Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Jim Henderson, Peter von Mertens, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz, & Sara Lewis STAFF: Tom Gumbart.
WETLANDS FILINGS
Espen & Cynthia Frank, 14 Morningside Lane - Request for Determination of Applicability
At the public hearing Markus Pinney, wetlands consultant, presented the restoration planting plan. The applicant proposed to restore approximately 4,800 square feet of wetland by planting approximately 5 native trees, 32 native shrubs, and a groundcover consisting of native wetland grasses as depicted on the Wetland Restoration Plan dated April 20, 2007. This work is proposed as mitigation for tree clearing that took place on Town conservation land and in wetlands without a permit. The Commission viewed the plan favorably and voted 6-0 to issue a negative Determination of Applicability allowing the work to proceed as described in the filing but with attached conditions.
WETLANDS PROTECTION BYLAW REGULATIONS PUBLIC HEARING
The Commission has been discussing buffer zone regulations at several of our recent public meetings. At this meeting the Commission held the formal public hearing to review the changes. The primary change is in this paragraph; “If the total amount of new impervious and semi-pervious surface area created by a project within the Upland Buffer Zone Resource Area is greater than 400 square feet or is closer than 70 feet from the Wetland Resource Area (or 120 feet in the case of rivers or perennial streams), the Commission will require the applicant to provide clear and convincing evidence that the project will not have significant adverse impact on any adjoining Wetland Resource Area.” The Commission’s goal with this change is to provide better protection to both wetland and buffer zone resource areas. It is up to an applicant to demonstrate with sound and conclusive evidence that construction within 70 feet from a wetland or over 400 square feet within the buffer zone resource
area will not result in adverse effects. The Commission adopted the proposed changes.
The Commission also approved regulations regarding the use of consultant fees on large or complex projects where outside expertise is necessary for adequate review of a proposal. This language is in our current bylaw but once the revised bylaw is approved by the Attorney General’s office we will need the separate regulations.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Salm Barn
A memo was sent from the Commission to the Planning Board regarding the Salm’s proposal for a barn. There are no wetland issues associated with the barn but the original plan sited it within several feet of a parcel owned by the Salm’s that is subject to a Conservation Restriction that was granted to the Commission. The memo stated that a 20-foot setback to the CR property line would ensure that the integrity of the CR land would not be impacted by the barn. Peter von Mertens attended a portion of the Planning Board hearing to offer direct feedback to the Planning Board.
Mount Misery Beavers
The beavers are still active at Mount Misery around Lindentree Farm. Once again the spring has been marked by a large amount of rain and the resulting high water level has taken several acres of farm land out of production. Mike Callahan of Beaver Solutions will install two additional flow pipes to allow for more rapid release of the water after a storm event. One will go at the downstream dam and one in the next dam upstream. Hopefully this will help alleviate some of the flooding problem and allow additional land to go into agricultural production.
Sandy Creighton 121 Lincoln Road
Peter von Mertens will meet with Mr. Creighton to discuss his landscaping plans and to come up with a specific schedule for finalizing this buffer zone work.
Stewardship Ideas
Jim Henderson presented two ideas for the Commission to consider. One idea is to arrange for more youth involvement with conservation land stewardship. Perhaps this could be coordinated through the schools. Clearly this would need a higher level of staffing to supervise and educate the student workers. Another idea is to have our staff use mountain bikes for patrolling trails. This would allow for much greater coverage of the trail system than what can be achieved on foot. Tom Gumbart will discuss this with the Conservation Staff.
Open Space Plan Update
The Recreation Committee met with members of the OSP Committee (Angela Seaborg, Peter von Mertens, Geoff McGean, Ellen Meadors, and Dan Pereira) to discuss the recreational needs of the Town. The draft plan is nearly complete and will soon be distributed to all boards and organizations that need to provide comment.
ZBA Hearing on Red Rail Farm Cell Tower
On May 17th there will be a hearing on the wireless communications tower proposed for Kim Johnson’s property and the Commission discussed whether or not it is appropriate for the Commission to submit comments. There are no wetland issues with the tower and it is on private property. However, the site abuts CR property held by the Town and municipal conservation land. Jim Meadors will contact John Kimball, the chair of the ZBA, to get additional information prior to our next meeting.
Hawkins Planting Plan – 69 Page Road
The Commission received the planting plan that was requested. It calls for only native plants to be used in the buffer zone resource area and this satisfied the Commission’s concerns. Work may now commence under the existing Order of Conditions.
Hollingsworth Property
Angela Seaborg continues to carry out the planning for the sale of this property that was deeded to the Town. At the May 16th meeting there will be a Request for Determination of Applicability hearing for this property to allow for vegetation clearing, tree pruning, and removal of old garden material (fencing, pipes, cinder blocks).
New Life Church
This Church owns a parcel of land on Bypass Road. The access and some of the land is in Lincoln but the larger portion of the property lies in Concord. They are proposing a church and parking facilities to be built within the buffer zone resource area. Again, most of the work is in Concord. The Lincoln Conservation Commission has jurisdiction over two areas of parking that lie within the 100 foot buffer. The Commission agreed that the Church should file a Notice of Intent in Lincoln for the proposed work. The New Life Church will also need to file a Notice of Intent in Concord.
ACTION ITEMS
Determination of Applicability Issued: Espen & Cynthia Frank, 14 Morningside Lane (22-35-0)
Order of Conditions issued: New England Deaconess. 17-19 Cambridge Turnpike. (14:13-16)
Minutes Approved 4/18/07
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Thomas Gumbart
| 
