Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Peter von Mertens, Sara Lewis, David Katsuki, & Ari Kurtz STAFF: Angela Seaborg.
WETLANDS FILINGS
Notice of Intent: Konstandakis, Nicholas. 22 Old Cambridge Turnpike (24-6-0).
Bill Murphy of PureGround, Inc. represented Nicholas Konstandakis with a Notice of Intent to replace a failed septic system. The system is sized for 5 bedrooms, the same number as the existing house. A tank and pump chamber will be located approximately 25 feet from the wetland, under existing lawn, and will replace a cesspool that is approximately 5 feet from the wetland. A 2” pipe in a 4” sched 40 pvc sleeve will cross the intermittent stream to a leach field located outside the 100-foot buffer zone, in the back of the property. The 4” sleeve shall extend all the way from the leach field into the pump chamber so leaks can be detected and future disturbance minimized. Haybales and silt fencing will be placed between the working area and the wetlands. The Commission agreed that this plan was the most feasible and best option
for the site. They want to ensure that the contractors restore the crossing to a natural condition. The crossing shall not remain as a permanent vehicular access to the backyard, but a small foot passage may remain, as currently exists. The Commission discussed the likelihood of neighbors coming in with similar situations and clarified that each situation is unique. In all cases they will ask an applicant to first explore options for locating their septic system in the front of the property, outside the buffer zone area. The Board of Health approved the plan.
The Commission voted 6-0 to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Revisions to Bylaw and Buffer Zone Regulations
A formal hearing to discuss changes to Lincoln’s Wetland Protection Bylaw and Buffer Zone Regulations will be held at the Commission’s regular meeting on March 7, 2007. Tom Harrington will be available to discuss the proposed changes and answer questions. The Bylaw changes consist of minor clarification edits and the Commission has reviewed and agrees with the changes. The Buffer Zone Regulations are being revised to clarify and strengthen the Buffer Zone Resource Area and will be revised based on the new Bylaw with the anticipation that it will be approved at March Town Meeting.
Sugar Maple Tapping on Conservation Land
Richard Nichols has been working with the Old Concord Road Neighborhood to tap Sugar Maples for the past 7 years. They place only one tap in a tree per year and use buckets to collect the sap. The Commission agreed that this is a worthy tradition and voted 6-0 to allow Richard Nichols to tap Sugar Maples on Conservation Land.
Hollingsworth: 18 Twin Pond Lane
Ms. Hollingsworth bequeathed her property to the Town when she passed away. Tim Higgins hopes the Town will vote to accept the property and also vote to sell the property with conservation and building restrictions and use the proceeds to support an affordable housing project elsewhere in town. Tim Higgins asked Tom Gumbart and Angela Seaborg to coordinate the site planning effort and identify preliminary areas that would define the conservation and building restrictions. They will seek input from the Conservation Commission once a draft plan has been prepared.
Rivers Stewardship Council
David Katsuki reported to the commission that the Great Meadows NWR is loosing funding and will unable to provide an intern to support the harvester operation this summer due to budget cuts and would appreciate help from the towns. The Commission is in favor of supporting the effort.
Open Space Committee Update
Angela Seaborg reported that the Open Space Committee is making progress on the update of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. They have reviewed the results from the Community Survey and hope to have a draft plan for review by March Town Meeting. They will hold one more public forum before submitting a Final Draft for review by Town Boards and Committees.
Agricultural Subcommittee
Ari Kurtz and Jim Henderson met with Tom Gumbart to review the status of the farm lease program and general farming practices in Town. Farmers are nearing the end of their lease cycle and some have not formally signed their previous leases. The Agricultural Subcommittee is exploring different lease or license periods with yearly site visits and periodic reviews. They want to give the farmers a sense that they can work on and invest in their farms with a longer-term vision, assuming they maintain positive reviews each year. The Subcommittee also wants, while ensuring continuity to current farmers, to have a mechanism whereby new farmers might have opportunities to farm on new or currently farmed conservation land. The Subcommittee would also like to encourage the Board of Selectmen and Comprehensive Long-Range Planning Committee to explore
affordable housing options for farmers near fields in Town. Arena Farm is currently using Atrazine on their fields. Ari Kurtz found several articles suggesting the toxicity of this chemical and would like the Commission to consider banning it on their conservation fields. The Commission as a whole discussed ways of encouraging organic farming practices, including possibly mandating it in the future. The Commission will discuss the issue further during its March 7th meeting.
Dooley: 31 Old Concord Road
The Commission received from their lawyer, Tom Harrington, a copy of the appeal to the Commission’s Order of Conditions under the Lincoln Wetlands Protection Bylaw that denied Thomas Dooley permission to construct a house at 31 Old Concord Road. Because the applicant never filed the appeal directly with the Town Clerk, the Commission is not taking any action at this time.
ACTION ITEMS
Minutes Approved from 2/7/07
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
| 
