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