MINUTES
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Mary Lincoln, Jim Henderson, David Katsuki, Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors, Toby Feibelman STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent: DiGiovanni, James. 300 South Great Road. (Map-119 Block-19 Lot-0) For building demolition and landscaping.
James DiGiovanni proposed to demolish a one-story dwelling and garage within the 100-foot buffer zone. No work is proposed between the wetland and 50-foot buffer zone. All debris and refuse will be removed from the site. All non-native species will be removed, voids from the demolition will be raised to the surrounding grade using clean fill and the area will be loamed and seeded with an appropriate conservation seed mix. Haybale siltation fencing will be located along the backside of the dwelling and garage outside the 50-foot buffer zone. Upon demolition and seeding, the silt fencing will be moved to the 100-foot buffer zone and remain through final construction and landscaping of a new six-bedroom dwelling and septic system. The applicant has obtained approvals from the Zoning Board. The Commission was pleased to see
the proposed dwelling moved outside the 100-foot buffer zone. They clarified that the existing cesspool will be pumped and closed and that the slab foundation will require minimal excavation. The Commission wanted to see a more specific revegetation plan and invasive species management plan prior to commencement of work and will require permanent markers along the 100-foot buffer zone.
The Commisison voted 6-0 to close the hearing.
Public Discussion: Todd Pond Association. Request for extension of Order of Conditions for herbicide treatment to control aquatic plants in Todd Pond.
Alan Eschenroeder, President of the Todd Pond Residents Association, attended the meeting to request that the Commission extend an Order of Conditions to control invasive aquatic vegetation in Todd Pond with the use of herbicides and algaecides diquat (Reward) and glyphosate (Rodeo). The Todd Pond Residents Association has been treating the vegetative growth in the pond for 12 years (since 1989) with the help of Lycott Environmental and other companies. Mr. Eschenroeder presented previous studies and new data regarding chemical half-life, low toxicity rates, etc. which can be found in the Conservation Office file. Mr. Eschenroeder, who is a public health professional, carried out tests to determine the level of remaining herbicides downstream within the Tower Road Town Well area after previous applications. No detectable
levels of herbicides were found at any of the testing sites.
The Association is asking for an extension to treat the pond on an as needed basis. The Commission requested that the Association update their management plan and include measurable ecological goals as well as removal goals. They hope to see designated areas managed for habitat diversity which may result in greater amounts of aquatic vegetation or reduced rates of application. Treatments during the period covered by this Order of Conditions are permitted provided prior written consent is obtained from the Commission. Herbicide treatments must be at levels that do not adversely affect vertebrate and invertebrate organisms that live in or utilize the pond.
The Commission needs to confirm 100% participation through the submission of signed agreements from new homeowners and urges all Todd Pond area residents to continue working to do their part for protecting the pond.
The Commission voted 5-0 to extend the Order of Conditions.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Hanscom Family Housing
Maggie Wetzell, Project Manager for the Hanscom Family Housing Project, came before the Commission to briefly review the Order of Conditions. They were satisfied with all conditions except for the duration portion of condition number 49. It was originally written to say the Commission could require additional or altered stormwater management structures in perpetuity. Ms. Wetzel assured the Commission Hanscom Family Housing was dedicated to doing a good job and would maintain their stormwater structures, but did not feel comfortable that the Commission could, at any point in the future, require different structures. The Commission agreed to apply the condition for 5 years after housing build out of all phases.
Germano Di Mambro – 16 Old Cambridge Turnpike
Mr. Di Mambro came before the Commission to discuss the feasibility of relocating a new single-family home off the existing footprint, within the 100-foot buffer zone. The current house is located outside the buffer zone and the leach field is located between the house and 100-foot buffer zone. He is interested in moving the house back from Old Cambridge Turnpike in the event that the road will be widened during Route 2 construction. There is no information stating that the road will be widened. The Commission did not look upon the proposal favorably and would almost certainly deny a permit should a Notice of Intent be filed. The Commission's standard protocol is to move structures outside the 100-foot buffer zone whenever possible. They did suggest alternatives for staying outside the 100-foot buffer zone and moving the
house farther from the road including relocating the leach field to the front yard and building the house in the footprint of the existing leach field or building a wall around the septic so the house remains on the existing footprint but is moved back from the road closer to the leach field.
Operating Budget 2007
Tom is currently working on the operating budget to achieve no-growth from last year. Beaver management, approved at last year's town meeting has increased the operating budget slightly.
Capital Budget 2007
Tom is continuing to work on the capital budget with Jim Henderson. They are hoping to get approvals for a new tractor. Tom will be working with the Finance Committee in the coming months.
Kip Kumler's Vineyard
Mr. Kumler has made arrangements with the neighbor to bring electricity down the hill behind the vineyard. This means he does not need to cut the road or go through adjacent farm fields. The Commission also feels this would be a better solution and there may only be one section of stone wall that needs to be re-built to existing conditions if disturbed. Mr. Kumler also plans to install drainage pipes at the top of the vineyard and drain below into the field. Mr. Flint is ok with this proposal as long as the runoff does not sheet and/or pool significantly into the fields.
Beaver at Mt. Misery
Beaver have started building another dam in Mt. Misery across the road that leads from St. Anne's into the agricultural fields. This is the third set of pipes the Commission has tried to alleviate the problem. They will have Mike Callahan from Beaver Solution assess the situation but will most likely have the beaver trapped.
Guldberg Status
Peter Guldberg has submitted his annual monitoring report with a plan locating the trees to remain. The photographs seem to show substantial re-growth but Commissioners would like to arrange a site visit to look at the slope and trees identified to remain.
Route 2
Route 2 relocation plans will be submitted as 75% design drawings in January. They have listened to the Town and are exploring various alternatives in paving materials. They have committed to look into the feasibility of wildlife crossings but the topography for making them work in Lincoln is particularly challenging.
Snyder Pond
Aquatic Control Technologies submitted an annual report and the pond seems to be clear and healthy.
Conservation Commission Members
The Commission still needs to find three new Commissioners.
ACTION ITEMS
Certificate of Compliance Issued: Richard Johnson. 1 Grasshopper Lane (Map 51 Block 14 Lot 0).
Order of Conditions Issued: American Eagle Corp., Hanscom Air Force Base Housing.
Extension of Order of Conditions Issued: Todd Pond Residents Association.
Meeting Minutes Approved from 11/2/05
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Kearney
|