Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Sara Silverstein, Mary Lincoln, Jim Henderson, Jim Meadors, Peter Von Mertens, & Toby Feibelman. STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Hearing – Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation: NSTAR, Rt. 117 and Tower Rd. (Map 124-Block 1-Lot 0). For resource boundary confirmation. POSTPONED until September, 8th due to insufficient abutter notification.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Wetlands Violations & Conservation Land Encroachment – Community Outreach
LLCT Interns doing baseline inventories of conservation land periodically discover properties where there has been buffer zone alteration or where clearing of understory vegetation has extended onto conservation land. The Commission discussed the need to arrange site visits on individual properties with significant clearing. The Commission also re-addressed possibilities for educating homeowners about Lincoln’s wetlands regulations and bylaws prior to clearing. One possibility would be to send an individualized GIS map to every homeowner in town. Another option could be to collaborate with the LLCT Neighborhood Meetings; including wetland delineations on their maps, providing postcards or individualized GIS maps.
Wetland Bylaw Regulations
The Commissions needs to continue to develop regulations under the Wetlands Protection Bylaw. Clarification is needed on how we define and protect isolated wetlands and lands subject to flooding and on acceptable wetlands delineation methodology. Additional items needing continued clarification include vernal pool regulations and submission requirements.
NPDES Phase II Program
Tom is coordinating with various Town Departments to complete the annual report for the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) 5-year stormwater management plan. A stormwater committee consisting of Town Boards, community members, and other interested parties will need to be formed to outline Task Force actions (such as storm drain stenciling) and/or capital improvements. The Conservation Commissioners received general NPDES information and the plan that was submitted to EPA in 2003 for review prior to the meeting on September 8th.
Sewage Disposal System Regulations
Regarding LBHR 3.00: On-Site Disposal System Regulations: Tom will draft a letter to the Board of Health suggesting that the Conservation Commission be notified of all septic plans prior to approval to allow for verification of wetland resource areas or to verify that there are no resource areas that impact a project. Commissioners should receive and review letter prior to September 8th meeting.
Horseback riding at Upper Browning Field
Historically there was extensive use of this field for equestrian activities. Currently there is an oval riding ring and perimeter trail at the Browning Field and the Commission has allowed for this use. However, the field itself is a Bobolink Sanctuary and a hayfield leased to Codman Community Farms and no activity can take place outside the existing trail and ring. There are no records stating the exclusive use of equestrian activities at the field. There has been some riding activity in the field itself and the riders have been asked to stop. Previously the Commission agreed to let the existing ring be restored and the fence to be squared off around the current oval. If a group wishes to restore the riding ring however, they need to independently fund the project; the Conservation
Commission will not hold monetary, construction, or maintenance responsibility for the project.
Blueberries at Codman North by Codman Community Farms
Ray Adamson with Codman Farm is interested in planting blueberries in the Codman North field. The Commission agreed that this could be a nice addition to his hayfield if planted perpendicular to Rte 126 along the actively used field. The Ag. Committee will need to meet with Ray on site to discuss how much of the field he could use for this purpose.
Native Plant Nursery and Demonstration Garden Project – Codman North
Tom and Angela proposed the previously discussed nursery and demonstration garden for the conservation field at the north corner of Codman Road and Rte. 126. This seems to be an ideal spot for visibility, pedestrian access, and variation in plant communities including orchards, fields, woodlands and wetlands. It provides extensive opportunities to educate the community on invasive plant removal and restoration. Members of the Commission agreed that the project is worthy and the Codman North site should be further explored. The Commission expressed concerns including: limited vehicular access and parking, too visible, may not be ideal area for the nursery area, limited maintenance from staff and volunteers. Angela will continue preparing a base map and timeline for work. It may also be
beneficial to work with the Garden Club, Codman Community Farms, or other organizations once the Commission has clearly defined its goals and criteria for the project.
DeNormandie Pond
Continued discussion on pond dredging: The Conservation Commission would like to see documentation regarding commercial agricultural practices and exemption status updated from the January 17, 2000 report. Prior to dredging, they will require some basic evidence that the proposed project is indeed “normal and usual maintenance”. If the dredging is normal and usual maintenance, who completes the work and the creation of a future maintenance easement is between Mr. DeNormandie, the Highway Department, and the Selectman.
ACTION ITEMS
Order of Conditions: issued to Hanscom Air Force Base, for perimeter security fence.
Minutes approved from 8/4/04.
Bills & Payroll - signed.
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Kearney
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