Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Ben Horne, Peter Von Mertens, Sara Lewis, David Katsuki & Ari Kurtz STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
WETLAND FILINGS
Request for Determination of Applicability: Historic New England (83-2-0) for drainage work in the buffer zone resource area at the Codman Estate.
Andrew Truman and Dan Periera of Samiotes Consultants represented Historic New England with a plan to install an under drain in the botanical garden and an area drain in the meadow at the Codman Estate to alleviate current ponding issues. Historically, the area was maintained as open lawn with some evidence of drainage pipes or ditches in the 1958 aerial photographs. The stormwater will be piped into an existing manhole located in the gravel road. A dome grate will be placed on the pipe for proper maintenance over time. The Commission would like to ensure that there shall be no use of pesticides or herbicides in the formal garden. In addition, fertilizers shall be limited to organic, slow-release fertilizers so as not to load the wetlands with nutrients through the new drainage system.
The Commission voted 7-0 to issue a negative determination of applicability.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Amendment to Zoning Bylaw
Ellen Meadors represented the Land Trust and came before the Commission seeking support for a proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw. The change will strengthen the open space and cluster subdivision rules by requiring a conservation restriction and allowing monitoring of the restricted property over time. The changes are outlined in bold below. The Conservation Commission was in support of the amendment.
iii. an association of the land owners approved by the Planning Board, that grants a permanent conservation restriction to either the Town or the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. The conservation restriction shall include easements for recreational use by the residents of the Town, and provide sufficient rights to the town to enforce compliance with the restrictions imposed by the Planning Board as conditions of its special permit;
Buffer Zone Regulations
The Commission reviewed and discussed another revised draft of the Buffer Zone Regulations prepared by Jim Meadors. Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg and Jim Meadors will designate a time to test the draft updates against existing and theoretical projects in town to make sure the new language fulfills the intended goals of increasing protection of the wetland buffer zone.
Landscape Work at 117 Lincoln Road
The Commission reviewed a sketch plan of the proposed work in the front of the house at 117 Lincoln Road. Their primary concern is that the work does not cause any adverse impacts to wetland resource areas and while the plan is a good start, they would like to see additional information or clarification in the following areas: clear detail on rip rap plan for upper bank; plan with specifications for the PVC fencing; timeline with completion date for the work.
Besides providing the Commission with the above details they would also like to see the bike path swept after each workday to ensure the soil and sand will not wash into the wetland area, the siltation fencing properly installed with the lower flap set down into the soil, the work completed in a timely fashion and a new wetlands filing for any future driveway changes. Peter Von Mertens and Jim Meadors will prepare a letter outlining these requests to the homeowner.
Food Project Proposed Additions
The Food Project submitted an annual update of the farm. They also presented a plan for additional structures and changes to the field areas off of Baker Bridge Road. They would like to bring electricity to the farm stand off of Rte. 126 and build a new small shed and walk in cooler near the existing sheds at the back of the property. The Commission would like a representative from the Food Project to come in and explain these requests. They are somewhat concerned about creep of ‘permanent structures’ and the overall aesthetics of the farm. The Commission would also like to address the potential for excessive lighting with the introduction of electricity at the farm stand and address the status of trails and public access on the property. The Commission would would like to organize a site visit to the Food Project to better
understand the facts on the ground.
Open Space and Recreation Public Forum
The Open Space Committee is proceeding at a good pace and has completed a lot of good work. The Committee received approximately 250 surveys so far and will present the preliminary results at the public forum on January 24th at 7:30 pm in the Donaldson Room. The Committee will be looking for both general ideas and specific feedback on the preliminary draft of goals and objectives. Angela Seaborg said she would e-mail the Commission the draft Goals & Objectives for their review and feedback.
Hanscom Vegetation Management Plan Reports
Hanscom submitted their annual vegetation management reports as part of a previous NOI for runway safety clearing and grassland habitat management along Virginia Road. The reports are available in the Conservation Office if Commissioners wish to review them.
Old Concord Road Crosswalk
The Board of Selectmen approved the relocation of the crosswalk at the intersection of Old Concord Road and Rte. 126 at their January 8th meeting. Tim Higgins submitted a letter to Chris Bibbo stating that the Highway Department can get started on construction of the new crosswalk.
Public Safety Tower
Public Safety has been meeting with the Planning Board to install a 110-foot tower at the Bedford Road Reservoir (Lincoln Hill). Some residents and the Land Trust are concerned that a light on the tower will negatively impact the views from the Flint Field Conservation Area. While the Commission is not directly involved with the process, they are also concerned, especially if there is a visible light on the tower. They are however, in support of better communication for Public Safety.
Emergency Planning Committee
Tom Gumbart participated in a table top exercise at Public Safety to explore scenarios should an accident occur. It turned out that the exercise involved an accident on Lincoln Road with an oil spill and access to the schools closed. It is likely that Public Safety will be coming before the Commission with another request for an unpaved secondary access route into the schools.
ACTION ITEMS
Certificate of Compliance Issued to DeCordova Museum, DEP #203-737 (44,45 – 2,3,5 – 0)
Minutes Approved from 1/3/07
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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