Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: David Katsuki, Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors, Sara Lewis, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
WETLAND FILINGS
Public Meeting: Request for Determination of Applicability. Kevin Williams. 215 Lincoln Road. (Map 102-Block 16-Lot 0) For landscaping and a retaining wall between the 50 and 100-foot buffer zone.
Dave Burke, Wetland Resource Specialist and Todd Brown, Landscape Contractor represented the property owner with a plan for landscaping and a retaining wall within the outer 50 feet of the buffer zone to an isolated wetland. All work will take place outside a previously determined 'Limit of Activity' line outlined in a deed restriction and the closest point of work to the wetland is approximately 50 feet. Approximately seven feet of boulders will step up the slope to form a retaining wall around the west side of the house with native plants nestled amongst the boulders. The base of the proposed wall is currently mixed native and invasive groundcovers with 2-3 small ash trees that would be removed. Above the wall is existing lawn. A perennial bed approximately 5 feet wide from the top of the wall is proposed as well
as hand pulling of invasive exotic plants within the 50-foot buffer zone adjacent to the house. Approximately 150 yards of fill will be brought in to level the grade between the house and retaining wall. Equipment and materials will be staged along the north-east side of the property and all equipment will work from the existing lawn above the slope. The Commission understands the applicant's need for some level yard area and feels the wall will in fact serve as a physical barrier, demarcating roughly the Limit of Activity outlined in the deed restriction, to limit future work. They requested that the applicant and representatives remain involved in invasive management particularly at the bottom of the wall for some period of time upon installation completion. The Commission is also in favor of having the applicant and their representatives hand-remove invasive exotic plants from the 50-foot buffer zone adjacent to the house. They would like large exposed areas to be replaced with
new plants or native transplants that would otherwise be disturbed during construction. Specifically, the Commission would like to see a large patch of Ostrich fern transplanted to a suitable area outside the work area. Prior to issuing a Certificate of Compliance the Commission will require the construction area to be free of invasive exotic plants.
The Commission voted 6-0 to close the hearing.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Flooding
Pierce Park pond is flooding over the road and is compromised with a collapsed culvert. The Commission will issue an Emergency Certification Permit tonight and the Highway Department thinks they can temporarily fix the problem by installing a new outlet pipe to the existing pipe and leveling the water at least below the road level. Long term, the entire project needs to be redesigned and permitted but funding is unknown. CPA funds could possibly be used to repair the drainage system. Previously the Historic District Commission prepared an application for funds to perform building maintenance.
Todd Pond
Conservation staff and Commissioners had hoped to get out to look at the weeds in the pond but were rained out. Tom Gumbart will schedule another time to work with the Association to assess the weed problem and spraying needs in Todd Pond.
Firefighting Land in Stowe
In exchange for purchasing conservation land in Stowe to expand the Firefighter Training Facility, other land parcels will be placed into conservation. DCR will receive a portion of Mass Highway land along Airport Road, a very small portion of which is in Lincoln.
Sara's Memorial Service
A tree planting memorial will be held for Sara Silverstein at Garden in the Woods on Saturday July 15th. Commissioners are invited to attend and should RSVP.
Open Space Planning
Angela Seaborg has been working with the town conservation organizations and staff to prepare an updated Open Space Plan. The preliminary work will provide one step toward completing the plan as part of the town-wide Master Planning effort. The Master Planning kick-off meeting will be held next Wednesday, June 14th in the Donaldson Room at Town Hall. Peter Von Mertens and Angela Seaborg will attend the first meeting and other Commissioners may attend as well.
61 South Great Road
Dave Burke, Wetland Resource Specialist submitted a suitable as built plan and will provide photo documentation of the restoration area prior to receiving the Certificate of Compliance.
Upcoming Agenda Items
Future items before the Conservation Commission
ACTION ITEMS
Emergency Certification issued to the Pierce House for culvert repair work.
Commission voted 6-0 to commit $50,000 toward purchasing the Flint Property north of Rte. 2.
Peter Von Mertens appointed to Master Planning Committee. Representatives may change.
Determination of Applicability Issued to Steinbrook, Robert. 8 Peirce Hill Road. (74-29-0)
Certificate of Compliance Issued to Warren, Joan. 138 Lexington Road. (34-9-0)
ANRAD Issued to DeNormandie, Alice. 0 Mine Brook Road Unbuilt Lot "B".
Minutes Approved from 5/17/06
Bills & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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