Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Henderson, Peter von Mertens, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz, David Katsuki, & Sara Lewis STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
WETLAND FILINGS
Notice of Intent: Christopher Stamos. 123 Lincoln Road (84-4-0)
Prior to the public hearing, the applicant submitted a revised plan and memo outlining additional changes that were requested by the Commission during their September 5th hearing. Changes included moving the east end of the wall toward the driveway, further from the wetland and 24” DBH oak. This change also reduces the required height of the redi-rock wall from three blocks to two and only a single block along the west end of the wall. A berm along the 198 contour behind the barn will be maintained, the ground surface beneath the lean-to will be of porous construction, the silt fence was relocated farther up the slope, all trees within the buffer zone will be protected with construction fencing, downspouts from the house will be added to the proposed leach tank, an existing grease trap will be removed and areas of native plantings will
be extended from the wall to the lean-to and along the bottom of the proposed wall.
The Commission acknowledged the proposed changes and came to consensus on the proposed stairs and wall. They remained particularly concerned about the potential impacts from the barn and lean-to construction. Peter von Mertens read section 2 of the Wetlands Protection Bylaw which specifically states that:
“It shall be presumed that significant adverse effects on the values of a resource area protected by this bylaw will result from any filling, dredging, building upon or other alteration within a wetland resource area or within 50 feet of the edge of any freshwater wetland, etc. unless the applicant demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that such significant adverse effect will not occur.”
Peter von Mertens was particularly concerned that the proposed barn and lean-to would have significant adverse impacts on the wetland resource area. Specifically, that there would be increased runoff and erosion from the roof, significant amounts of soil would be disturbed during construction and displaced with impervious surface, maintenance and materials of the structure such as cleaning agents, paint, etc. would leach into the soil and ground water. Sara Lewis, Jim Henderson, Dave Katsuki, Ben Horne and Ari Kurtz also expressed concerns regarding the proposed barn and lean-to. After much deliberation, the Commission came to consensus that if the applicant revised the plan to include the following changes they would feel comfortable that the project would not pose significant adverse impacts on the wetland resource area.
• Increasing the permeable area (with concrete pavers with openings or equivalent) in the driveway by 450 square feet;
• Exploring the possibility of building the barn on sonotubes,
• Submission of a materials and maintenance plan of both the structure and drains around the structure (the Commission would require that the barn be constructed with environmentally sensitive materials);
• A recorded deed restriction and plan which delineates a mutually agreed upon boundary called the ‘naturally vegetated buffer zone’ which limits future work within the area;
The applicant would take the Commissions requests back to her husband and discuss their options. The Commission voted 6-0 to continue the public hearing to October 10th at 7:45 pm.
Public Discussion: Max Mason. Pierce Pond
Max Mason represented the Pierce House Committee with a plan to fix a leak in the Pierce Pond which was built by Mason and Frey Landscape Architects in 1962. The pond is leaking into a French drain that runs the length of Pierce Park and is beginning to erode the slope between the pond and the loop driveway of the Pierce House. The pond is currently dry. They proposed to fix the leak by installing a rubber liner over the drain and stabilizing it with sand, boulders and stone. It would eventually re-fill on its own as it is fed by the upper pond and surface water. The Commission agreed that this seemed to be an appropriate temporary fix to the leak and at some point the Committee may wish to come back with a plan to fix the entire drainage system. Jim Henderson recommended using fish safe EPDM rubber.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Con Com Day at the State House
Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg, Anna Wilkins and Ben Horne attended a Conservation Commission day at the State House. They met with local representatives Tom Conroy and Susan Fargo to encourage their vote in support of three environmental bills currently before them.
Mt. Misery Parking Lot
Tom Gumbart would like to work with the Highway Department to pave a larger apron in the Mt. Misery parking lot to increase safety as cars are pulling in and out and to reduce the deep pot hole at the entrance. The Commission agreed this would be a good solution to the on-going problem.
Tree Work at the Codman Estate
Historic New England received a call from the Mass Arborists Association requesting their use of the property to practice tree care and pruning techniques. The work would take place on Arbor Day in April 2008. The Commission is in support of the use of the property as long as they coordinate with Tom Gumbart prior to the event and do limited work on the adjacent conservation land.
Sunnyside Lane Stream Restoration Project
Commissioners, Conservation, DPW and Water Dept. Staff and representatives from the Minute Man National Historical Park and Mass Riverways met to discuss the final phase of work to restore the stream that flows under Sunnyside Road and leads to Elm Brook. The final phase of work would take place in 2008 and includes replacing the existing culvert with an open box culvert. The meeting was to coordinate with the water and highway departments.
Roadside spraying
Tom Gumbart will meet with Chris Bibbo to discuss the current and future plans for spraying pesticides along the roadsides. Chris Bibbo should come before the Commission to discuss work that is proposed within the 100-foot buffer zone resource area.
ACTION ITEMS
Deed restriction signed for 188 Tower Road
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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