Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Mary Lincoln, Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson STAFF: Angela Kearney.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Red Rail Farm Management Plan
Gustav Beerel and Doug Adams met earlier in the week with Tom Gumbart, Mary Lincoln, and Jim Henderson to work out and agree upon the final management plan for Red Rail Farm. Mary Lincoln told the Commission that the plan remained consistent with their earlier discussions and should be ready to sign next week.
Stan Black Lot – Storey Drive, Proposed Deck
Gary Lesanto of Lesanto Development Corporation sought permission to add a 12' x 14' deck off a proposed house that currently has an Approved Order of Conditions. Three footings would be hand-dug approximately 2-feet into the 50-foot wetland buffer zone and the deck would extend approximately two feet beyond the footings into the buffer zone. The Commission felt this would be minor construction within the existing limit of disturbance, but asked Mr. Lesanto to consider options for directing traffic off the deck toward the house rather than the woodlands. Jim Henderson also suggested that Mr. Lesanto explore options for creating a two-level deck that stays completely outside the 50-foot buffer zone. Mr. Lesanto would explore various possibilities and provide the Commission with a revised plan of the
proposed changes and hay-bale line. The Commission also asked Mr. Lesanto if he would be willing to place a deed restriction limiting future activity within the 50-foot buffer zone. Mr. Lesanto is willing to place a deed restriction and will wait to receive the draft restriction. He is also willing to work with LLCT to place a trail easement on the property. Neighbor, Ed Lectunberg was at the hearing and was fine with the project. He spoke on behalf of another neighbor expressing concerns regarding runoff from chemicals in the deck material and future safety concerns from trees being so close to the deck. Mr. Lesanto is willing to used recycled TREX material and stain railing material off-site.
Cambridge Water Dept.- Harrington Land Management Plan
Chip Norton presented a management plan for the Harrington land. He needs comments, particularly regarding parking specifications, by Tuesday, April 20th. The final management plan must be signed and submitted by April 25th. The Commission was fine with the proposal to remove the existing building and narrow the parking down to 4 spaces plus one gated or chained off space for occasional bus use. Mr. Norton also presented a dam study completed by the Bio Engineering Group and is currently working with UMass to conduct a study on the cultural and historical resources of the property. He assured the Commission that Cambridge would proceed with all necessary permitting procedures prior to starting work. Dwight Gertz and Buzz Constable were present from the Land Trust and wanted to
clarify that the trail easement was being deeded to LLCT rather than the Town. They also requested that another trail that currently comes out onto Rt. 117 be relocated to connect up with the parking lot.
Dooley Property
Diane Tillitson represented the applicant's desire to withdraw portions of their application. They will be coming in within the next couple months with plans for home construction therefore they no longer plan on controlling invasives on the property. They are proposing to continue with native plant restoration and invasive plant monitoring and removal within the designated 50-foot buffer zone area. They propose to stop existing mowing between the 50 and 100-foot buffer zone and flag the 100-foot buffer zone line for future reference. They will send the Commission a letter extending the issuance of the Order of Conditions to the May 4th hearing and will submit a new plan clarifying the buffer zone lines and new scope of work.
Beavers at Mt. Misery
Ari Kurtz and several neighbors were present to express challenges that beaver are posing on the farm operation. Beavers took residence in the ponds in 2002. Beaver Solutions was out to assess the situation with the Commission and Staff in 2003. The commission decided to 'wait and see' with hopes that the beaver would exhaust their food supply and move on to other locations. Two years later the beaver remain and the water level is up to record highs. Ari has lost 25% of the productive farm land due to flooding and the well for the irrigation system is 6" under water. This is some of the most productive and historic farm land in town and it is a precious resource. Lindentree serves as an important resource to the community by providing locally grown, organic food. Ari and the neighbors
would like to see a compromise solution, but hope to ultimately gain much of the farm field back. The Commission was sympathetic to the situation and has independently done research regarding possible solutions. Jim Meadors expressed the Commissions foremost duty to protect wetlands, but remains sympathetic to the loss of organic farm land. Consensus amongst the Commission is to try and find a solution that brings the water level down to the lowest possible level while maintaining future generations of beaver. The Commission agreed to have Tom Gumbart contact Beaver Solutions as soon as possible to conduct a site visit and do work to lower the dam.
Lee’s Bridge use of Conservation Parking Lot
The development corporation is exceeding its boundaries of the contract. They are stock-piling raw materials and leaving equipment outside the designated area. The Commission will send a letter to the corporation notifying them of their non-compliancy.
Route 2 – 75% Design Phase
The Commission needs to appoint a representative to review the plan.
Massport Proposed Scope ESPR
The Selectmen are boycotting the process, therefore the Commission will not be making any comments on the plan.
Other Items
ACTION ITEMS
Order of Conditions extended to May 4, 2005: Thomas Dooley, 31-33 Old Concord Road 61-4-5&6
Meeting Minutes Approved 3/2/05, 3/16/05, 3/23/05, 3/30/05
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully submitted,
Angela Kearney
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