HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-02-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday, November 2, 2015
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:35 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building.
Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, Joyce Miller, and Duke Bitsko
Others Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator, Casey Hagerty, Conservation
Department Assistant
Pending Matters
6:36pm
Informal Hearing
Lexington Conservation Stewards
Whipple Hill Wayfinding System
Jordan McCarron- Conservation Steward Coordinator
Mr. McCarron explained that the Conservation Stewards want to install a way finding system at
the Whipple Hill and then other Conservation areas. HE stated the GIS system is currently out of
date and this system would help people navigate the sometimes complex trail system. The signs
would be mounted on wood and affixed to trees or posts. Throughout the trails there would be
smaller, colored signs mounted on trees.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked what the approximate cost would be. Mr. McCarron explained that he
was not sure yet,but the cost would be covered by fundraising money.
The commission discussed what type of language they would like to see on the signs but no
decision was made.
Questions and comments from the audience:
Wendy Rosenberg stated that she believes the signs should be placed high up to avoid vandalism.
Cindy asked what size the signs would be. Mr. McCarron stated that the signs placed in the
woods would only be a few inches in diameter.
Mr. Wolk made a motion to approve the project and Mrs. Dohan seconded the motion. Vote: 5-0
in favor.
6:52pm
Informational Hearing
173 Waltham Street
Mr. Kirby explained that his clients wish to do work at their home. He stated they wish to add an
addition to connect the house to the driveway, which is in the 25 ft no disturb zone. He stated
that his clients are willing to use the lawn as mitigation. Mr. Kirby asked the commission
whether they would prefer a new structure that was still in the no disturb area, but much farther
away than the existing structures.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission stated that this is a difficult situation because of how much of the home falls
into the buffer zone.
The commission stated that it is possible that leaving the current structures may be less
disruptive to the environment.
7:07pm
Request for a Certificate of Compliance
16 Solomon Pierce Road (DEP File 4 201-500, BL 458)
The commission explained that they did another site visit to the property and were concerned
with the state of the banks along the stream. In order to issue a full Certificate of Compliance the
commission stated that they need to see the following items: a proposed planting list along the
brook, stabilization of the bank, and additional ground cover.
Mrs. Miller motioned to issue a partial Certificate of Compliance and Mrs. Dohan seconded the
motion. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
New Hearings
7:19pm
RDA, Freemont Street Play Area
DET 15-28
Applicant: Greenway Corridor Committee
Owner: Town of Lexington
Project: New trail and sign installation for ACROSS Lexington Program
Bob Hausslein, Greenway Corridor Committee
Documents: RDA dated 10/13/2015
Mrs. Dohan recused herself from the hearing
Mr. Hausslein explained that the Greenway Corridor Committee is building a new ACROSS
Lexington trail through the Freemont Street Play area. Part of the trail uses a culvert to cross over
a stream. He stated that a bridge may be necessary in the future, but for now they would use the
culvert crossing.
Comments and concerns from the commission:
The commission asked about whether on going maintenance would need to be done on the trail.
Mr. Hausslein stated that some clearing would be needed in the future.
The commission requested that the stewards use battery operated tools in this sensitive area.
Motion to issue a negative determination made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote:
4-0 in favor.
7:25pm
DEP File No. 201-1003, BL 963
NOI, 255 Worthen Road East
Applicant/owner: Sangmi Chung
Project: Construction of a deck within the 100 foot Buffer Zone of a bank and the 200 foot
Riverfront Area associated with Clematis Brook.
William Hal, Stamski and McNary
Documents: NOI Package dated 10/13/2015, Plan 10/13/2015, Engineering report 11/2/2015
Mr. Haul explained that his clients wish to build a 12x24 foot deck off the corner of their house.
A patio would go underneath the deck. The patio would be made of pervious material and
siltation barriers would be in place. There will be no activity in the flood plain area.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission requested that the detail of the patio material be added to the plans to ensure
that it is pervious.
The commission asked about the current play structure. Mr. Haul said it would be removed with
the construction of the deck.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
7:36pm
Mrs. Miller excused herself from the meeting to attend a Special Town Meeting.
7:36pm
DEP File No. 201-940, BL 899
Amendment to Order of Conditions
4 Lake Street
Owner/Applicant: Richard Chan
Project: request for modifications to an already approved plan including adding uncovered stairs
to the porch on the east and west sides and a bay window with no foundation on the south side of
the house.
Documents: Infiltration design 10/13/2015, Invasive species table, As-built plan dated 9/4/2015
with revised design features, Abutters letter, Engineering report 11/2/2015
Richard Chan- owner
Mr. Chan explained that he wishes to add stairs to the allow access to the porch. He also stated
that his proposed plan would involve adding a bay window. In order to mitigate for the increase
in impervious area, Mr. Chan said that he would expand the infiltration recharge system to
compensate for the increase in roof capture area as well as do invasive species removal.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission explained that they went on a site visit and the area of invasive species removal
is very clear.
The commission stated that there should be no deck or porch built off the house where there are
currently sliding glass doors.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Continued Hearings
7:43pm
DEP File No.201-996, BL 953
NOI, 16 Summer Street
Applicant/owner: Gabler Realty Trust
Project: Proposed completion of landscape work, construction of a shed, extension a driveway
within the 100-foot Buffer Zone of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands and Bank, and conduct
restoration activities
Mike Novak- Meridian Associates
Documents: Drainage plans 10/29/2015, Site Plan 10/28/2015, Abutter's letter
Mr. Novak explained to the Commission the work that he is proposing on behalf of his client. He
stated that his client is willing to demarcate the area between lawn and restoration area and
confirmed that only invasive stumps will be removed in that area. He stated that he added
additional grading to the area so that the driveway pitches towards the stone trench. Mr. Novak
explained that the soil tests revealed type D soils.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission questioned whether boulders or a fence would be better for demarcating the
wetland restoration area from the lawn.
The commission clarified the questions they had regarding the drainage plan.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 4-0 in
favor.
7:53pm
DEP File No. 201-1002, BL 959
NOI, 139 Grove Street
Applicant: Douglas Orr
Project: Raze and rebuild Single Family home
Fred Russell-Professional Engineer and Doug Orr- Owner/builder
Documents: Updated plan 10/28/2015
Mr. Russell explained that the stonewall was changed to a terrace style wall that is a maximum
of 4ft tall. He also explained that the swale is meant to direct the water onto Grove Street and
that the infiltration trench is meant just to absorb the stormwater from the driveway. Mr. Russell
said that his client is willing to move the limit of work line to ten feet behind the existing house
and five feet behind the shed just to take down the existing structures.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:05pm
NOI, 151 Grove Street
Applicant/Owner: Marcel P.J. Gaudreau
Project: Demolish and reconstruct a new single-family dwelling within the 100-foot Buffer Zone
to Bordering Vegetated Wetlands
Motion to continue the hearing to November 17, 2015 at the applicant's request made by Mr.
Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:10pm
DEP File NO. 201-903, BL863
Amendment to Order of Conditions, 44 Hartwell Ave
Applicant/owner: Alexandria Realty Trust
Project: New entrance including ramp and stairs
David Kelly- Kelly Engineering Group
Documents: Updated plan 11/2/2015, Engineering Report 11/2/2015
Mr. Kelly explained that he submitted a new plan that showed the elevations of the plain with the
detail of the filling. The proposed treatment for the ground plain with the new flood storage area
would be loam and seed.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The engineering report is entered into the record. The engineering report stated that the plan is in
compliance.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
8:16pm
The commission discussed the site visits for the following meeting.
Reports
8:19pm
Mrs. Mullins explained that the Eversource Energy project to replace overhead wires with
underground wires near the town compost facility was not in compliance with their permit.
Motion to issue an enforcement order made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-
0 in favor.
8:21pm
Mrs. Mullins explained that Eversource Energy was updating a gravel access road and drove
over a culvert and it broke.
8:23pm
Minutes will be approved at the next meeting.
8:24pm
The commission reported that David Pavlik of the Engineering Department was given an award
from the Mystic River Watershed Association for his work on the Stream Management Report.
8:25pm
Mrs. Dohan explained that she and Mrs. Mullins had a conference call with Stu Weinreb from
Mass Audubon to discuss the work on the Wright Farm Barn. She stated that they were given
good information.
8:27 pm
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Bitsko. Vote: 4-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved: 11/30/2015