The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2010-02-23 CONCOM-min MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION February 23, 2010 Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Stew Kennedy, Charles Wyman, Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk, Duke Bitsko, David Langseth Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator; Louise Vinci, Conservation Clerk Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:30 pm in Cary Hall, Cary Auditorium Building. 7:30 pm Informal Discussion: Dogs on Conservation Land, Joyce Miller opened the discussion by identifying for the audience that this was a discussion of the conservation commission regarding issues related to dogs on conservation land, not a formal hearing and that the commission would not be opening the discussion to comments from the audience at this time. Ms. Miller than went over various State and Bylaw regulations concerning the responsibilities of the conservation commission, the rights, responsibilities of people with dogs on and off conservation land and an overview of how the commission has addressed dog related issues in the past. Ms. Miller continued by outlining the issues which included: Parking The distribution and selling of materials on conservation land The failure of dog owners to properly dispose of dog waste The degrading of the pond at Willard’s Woods Damage to habitat The intimidation dogs off leash can pose Ms. Miller next went over a list of possible solutions discussed by the commission at the January 26, 2010 meeting which included: Install small parking lot off of Brent Road Add more signage Maintain North Street parking lot for all season use Reduce parking through reduced dog walking Refer parking issue to Selectmen Increase enforcement Require dogs to be leashed for 1 year, with review after 1 year Limit # of dogs to 2/person Restore impacted areas (brook, pond, etc.) Encourage Town to install real dog parks elsewhere Limit dogs by zone or by time (either off leash dogs or dogs in general) Institute a permit system (look into Crane Beach) Provide more dog waste disposal bins and bags Limit dogs to trails only Ban dogs for 1 year, with review after 1 year Page 1 of 4 MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING February 23, 2010 Increase public education efforts Change leash law to address voice command issue (Town Meeting) Comments from the commission follow: David Langseth felt that new regulations would not help until enforcement issues were addressed. Stew Kennedy agreed that enforcement was the key and liked the idea of a permit system to raise funds for better enforcement. Charlie Wyman would like to explore zoning by time and space, and examine the Town of Brookline’s “Green Dog Program” before going to banning dogs off leash. Phil Hamilton felt the land was being overused and was in favor of a short timeline to find solutions. Dick Wolk is in favor of a permitting system and exploring the possibility of using the money to create a dog park. David Langseth was in favor of the use of permits based on the “Green Dog Program” and would like to see the fees from permits go towards enforcement and land restoration. Mr. Langseth also felt recommendations may include closing off large sections of land. Stew Kennedy would like to see time limitation on when dogs can be off leash. Duke Bitsko was concerned that if dogs were allowed to remain off leash dog waste issues could not be resolved. Stew Kennedy suggest that large fines would encourage dog owners to pickup their dog’s waste. Charlie Wyman suggested appointing two commissioners to explore issues and solutions st and make recommendations to the commission by May 1. Phil Hamilton was concerned about the further deterioration of conservation land during the research process and will request the commission vote for a 1 year leash law if permitting st system or other solution is not ready by May 1. Motion made to appoint subcommittee of two to three commissioners to study land management issues at Willard’s Woods and other conservation properties, 7- 0 in favor. 8:25 pm Meeting: 400 & 500 Patriot Way, DET# 10-02 Present for the applicant: John Hart, Engineer John Hart presented a plan to replace approximately 275 feet of side walk and install six street lights. Comments from the commission follow: David Langseth was concerned at the amount of foot candles the street light will shed. Mr. Langseth would like a condition that the two existing light poles be removed after the installation of the new light poles. Duke Bitsko suggested pervious pavement. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 7-0 in favor. Page 2 of 4 MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING February 23, 2010 8:45 pm Hearing: 504 Lowell Street, DEP# 201-784, BL 744; Map 61, Lot 57C Present for the applicant: Rich Kirby, LEC Environmental David Burns, DEBCo Properties Richard Kirby presented a plan to raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling. Joyce Miller read town engineering report into record. Comments from the commission follow: Charley Wyman was concerned about the amount of disturbance that would occur close to what appears to be vernal pools and asked if Mr. Burns would consider placing a conservation restriction over the areas of the property proposed to remain undisturbed. Mr. Burns responded the he would consider it. Stew Kennedy questioned if more than fifty percent of the vegetated area within the buffer zone would be disturbed. Mr. Kirby replied that the disturbance area would be within existing lawn area. Stew Kennedy asked how many trees would be removed. Mr. Kirby replied that nine tree would be removed. David Langseth was concerned that grading alterations would send runoff on to the abutting property. Mr. Langseth requested a site plan including the entire site with proposed lot divisions be submitted. Stew Kennedy would like the twenty-five foot buffer to be vegetated, a planting plan to be submitted and bounds placed to demarcate the buffer line. Comments from the audience follow: Laura Cecere of 505 Lowell Street was concerned about the projects impact on the wetlands and future encroachment on the wetlands. Motion made and seconded to continue hearing to March 9, 2010 at the applicants request, 7-0 in favor. 9:22 pm Cont. Hearing: 91 & 93 Hancock Street, DEP# 201-780, BL 740; Map 71, Lots 306 & 307 Motion made and seconded to continue hearing to March 9 2010, at the applicants request, 7-0 in favor. 9:23 pm Hearing: 17 Peacock Farm Road, 201-783, BL 743; Map 7, Lot 89 Present for the applicant: Mary Trudeau, Wetland Consultant Mary Trudeau presented revised plans for an addition to a single-family dwelling. Comments from the commission follow: David Langseth asked which areas of the house would go flow into the infiltrator system. Mary Trudeau answered that the runoff from both of the additions would go into the infiltrator. Motion made and seconded to close hearing, 7-0 in favor. Page 3 of 4 MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING February 23, 2010 9:30 pm Issue Order of Conditions: 3 Brent Road, DEP# 201-781, BL 741; Map 70, Lot 42 Motion made and seconded to issue Order of Conditions, 3-1 in favor (Stew Kennedy opposed) Issue Order of Conditions: 3 Solomon Pierce Road, DEP# 201-782, BL 742; Map 38, Lot 128 Motion made and seconded to issue Order of Conditions, 3-1 in favor (Duke Bitsko opposed) Approve Minutes: January 19, 2010, Motion made and seconded to approve minutes, 7-0 in favor. Appointment of Land Management Subcommittee Members, The Commission discussed the make-up of the Land Management Subcommittee. Joyce Miller appointed Charlie Wyman as Chairman and Joyce Miller and Duke Bitsko as additional members, with Emily Schadler providing staff support. 9:45 pm Commission voted by roll call vote to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition and announced that it would not be returning to open session. Respectfully submitted by, Louise Vinci Conservation Clerk Page 4 of 4