Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Mary Lincoln, Jim Henderson, David Katsuki, Peter Von Mertens STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent: American Eagle Corp., Hanscom Air Force Base. For demolition and reconstruction of 181 acres of residential housing.
Clint Miller, American Eagle project manager presented a brief overview of their intentions to redevelop housing on Hanscom Air Force Base. Since military housing became privatized in 1992 American Eagle has been working toward a focused goal of developing better military housing. Currently there are 850 housing units on approximately 190 acres. American Eagle proposes to rebuild only 784 new structures, but each unit will have a 50% increase in square feet. Five percent of the housing units will be ADA accessible and community amenities will include a community center, neighborhood centers, trails and nature education areas. American Eagle hopes to finish construction of all the housing units by 2009.
Gary Jacobs, wetland scientist, presented details pertaining to Phase 1 redevelopment – an area located near the entrance, on the west side of a perennial stream and wetland system. Goals for this project include: net reduction of impacts within the 100-foot buffer zone; zero impacts to the wetlands and a 33% reduction in stormwater runoff. Mr. Jacobs presented the land use plan to remove an existing bike path over a drainage channel and replace it with a road and path to connect the communities within the base. The culvert will be an oversized culvert set into the ground deep enough for fish passage during dry periods. Associated with the culvert and passage they are proposing recontouring of the resource area installation of a weir system that will serve to hold water during the 10 and 100 year storm events, thus
reducing off-site stormwater runoff. The wetland has been previously disturbed, has steep banks, limited water storage capacity and several invasive plants. There are also two drainage ditches with culverts that carry stormwater from the housing units into the main channel that will be part of the restoration project. Together with more traditional stormwater detention basins located throughout the property they are currently projecting an 18% decrease in stormwater runoff.
The Commission was in support of the project but asked if additional construction measures such as Low Impact Development Techniques could be implemented to reach the 33% reduction in stormwater runoff. The design team was responsive to the idea but also needs to meet the standard redevelopment criteria of the Air Force. One area where they could use support from the Commission is through a submitted letter to the Air Force requesting that they allow for narrower roads and the elimination of one sidewalk. The Commission also suggested incorporating bioswales; depressed areas between walkways and street curb to retain water, limited or no curbing to allow run off onto grass; parking area surface material that allows for stormwater infiltration; and dry wells or cisterns tied into downspouts around the housing
units.
The Commission would like to hold a site visit to review the project and will be having their consultant, Rick Gorman from Judith Nitsch Engineering review plans and hydrology calculations.
The Commission voted 4-0 to continue the hearing to September 21, 2005 at 7:45 pm.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Rando Property
Tom Gumbart was performing a site inspection for a permitted septic system at 65 Winter Street and noticed extensive site manipulation and vegetation clearing around the pond at 67 Winter Street. He spoke with Mr. Rando about the wetland regulations and told him he would be speaking with the Conservation Commission during the next meeting. Peter Von Mertens will make a site visit to examine the extent of work. Tom Gumbart will prepare an enforcement order detailing the fine to be paid and outlining the scope of restoration of work to be performed.
Mt. Misery Beaver Dams
Mike Callahan with Beaver Solutions lowered the pipes another foot. It seems the beaver are now working to block the lower dam. A site visit will be arranged to decide if the pond has been lowered enough to dry the fields, if there is a way to stop the beaver from damming below or whether to trap the beaver.
Draft Update of the Open Space Map
Angela Kearney presented a draft of the updated Open Space Map available in the Conservation Dept.
CPC Meeting
The CPC has arranged a meeting on Tuesday, September 27th to discuss the long term focus and planning goals for the Conservation organizations. They are interested to know what projects the Conservation Commission foresees in the next 3-5 years. The Commission foresees the remainder of properties identified in the Open Space Plan and would like to know what projects may be eligible for funding such as ADA trails and/or recreation-supported projects. Tom Gumbart will meet in advance with Geoff McGean, Peter and Buzz to review potential projects.
DPW Superintendent
The Conservation Staff has been working closely with Chris Bibbo, the new Highway Superintendent on the roadside mowing and other projects. So far there has been good coordination amongst the Departments.
Muster Barn
Continuation of construction at the Muster Barn is on-track for this fall.
ACTION ITEMS
Meeting Minutes Approved from 7/27/05, 8/24/05
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Kearney
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