HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-25-CONCOM-min
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday July 25, 2016, 2016
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Ave
Chair Philip Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:31pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office
Building
Commissioners Present: Alex Dohan, Kevin Beuttell, David Langseth, Dick Wolk
Others present: Casey Hagerty, Conservation Department Assistant
6:31 pm
Approve Request for Insignificant Plan Changes for DEP File 201-965, BL 923, 116 School
Street
Chris Duggan explained that they want to add a permeable paver patio to the back of the house.
He provided an updated, stamped plan.
The commission requested that he use double washed stone and remove the geotextile fabric on
the bottom.
Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Miller. Vote: 5-0 in
favor.
6:36pm
Issue Emergency Certificate: Water Main Issue on Eldred Street
Ms. Hagerty explained that the engineering department discovered a break in the main that goes
under Eldred Street. The break had been isolated but will need to be repaired to fix issues with
water pressure.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission requested that any earth materials should be removed daily or be protected by
erosion controls.
Motion to issue the Emergency Certificate made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mrs. Dohan.
Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Discussion of John Moriarty proposal for Dunback Meadow
The commission decided that they were comfortable with the project at the intersection of
Marrett Rd & Bacon St. and will authorize Jordan to make any future decisions. The potential
swale improvements along the edge of Bacon St. are not currently authorized.
Schedule Site Visits for the 8/8/2016 Meeting
th
Site visits were scheduled for Saturday August 6, 2016.
Reports
Mr. Hamilton reported that the Land Acquisition sub-committee has met. There is not much new
news on the Grove Street development project. He explained that they are focusing some efforts
towards a property abutting the Upper Vine Brook on Highland Ave. Mr. Hamilton has gotten in
contact with the guardian of the property owner.
Mrs. Dohan reported that the women interested in the horse shelters from Wright Farm is
meeting with her board to discuss the proposal.
Approve minutes from 6/27/2016 meeting
Motion to approve the minutes of 6/27/2016 made by Mrs. Dohan and seconded by Mrs.
Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Issue Order of Conditions for DEP 201-1028, BL 986, 8 Milk Street
Motion to issue the Order of Conditions for 8 Milk Street made by Mr. Langseth and seconded
by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 4-0 in favor. Mr. Hamilton did not vote.
6:50pm
Discussion
Mr. Langseth explained that he has been thinking about survey reference marks. He stated that
most markers are put on trees and branches that grow or get damaged and may not be an accurate
measure at all times. He offered to do some research into drafting some regulation regarding this
topic.
MEETINGS/HEARINGS
6:57pm
DET 16-28
RDA, 47 Sanderson Road
Applicant/owner: Stacy Freda
Project: Deck addition, landscape work, and cosmetic front step repair
Documents:
Stacey Freda- home owner
Ms. Freda explained that there are three aspects to her project. The first would be to add a deck
to the rear of the house. She told the commission that at some point in the past there was a deck
there so they will be using the same footings and keeping the same footprint. The second portion
of the project is to do some clearing on the side of the house. She explained that brush on the
northern side of the house has grown right up to the house. The third portion would involve
making cosmetic changes to the front steps. She would cover the brick steps with wood.
Ms. Freda asked the commission if it would be possible for her to alter her front steps and have
them turn towards the street rather than the driveway. The commission explained that they would
need to see that on a plan. She stated she would do a future filing for that.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked how far she wanted to clear on the side of the house. She explained that
she would clear 10 feet so that there was a way to walk around the side.
The commission stated that on their site visit they noticed a possible encroachment on
Conservation land with a play structure. Ms. Freda said she would look into this.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by
Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
7:12pm
DET 16-29
RDA, 22 Bryant Road
Applicant/owner: Ed Goodreau
Project: Home addition
Documents:
Ed Goodreau- Homeowner
Mr. Goodreau explained that he is proposing to move a wall in towards the house and repitch the
roof. There would be no excavation.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by
Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
7:20pm
DET 16-30
RDA, 143 East Emerson
Applicant/owner:David Brossi
Project: second story addition
Documents:
Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental
Mr. Kirby explained that his client is proposing to add a dormer addition above an existing single
family home. The dormers would go in the front and rear of the house. They are proposing a
limit of work lime and stockpiling would be done in the driveway.
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report and interdepartmental reviews into the record.
The commission had an issue with the planning and zoning comments regarding the gross floor
area. They stated they were not comfortable approving this project if did not have zoning
approval.
The commission requested that Mr. Kirby talk to the landscape company about yard waste in the
wetlands.
Motion to continue the hearing to 8/8/16 at the applicant’s request made by Mr. Beuttell and
seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
7:29pm
DEP 201-1030, BL 988
NOI, 52 Hartwell Ave
Applicant/owner: Eversource Energy, Matthew Waldrip,
Project: Electrical substation improvements
Documents:
Matt Waldrip- Environmental Engineer from Eversource Energy
Mr. Waldrip explained that they are proposing to make substation improvements on Hartwell
Ave. They will be installing a new capacitor bank with some underground conduit work. He
explained that one section of the work will be done in area below the flood plain and 115 cubic
feet will be displaced. Mr. Waldrip asked the commission about what they thought about not
doing a compensatory storage area. He explained that there are some exceptions to needing
compensatory flood storage when there is a risk to public safety.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission explained that they don’t ever remember allowing an exception from flood
storage.
The commission explained that they would need a much more detailed explanation regarding the
risks that the flood storage would pose to the public.
Mr. Waldrip explained that they would comply with the compensatory flood storage component.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in
favor.
7:40pm
DEP 201-1031, BL 989
NOI, 28 Valley Road
Applicant/owner: Inez Zimmerman
Project: Bridge repairs
Documents:
Rich Kirby- LEC Environmental
Mr. Kirby explained that his client is proposing to replace an existing foot bridge over the North
Lexington Brook. He explained that the ends of the polls would be imbedded into the bank and
all the work would be done by hand. The bridge would be just like the existing bridge, but with
the possibility of a hand rail.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked what the removal and replacement process would be for the polls. Mr.
Kirby explained the polls would be removed by hand and they would put straw on the bank. The
commission suggested that they leave the ends of the polls in until they are ready to replace them
in one day.
The commission asked about the possibility of extending the bridge to displace some more
weight. Mr. Kirby explained that they are trying to keep the project simple, but would change the
design if it was the wish of the commission.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Langseth. Vote: 5-0 in
favor.
Continued
7:48pm
DET 16-26
RDA, 91 Woburn Street
Applicant/owner: Dominque Weyl
Project: Raze and rebuild of a Single Family Home
Documents:
Rich Kirby and Kyle Malloy- Gala Simon Engineering
Mr. Kirby said that the previous engineering calculations did not take into account preexisting
conditions. The new calculations do take into account the Lexington bylaw.
Mr. Hamilton entered the engineering report into the record.
Questions and comments from the commission:
The commission asked why the drainage system has changed. Mr. Malloy explained that the
system in the rear of the house has been removed because they added a pervious deck instead of
a patio.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with conditions made by Mr. Langseth and seconded
by Beuttell. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
DEP File No. 201-1029, BL 987
NOI, 58 Sherburne Road South
Owner/Applicant: Barry Caouette
Project: Raze and rebuild of a Single Family Home
Motion to continue the hearing to 8/22/2016 made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth.
Vote: 5-0 in favor. Should this include a reference to the 7/19/16 letter from Beals Associates
Inc., and that the applicant will respond ot the concerns raised int the letter?
8:01pm
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Langseth and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 5-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved 9/6/2016