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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-11 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, June 11, 2013 7:30 P.M. Estabrook Hall, Cary Hall 1605 Massachusetts Avenue Joyce Miller, chair, opened the meeting at 7:42 pm in Estabrook Hall in Cary Hall. Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Jane Warren, Duke Bitsko, Stew Kennedy, Dick Wolk (arrived 8:12 pm) Others present: Members of the Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors: Mike Tabaczynski, Bob Hausslein, and Tom Whelan; Emily Schadler, Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinator Commissioners absent: Phil Hamilton, David Langseth 7:42 pm Informal: Chiesa Farm Bluebird House Eagle Scout Project Proposal – Daniel Sagan Documentation: Request for Permission to Install Five Bluebird Nesting Boxes at Chiesa Farm – Daniel Sagan – June 4, 2013 Daniel Sagan, Eagle Scout candidate, described his proposal to install bluebird boxes at Chiesa Farm conservation area. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Kennedy commented that bluebirds prefer short-mown grass, which isn’t present at Chiesa Farm; that David Williams suggests placing any boxes along the stone wall to reduce the challenge for mowing; and that boxes should be placed in tandem. He stated that other areas that may be more appropriate for bluebird boxes include Wright Farm and West Farm and suggested placing 2 boxes at each property. Ms. Warren commented that she had seen bluebirds at Dunback Meadow. She also asked about house sparrow use of bluebird boxes. Comments from the audience as follows: Jan Gunther asked if the back field should be targeted because the grass seems to be shorter in that field. Motion made and seconded to approve the Chiesa Farm bluebird house Eagle scout project, 4-0. 8: 00 pm Informal: Quarterly Meeting with the Lexington Conservation Stewards Updated Projects list and plan for summer interns – Emily Schadler Documentation: Lexington Conservation Stewards Conservation Projects – updated 6/4/13. Ms. Schadler updated the Commission on recent projects that the Stewards have recently made progress on. She noted that the summer conservation interns, Dan Holbrook and Tom Henneberry, will start on June 24 and continue through September or early October. Whipple Hill updates – Tom Whelan/Stew Kennedy Documentation: Whipple Hill – collected data, June 5 2013 (map) Mr. Kennedy updated the Commission on the unofficial trail at Whipple Hill heading toward Patricia Terrace that a citizen recently made a complaint about. He recently walked the trail with a GPS unit to determine its location. The Commission and Stewards discussed ways to address the trail. The Commission and Stewards agreed that Mike Tabaczynski and other Stewards would visit the site to make recommendations regarding the trail. The Commission and Stewards discussed the proposed Bridge D, located at the outlet of Locke Pond. Mr. Tabaczynski suggested that a smaller, less intrusive bridge may be suitable at that site. The Commission agreed to make a site visit before making a decision about the bridge. Cotton Farm updates – Bob Hausslein Documentation: Cotton Farm Monitoring Map – revised June 10, 2013 Mr. Hausslein updated the Commission on recent activity at Cotton Farm. He reported that the shed has been reroofed, that the interns will be painting the shed over the summer, and that a kiosk has been installed by Eagle Scout Michael Amirault. He reported that the picnic table has been moved to the west field for easier access. He has also started work on the orchard maintenance plan that was recently approved. Limbs and dead trees have been removed, volunteers from First Parish have cleared the bases of 21 trees, and wood chips have been delivered that will be spread around the tree bases. He reported that he is speaking with Mr. DeAngelis regarding the property demarcation near his house. Comments from the Commission and Stewards as follows: Ms. Warren commented that she had recently seen small apples on the trees. The Commission and Stewards discussed the mowing regime and the costs of maintenance. Mr. Bitsko suggested that a low stonewall and “no grow” grass mix may be useful at the orchard lawn. Request for proposals for land management planning documents – Tom Whelan/Emily Schadler Documentation: Request for Proposals for Professional Services to Develop Conservation Land Management Plans and Conceptual Designs Ms. Schadler updated the Commission on the Request for Proposals for Professional Services to Develop Conservation Land Management Plans and Conceptual Designs that she and a group of Stewards have drafted. Comments from the Commission as follow: Mr. Bitsko suggested that a requirement for experience in eastern Massachusetts be added. He suggested that the term “master plan” be used rather than “conceptual design”. He also suggested that priority projects and phasing with rough cost estimates for each project will help with future requests for funding. Request for approval of up to $1500 from Lexington Nature Trust Fund for Willard’s Woods bridge replacement lumber and hardware – Emily Schadler Motion made and seconded to approve the expense of up to $1500 from the Lexington Nature Trust Fund, 5-0. 9:10 pm Informal: Community Gardens Proposal – Oakes Plimpton Ms. Miller reported that this proposal has been withdrawn. The Commission briefly discussed maintenance of the Jerry Cataldo Reservation located behind Drake Village. 9:15 pm Informal: After hours usage/signage at Paint Mine – Emily Schadler Ms. Schadler asked for the Commission’s input on signage for the Paint Mine area. The Commission requested a parking sign and the standard regulations sign rather than a large sign at this time. 9:20 pm Reports Ms. Miller reported that she had spoken with a Tree Committee member and was impressed with the tree inventory work they have done. Mr. Wolk reported that the group working on goal setting for the Selectmen has prepared a draft pitch regarding increased funding for conservation area care and maintenance. 9:24 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 5-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Emily Schadler Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinator