Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Ben Horne, Peter Von Mertens, & Ari Kurtz STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Buffer Zone Regulations
The Commission reviewed and discussed a revised draft of the Buffer Zone Regulations prepared by Jim Meadors. Changes were made to reflect suggestions proposed by Tom Harrington and the Commission during their January 3rd meeting. The primary goal for the revision is to increase protection of the Buffer Zone Resource Area by providing closer scrutiny to projects that disturb greater than a designated (yet to be determined) area of the total buffer zone area. The Commission would like to designate a time to test the draft updates against existing and theoretical projects in town to make sure the goal is achieved.
Morningside Lane Clearing
Homeowners from Morningside Lane came before the Commission to discuss the clearing of several large trees on conservation land and in wetlands without a permit. They clearly understood that they should not have done the work and are willing to work with the Commission to remedy the situation. The Commission would like to see a Request for Determination of Applicability with a wetlands delineation, planting plan and management plan for a designated section (to be determined through the RDA) of the buffer zone resource area on their property. Conservation Staff will meet with the homeowners on-site to determine the extent to which the existing wood should be removed from the wetlands. Because further cutting of the downed wood will be necessary, the Commission requested that the homeowners purchase vegetable oil for their chain saw and that no
equipment go beyond the stone wall into the wetland. The Commission would also like to ensure that some substantial trees get replanted in the designated buffer zone restoration area.
Annual Report Review
Tom Gumbart forwarded a draft of the Annual Report to the Commission for review. The Commission provided minor comments but thought the report was accurate and well written.
Open Space and Recreation Plan
The Open Space Committee is proceeding at a good pace and has completed a lot of good work. The next step is to get community feedback. A town-wide survey will be going out by January 12th and the first public forum will be held 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.
New Life Church: Bypass Road
The New Life Church is proposing a new facility on their property off Bypass Road. Most of the property and all proposed structures are located in Concord. Parking areas will be proposed in Lincoln, but there are not significant wetland areas in this portion of the property. The proposed project will certainly have traffic impacts on Rte. 2 and 2A, but there will likely be no jurisdiction over the project by the Lincoln Conservation Commission.
New England Deaconess
They currently have proposals before the Planning Board and copies have been submitted to the Commission. They will proceed with formal permitting with the Conservation Commission once permits have been obtained from the Planning Board. The Commission will continue to work with the Deaconess Development Team on the protection of water resources, the bridge crossing onto Sandy Pond Road, creation of new trails and placement of portions of the land into CR’s.
Red Rail Farm
Tom Gumbart met with Kim Johnson on site to discuss the progress of the fence installation. The project is moving along, though Kim would like to see Gustav Beerel install and power up the electric fence. Kim Johnson agreed to move his hay wagon and remove his temporary fence once the electric fence is turned on.
January 8th: Presentation to Selectmen
Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg and Commissioners will attend the Selectmen’s meeting on January 8th to provide and update on the progress of the Open Space Committee and to discuss the status of the Old Concord Road crosswalk.
Beaver activity
Beaver have been active on the south side of Farrar Pond, near the lower dam in the Harrington land and in Mt. Misery below St. Anne’s. The Tower Road exclusion fence is working well with no signs of recent activity.
ACTION ITEMS
Minutes Approved from 12/13/06
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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