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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