Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, February 1, 2006
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Henderson, Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors, Toby Feibelman, and David Katsuki STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Hearing (Continued from January 18, 2006): 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 buffer zone.
The public hearing was continued to February 15th at 8:15pm by the request of the applicant's representative, Rosenberg, Freedman & Goldstein. Maureen Fico, potential buyer and her realtor Faith Wilcox were at the meeting and were disappointed to learn of the meeting's continuance.
Public Meeting: Request for Determination of Applicability. RCG LLC. 170 South Great Road. (Map 96-Block 21-Lot 0). For excavation of contaminated soil and if needed, dewatering.
Betsy Harper of RCG, Mike Bingham of CEA and David Giangrande of Design Consultants represented LV Realty, LLC with a plan to excavate petroleum contaminated soils and pump, filter and discharge groundwater prior to installing new fuel tanks. While all work is located within the 100-foot buffer zone, it will take place in a previously disturbed area. Excavation of contaminated soils will further remediate the site and installation of new double-walled and pressure-sensored tanks will ensure there is no future contamination of soil and/or groundwater. During excavation, groundwater will be pumped into a frac tank and filtered prior to being discharged into a storm drain that flows toward the stream along Meadow Brook Rd. Both soil and groundwater will be tested for contaminants throughout the duration of the
project.
Ms. Harper briefly outlined the property's remediation efforts to date. A report done by the previous property owner stated that, "given that the soil and groundwater contamination is related to the residual contamination from the former under-ground storage tanks, rather than any on-going release, and given that the release occurred more than ten years ago, it's likely that leaching of contaminants to groundwater has reached an approximately steady-state condition, and can be expected to slowly decrease over time as the remaining soil source material is depleted" Ambient, 4/2001 page 9-4. A map of groundwater monitoring wells and soil borings showed that only an isolated area near the pump island along South Great Road had 1 of 29 tested compounds above the S-2 Commercial Standard. No groundwater contamination
was detected from samples taken on-site or west and southwest (down gradient) of the site. The objective of the aforementioned soil removal and dewatering process is to eliminate the remaining area of contamination and 'close out' the site by meeting DEP standards for Commercial Use.
Several abutters were present at the hearing and voiced their concerns regarding:
· construction and daily maintenance practices on the property – specifically sweeping and hosing down surfaces that contain oil and/or gas toward the stream;
· noise and hours of operating pumps and other equipment during the dewatering process;
· validity of conforming to commercial clean-up standards when the property is surrounded by residential neighborhoods – specifically, the groundwater from this property flows south toward residential drinking wells;
· the process for submitting and obtaining follow-up reports to DEP; and
· possibilities for adding more pervious areas for stormwater infiltration.
Commissioners were also concerned that LV Realty was not intending to add grooves to the pavement surrounding the pump island. Ms. Harper said they would install the grooves. She also affirmed their intentions to adhere to strict state standards for training gas station employees on proper maintenance procedures. Employees are not allowed to hose down the pump island or auto body shop and are trained to use easily accessible emergency spill kits. An abutter expressed the concern that maintenance procedures might not be adhered to once routine 'high-school' kids are working and wondered if the Commission can condition maintenance procedures in the Determination.
Regarding hours of operating the dewatering pumps, it depends on how much groundwater comes into the hole as they are excavating. They may need to run them all night, but the pumps are submersed in the water and should not make much noise. They will use the electricity from the building rather than a generator and do their best to eliminate as much noise as possible. Mike Bingham of CEA said they would consider meeting residential standards for groundwater clean-up and they would meet with individual property owners whose wells are downstream of the site. LV Realty, LLC is required to inform the Lincoln Board of Selectmen and Board of Appeals of all reports that are submitted to DEP and they will also inform the Conservation Commission. Conservation Staff will look through the files to see what reports they have.
Adding more pervious area to the site is difficult. LV Realty will be removing approximately 3,000 square feet of pavement in the back of the property with the septic system installation. In the front of the property however, they are required to cover the storage tanks with at least 4" of pavement and need pavement around the gas pumps and repair shop. Also, it is easier to clean up a spill on impervious surface before it infiltrates into the soil.
Commission voted 5-0 to close the hearing.
Public Meeting: Request for Determination of Applicability. RCG LLC. 170 South Great Road. (Map 96-Block 21-Lot 0). For a replacement septic system.
Scott Hayes of Foresight Engineering represented RCG, LLC with a plan to upgrade an existing sewage disposal system serving the site in accordance with the State Environmental Code, Title 5 and the Town of Lincoln Board of Health, who issued a permit on January 5, 2006. Proposed work includes the replacement of a septic tank and pump chamber approximately 28 feet from wetlands and installation of a sewer line and approximately 400 square feet of grading within the 100-foot buffer zone, with the closest point being 87 feet from wetlands. The leach field installation will result in a net reduction of approximately 3,000 square feet of impervious cover on the site as pavement will be removed and replaced with vegetative ground cover following system construction. Silt fence will be installed between the edge of wetlands and
proposed work within the 100-foot buffer zone.
Alternatives for locating the tanks outside the 100-foot buffer zone were explored and deemed impractical due to existing plumbing locations and groundwater tables. All work is located in previously disturbed areas and the tank area contains virtually no soil or groundwater contamination. The new tank will be a monolithic tank with no seams and thus should not result in any future contamination to the surrounding soil or groundwater. The Commission asked the applicant if they anticipated pumping groundwater when installing the tanks. Mr. Hayes explained that groundwater in the tank location is approximately eight feet down and the tanks will be installed six feet down. However, if they do encounter groundwater during excavation, they will pump it into the frac tank and filter it prior to discharge. Abutters were
concerned that construction crews had been working past 10 pm and should only be out until 7pm. The project manager assured the Commission and abutters that she would talk with the construction crews to remedy the situation.
The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a negative determination of applicability.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
BIIC Land
Deaconess Hospital is proposing to develop the property off Route 2 as a 150-unit continuing care facility. There are some wetlands on the property that the Commission may be looking at. In particular current circulation patterns may require the use and/or upgrade of a small road leading to Sandy Pond Road until Route 2 is completed.
CPC
The Commission voted to request $36,500 from the Community Preservation Committee to augment the Conservation Fund from $63,500 to $100,000. The funds would be available to purchase or begin the purchase process on land that the Town desires for conservation interests.
School Project
Josh Solomon met with Conservation Staff to discuss potential projects for a Community Service project through his high school. He will be available this April and May and would like to focus on outdoor projects. Conservation Staff has thought of several projects that would be of great help to the Town and would serve as an educational opportunity for him. They look forward to working with Josh in the spring.
GIS/GPS/Trail Markers
Angela Kearney has been working with Police and Fire to create various reference maps such as fire hydrant locations and town water mains. The GPS unit should also be in shortly and will be available to all departments for various mapping and monitoring projects. Anna Wilkins, Land Steward and Jane Layton, Ranger have been exploring possibilities for clarifying the trail marker system. Several questions need to be addressed prior to designating a new system, but this seems to be the time to clarify the system. Current question/suggestions include:
· Define what level of coverage is desired and/or necessary.
· Add the grid and/or lat & long positions currently on the trail map to the GIS.
· Review what works well for other towns (Weston seems to be a good example).
· Maintain the numbered system for primary access points and remove posts within the trail network or re-number points along all major trails.
Next steps will include the separation of trails and fire roads on the GIS maps provided to public safety and removal of old, numbered posts along the trail network.
Biodiversity days / Riverfest
The Conservation Staff is continuing to identify projects and activities during the week of June 3rd-11th. We will continue to collaborate with Walden Woods' vernal pool study and the Lincoln Steeple Chase will coincide with that time. Other possibilities include 'River Inspired Art', canoeing and/or hiking trips, 'Bike the Watershed', and River Watch groups.
Town Master Plan
The next meeting will be held at 7:30 am on February 10th. The Planning Board will be looking to hear from each board items they hope to address through the Master Planning Process. For the Conservation Commission, the primary focus will be on updating the Open Space Plan. Other items will include identifying trail and wildlife corridors and surface and groundwater concerns.
Route 126 Crosswalk
Residents on Old Concord Road are concerned for the safety of people crossing Route 126 at the intersection of Old Concord Road rather than the designated crosswalk at St. Ann's. Since that trail has been closed from the beaver, people now walk into Mt. Misery through Lindentree Farm. Residents would like the Commission to consider possibilities for relocating the crosswalk to the currently used path at Old Concord Road. The Commission agreed that is a good idea and will speak with the Police Department regarding safety of the crossing. Also, Conservation Staff will put up a sign at the trail entrance at St. Ann's suggesting walkers be careful over potential thin ice.
ACTION ITEMS
Negative Determination of Applicability issued to RCG LLC. 170 South Great Road. (Map 96-Block 21-Lot 0). For a replacement septic system.
Meeting Minutes Approved from 1/4/05
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Kearney
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