Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-10 CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Tuesday, June 10, 2014 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Chair, Phil Hamilton, David Langseth, Stew Kennedy Commissioners absent: Dick Wolk, Jane Warren, and Duke Bitsko Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator; Jordan McCarron and Emily Schadler, Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinators; members of the Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors. Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:01 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Turning Mill Road Parking Area 7:02 pm Bob Creech Mr. Creech presented a timeline and his concerns about increased usage of the parking area at Turning Mill Road, leading into Paint Mine Conservation Area and Burlington’s Landlocked Forest. The Commission discussed having a subcommittee convene to address the problem. Ms. Miller took comments from the audience: Anya Scopio of 3 Royal Circle commented that she finds the mountain biking disruptive to walking. David Kaufman, Steward Director, commented that closing the parking lot would encourage people to park on side streets. Adam Glick, President of the New England Mountain Bike Association, commented that he has worked with Town staff and Mr. Creech to diffuse the situation and that the Landlocked Forest is one of the most popular mountain biking resources in the Boston area. Dunback Meadow Memorial Bench Proposal 7:20 pm Eric Michaelson Mr. Michaelson stated that he represents a group of citizens who would like to install memorial benches for Fred and Jackie Smith and would like to discuss the options and process with the Commission. He described the proposed location of the benches near the Allen Street entrance to Dunback Meadow overlooking a meadow with opportunities for bird watching. The funders of the benches would also contribute annual mowing and maintenance. The Commission discussed whether wetland permitting would be required and what equipment would be used for maintenance. The Commission requested more information about what equipment would be used for maintenance. The Commission agreed to make a site visit to the proposed location. Land Management Principles and Policies: Draft Presentation and 7:30 pm Discussion Massachusetts Audubon Society Ecological Extension Staff Jeff Collins, Director of Ecological Management at Massachusetts Audubon Society, introduced the work that his staff has undertaken for the Commission towards drafting a Principles and Policies document for conservation land management in Lexington. He asked for feedback on the proposed outline and solicited input about common uses of each property. The Commission, Staff, and Stewards discussed the outline with Mr. Collins. Discussion topics included: whether the document will reflect current or optimal practices and level of effort; how to prioritize activities within the document; adaptive management; and emphasizing the positive. Quarterly Joint Meeting with the Lexington Conservation Stewards 8:15 pm Members of the Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors Update on projects: Bonnie Newman, Steward Director, updated the Commission on recent and upcoming stewardship projects, including trail improvements at Whipple Hill, the upcoming Dunback Meadow bridge replacement, and the cleanup of the old Idylwilde community garden site. Goal-setting and budget discussion: Ms. Schadler Ms. Schadler led the Commission and Stewards through a discussion of possible requests for the FY16 budget and their relevance to the goal of increasing the level of care of conservation land. Staff will report back with a refined list based on this discussion. Community Gardens Update 8:25 pm Jordan McCarron Mr. McCarron reported that the community gardens are filled to capacity for the year. He also commented that there has been some question about materials in the gardens and their clean-up as well as shared resources, specifically compost. He offered to draft policy amendments to address these issues and bring them back to the Commission. The Commission discussed moving the Dunback Meadow garden to a more opportune location. The Commission requested that staff evaluate alternative locations. Land Use Permitting Policies 8:35 pm Emily Schadler and Jordan McCarron Ms. Schadler described the process that staff will take to draft policies for issuing land use permits on conservation land. Request to Approve Lexington Nature Trust Fund Expenditure for Trail 8:40 pm Guide Reprint Emily Schadler Ms. Schadler requested that the Commission approve an expenditure of $4250 from the Lexington Nature Trust for the purchase of 500 new Lexington Trail Guides, which will continue to be offered for a $10 donation to the Lexington Nature Trust. Motion made and seconded to approve requested trust fund expenditure, 4-0 in favor. 8:46 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn, 4-0 in favor. Respectfully submitted, Emily Schadler Conservation Stewardship Program Coordinator