HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-27-CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday June 27, 2016
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Ave
Chair Phil Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:33 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building
Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Joyce Miller, Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell
Others Present: Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant
6:33pm
Update on Enforcement Order: Bina Farm/John Carroll, 55/31 Allen Street
William Dailey, Rich Kirby, Frank Postma
Mr. Dailey explained that new materials have been submitted to the commission and they hope
to do the plantings this fall.
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record.
Mr. Kirby went on to explain the changes he made in the plan. He stated that the drainage design
and O and M plan have been submitted to the commission. All dewatering activities will take
place outside of the Buffer zone and oak stakes will be used instead of live stakes.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked why the plans were not stamped. Mr. Potsma explained that the final
engineering plan will be stamped by the engineer.
The commission stated that they did not think a 1:1 wetland replication would be sufficient. They
were concerned about what would happen if there were problems with some of the plants. Mr.
Postma stated that the wetland restoration will be 1:1, but the replicated stormwater wetland will
make it a 2:1 ratio. The applicant explained that they could shift the replicated stormwater
wetland slightly to enlarge the wetland restoration area.
The commission requested that more detail be added to the plan including the edge of pavement
line, the retaining wall, and the infiltration trench dimensions and widths.
The commission asked for detail regarding the geo-grid.
The commission requested that the seasonal high water table be indicated. and that the
piezometer reading be specified.
The commission requested that they want an O and M plan that addresses irrigation issues in the
replicated wetland, along with provisions for drought, pests, and other problems that may arise.
The commission requested updated information regarding the flock sock.
Questions and comments from the audience:
Marie Tulin, 56 Allen Street, requested that the abutters receive a copy of the materials that have
been given to the commission.
Motion to continue the meeting to 7/11/2016 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Miller and
seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
7:11pm
Discussion of Land Trusts
Mr. Hamilton explained that a group of citizens has come forward to speak with the Commission
regarding the property at 227 Grove Street. Mr. Hamilton explained that the Commission has to
maintain impartiality because the developer will be filing an ANRAD with the Commission, to
determine the extent of resource areas on the property.
Christopher Locher of 244 Grove Street explained that many of the neighbors in the area are
concerned about the proposed 36 unit housing development for the property. They expressed
concern about the effects on the environment that this project could have as well as the loss of
the property for recreation. Mr. Locher came to the commission to ask them to support the
purchase of the land through a land trust if the land were to come for sale.
Mr. Hamilton explained that the commission cannot interfere with the sale of a property. Mr.
Hamilton then walked the audience through the process by which the Conservation Commission
typically purchases property.
7:25pm
DEP File No. 201-976, BL 934
Amendment to an Order of Conditions, Revere Street Culvert
Owner/Applicant: Town of Lexington
Project: Amendment to the approved daylighting plan
Mike Flamang, Town of Lexington Engineering Department
Documents:
Mr. Flamang explained that the Town reconstructed the culvert that crosses the Lexington
Brook, but the contractor made an error in alignment that resulted in the end of the culvert being
too close to an adjoining property. Mr. Flamang stated that, to correct the problem they would be
unable to daylight as much of the stream as they had planned.
Questions and comments from the Commissions:
The commission asked how much daylighting would there be. Mr. Flamang stated that the
proposed project had 32 feet of daylighting, but there will now be 19.5 feet.
The commission asked if it would be possible to ask the contractor to redo the work. Mr.
Flamang stated that that it would be too disruptive to the traffic to close the street again.
The commission asked if this work could be done in the low flow period. Mr. Flamang told the
commission that this would be done during the low flow period and a three sided culvert would
be used as a dewatering technique and that a sand bag dam would be installed. The commission
stated that they were worried about when the sand bags would be removed and asked that
Conservation staff be consulted during this period. Mr. Flamang agreed to this.
Questions and comments from the audience:
Asti Parikh, 22 R Revere Street, explained that their property was being affected by the
miscalculation of the contractor. Mr. Parikh stated that they were in favor of the daylighting, but
now they support the new amendment because of the disruption to their property.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
7:34pm
DEP File No. 201-902, BL 862
Amendment to an Order of Conditions, Rt. 95
Owner/Applicant: Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Project: Amendment to an approved plan to widen the roadway
Sandy Sprague, MassDOT
Documents:
Ms. Sprague explained that they are applying for an amendment to an existing permit. They are
asking to add 1,300 additional linear feet of roadway to help to relieve traffic. On the North
Bound side, the guardrails will be removed and the catch basins will be changed to deep sump
catch basins.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked how close the work was into the buffer zone. Ms. Sprague explained that
the entire stretch of highway is within the buffer zone.
The commission asked how much additional impervious surface will there be. Ms. Sprague
stated that there will be about 2,580 additional square feet.
The commission asked if there will be an erosion control blanket on the slope. Ms. Sprague
explained that the typically use geo-textile fabric and then hydro seed the slope and do not
usually use erosion control blankets. The commission stated that they would want erosion control
blankets on the 250-foot stretch of slope being worked on.
Questions and comments from the commission:
Senator Kenneth Donnelly stated that he is very concerned about the back up of traffic through
the Lexington area. He explained that many people are cutting off the highways through
Lexington. He explained that this is causing a strain on the roadways because of increased
traffic. He explained that he supports this amendment as well as future work to alleviate traffic.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in
favor.
7:52pm
DET 16-25 RDA
81 Woburn Street
Owner/applicant: Walter Terzano
Project: Removal and replacement of an existing retaining wall
Walter Terzano- homeowner
Documents:
Mr. Terzano explained that he had the wetlands delineated as well as an engineering drawing
done. There is an existing railroad tie retaining wall that he wished to replace with a stone
retaining wall. He explained that the work is further than 50 ft. from the wetlands and the
machines will make relatively little disturbance.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission stated that the stockpiling area should be demarcated.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by
Mrs. Miller. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
7:56pm
DET 16-25 RDA
202 Waltham Street
Owner/applicant: Philip Murphy
Project: Deck addition
Phil Murphy- Homeowner
Documents:
Mr. Murphy explained that the proposed deck is over 70 feet from the wetlands.
Motion to issue Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by
Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
7:59pm
DEP File No. 201-1028, BL 986
NOI, 8 Milk Street Owner: 8 Milk Street LLC
Applicant: Six Point Builders
Project: Raze and rebuild of a Single Family Home
Rich Kirby
Documents:
Mr. Kirby explained that the applicant wishes to demo the existing home and build a new home
on the site. Currently, the entire lot is grassy. The new house would be set further back, but be
outside of the 50ft. buffer. Mr. Kirby explained that he has submitted a revised wetland
restoration plan.
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission explained that they are not comfortable with the trench being so close to the
property line. The applicant stated that they could move the trench off the property line.
The commission explained that they were uncomfortable with how close the house was to the 50
foot buffer. They also stated that they had concerns about how small the yard was and wondered
if future owners will expand the yard into the 25 foot buffer.
The commission stated that there was confusion over the slope shown on the plan. They
requested more details regarding contour lines and the grading.
The commission requested clarification regarding the basement height as well as the first floor
heights.
The commission explained that they were concerned about the grading along the property line.
Motion to continue the hearing to 7/11/2016 at the applicant’s request made by Mrs. Miller and
seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
8:24pm
Issue Certificate of Compliance at 10 Philip Road, DEP File No. 201-985, BL 915
Motion to issue the Certificate of Compliance made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mr.
Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
8:25pm
Conservation Memorial Policy adoption
The Commission members discussed some of the details involved with the memorial policy.
They decided that a donation would have to be made to the Lexington Nature Trust. The
commission also decided that they would have authority over what kinds of the memorials would
be allowed.
The commission also determined to approve only trees listed on the Lexington Native Tree List.
Motion to adopt the Conservation Memorial Policy made by Mrs. Miller and seconded by Mr.
Beuttell. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
8:31pm
Approve Waltham and Hayden Farm licenses with Dennis Busa
The commission decided to take this up at the next meeting.
Discussion of John Moriarty proposal for Dunback Meadow
The commission decided to take this up at the next meeting.
Approve Minutes of 6/13/2016 meeting
Motion to approve the minutes from 6/13/2016 with edits made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by
Mrs. Miller. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
Schedule Site Visits for the 7/25/2016 Meeting
Site visits were scheduled for 7/9/2016
Approve Request for Insignificant Plan Changes at 15 John Poulter Road, DEP File No. 201-
955, BL 913
The commission discussed the proposed plan change. They were concerned with the size of the
rain garden as well as the plantings for it and the inlets and outlets. The commission requested to
see the building drawings.
Approve Request for Insignificant Plan Changes at 17 Justin Road DEP File No. 201-966 BL
924
Mr. Hamilton explained that Conservation staff informed the applicant that this will need to be
done through an Amended Order of Conditions.
Issue Certificate of Compliance at 555 Lowell Street, DEP File No.201-987, BL 945
The Commission decided to vote on this after a site visit was done.
8:50pm
Motion to adjourn made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote: 7-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved 7/11/2016