Lincoln Conservation Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Lincoln Town Offices
COMMISSIONERS: Peter von Mertens, Ari Kurtz, Jim Meadors, Ben Horne, Joyce Hersh & Jim Henderson STAFF: Tom Gumbart, Angela Kearney
WETLANDS FILINGS
Notice of Intent – Continued from January 7, 2009. Jonathan Grindlay. 145 Old Concord Road. (58-1&2-0). For restoration activities in the wetland and buffer zone resource areas.
Due to miscommunication surrounding the meeting time, the applicant and representative did not arrive until 8:15pm. Prior to the applicant’s arrival, Buzz Constable expressed several factors representing the viewpoints of the LLCT. He anticipated further discussion when the applicant and representative were present, but proceeded with a brief overview of the points including:
• A reminder that the LLCT holds a conservation restriction on the property and that the violations took place both on conservation restricted land and in wetland and buffer zone resource areas. The Land Trust appreciated the cooperative nature with the Conservation Commission in coming to resolution and looked forward to a mutually agreeable restoration solution.
• The LLCT will issue a restoration agreement similar to the Con Com’s Order of Conditions, however, it will likely contain additional measures such as monitoring in perpetuity; immediate fines for future clearing violations; and detailed specifications for future clearing within viewshed areas.
Jonathan and Sandra Grindlay and Dave Burke arrived at the meeting at 8:15 pm. Because another hearing was scheduled for 8:30, the Commission requested that the hearing be continued to February 4th and that Buzz Constable provide additional feedback at the next meeting. The Commission allowed Dave Burke to give a quick summary of their proposed revisions to the restoration plan. Additions and revisions to the restoration plan included:
• Addition of 8 trees including swamp white oak, tupelo and white pine in Area E,
• Addition of 3 red maple trees and the inclusion of highbush blueberry, silky dogwood and gray birch in the understory plantings in Area A,
• Exchange of 6-8 red oak trees for the originally proposed fruit trees in Area B,
• Proposal to install an osprey pole was taken off the table,
• Elimination of the proposal to install a natural trellis over the causeway of the pond, but continued management of invasives and replanting of native shrubs and perennials, and
• Addition of 2 maple trees in Area F.
The Commission thanked the applicant for submitting the additional restoration measures and looked forward the discussing the matter further at its next hearing. The Commission will, at a minimum, require a detailed implementation plan with proposed sizes for trees to be installed and guaranteed survival or replacement in kind for a certain amount of time. They will discuss the possibility of allowing a boardwalk within this filing at its next meeting.
The Commission voted 6-0 to continue the hearing to February 4, 2009 at 7:45pm.
Request for Determination of Applicability. Fred Winchell. 221 Concord Road. (101-7-2). For construction of a garage in the buffer zone resource areas.
Jim Henderson represented Fred Winchell with a plan to construct a two-car garage approximately 22 feet wide by 42 feet long. The project will result in approximately 760 square feet of impervious roof area and 528 square feet of impervious foundation. The proposed structure is located in the outer 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area on existing driveway and pre-existing disturbed soils with the closest point of disturbance being approximately 70 feet away from the Wetland Resource Area. Minor grading will occur on the backside of the garage and a boulder wall with interspersed plantings approximately 15 feet long by 3 feet high will be constructed around the southeast corner of the garage. A small berm will be constructed along the north side of the driveway and cultec infiltration chambers will be installed on the east side of the garage.
Although the project exceeds 400 square feet of area, the Commission permitted the project based on the following factors. The proposed garage will be located in the only suitable location on the property, on an existing gravel driveway. The project will require minimal site work and grading as it will have sonotube footings and a slab foundation on grade. The elevation of the proposed garage is almost 30 feet above the Wetland Resource Area and drainage on the property will be enhanced by directing runoff from the entire garage and half of the house into underground,cultec-infiltration chambers located on the east side of the garage. In addition, a wood shed and material storage area which is currently located approximately 50 feet from the wetland resource area will be removed and integrated into the new garage structure.
The Commission voted 5-0 to issue a negative Determination of Applicability.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area - MOU
Anna Wilkins informed the Commission of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between organizations and Towns within the SuAsCo Watershed. The MOU does not require financial support, but documents a cooperative commitment among the organizations to manage invasive species within the watershed. The draft MOU will also help the region to get funding.
The Commission was unanimously in support of signing the MOU and participating in the invasive species management efforts.
Asian Longhorned Beetle Presentation
Anna Wilkins arranged for entomologist Bob Childs to give an informational presentation on the Asian Longhorned Beetle. The presentation was on December 15th and received a good turnout of Lincoln residents and some land care professionals.
Hanscom Air Force Base
Pinacle Corporation took over the privatized housing redevelopment project from American Eagle at Hanscom Air Force Base. They plan to come before the Commission with a new Notice of Intent for the project where they expect to rehab existing buildings and build some new buildings. Don Morris of Hanscom Air Force Base received 65% design drawings and will forward copies of the plans and the Air Force Base’s comments to the Commission.
Mass Highway Repaving Project
Mass Highway received funding to complete a repaving project on Route 2 between Lexington Road and Tracy’s Corner. They received a Determination of Applicability to do the work from the Lincoln Conservation Commission 3 years ago, but did not receive funding to complete the project at that time. They have requested that the Commission to allow the project to proceed under the existing Determination as there are no changes to the plan and it is simply repaving the existing stretch of road with no drainage or widening of the existing road.
River Stewardship Council
Jim Meadors and Jim Henderson attended the River Stewardship Council Meeting. They discussed projects that have been funded over the past year including monitoring pollutants, invasive species, the purchase of Nobscott Hill, brand building and grass-roots organizing.
Community Preservation Committee
The Conservation Commission requested $32,000 from the Community Preservation Committee to complete a second year of invasive-species clearing and treatment of the wooly adelgid in the Codman hemlock grove. Tom Gumbart is also looking into funding from the Codman Trust.
The Commission also filed for CPC funding on behalf of the Town to repair the drainage and ponds at Pierce Park.
ACTION ITEMS
The Commission voted 6-0 to allow Richard Nichols and community to tap the sugar maple trees along Baker Bridge Road.
Minutes approved 1/7/09
Bills Paid & Payroll Signed
Respectfully Submitted,
Angela Kearney
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