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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-05 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, March 5, 2013 7:30 P.M. Legion Room, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Phil Hamilton opened the meeting at 7:36 pm in the Legion Room of Cary Hall. Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy, Jane Warren, Duke Bitsko, David Langseth (arrived 7:42 pm), and Dick Wolk (arrived 8:15 pm) Others present: Emily Schadler, Conservation Stewardship Coordinator; Members of the Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors’ Group 7:36 pm Informal Meeting: Parker Meadow Conservation Area Accessible Trail Lexington Conservation Stewards/Meg Landers Keith Ohmart, Lexington Conservation Steward Director, explained that Meg Landers, a Lexington resident, had approached the Stewards about installing an accessible trail at Parker Meadow. He updated the Commission on the discussion. He explained that the Stewards and Meg Landers would like to apply to the Community Preservation Committee for planning funds in 2013 and then for implementation funds after the planning has been completed. Meg Landers explained that Parker Meadow is ideal for wheelchair accessibility due to its location close to the town center and the bikeway as well as the variety of habitats that can be visited. Mr. Kennedy pointed out that the safe off-road parking next to the bikeway at Parker Meadow is also an asset for accessibility. Ms. Miller asked who would be submitting the CPC application. Mr. Kennedy commented that it may be a joint application from the Stewards and the Council on Disabilities. Ms. Miller also inquired if the plan would be applicable to other conservation land as well. Mr. Langseth encouraged the Stewards to look at the trail at Lincoln Park where erosion issues have degraded the accessibility. Mr. Bitsko commented that extensive work will likely be required at significant cost. David Kaufman, Lexington Conservation Steward Director, stated that the picnic area and Brent Road entrance at Willard’s Woods could be made accessible. 7:55 pm Informal Meeting: Beehive Installation at Idylwilde Community Garden Eugene Ivanov Mr. Ivanov summarized the information that he had collected since the last meeting with the Commission regarding his proposal to place beehives at the Idylwilde Community Garden. He summarized his conversation with the Idylwilde garden coordinator, Don Kozak, as well as the Denver Community Gardens, where a similar program is underway. His proposal included: fencing off the hives and installing signage at his expense, placing the hives at least 100 feet away from the garden plots and nearby private property, communicating with other gardeners about the hives, and instituting the program on a trial basis for 1 year. He proposed to keep the hives in place over the winter. Mr. Langseth asked what time of year the hives would need to be placed. Mr. Bitsko asked about the type of fence to be installed. The Commission requested that input be gathered from the gardeners prior to the Commission voting on the proposal. Ms. Miller expressed concern that the bees be placed far enough away from the path that children don’t find it easily. Mr. Kaufman asked how this might impact the native population of bees. Jay Sklar, Lexington Conservation Steward Director, asked about town- wide regulations on beehives. 8:12 pm Informal Meeting: Lexington Conservation Stewards Quarterly Land Management Check-In – Lexington Conservation Steward Directors Project and Accomplishment Updates: Ms. Schadler summarized the recent updates to the conservation projects list and briefed the Commission on upcoming projects in the next 6 months. Whipple Hill Trail Improvements: Mr. Ohmart summarized the Whipple Hill trail improvement project that has been funded by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Recreational Trails Program. The deadline for the grant is December 2014. The improvements have been grouped into 5 categories: new boardwalk on existing trail; new bridge over stream; new boardwalk replacing an existing structure; new boardwalk on a relocated trail; and relocation of trail, in places where the trail needs to be moved upslope from wet areas. Mr. Bitsko asked if certification of the vernal pools will be part of the application. Wood Duck Nest Boxes: Don Grant, Lexington Conservation Steward, requested approval to install a wood duck nest box downstream of Cotton Farm’s pond. Mr. Kennedy commented that he had seen wood ducks at that site in the past. Others presented noted that wood ducks had also been seen at the North Street ponds and on the pond at Willard’s Woods next to the parking lot on North Street. Mr. Langseth asked about how they are mounted. Motion made and seconded to allow the Stewards to place a wood duck nest box at Cotton Farm, 7-0 in favor. Map Book and Open Space Map: Ms. Schadler explained that the map book is nearly finished. Thanks to Bonnie Newman, quotes have been obtained for printing at around $10 per book with 100% recycled paper and durable covers. A draft will be circulated to the Commission when it is ready in the next few weeks. She also updated the Commission on the new Open & Recreation Space map that the Conservation and Planning Divisions have been working on, which will be finalized in the next few weeks. Wright Farm: Ms. Schadler explained that the management plan for Wright Farm will not be completed for at least a year and asked the Commission if there are measures that need to be taken temporarily at Wright Farm prior to the plan’s completion, such as simple signage and an agricultural lease. Mr. Hamilton commented that a regular conservation land sign should be placed on the property. Mr. Wolk commented that the boundaries should be surveyed and marked. The Commission discussed the idea of a temporary agricultural lease. 8:56 pm Informal Meeting: Placement of Tick Cards on Conservation Kiosks Ms. Schadler proposed that tick education cards, supplied by the Health Division, be placed on kiosks at entries to conservation land, per a recommendation of a regional tick task force. Motion made and seconded to allow for the placement of tick cards on conservation land kiosks, 7-0 in favor. Mr. Wolk inquired about maintenance of meadows and the need to improve meadows that have degraded over time, including Hennessey Field. Mr. Kaufman commented that the mowing regime at Willard’s Woods has changed over time. Ms. Schadler reported that a neighbor has noticed frequent after-hours use of the Turning Mill Road parking area and trails for mountain biking. 9:12 Motion made and second to adjourn the meeting, 7-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Emily Schadler Conservation Stewardship Coordinator