LINCOLN CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes – September 16, 2009
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Sara Lewis, Jim Henderson, Joyce Hersh, Ben Horne, Ari Kurtz.
STAFF: Thomas Gumbart, Angela Kearney.
WETLANDS FILINGS
Public Hearing – Request for Determination of Applicability – Town of Lincoln Conservation Department. 0 Old Concord Road – ‘Pleasant Meadow’ (Map 58-Block 1-Lot 0). Tennis court removal and restoration of hay field.
Angela Kearney presented a brief overview of the proposed Request to remove a pre-existing and deteriorating asphalt tennis court within the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area. The closest point of disturbance is approximately 50 feet from the Wetland Resource Area. The goal upon removing the court is to incorporate the area into the adjacent Pleasant Meadow hay field. The Commission reviewed the proposed specifications for work and agreed to add a condition that any ruts or disturbance to the agricultural field must be fully restored within two weeks of project completion. Buzz Constable represented the LLCT and informed the Commission that the LLCT fully supports the tennis court removal project as a good stewardship measure under the Conservation Restriction. The Land Trust will receive the funds for the removal project as part of a
remediation program for an Enforcement Order issued to the adjacent property owners, Jonathan and Sandra Grindlay. The work will be overseen and coordinated by the LLCT and Conservation Commission.
The Commission voted 5-0 to close the hearing and issue a Negative Determination of Applicability.
Public Hearing - Notice of Intent (continued from August 26, 2009) – Hunt Building Company, LTD for family housing renovations and infrastructure work within the Buffer Zone Resource Area and Riverfront Resource Area at Hanscom Air Force Base in Lincoln (7-3-0).
As requested by the Commission, Bill Jones of John Crowe Associates provided an overview of his peer review comments on the Hanscom Housing Project. Dave Pickart and Ken Staffier addressed Mr. Jones comments and agreed to provide additional information including an updated Operations & Maintenance Plan, revised stormwater calculations with more detailed parameters, roof drain piping details, redevelopment checklist, site plan showing completed work in conformance with the 2005 Order and other stormwater system details. The Commission agreed to allow the applicant to submit some of the materials after the hearing is closed through the Order of Conditions. They understood that field testing and adjustment may be necessary and agreed that soil testing must be done prior to installation of the proposed stormwater management
features.
The Commission voted 4-0 to continue the hearing to October 7, 2009 at 7:45 pm. The Commission voted 4-0 to allow Hunt Building Company to continue demolition work pending written request.
Public Hearing – Request for Determination of Applicability – Tim Hawkey. 198 Concord Road (Map 68-Block 17-Lot 0). For the replacement of a cesspool with a Title 5 compliant septic system in the 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area.
Bill Murphy represented the applicant with a plan to replace a failed cesspool with a 4-bedroom septic system within the outer 100-foot Buffer Zone Resource Area with the closest point of disturbance being 76 feet from the Wetland Resource Area. The system does not increase the number of bedrooms. There are no alternative locations on the property. The proposed system will not require the removal of any trees, but will require some grading.
The Commission was unanimous on issuing a negative Determination of Applicability.
Public Hearing – Notice of Intent – Ilana & Sam Newell. 75 Todd Pond Road (Map 104-Block 13-Lot 0). For a house addition, terraces, landscaping and structures associated with a pond in the Buffer Zone Resource Area.
Oxbow Associates and Henderson Striker represented the applicant with a plan to build a 240 square foot addition on frost walls off the west side of the house. The proposed addition will be located approximately 25 feet from an existing, man-made pond which, over time, has become a Wetland Resource Area. The addition will be located on disturbed soils which currently direct drainage toward the house. Alternative locations for the addition are not possible due to the applicants’ requirements for interior room layout. Several proposed mitigation projects will increase the health of the wetland system including: a site plan that minimizes disturbance during construction, a landscape plan that replaces approximately 1,116 square feet of lawn with native vegetation, non-native invasive plant control, two rain gardens and a subsurface
infiltration system that maximize groundwater recharge and eliminate existing pipes which currently discharge directly into the pond. In addition, the applicant proposed to construct two terraces and a walkway which will infiltrate stormwater through wide spaces and stone bedding material. The applicant also requested permission to replace an existing sandbox with an on-grade, screened gazebo within the Buffer Zone Resource Area and to replace existing duckboards and a bridge associated with the pond. In 2005, the Newell’s were granted permission from the Commission to harvest accumulated sediments and noxious weeds from the pond. They found a more sensitive approach to remove accumulated organic sediments from the pond and request permission to try this ‘vacuum technique’ this fall or spring as additional mitigation for the construction activities.
The Commission held a site visit to the property on Wednesday, September 16th. At the public hearing Commissioners noted the proximity of the proposed addition to the Wetland Resource Area. They noted the disturbed conditions of the construction area. They appreciated the commitment that the Newell’s have made to keep their property in a naturalized, chemical-free manner and felt that the proposed mitigation measures were sufficient to enhance the long-term viability of the pond edge and surrounding habitat.
The Commission voted 4-0 to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions.
ACTION ITEMS
Bills and payroll signed.
Minutes Approved 9/26/09
Respectfully submitted: Angela Kearney, Conservation Planner
| 
