Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: David Katsuki, Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors, Sara Lewis, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
Public Discussion: Invasive Clearing on CR#36 at 236 Lincoln Road (117-22-1).
Natalie DeNormandie, Landscape Architect represented Michael and Susan Salm with a plan to remove invasive exotic plants (primarily autumn olive) from approximately 2 acres of conservation restricted land south of Drumlin Farm off Long Meadow Road. A trail follows the southern boundary of the parcel and will be included in the clearing project. However, several mature trees will be maintained to preserve woodland islands that screen the trail from the house. The Salm's long-term goal is to maintain the area as open meadow with pockets of native forest. No work will take place in a small area of 100-foot buffer zone in the southeast corner of the property. The language of the Conservation Restriction permits the removal of vegetation and maintenance of the property as an open field. The Conservation Restriction does not
permit the creation of lawn which is one of the primary concerns of the Conservation Commission. They requested that permanent markers, in the form of a fence or granite or metal posts, be placed along the line between the CR and the house for future reference and to demarcate the area that must be maintained as meadow. The Commission was pleased with the timeline and work schedule outlined in the proposal but wanted the owners to fully understand that they are undertaking a large, multi-year project. They would like additional considerations for long-term maintenance that accommodates wildlife through mowing only 1-2 times in the early spring and/or late fall starting in year 4 and continuing indefinitely. The Commission would like the aforementioned items included in a revised proposal along with a brief statement of goals/vision for the property and a summarized list of steps to achieve the goals. Commission members also recommended testing the soil prior to work, researching
the growing conditions of each of the proposed species, and including legumes in the first 2 years of seeding. The Commission would like photos documenting each phase of the project and would like to arrange at least annual site visits during the process.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Leaf Blowers
Jim Meadors led a brief discussion on leaf blowers. Not only do they create noise, they are increasingly being used for purposes other than those which they were intended for. When sand and soil particulates are blown into the air they become a health hazard. The particles also contribute to greater sedimentation and pollution in the waterways. Several communities across the country have imposed restrictions ranging from a complete ban on leaf blowers to limited hours and or types of equipment. While the Commission does not want to take the lead role on this issue they are in support of getting a broader sense of the issue from the town. The Commission will endorse a letter to the Rural Land Foundation requesting them to limit their use of leaf blowers at the Mall with a copy sent to Tim Higgins for discussion on a broader
scale.
Future Issues Facing the Conservation Commission
Peter Von Mertens prepared a preliminary list of future issues facing the Commission both to inform new Commission members of on-going activities and re-establish long-term goals and objectives for conservation land. The list will be developed as a working document to guide the Commission, particularly as it enters into the Open Space and Master Planning process.
· Wetlands Administration
- Review/revise bylaw regulations
- Prepare for marginal land filings
- NPDES stormwater permitting
- Increase effectiveness in handling wetlands violations
· Conservation Land Planning
- Review existing plans
- Complete Open Space Plan as part of Town Master Planning effort
- Establish Conservation Goals
? Protect Lincoln's existing conservation land from conversion
? Preserve the integrity of Lincoln's conservation land
? Promote biodiversity
? Establish criteria for evaluating land of conservation interest
? Identify land of conservation interest
? Identify potential land-use conflicts (recreation, cemetery, housing)
? Explore changes in conservation land user interest (bikes, paths)
? Evaluate effectiveness of land stewardship practices
· Conservation Land Stewardship/Management
- Address wildlife management issues
- Continue ecologically sound land stewardship practices
- Establish open communication with CR property owners
- Monitor each baseline property annually or biannually
- Review/Revise Forest Management Plans (harvesting, views, invasives)
- Review/Revise Field Management Plans (habitat, mowing, invasives)
- Review/Revise Agricultural Leasing Program
- Update/Maintain trails, maps and marking systems
- Establish universally accessible trails
· Advocacy/Outreach/Education
- 'A Greener, Quieter Lincoln' (preserve the tranquility of natural habitats)
- Sustainable practices/opportunities (recycling, composting)
- Sustainable agriculture (promote organics, research effects of chemical pesticides)
- Ecological landscaping
- Water conservation
- Conservation coffee/walks
- Increase participation with schools
· General
- Increase communication between town boards
- Collaborate with Agricultural Commission
- Address liaison assignments to other committees
The Commission also began identifying criteria for evaluating land of conservation interest and will look to establish an Open Space Committee at its next meeting.
Master Planning/Open Space Planning
Peter Von Mertens and Ben Horne represented the Conservation Commission at the first Master Planning meeting. Representatives from town boards, organizations and the community at large will work together, supported by staff, to prepare for impending land use legislation and to think through land use and related issues before being presented with urgent decisions. The Planning Board, which has the lead responsibility for a Master Plan, has certain expectations of the Committee’s work, and anticipates a 21 month process leading to a 2008 Town Meeting. The Conservation Commission will assume the lead responsibility for completing an Open Space and Recreation Plan and will piggy back on the Master Planning Committee for representatives, feedback and consistency with other land use needs identified through the Master Plan.
Representatives at the Master Planning meeting were asked to bring back 3 preliminary questions to their board. The questions progress from general to more specific. The first is intended to begin to form a visioning statement for the Town; the second to identify the goals of the board, and the third to identify current issues on people’s minds. Mr. Whitehead asked members to try to address the questions in this order as the idea is to think long term and make the issues serve the goals and not vice versa. Answers should be sent to him by the end of July. In addition it would be helpful to have short ‘situation summaries’ from boards.
Meeting with Selectmen
The Selectmen have requested that each board meet with them for general discussion. The Commission will request a meeting with the Selectmen on July 24th at 7:30pm.
ACTION ITEMS
Certificate of Compliance Issued to Brumme, 61 South Great Road (81-2-0)
Order of Conditions Issued to Williams, Kevin 215 Lincoln Road (102-16-0)
Minutes Approved from 6/7/06
Bills & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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