HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-17 CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 6:33 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building.
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Phil Hamilton, David Langseth, Stew Kennedy, Dick Wolk
and Jane Warren
Commissioners Absent: Duke Bitsko and Dick Wolk
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Michelle Morelli, Community
Development Department Assistant
PENDING MATTERS
6:34 pm Discussion regarding access easement and Order of Conditions for 6 Scott Road,
DEP# 201-60
Ms. Mullins gave an overview of the site and commented on an access easement
in the future. Mr. Kennedy gave an update of the site visit that he made. Mr.
Langseth asked if the access trail would affect other property owners or only 6
Scott Road.
Motion made and seconded to accept the affidavit from the homeowners at 6
Scott Road stating that the homeowners of 6 Scott Road are aware of the
existence of a 20’ wide access easement running along the northeasterly
boundary of the property and the Town of Lexington has the continuing right to
improve the easement area and provide access by the public to the conservation
land at the rear of the property at any time in the future, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 6 Scott Road,
DEP# 201-60, 5-0 in favor.
6:43 pm Land Use Permit Application: Bowman Adventure Run, Jennifer Fujii
Mr. Kennedy asked if the run occurred on the trail near Bacon Street and if so,
the applicants may need to get approval from the property owners as it is a
private road.
Motion made and seconded to approve the land use permit application for the
Bowman Adventure run on October, 26, 2014 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm, 5-0 in
favor.
6:46 pm Update on non-compliance and extension of Order of Conditions: 9 Tufts Road,
DEP# 201-835, BL 793
Ms. Mullins met with the applicants on multiple occasions in order to discuss
compliance on this site. Rasko and Miljana Bovan were present for this
discussion. Rasko gave a description of the site and explained that during
construction they encountered ledge, causing them to move the chamber.
Rasko stated crushed rock was placed around the trench drain. Mr. Langseth
commented on the driveway trench drain needing a sediment pot and the French
drain be wrapped in fabric. Mr. Langseth stated that if it is left as is then it will
need to be brought up to the standards it should have been built to. Mr. Kennedy
asked about the technique used to provide the seasonal high water table data.
Ms. Mullins stated a test pit is usually required. The Commission discussed the
particular technique used to establish the seasonal high groundwater. Mr.
Langseth would like to see the chamber reconstructed in its existing location.
Ms. Mullins commented on the original plan containing 6 chambers and the new
plan only containing 3 chambers. The Commission spoke about the size of the
chambers, groundwater, and trench drain in front being different than the original
plan. Rasko stated the calculations in the submittal back up usage of a smaller
number of chambers. Mr. Langseth would like a summary document submitted
showing all of the changes between the original plan versus what was actually
constructed and provide a summary justification for each change. The applicant
will come back to the Commission at a future date.
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7:16 pm Reschedule July 1 meeting due to quorum issue
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The Commission discussed having a quorum for the July 1 meeting and will
continue to hold the meeting on that specific date.
7:17 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 79 Maple Street,
DEP# 201-921, BL 881, 4-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 65 Munroe
Road, DEP# 201-823, BL 781, 5-0 in favor.
The Commission signed the Amendment to the Order of Conditions for 80
Bloomfield Street, DEP# 201-881, BL 839.
The Commission signed the Amendment to the Order of Conditions for 63
Ledgelawn Avenue, DEP# 201-862, BL 820.
Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from May 20, 2014, 5-0 in
favor.
7:18 pm Motion made and seconded to approve the minutes from June 3, 2014, 5-0 in
favor.
7:19 pm Meeting – 22 Rangeway, RDA
DET# 14-08
Applicant: Nancy Chiu and Eric Wilker
Construction of a second floor addition atop an existing house foundation within
the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the Applicant: Steve Meyer, Architect and Mary Trudeau, Wetland
Specialist
Ms. Trudeau gave a description of the site and proposed work. She stated
Simonds Brook as an intermittent stream and the project proposal having no soil
disturbance.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission will not be establishing the wetland line at this time. Mr.
Langseth asked if the location of the shed will change. Ms. Trudeau replied that
this is phase one of project proposals at this site. The shed location and other
issues will be addressed under phase two.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 5-0
in favor.
7:25 pm Meeting – 433-476 Bedford Street, RDA
DET# 14-09
Applicant: Town of Bedford Department of Public Works
Improvements to the existing sewer force main within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
to Bordering Vegetated Wetland and 200-foot Riverfront Area
Present for the Applicant: Adrienne St. John and Kristin Dowdy, Town of
Bedford Public Works
Ms. St. John explained the break of the sewer pipe last January due to external
corrosion caused by high groundwater in the area as well as sand and salt
activities. She explained the force main will be taken out of service in order to
install the pipe. Ms. Dowdy explained the resource areas and two access pits to
access the pipe. Compost filter tubing and catch basin silt sacks will be installed.
Dewatering is proposed in the front grass area. Excavated soil will be trucked off
site with staging areas off site outside of the buffer zone.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission discussed the pipe break and the process of installing the new
pipe. Ms. St. John stated the force main gets emptied then cleaned of deposits
and the liner is pushed inside. Mr. Langseth asked if any lubricants would be
used to push the liner through. Ms. Mullins commented that the MWRA
conducted the same process along the bike path.
Motion made and seconded to issue a negative determination with conditions, 5-0
in favor.
7:35 pm Hearing – Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, NOI
DEP# 201-943, BL 901
Applicant: Town of Lexington Department of Public Works
Culvert replacement project within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering
Vegetated Wetland and Bank
Present for the applicant: Sue Harrington, GCG Associates and Dave Cannon,
Town of Lexington Engineering
Ms. Harrington described the proposed work to replace the existing culvert in-
kind to maintain the existing water pattern. The bottom foot and a half will be
filled with a natural stream bed.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Kennedy asked how additional culverts that need to be replaced are
identified. Mr. Cannon replied that the Town of Lexington has a stream program
and a visual inspection is conducted. Ms. Mullins stated three water management
studies were done by the town. Mr. Langseth asked how the size of the culvert
was determined. Ms. Harrington replied that the opening of the culvert is visible
as well as the sides. Currently there is no bottom to the existing culvert, so
judgment in the field was used to determine a bottom elevation. Mr. Kennedy
asked if tree removal would occur. Ms. Harrington replied that one tree would
need to be removed. Ms. Mullins described issues with the erosion controls on
the previous project. Mr. Langseth commented that the conditions state erosion
control modifications may be needed.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for the Minuteman
Commuter Bikeway, DEP# 201-943, BL 901, 5-0 in favor.
7:47 pm Hearing – Route 2 to Exit 42, NOI
DEP# 201-942
Applicant: MassDOT – Highway Division
Installation of fiber optics within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the Applicant: Tom Daley, Gannet Fleming and a MassDOT
representative from District 4
Mr. Daley presented the proposal for installation of fiber optic cables and
cameras underground running from Route 2 to Exit 42 in Wakefield. Additional
trenching and electrical service will be included. Three or four inch conduits will
be buried underneath the ground and backfilled. Mr. Daley explained the
locations of two cameras; one camera will be to the north of the Massachusetts
Avenue bridge on the northbound side of Rt. 128 in which the electrical service
will run underneath highway and trenched up the southbound side of Rt. 128.
The second camera will be installed north of Grove Street on the southbound side
of Rt. 128 with the conduit trenched out onto the paved shoulder.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Langseth asked about construction sequencing in the proposal and
documents differing. Mr. Kennedy asked for a clarification on the delineation of
wetlands in Lexington. Mr. Daley responded to say that documents were
submitted to support the idea that it is not a wetland. Ms. Mullins commented
that the Commission prefers a silt sock with compost. Mr. Daley replied that the
specification adheres to the silt sock with compost.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for Route 2 to Exit
42, DEP# 201-942, 5-0 in favor.
8:00 pm Hearing – 0 Sherburne Road, ANRAD
DEP# 201-916, BL 876
Applicant: Sheldon Corporation
Wetland line delineation
Present for the applicant: Scott Smyers, Oxbow Associates and Todd Cataldo,
Applicant
Mr. Smyers submitted a revised plan for the wetland line delineation. He
presented the previous delineation versus the revised delineation. An overview
was given on the data sheets with soil characteristics and vegetation.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission discussed the need for submittal of a plan showing the previous
wetland flags and the revised wetland flags. The Commission discussed other
wetlands on the property, but only voting on approving the one shown on the
plan.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve the abbreviated notice of resource area
delineation, 5-0 in favor.
8:13 pm Cont. Hearing – 85 Reed Street, NOI
DEP# 201-925, BL 885
Applicant: Brian Powderly
Raze and rebuild a single-family dwelling within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the applicant: Brian Powderly, Powderly and Sons
Mr. Powderly presented the revised construction and planting plan.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission discussed the incorrect label shown for existing conditions with
a discrepancy of 20’ needing to be labeled 25’.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 85 Reed Street,
DEP# 201-925, BL 885, 5-0 in favor.
8:20 pm Cont. Hearing – 17 Bryant Road, NOI
DEP# 201-937, BL 896
Applicant: Kenneth Ansin
Landscaping within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the applicant: Mark Piermarini, Whitman & Bingham Associates,
Tom Christopher, Christopher Environmental Associates and Kenneth Ansin,
Applicant
Mr. Piermarini presented the revised plan. The location of play structures and all
work has been moved outside of the 50’ buffer zone.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
The Commission commented on the data sheets stating wetland vegetation was
shown on site. The bylaw states that the wetland line is determined by soil or
vegetation, whichever produces the largest wetland area. Mr. Christopher
explained the previous wetland line delineated by LEC Environmental
Consultants. He reviewed the wetland line with wetland vegetation and dug soil
pits along the old line. Mr. Christopher stated no observation of wetland soils,
only sandy loam. Mr. Kennedy asked where the wetland vegetation stops on the
lot. Mr. Langseth asked for clarification on Mr. Christopher’s agreement with
the LEC Environmental Consultants wetland line delineation. The orange flags
were agreed with in the current proposal, the other flags were not agreed upon.
Ms. Mullins suggested the 25’ no disturbance zone be adjusted on the plan. The
Commission discussed not approving the proposed wetland line and adjusting the
location of the no-disturb zone.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 4-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 17 Bryant Road,
DEP# 201-937, BL 896, 5-0 in favor.
8:47 pm Cont. Hearing – 756-758 Marrett Road, ANRAD
DEP# 201-941, BL 900
Applicant: Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School
Wetland line delineation
Present for the applicant: Mary Rimmer, Rimmer Environmental Consulting
Ms. Rimmer gave an overview of the existing school building and site. She
explained the wetland buffer zone. Two site visits were conducted; one with the
Commission and one with Ms. Mullins in which a few wetland flags were
adjusted. The wetland flags D14 and D15 were shifted and E6 and E7 removed.
An Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation was also filed with
Lincoln.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to approve the abbreviated notice of resource area
delineation, 5-0 in favor.
8:52 pm Cont. Hearing – 4 Lake Street, NOI
DEP# 201-940, BL 899
Applicant: Richard A. Chan, Jr.
Second story addition and porch expansion within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
Present for the applicant: Andrew Chan, Jr., Homeowner/Applicant
Mr. Chan presented the revised plan including an overflow downspout detail and
routing of water from roof leaders to an infiltration system. The data sheet
samples were also submitted.
Comments from the Commission as follows:
Mr. Kennedy asked for a clarification of the 2-foot separation of the proposed
infiltration system. Mr. Langseth asked for details on the inspection port. The
Commission discussed the overflow location. Ms. Miller commented on the 25-
foot buffer zone not being shown on the plan.
Motion made and seconded to close the hearing, 5-0 in favor.
Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 4 Lake Street,
DEP# 201-940, BL 899, 5-0 in favor.
9:10 pm Cont. Hearing – 48 Valley Road, NOI
DEP# 201-907, BL 867
Applicant: Brian Drohan
Construction of an addition within the 100-foot Buffer Zone to Bordering
Vegetated Wetland
Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to an unspecified date at the
request of the applicant, 5-0 in favor.
9:15 pm Motion made and seconded to issue an Order of Conditions for 430 Concord
Avenue, DEP# 201-938, BL 897, 5-0 in favor.
9:20 pm Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Preservation Committee, Land Steward
Directors, Housing Partnership, Tree Committee, Land Management, Land
Acquisition, etc.
The Commission discussed the letter from an abutter regarding Mulberry Lane.
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9:23 pm Follow-up on June 10 discussion re: Turning Mill Road parking area
The Commission received a letter from Bob Creech regarding a solution for
parking at Turning Mill Road. Ms. Miller suggested reaching out to the Friends
of Burlington Landlocked Forest. Mr. Hamilton will meet with Ms. Mullins and
Ms. Schadler.
9:26 pm Motion made and seconded to adjourn the meeting, 5-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Tassi
Community Development Department Assistant