Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Sara Silverstein, Mary Lincoln, Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Peter Von Mertens, & David Katsuki. STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Hearing – Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (continued from September 8, 2004): NSTAR, Rt. 117 and Tower Rd. (Map 124-Block 1-Lot 0). Prior to the hearing, Tom Gumbart and Commissioners conducted a site visit with Cynthia O’Connell to investigate the wetlands and buffer zone opposite the rail-road-tracks. The 100-foot buffer zone does not extend onto NSTAR Property. At the hearing Cynthia O’Connell presented a revised plan dated 9/16/04. As requested by the Commission, the expanded south wetland was identified. The isolated land subject to flooding and its 100-foot buffer zone were identified. The buffer zones on the east side of the north wetland were identified.
The Commission voted 6-0 to issue an Order of Resource Area Delineation.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent: Liz Cahill (The Food Project), 177 Concord Road (Map 82-Block 10-Lot 0). The current septic system at this site failed and needs replacement. The proposed system will be sized for the same capacity - two bedrooms. Design engineer, William Murphy, represented the Food Project with a plan to locate the new system in the only feasible location; in front of the house. Bordering Vegetated Wetlands behind the house limit where the system can be placed. The septic tank and pump chamber will be located 25 feet from wetlands. The leaching facility will be 52 feet from wetlands. An existing cesspool 25 feet from the wetlands will be cleaned and filled. The system will be mounded from ½ feet to two feet above the existing grade. A sedimentation barrier, as
shown on the plans, will enclose the work site and serve as the strict limit of disturbance.
The Commission voted 6-0 to issue an Order of Conditions permitting the proposed work.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Red Rail Farm
The Commission reviewed a draft agreement written by Doug Adams regarding the use and management of the common easement at Red Rail Farm. Mary Lincoln will make revisions to the document, primarily regarding management strategies for the entire parcel.
Capital Budget
The Conservation Commission will request funds to purchase or lease their own tractor and to replace both trucks over the next four years.
Mosquito Control & Stream Clearing
Mike Bryant of East Middlesex Mosquito Control contacted the Conservation Commission to determine appropriate projects or use of the funding from Lincoln for mosquito control work. Typically they use the funding for public education and mosquito population monitoring and then do stream clearing with the remaining funds. Tom Gumbart will work to set up a joint meeting with the Board of Health to discuss this issue and he will also check in with EMMC to see if they have a list of their services we could get.
Muster Barn
Minuteman Tech is lined up to restore the Muster Barn this fall and winter. They will enhance structural supports, build new garage doors, install new windows, put on a new roof and more. Before commencement of project they will need to get a dumpster, lighting, and a port-o-john on site. Brian Ehle is the carpentry instructor who will be in charge of the students and the work and he will meet soon with Earl Midgley to discuss the work, it will need a building permit.
Beaver Activity
Tom Gumbart and Angela Kearney inspected an outflow culvert along Concord Road where people identified beaver activity. Water appeared to be flowing freely and at present there was no danger of flooding onto the bike bath or at the up-stream gas station. Beaver activity is a growing concern throughout the town. The Commission proposed an option to have the Town approve a contingency fund in the annual operating budget for beaver management.
Snider Pond Report
Monitoring of Amphibian Breeding Habitat continues after the pond was partially cleared of vegetation in the fall of 2003.
Route 117/126 Intersection
In an effort to improve safety and visibility at this intersection, the Board of Selectman asked Tom Gumbart to meet with the north-east property owner to identify vegetation that can selectively be removed. Tom and Sean Hale met with the property owner. Hemlock trees that were planted for screening had been topped and are dead. Other vegetation consists of invasives and poison ivy. The owner is fine with having the entire swath cleared. Tom will suggest that the Highway Department do the work because Conservation does not have the proper equipment.
Community Preservation Fund Planning
Sara Silverstein, along with Elizabeth Frumkin, will represent the Commission at the September 28th meeting. Dwight Gertz will attend on behalf of LLCT and Geoff McGean will attend on behalf of RLF. The Commission would like to ask for a significant percentage of the available funds to be dedicated to the Harrington/Row land acquisition.
Lincoln Cultural Council
Debbie Dorsey would like to collaborate with the Conservation Commission to apply for a $2,000 grant to produce a humorous and artistic multimedia presentation about land conservation issues in Town.
Wetlands Violations
Wetlands and Conservation Land violations are increasingly coming to the attention of the Conservation Department, particularly with the Land Trust Interns conducting field inventories. The Commission will hold a separate meeting to determine a standard protocol and action items for handling these violations.
Tennessee Gas Company
The gas company needs to lay a new grounding wire through several municipal properties along the train tracks just south of the Mall. In other towns they have not been required to complete a Notice of Intent. Under the Lincoln wetlands bylaw they will need to file an RDA so the Commission can properly review the proposed work.
9 Garland Rd
Residents are looking to add a patio within the 50-foot buffer zone. The area is currently lawn. Tom Gumbart and Angela Kearney conducted a preliminary site visit and suggested they file a Request for Determination. A site visit with the Commissioners should be arranged prior to the hearing.
ACTION ITEMS
Order of Resource Area Delineation issued to NSTAR, Rt. 117 and Tower Rd.
AMC Hike Group Use Permit Issued.
Minutes approved from 9/8/04.
Bills & Payroll - signed.
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Kearney
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