withdrawal of NOI without prejudice
- Action:
- Commission voted to accept withdrawal
- No further discussion; project removed from agenda
🔹 Zero Small Lane – Continued NOI
🕒 12:14–56:01
- Applicant: Joseph Marino
- Project: Single-family home with roadway, wetland crossing, replication, utilities
- Updates:
- Cul-de-sac replaced with hammerhead turnaround outside 35-ft zone
- Culvert length reduced from 41 ft to 31 ft
- Tree removal reduced from 57 to 35
- Detention basin eliminated; drainage now under roadway
- DEP comments addressed; bank alteration quantified; restoration plan updated
- Discussion Highlights:
- Commission requested detail on utility installation under stream and bank protection
- Environmental monitor confirmed experience with culvert projects
- Fee proposal: $12,710 bylaw fee split into two checks; tree fund contribution debated
- Commission raised concern about counting replication plantings toward tree mitigation
- Action:
- Continued to December 10
- Applicant to provide updated plan, DEP responses, and fee compromise proposal
🔹 24 Dustin Road – Continued NOI
🕒 56:14–1:22:09
- Applicant: Shauna McCaffrey
- Project: Tear-down and rebuild single-family home with garage, patio, stormwater system
- Updates:
- Stormwater management added: ColtTech system and rain garden
- Erosion control switched to mulch socks; stockpile area designated
- Debris and invasive removal added; restoration area expanded by 5 ft
- Planting plan includes red maple, swamp oak, and sweet pepperbush shrubs
- Conservation signage and granite bounds discussed
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Order of Conditions issued with conditions:
- Remove debris, cinder blocks, yard waste
- Install granite bounds at 25-ft line and additional signage
- Maintain vegetative buffer and native plantings
- Submit O\&M reports to Conservation and Engineering
- Provide NOAA Atlas 14 stormwater comparison data
🔹 400 Grove Street – Continued NOI
🕒 1:22:16–1:22:42
- Status: Continued to December 10
- Action: Motion passed to continue
🔹 Zero Annette Lane – Amended NOI
🕒 1:22:50–2:10:10
- Applicant: Dale Harvey
- Project: Larger home footprint; infiltration system doubled to 12 chambers
- Discussion Highlights:
- No new tree removal; updated snow storage plan required
- Commission requested updated plan showing hydrant location and snow storage
- Conditions include:
- Remove wire mesh and asphalt south of boardwalk
- Replace grass near boardwalk with wetland mix
- Plant two red maples near 35-ft line
- All landscaping must use true native species
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Order of Conditions issued pending updated plan submission
🔹 75 Dana Road – New RDA
🕒 2:11:02–2:25:32
- Applicant: Francis Andrews
- Project: Replace 13-ft deck with 16-ft composite deck; install concrete footings
- Discussion Highlights:
- Site visit revealed brush piles, yard waste, tires, cinder blocks, and railroad tie
- Commission required erosion control and limit of work
- No overnight machinery storage allowed
- Action:
- Hearing closed
- Negative determination issued with conditions:
- Remove brush, yard waste, tires, cinder blocks, and railroad tie
- Install straw wattle erosion control
- Pre-activity inspection required
🔹 Certificate of Compliance – 21 Baker Road
🕒 2:26:05–2:34:10
- Findings:
- Grill and wood storage noted; wood must be moved outside 35-ft zone
- Tree near driveway shows damage; monitor for two years
- Action:
- Certificate issued with note to monitor tree health and remove dead leaders
🔹 Carnation Circle – Tree Removal Request
🕒 2:36:29–3:01:12
- Project: Remove 29 trees (14 full removals, 15 snags) near condo buildings
- Discussion Highlights:
- Fee: $3,500 for 14 removals; snags exempt
- Applicant to file after-the-fact RDA and submit payment before work begins
- Action:
- Commission approved work under conditions:
- Application and check submitted before start
- Final review scheduled for December 10
- Commission approved work under conditions:
🔹 Cross Street Dumping Issue
🕒 3:01:32–3:06:04
- Findings:
- Houseplants, pumpkins, tires, and debris dumped near culvert
- Tire ruts observed; DPW to back-blade and reposition boulders
- Action:
- Commission authorized purchase of “No Dumping” signs
- DPW coordination ongoing
🔹 MBTA Update
🕒 3:06:11–3:16:25
- Summary:
- NOI withdrawn without prejudice; Select Board voted 5-0 against proposed location
- Board of Health planned RFQ for air quality and noise study; status uncertain
- Action:
- Commission noted lack of responses from MBTA; future proposals must involve early coordination
🔹 DCR Trail Grant Discussion
🕒 3:16:39–3:23:27
- Update:
- MassTrails grant application due February 2, 2026
- Proposal for design and engineering of trail around RECAL
- Webinar scheduled for November 20; Walter to lead grant effort
🔹 Budget Planning
🕒 3:23:26–3:24:44
- Update:
- Rick Keogh to lead budget request; coordination with Finance Committee underway
- Goal: secure recurring line item for conservation and trails
🔹 Enforcement & Administrative Updates
🕒 3:24:50–3:33:06
- 445 Pearl Street: Partial restoration completed; north side still pending
- Mattera Cabin: Volunteer vs. facility work list in progress; occupancy target = 20
- DPW Coordination: Project list being finalized; requests include Lob’s Pond cleanup and trail work
🔹 Minutes
🕒 3:33:38–3:35:18
- Reviewed: September 10, 2025
- Status: Approval postponed; commissioners to review before next meeting
✅ Key Outcomes
- ✅ MBTA NOI withdrawn; no further action
- ✅ 24 Dustin Road and Zero Annette Lane approved with conditions
- ✅ 75 Dana Road RDA approved with conditions
- ✅ Carnation Circle tree removal approved; after-the-fact RDA required
- ✅ Certificate of Compliance issued for 21 Baker Road
- ✅ DPW coordination and grant planning initiated
- ⏸️ Zero Small Lane continued to December 10
- ⏸️ 400 Grove Street continued
- ⏸️ Enforcement at 445 Pearl Street ongoing
- ⏸️ Mattera Cabin compliance planning in progress
- ⏸️ September minutes pending approval
