Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Henderson, Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Meeting: Request for Determination of Applicability. For renovation of an existing poultry house at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln
Christy-Foote Smith and Stu Weinreb represented Mass Audobon with a plan to renovate an existing poultry barn on the Drumlin Farm property. While proposed work will take place within the 100-foot buffer zone, it will remain within the footprint of an existing building. Minor grading of existing, compacted lawn around the entrances of the structure will increase stormwater infiltration. Renovation work includes the upgrade of the structure, with new entryways and a new breeding pen. A new roof, gutter and rain collection system will be added over the outdoor pen so runoff will not carry nutriends to the pond. The Commission felt the barn renovation would be a great improvement over the existing conditions. They asked that the new roof extend far enough over the pen to prevent back splashing inside and that edging be placed
around the bottom edge of the pen. They also wanted to ensure that silt fencing would be placed between the barn and pond and that heavy equipment be prohibited beyond the pond edge of the building.
The Commission was unanimous on issuing a negative Determination of Applicability.
Public Hearing: Notice of Intent. Larry & Pauline Herthel. 199 Concord Road, Lot 3 (Map 97-Block 6-Lot 3). For grading and construction of a driveway within the outer 50-foot buffer zone.
Dave Burke, Wetland Specialist and Larry and Pauline Herthel presented a plan to build a new driveway to an Approval Not Required (ANR) Parcel (Lot 3 – approved in 2004) from Route 117. Proposed work will be located within the outer 50-foot buffer zone and consists of approximately 3600 square feet of grading, fill, stone wall and road construction, utility work and paving. The total driveway length is roughly 300 feet long, all of which drains to the wetland at the western property boundary. Jim Henderson was concerned that the significant amount of fill required to achieve necessary grades may change the drainage patterns of the northern section of the property. Jim Meadors asked about alternative driveway solutions including the possibility of creating a shared drive with Lot 2 (also an ANR Subdivision owned by
the Herthel's) or using an existing driveway from Route 126 through Lot 1. Larry Herthel replied that the option through Lot 2 was not feasible because the property is currently tied up in litigation and the option through Lot 1 was not desirable as they wish to maintain their privacy. Several abutters were present and voiced their concerns regarding increased traffic and headlights directing into the home with the current proposal. If the proposed driveway is permitted the Commission will look for mitigating measures such as permanent markers along the 50-foot buffer and limited or no maintenance in the area.
Also associated with this project, is the need to service the two and possibly more new homes in the immediate area with water. Both the water and fire departments look to 'loop' the system in an effort to provide cleaner water and more pressure. Because 117 and 126 and currently dead end lines, this project presents an ideal opportunity to loop the system: from Route 126, through Lot 1 and Lot 3 up to Route 117. Tom Gumbart suggested a meeting with Chief Cotoni, Fire Dept. and Pat Allen, Water Dept. to discuss the requirements in detail. The Commission felt more information regarding the water was necessary prior to making a decision regarding the driveway. The Commission would also like the applicant to prepare a cost/benefit analysis comparing the three different driveway scenarios.
With permission from the applicant, the Commission will continue the hearing to January 4th at 8:00pm with the understanding that additional materials will be prepared.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
New Commissioners
Peter Sprayregen and Douglas Tierney attended the meeting with a possible interest in joining the Commission. Peter Von Mertens briefly discussed the role and projects that the Conservation Commission plays within town government.
Conservation Tree Vandalism
On December 15, 2005 at about 3:30 pm Anna Wilkins, Land Steward, was on the Umbrello conservation property on the trail that leads from the Blue Heron Organic Farm off of Rt.117. She noticed about 10 damaged or downed trees on conservation land and lots 119-13-23 (Restuccia 284 S. Great Rd.) and 119-13-22 (Andre 286 South Great Rd). The method of the damage was identical to the damage reported at the canoe landing on 12/2/05 - damaged or cut down with an ax. The trees ranged in size from 4- 8” in diameter and consisted mostly of white pines and one oak. The stumps were left between 1' and 4' high and the downed trees and slash remained on the ground. Anna Wilkins filed a police report and there was a story posted in the Lincoln Journal.
Pine Hill Drainage Proposal
Angela Kearney spoke briefly with an engineer from the Town of Concord regarding on-going storm water projects they are performing at the Pine Hill Reservoir / Walden Pond. They will be coming in with a plan to discuss the possibility of letting the reservoir pipe that drains the tank roughly every 20 years flow out onto Lincoln Conservation Land instead of directly into Walden Pond. The Commission was very hesitant about the idea, but is willing to look at a plan and discuss alternatives. They were curious about how such a large amount of water would infiltrate and/or effect the surrounding habitat.
ADA Trails
Peter Von Mertens has been working with Rob Loud and the Disabilities Commission to explore options for making certain trails on conservation land universally accessible. Following is a letter from the Disabilities Commission to the Community Preservation Committee seeking their consideration for such a project. While the Conservation Commission is conceptually in support of the idea, they need to fully understand the ramifications of such a project. For example, what are the future requirements for specific and/or general conservation properties if specific trails are designated as handicapped? What are the requirements for modification, use and maintenance? Overall, the Conservation Commission is interested in working with the Disabilities Commission directly or in conjunction with a consultant on a feasibility study of
ADA trails on conservation land if the CPC is allowed to direct funds toward such a project.
Dear Mr. Koenig,
For two years the Disabilities Commission members have discussed at their meetings the need for wheelchair accessibility to some of Lincoln’s trails. Recently, it was brought to our attention that a possible funding source for this project might lie in the mechanism provided by the Community Preservation Act. I am writing you on behalf of the Disabilities Commission to ask your Committee to consider such a project as part of your program for the future.
Our Commission has focused on two trails in particular where we think such handicapped access might be realized at less expense and with less work than if others of Lincoln’s extensive trail system were made accessible for the disabled.
One such trail is the Harrington Trail one end of which begins at the parking lot by the former “Johnny’s Fudge” on South Great Road.~Already relatively flat and wide, and with more than adequate parking available at its entrance, it is hard to see that much work would need to be done to make this beautiful trail an inviting one for the wheelchair-bound. I understand, further, that the City of Cambridge, which owns a part of this watershed land, intends to make the trail that crosses its property ADA compliant. A second trail that looks equally inviting is one that begins on Old Concord Road at Ari Kurtz’s Lindentree Farm.~In a discussion earlier last summer with Mr. Kurtz, a handicapped parking spot was identified adjacent to his farm access road.~From here a dirt road takes the saunterer across a
field and into the woods at the base of Mount Misery.~Where the road enters the wood, a loop to the left can be made that will take the traveler around the base of Mount Misery and back to the edge of the woods, a loop that is relatively flat but might require some work to make it truly accessible to the wheelchair-bound.
Needless to say, the Conservation Commission itself may have better trails to suggest for which disability access would be more practical.~ We are eager to get the ball rolling, however, and welcome their suggestions.~We welcome yours as well.
Sincerely yours,
Robert Loud, Chair, Disabilities Com’n
Cc: Members, Lincoln Disabilities Commission; Peter Von Mertens, Chair, Cons. Com.
RiverFest and Biodiversity Days
Tom Gumbart and Anna Wilkins will be attending a meeting to discuss activities for the annual RiverFest. Biodiversity Days is also approaching and the staff are not sure if/what activities they will be offering as it has not been well attended in the past.
117 Service Station
They are gearing up for re-opening and in an effort to do so they will need to conduct a de-watering project to allow for the installation of new tanks in the existing location. The project may come in as a formal hearing, but may not if the company can remove the ground water off site.
Farrar Pond
Lycott Environmental recently sent a letter to the Farrar Pond Representatives stating that they have found a new infestation of Fanwort (Cobamba caroliniana) in the pond. The best treatment for this weed is an herbicide treatment of Sonar. Because the Order of Conditions for pond treatment does not specifically state that Sonar is permitted, they are requesting the Commission grant approval prior to treatment. The Commission would like the Association to come in for a meeting to discuss the project in more detail.
Open Space Plan
Angela Kearney is formatting the 1977 Open Space Plan to fit with the state outline. She has forwarded a brief outline to the Commission and requested them to spend some time listing ideas and goals for the revised Open Space Plan. Another Committee will need to be set up to work on the Open Space Plan, but starting it in small pieces will make it easier all around.
Annual Report
Tom Gumbart will be assembling the Conservation Commission Annual Report in the next couple days. The Commission and Staff have made great accomplishments in 2005 and have the staff and equipment to do even more in 2006.
ACTION ITEMS
Certificate of Compliance Issued: Bernard Blood, 104 Lincoln Road (Map 84-Block 12-Lot 0)
Meeting Minutes Approved from 12/7/05
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Kearney
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