HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-07 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
7:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:36 pm in the Parker Room of the Town
Office Building.
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, David Langseth (arrived at 7:41), Stew Kennedy,
Phil Hamilton, Dick Wolk, and Jane Warren
Commissioners Absent: Duke Bitsko
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi,
Community Development Department Assistant
7:36 pm Land Management Hearing – Cotton Farm Orchard Maintenance
Permission to expend the Lexington Nature Trust Funds
Present for the Applicant: Bob Hausslein for the Conservation Stewards
Bob Hausslein, Cotton Farm steward, requested land management
activities at Cotton Farm in accordance with recommendations from
expert, Mark Richardson. Approximately 112 apple trees are in the
orchard and about 30% of them (about 34) will be removed because of
poor health. The soil of other trees will be removed at the base, the grass
will be removed and replaced with aged woodchips, and then pruning of
the trees will occur.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Miller asked if the stewards were amending the current land
management plan to incorporate the apple orchard recommendations. Mr.
Hausslein replied yes. Mr. Hamilton asked if help would be hired or
people would volunteer. Mr. Hausslein stated that the stewards and
volunteers would participate in this project. Ms. Warren asked how long it
takes to remove the soil away from the base of the tree. Mr. Hausslein
replied that the first one took him half an hour, but it could vary from tree
to tree.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing and approve the
recommendations as part of the land management plan, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to expend up to $700 from the Lexington
Nature Trust for apple orchard activities at Cotton Farm, 6-0 in favor.
7:42 pm Cont. Meeting – RDA, 4 Sherburne Road
DET# 13-07
Construction of an addition, expansion of the footing drain system, and
installation of an overflow drain line connected to the Town drainage
system
Documentation: RDA Application 3/20/13, Drainage Calculations and
Proposed System Plan 4/22/13, Revised Drainage Calculations and
Drainage System Plan 5/2/13
Present for the Applicant: Steve Poole, Lakeview Engineering Associates
Mr. Poole stated that details were added to the plan for the drywell and
trench inspection covers for access maintenance activities.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Ms. Miller read the engineering report. Mr. Langseth commented that the
screw cap for the inspection covers is acceptable.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with
conditions, 6-0 in favor.
7:46 pm Meeting – RDA, 12 Tufts Road
DET# 13-09
Connection to the municipal drainage system
Documentation: RDA Application, Drainage Calculations, and Site Plan
4/17/13
Present for the Applicant: Bob Griffin, Griffin Engineering Group and
Thomas and Marth Sevigny, Applicants
Mr. Griffin proposed connection to the municipal drainage system. The
sump pump infiltration bed is surcharging at the surface and running out to
Tufts Road. The vent pipe was installed in the revised plan.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth read the engineering report. Mr. Kennedy inquired about
previous conditions and current conditions. Mr. Wolk commented that this
project explored water issues up front and he is okay with the proposal. He
stated that in the future, he will look closely at new houses to ensure these
issues have been explored at the beginning of the project. Ms. Mullins
asked for an explanation on the right and left infiltration systems. Mr.
Griffin replied that the right infiltration system is for the sump pump and
roof runoff, while the left infiltration system is for the foundation drain.
Tina Hoffman of 16 Tufts Road supports this proposal because she is
experiencing flooding in front of her home due to the building of the new
home on 12 Tufts Road. Ms. Hoffman had an engineer review this project
on her behalf who recommended that a catch basin be incorporated and the
size of the infiltration system should be increased. Mr. Langseth asked if
the Hoffman’s engineer reviewed the current plan with the drain
connection.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with
conditions, 6-0 in favor.
8:07 pm Hearing – NOI, 183 Waltham Street
DEP# 201-897, BL 856
Construction of an addition within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Documentation: NOI Application and Plan 4/17/13
Present for the Applicant: Scott Smyers, Oxbow Associates, Zoltan
Juhasz, Uniterra Consulting, Peter Daus Haberle, Architect and Stephen
Monks, Applicant
Peter Daus Haberle requested a postponement until Scott Smyers appears.
Motion made and seconded to delay the hearing for 183 Waltham Street
until Scott Smyers arrives, 6-0 in favor.
8:55 pm Motion made and seconded to re-open the hearing for 183 Waltham Street,
6-0 in favor.
Mr. Smyers proposed the construction of an addition. He explained the
proposed and the existing conditions on the plan. Mr. Smyers stated that
nothing is within the 25’ or 50’ Buffer Zone. The infiltration system is
partly under the driveway and backyard. Two trees are to be removed.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth read the engineering report. Mr. Langseth asked how the
wetland line was delineated because Scott Smyers was not present at the
site visit. He pointed out that the sub-base on the pervious paver detail was
misspelled and asked if 4” was wide enough for the inspection port. Mr.
Juhasz replied that usually it is 4-6” wide, but it could be changed to 6”
wide for this project. Mr. Juhasz responded to the engineering comments
by reporting that the current house does not have a sump pump.
Steve Monks of 183 Waltham Street commented that three trees are
flagged to be removed.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor.
PENDING MATTERS
8:09 pm
Approval for plan modification and tree removal planting plan for 22 Hamilton
Road, DEP# 201-866, BL 824
Fred Cialdea was present for this discussion. Mr. Cialdea described the removal
of one tree on the property, the subsurface infiltration system being slightly
shifted causing it to be under the driveway and not the front yard, and the turn
around in the driveway was removed. Ms. Warren stated that the list of plantings
was general and not specific. Mr. Langseth asked why the infiltration system was
moved. Mr. Cialdea explained that the water line came through the front yard.
Mr. Kennedy asked who approved the tree removal. Mr. Cialdea replied that the
tree warden approved the removal of the tree. Mr. Langseth stated that the
infiltration system and no driveway turn around works, but the applicant should
have come back to the Conservation Commission for approval. The Commission
and Mr. Cialdea discussed Fred Russell telling the builder it was okay to proceed
as long as it meets the building code.
Bob Heingartner and Amy Newmark of 53 Ledgelawn Avenue voiced their
concerns about the caring of the Sugar Maple tree.
Motion made and seconded to approve the plan modification and tree removal
planting plan for 22 Hamilton Road, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance: 22 Hamilton
Road, DEP# 201-866, BL 824, 6-0 in favor.
8:28 pm
Plan deviation discussion and compliance for 65 Munroe Road, DEP# 201-823,
BL 781
James Diagostino from Westchester Homes was present for this discussion. Mr.
Diagostino outlined the concern raised at the site visit regarding the slope behind
and to the left of the patio. The Commission stated that they are concerned by the
lack of detail. The applicant needs to show the clouded area on the plan and show
the detail on the plan by a registered landscape architect and submit it to Ms.
Mullins for review.
8:44 pm
Land Management Permit Application, Poor Farm, Lisbeth Bornhofft
Motion made and seconded to approve the use of Poor Farm on June 9, 2013 by
Lisbeth Bornhofft from 12:00-2:00 p.m., 6-0 in favor.
8:53pm
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 9 Vine Brook Road,
DEP# 201-890, BL 849, 5-1 in favor. Mr. Wolk voted against the project at 9
Vine Brook Road with the rationale that the new house is only 18’ from the rear
property boundary and the soils were difficult to analyze due to altered and filled
conditions. The Commission did not approve the wetland boundary under this
filing.
Motion made and seconded to
issue an Order of Conditions: 12 Luongo Farm
Lane, DEP# 201-896, BL 855, 6-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance: 145 Grove
Street, DEP# 201-754, BL 712, 6-0 in favor.
9:10 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land
Steward Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land
Management, Land Acquisition, etc.
The Commission discussed the Wright Farm licensing for this year. Mr.
Hamilton stated that he is in favor of the plan. The license is for one year while
working on the land management plan. Mr. Langseth asked how the farming will
restrict the public access. The Commission discussed the need for a newspaper
article about giving permission to garden/farm for one year in exchange for
continued maintenance. Mr. Wolk suggested that temporary signage should be
put up with Wright Farm Conservation Land in the upper meadow. Mr. Wolk
recommended that the fence rails should be removed up towards Volunteer Way
to provide public access. Mr. Kennedy asked about chemical use and if it was
allowed. Mr. Hamilton suggested letting the farmers know about the plan to open
the upper meadow which would preclude using the meadow for the horses.
The Commission scheduled site visits on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. for
Whipple Hill. The other site visits for 10 Winston Road, 5 Malt Lane, 36
Sanderson Road, and 990 Waltham Street will be on a weeknight via
results of a doodle poll.
The Commission stated that the minutes from April 23, 2013 need to be put on
st
the May 21 agenda for approval.
9:27 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Tassi
Community Development Department Assistant