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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-08 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, October 8, 2013 7:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:30pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, Stew Kennedy (arrived at 7:34 pm), Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk (arrive at 7:37 pm), and Jane Warren Commissioners Absent: David Langseth Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Tassi, Community Development Department Assistant 7:30 pm Meeting – RDA, 33 Bernard Street DET# 13-17 Tree removal within the 100-foot Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetland Documentation: RDA Application 9/16/13 Present for the Applicant: Sunil Mathew, Homeowner and David Sperduto, Wetland Specialist Mr. Mathew proposed the removal of five pine trees due to poor health and two willow trees. Mr. Sperduto presented revised information to outline the extent of existing vegetation. Comments from the Commission as follows: Ms. Miller asked if a plan was provided for the proposal. Mr. Sperduto replied that the GIS map was submitted. Mr. Hamilton reported that he, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Wolk visited the site for review and commented that the willow trees are located within the wetlands. Ms. Mullins stated that the recently presented information goes beyond the proposal and the applicant would have been required to file a Notice of Intent if this was known before the meeting. Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions including requiring the lawn in the wetland to revert back to natural vegetation; cease mowing and only five pine trees can be removed, grub/remove stump and plant lawn, 6-0 in favor. 7:46 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 675 Lowell Street, Butterfield Pond DEP# 201-908, BL 868 Improvements to the upstream and downstream slopes along the length of the dam Documentation: NOI Application and Drawing Plans 9/3/13 and Additional Plan 9/5/13, Memorandum and Drawing Plans 10/3/13, and Wetlands Replication Information 10/8/13 Present for the Applicant: Chris Palmer, Weston & Sampson Mr. Palmer presented the updated wetlands replication information and responded to the comments from the Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Palmer stated that a 401 certificate was filed for water quality certification. He outlined the wildlife habitat analysis and commented that the WPA regulations do not require one in this situation. Mr. Palmer suggested that the Commission could condition the order to provide information submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection. Comments from the Commission as follows: Mr. Bitsko commended the thorough response from Mr. Palmer. He requested additional shrubs versus diversity versus just two. Mr. Palmer replied that he would be open to it and it could be added to the conditions. Ms. Warren asked if there could be a longer monitoring duration beyond the proposed two years. Mr. Palmer stated that it could be conditioned and he had no opposition to it. Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 6-0 in favor. 7:55 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 48 Valley Road DEP# 201-907, BL 867 Construction of an addition and site work within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to October 22, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. 7:56 pm Cont. Hearing – NOI, 53 Eldred Street DEP# 201-911, BL 871 Construction of a 12’ x 16’ shed within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering Vegetated Wetland Documentation: NOI Application 8/7/13 Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to October 22, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the request of the applicant, 6-0 in favor. PENDING MATTERS 7:57 pm Plan modification for a sump pump connection to the infiltration system: 63 Ledgelawn, DEP# 201-862, BL 820 Fred Russell, the engineer, was present for the applicant. Mr. Wolk inquired where the estimated seasonal high ground water is in relation to the basement floor elevation. The basement floor elevation has not changed from the original approval. Ms. Mullins informed the engineer that the Commission is only approving the sump pump connection and not the details to accommodate the patio in the drainage system. Motion made and seconded to approve the sump pump connection as detailed, 6-0 in favor. 8:02 pm Plan change to modify the limit of work line and tree removal based on the site visit with the Commission: 183 Waltham Street, DEP# 201-897, BL 856 Ms. Mullins explained the proposed change. Motion made and seconded to approve the limit of work line and tree removal per the revised plans, 6-0 in favor. 8:04 pm Discussion and Approval of Solarize MA Challenge Program, Lexington, MA The Commission wants to have further discussion with the project proponents. There is concern that this could have adverse effects on trees because they are being removed to increase sun for the panels. The Administrator will report the concern to Fran Ludwig and invite Fran to come to the next Conservation Commission meeting. 8:09 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 7 Middleby Road, DEP# 201-906, BL 866, 4-2 in favor. Ms. Miller and Mr. Wolk voted against the project as proposed. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 82 Pleasant Street, DEP# 201-909, BL 869, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions: 486 Lowell Street, DEP# 201-910, BL 870, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to issue an Amended Order of Conditions: 61 Solomon Pierce Road, DEP# 201-888, BL 847, 6-0 in favor. 8:19 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land Acquisition, etc. Mr. Kennedy reported that the new lawn mower will be stored in the Cotton Farm shed. The gasoline will be drained over the winter and a pan will be installed under the mower when it is stored in the shed. Mr. Kennedy proposed discussion for a parking lot at Wright Farm. Ms. Miller is concerned with the curb-cut, clearing, and grading. Mr. Wolk asked if they could remove the link of fence. Mr. Bitsko suggested posting on the website for trail preparation and parking improvements at Wright Farm. Mr. Wolk commented that he would like the engineer to present the engineering calculations instead of the wetland specialist. 8:32 pm The Commission scheduled the site visits for 990 Waltham Street on Saturday, October 19, 2013 at 9:00 am. 8:34 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the meeting on August 21, 2013 with changes from the Administrator, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the meeting on September 10, 2013 with changes from the Administrator, 6-0 in favor. Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from the meeting on September 24, 2013 with changes from the Administrator, 6-0 in favor. 9:15 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 6-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Michelle Tassi Community Development Department Assistant