Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Jim Meadors, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz, Jim Henderson, David Katsuki, & Sara Lewis STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Seaborg.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Public Discussion: Warren Flint/Jamie Atkins. 5 Sandy Pond Road (53-6-0). Review of garage location and determinations by Historic District Commission meeting on January 8, 2008.
Jim Henderson shared the proceedings of the Historic District Commission meeting on January 8, 2008. Jamie Atkins and her architect, Matthew O’Connell, presented their plans for the proposed addition and garage. Jim Henderson explained that the ConCom looked at several locations for the garage with respect to the wetlands issues and the Conservation Restriction and felt that the location decided upon by the ConCom was the best one. Mrs. Lattimore, a direct abutter, voiced her concerns regarding the view from her studio and wanted the garage moved forward toward the roadway and closer to the lot line. Mrs. Lattimore showed the HDC pictures of views from various locations. Jim Henderson said that the ConCom did take into consideration her issues and the public issues and said that if the garage is to be moved
closer to Sandy Pond Road, it would need to go back to the ConCom for another review. After some discussion, the HDC decided to arrange a site visit for January 19th at 9:30 a.m. with the applicant and members of the Conservation Commission. Mrs. Atkins would leave the stakes showing the present location and also add stakes showing the proposed location of the garage moved up 3 feet and over 5 feet toward the lot line. There was also consensus between Jim Henderson and the HDC members that if the shed were placed in back of the garage instead of on the side, it would keep the garage further away from the house and make turning around easier. The HDC agreed to a continuation on this hearing for January 22, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the location of the garage, relocation of the shed to the back of the garage and the installation of a fence. The HDC approved the additions as proposed. It was also noted that after the additions to the house and the
installation of a detached garage, there will be no further additions allowed on this lot under terms of the Conservation Restriction.
School Emergency Access Route
Jim Meadors sent a letter to the School Committee requesting information regarding the status of the proposed school emergency access route. The Schools are requesting funds through a Town Meeting warrant article to perform an engineering study to cross school land onto the Rizzo Property then out onto Sandy Pond Road. Jim Meadors informed them that they will likely need to perform wetlands permitting with the Conservation Commission should they decide to build that route.
Bedford Road Communication Tower
A new tower was installed on Bedford Hill. There is confusion about the height of the new tower and what was allowed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Conservation Commission was under the impression that the new tower would be no higher than the existing tower and is aware that it is currently higher than the existing tower and above the tree line. The Town will be clarifying the process and allowable height with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
ADA Trails
The Cambridge Water Department has funds remaining for use at the Harrington Land that is owned by Cambridge. Tom Gumbart will arrange a meeting with the Disabilities Commission and Cambridge to discuss the possibility of a joint project for ADA accessible parking and a trail.
New England Deaconess
New England Deaconess submitted a revised plan with for the stream crossing culvert. Instead of using a rounded, open-bottom culvert, they will use a full box culvert that will be buried under the stream subtrate. This will require less excavation of the stream bed and give a little more room in the culvert itself. The Commission approved the change.
Master Plan Public Forum
The Comprehensive Long Range Plan Committee (CLRPC) will host its second public forum on Saturday morning February 9, 2008 where the Committee will present some preliminary goals and policies for discussion and debate. This forum will be an interactive group exercise where the attendees will break into small groups to discuss the goals and policies laid out by the subcommittees of the CLRPC as well as new ideas, goals, or policies brought up by the attendees.
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Hemlocks
Jonathan Bransfield gave a presentation on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid at the January Conservation Coffee. The presentation was specific to Lincoln and provided data regarding the declining status of the trees, treatment options, risks and cost. Most people in attendance were supportive of acquiring funds to perform a trial treatment of the Codman Hemlock Grove. The Commission will look to revise their CPC application to include a preliminary treatment in their ‘Invasives’ program in 2008.
Trails
Angela Seaborg compiled all available information on the trails into the GIS database. She presented a map to the Commission and asked if anyone was interested in working with a group representing different interest groups to study the existing and proposed trail system. Sara Lewis volunteered to be on the group.
ACTION ITEMS
Minutes Approved 1/2/08
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Seaborg
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