Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Henderson, Jim Meadors, 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 19th hearing. These changes included:
• 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;
• Location of the silt fencing at the 198 contour line behind the garage and at the 199 contour behind the wall. The silt fencing should serve as the strict limit of disturbance and 4’ high construction fencing should also be used to prevent construction workers from going beyond the line. Erosion fabric should not be necessary and can be determined after completion of the project.
• No grading should be proposed beyond the 198 contour as depicted on the 8/14 plan.
The Commission reviewed the proposed changes and felt they provided sufficient mitigation for the disturbance created by the proposed barn.
The Commission voted 4-0 to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions. Jim Meadors and Peter von Mertens were not able to vote due to their absence during the hearing process.
Request for Determination of Applicability: Fred Winchell. 221 Concord Road (101-7-2)
The applicant requested the Commission’s permission to construct a deck and hot tub within the outer 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area. The closest point of permanent disturbance will be approximately 60' away from the Wetland Resource Area and all work will take place on existing landscaped areas, between an existing retaining wall and the house. The work was permitted by the Commission in the 90’s as part of the original house construction. Approximately one foot of topsoil will be removed and replaced with gravel under the deck. Footings will be installed under the deck and an 8’x8’ concrete slab will be installed to hold a hot tub. The existing retaining wall shall be raised by a minimum of 6” prior to soil removal in order to contain sediment and runoff. All construction equipment shall access the work area
from the back side of the house. The Commission conducted a site visit on Tuesday, October 9th and felt comfortable that the proposed work would not impact the Wetland Resource Area.
The Commission was unanimous on issuing a negative Determination of Applicability.
Request for Determination of Applicability: Kingsley Brooks. 39B North Great Road (12-11-0)
Dave Burke, wetland resource specialist, represented the applicant with a plan to build a New England fieldstone wall approximately 29" tall x 18" wide x 40' long with a 12" deep concrete footing at the outer edge of the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area, affecting an area approimately 200 square feet in size. The applicant also requested permission to plant native trees and shrub groups within the 50 and 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Areas. A site visit was held on Tuesday, October 9th. The area was historically used as a sheep pasture and now consists primarily of dead or dying white ash trees and non-native invasive shrubs including honeysuckle, euonymous, garlic mustard and bittersweet. The proposed plan is to have the Buffer Zone Resource Area become naturalized with native trees and shrubs which require minimal
maintenance over time. The Commission looked favorably on the proposed project, but requested that a revised landscape plan that specifies only plants which are native to the Northeastern United States be submitted along with a detailed description outlining the proposed methods and timeline for land clearing, plant installattion, maintenance and on-going monitoring and removal of invasive-exotic vegetation prior to installation. Any changes to the Landscape Plan by Margaret Hensel dated August 8, 2007 must be submitted and approved by both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board prior to commencement of work.
The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a negative determination of applicability.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Review of public forum on trail use
The Lincoln Conservation Commission held a public forum to discuss trail use on conservation land on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 7:30 p.m., in the multi-purpose room at the Hartwell Building of the School Complex in Lincoln. Peter von Mertens gave a brief introduction and described the intentions for the meeting. The Commission was interested in gaining feedback regarding general trail use and maintenance, patterns of increased or decreased use, conflicts between user groups and implementation of action items outlined in the Open Space and Recreation Plan. Angela Seaborg presented an overview of the Open Space and Recreation Planning Process and outlined action items relating to the trails including overwhelming interest in building more roadside paths and trails, allowing bicycle use on existing trails, increasing trail connectivity among
neighborhoods, building community around conservation land, etc.
Tom Gumbart discussed the historical use of Lincoln’s trail system. In general the trails are very healthy and accommodate a variety of user groups. Conservation staff and the Land Trust work hard to maintain the trails and address problem areas when they arise. The conservation Commission in conjunction with the Land Trust, maintain somewhat flexible regulations and address conflicts regarding trail use through public meetings and forums as they arise. Because of the Lincoln Guide Service, Lincoln became a hot spot for mountain biking during the early 90’s. Between 1993 and 1995 the Conservation Commission and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust voted to limit bicycle use from 60 miles of trails to approximately 6. Since that time the Lincoln Guide Service has closed and bicycle use on the trails has dramatically decreased. The
Commission is interested in opening up a limited number of trails on a trial basis to connect critical links through Town for kids and adults.
Other items that were raised at the meeting include:
• More Roadside Paths. Connectivity to conservation lands: Old Sudbury Road, Baker Bridge Road, Tower Road, Trapelo Road.
• Trails are existing infrastructure – explore possibilities for expanding or changing use.
• People are seeing an increase in horseback riding – produce a letter and signs that describe rider etiquette during mud season.
• Post signs that show yielding symbol.
• Post regulations and trail etiquette in conspicuous locations.
• Generally, better communication about rules, regs, issues among community – use the Lincoln Journal to disseminate information.
• Determine impact on land vs. etiquette among users.
• Open suitable trails to bicycles.
• Increase transportation network between school and mall. Create bike access points to roadside paths, add paths where roadside paths don’t currently connect, work with Drumlin Farm to identify trails where dogs can be.
• Meeting among Con Com and LLCT to conduct detailed analysis of trails.
• Get funding at Town Meeting for increased trail maintenance.
• Identify handicapped accessible trails.
• Designate bike lanes in roads.
• Explore design standards for roadside paths that would encourage use by road cyclists.
• Consider allowing multiple uses of conservation land but limit disturbance by timed or seasonal use.
• Control exotic-invasive species along roadside paths and trails.
• Develop a standard sign system. Public/private lands, clear markers, etc.
Community Preservation Committee Proposal
Peter von Mertens prepared a preliminary proposal for land stewardship projects. Tom Gumbart will revise the proposal to address specific non-native invasive plant control project(s) on conservation land.
Incident follow-up update
Tom Gumbart and Anna Wilkins will be following up with residents who have encroached on conservation land.
State of the Town Report
Tom Gumbart will prepare a report focusing on land stewardship.
School Emergency Access Route Update
Jim Meadors and Jim Henderson attended the meeting and expressed that there was a general consensus that more detailed information was needed before a decision could be made.
ACTION ITEMS
Certificate of Compliance Issued: Matthew Trombadore. 106 South Great Road (78-2-0)
Certificate of Compliance Issued: Stephen Odio & Deena Berton. 56 Conant Road (107-8-0)
The Commission voted 5-0 to authorized Tom Gumbart to approve invoices on behalf of the Conservation Commission.
Minutes Approved 9/5/07, 9/19/07
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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