HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-05-22-ConCom-min
Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Conservation Commission
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Joint Meeting: Lexington Conservation Commission and Lexington Conservation Stewards
AGENDA Monday, May 22, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
This Conservation Commission meeting was held remotely via Zoom, an online meeting
platform. Public Participation via calling in or using your computer was encouraged.
Commissioners Present: Alex Dohan, Philip Hamilton and Ruth Ladd
Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director, and Amber Carr, Conservation
Coordinator
6:30 PM
Stewardship Report: Project updates and work plan outlook for summer 2023
Ms. Carr provided an update on the West Farm Meadow Preservation project, stating that woody
invasive plant removal was accomplished in the first year. Remaining work includes continuing
woody invasive plant removal, black swallow wort control, sumac control. The completion date
is expected to be in the Fall of 2024.
Construction updates for the Parker Meadow Accessible Trail project include: installation of
vegetation fencing, monitoring of vegetation, trail repairs in some sections, bike rack installation,
and distribution of story walk boards. Improvements include the creation of 1,697 feet of
accessible trails, parking area improvements, construction of a viewing platform, and the
installation of an interpretive panel.
The Chiesa Farm Field Management Plan is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2023.
The Willard's Woods trail construction funding and meadow mowing funding were approved at
the 2023 Annual Town Meeting. Remaining work includes receiving the bid package and scope
of work for construction.
The Open Space and Recreation Plan was submitted to the state for review recently and is
expected to be completed in Summer 2023.
Next steps for the Wright Farm Barn Stabilization project include hiring the consultant,
preparing the architectural design and bid documents, environmental testing, and implementation
of the stabilization plans.
Funding for the Whipple Hill Trail Repair Fire Access was approved at the 2023 Annual Town
Meeting. Next steps include drafting the scope of work and hiring a consultant to perform the
work.
Over 50 bags of garlic mustard were pulled and collected thus far at Lincoln Park and Daisy
Wilson Meadow.
Debris was cleaned up for the second year in a row at Dunback Meadow, the old community
garden site.
Lexington officially participated in the 2023 City Nature Challenge. This event was in
partnership with LHS Conservation Club, the Envirothon team, and Minuteman High School. In
2023, there were 801 observations made, 312 species documented and 28 participants.
Pollinator Planting Kits were sold to the public again in 2023. Lexington Nature Trust funds
were used to purchase the plants and all 1,440 plants were sold, and an end of program donation
was made to the Nature Trust Fund.
The Native Plant Nursery at Lower Vine Brook made over $800 in sales at community events
such as the Farmers Market.
The Cotton Farm Conservation Restriction (CR) was submitted to the state for review and
discussions with the Citizens for Lexington Conservation (CLC) on the Leary Parcel CR have
started. In summer 2023, staff plan to complete outstanding CPA CR’s with CLC assistance and
will provide an update on the number of completed CR’s at the next joint meeting.
Starting July 1, 2023, staff and stewards plan to work with the Greenway Corridors Committee
(GCC) on the Concord Avenue Land Management Plan, and The Forest Stewardship Plan at
Dunback Meadow is also slate for Fiscal year 2024. By December 2024, $100,000 in funds
awarded through the town-wide participatory budgeting campaign is to be used for Conservation
Area Land Management.
Additional updates from staff include the following: East Lexington Habitat Enrichment Project
at Cataldo Reservation, Idylwilde and Native Plant Nursery meter and backflow device
installation, community garden program, invasive plant management, trail maintenance,
boardwalk maintenance and possible extensions, meadow maintenance, Joyce Miller’s Meadow
wildflower project, deer monitoring, new scout projects, and educational/outreach programming.
FY24 Project Overview (7/1/23-6/30/24)
Priority projects in Fiscal Year 2024 include: Whipple Hill trail repair and fire access, Willard’s
Woods site improvements and the participatory budget project.
Staff provided status updates on the following Fiscal Year 2023/2024 priority projects:
Started:
● Conservation Restriction Enforcement (CPA FY15)
● West Farm Meadow Preservation (CPA 2023)
On Hold:
● Willard's Woods Meadow Preservation (CPA FY18)
● Wright Farm site access and parking conceptual planning scope (CPA FY21)
Almost Complete:
● Willard's Woods ADA design and engineering (CPA FY20)
● Parker Meadow Construction (CPA FY21)
● Open Space and Recreation Plan 2022 update (CPA FY22)
Not Started:
● Wright Farm Barn environmental testing and development of complete design and bid
documents by architect for shell stabilization (CPA 2023)
Non-CPA/CIP funded projects include: GCC Concord Avenue Land Survey for Management
Plan (GCC funded), Stewardship plan and management at Dunback Meadow, Conservation
Restriction and baseline field work, Native Plant Nursery support, East Lexington Habitat
Enrichment Project, Cotton Farm Orchard Management, Proposed trail boardwalk
improvements, ACROSS Lexington routes.
Land Management Goals and Priorities Discussion
Staff presented a list of ten goals and priorities that were previously ranked by the Commission
and Stewards in years past. Staff will send out a poll to Commission members and Stewards
following the meeting to gather an updated ranking on the presented goals and priorities, and
also allow respondents to provide any new items to the list. Ms. Dohan mentioned research and
education, possibly in collaboration with future projects at Wright Farm and providing
information on wetlands importance and climate change resiliency to Lexington residents.
Commission members recognized work completed by the group for all items on the list.
FY25 Budget Request Preparation (7/1/24-6/30/25)
Fiscal Year 2025 funding priorities include Idylwilde and Poor Farm Meadow Preservation and
the Wright Farm Barn Preservation and Rehabilitation. Possible PIR requests include DPW
support/outside contractor chipping, boardwalk maintenance, dumpster disposal solution, and
additional staff to support enforcement and monitoring.
Long-term project outlook FY 25-29 (7/1/24- 6/30/29)
Fiscal Year 2026 funding priorities include Cotton Farm/Community Center Connecter Eastern
Universal Accessible Trail segment design and engineering, and Lower Vine Brook trail
improvements. Fiscal Year 2027 funding priorities include Parker Meadow meadow preservation
and Lower Vine Brook trail improvements & construction. Fiscal Year 2028 funding priorities
include Cotton Farm/Community Center Connecter Eastern Universal Trail Segment
Construction. Fiscal Year 2029 funding priorities include updating the Open Space and
Recreation Plan again.
Via Video Recording,
Respectfully Submitted,
Meghan McNamara
LUHD Department Assistant – Conservation
Approved: 7/24/2023
Archived: 8/15/2023