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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-11-CONCOM-min.pdf MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION APRIL 11, 2000 Commissioners present: Duke Bitsko, Bebe Fallick, Angela Frick, Philip Hamilton, Joyce Miller and Richard Wolk. Absent: Lisa Baci. Others present: Marilyn Nordby and Linda Gaudet. Chairman Miller called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. in Room G-15, Town Office Building. Orienteerine in Whipple Hill - Bob Dangel, a Lexington resident and member of the N.E. Orienteering Club, would like permission from the Commission to proceed with plans to use Whipple Hill for an orienteering event. The group produces a very detailed map of an area which takes about a year. At the event participants are given a clue sheet and the master map, and they must find land features in sequence and punch a card at each station. There are different levels of difficulty for participants. They are interested in Whipple Hill because of the interesting topography and the lack of undergrowth. The Club has 400 members and possibly 150 members would participate. Responses to Commissioner's questions followed. Mr. Dangel said that parking would be on the west side of Johnson Road which leads into a residential section of Winchester. Events are held in late March to June and in the Fall until late November. The maps could be purchased for $1.50 each. The Commission felt that this is an interesting use of the land and it would be helpful to have a map this detailed. They will notify Mr. Dangel of their decision regarding the use of Whipple Hill for this purpose. Orienteerine Discussion - The Commission decided that it is important that the public, stewards and neighbors,particularly in the area of parking, be notified of this event before it takes place. Ms.Nordby will talk to Mr. Dangel about these issues before a decision is made. CONT'D HEARING. OLD SMITH FARM. 160/170 Wood Street. Wood St. R.T (201-457) A letter was read from Jim Galdis, the applicant,requesting a continuance of the hearing to May 9 It was moved, seconded and voted to continue the hearing to May 9, 2000. Minutes - It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the minutes of March 28, 2000, as amended. 10 John Poulter Road - Dmitry Fonarev, homeowner, came before the Commission to request permission to clear some trees on a flat area of his lawn. He notified the Commission because his property abuts the Upper Vine Brook. Mr. Fonarev explained that the area of lawn around his house slopes and would require a substantial amount of fill if he were to level that area. He would prefer to clear the flat portion to the rear(where the trees are) so he can play ball with his young children. There are six large and six small trees in that area. MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 4/11/00 PAGE 2 Commissioners who visited the site were concerned that the trees that provide a canopy for the brook, which helps maintain shade and temperature, not be removed. The By-Law requires a 25- foot buffer between landscaping and a brook. They would be reluctant to have any trees cut within 50 feet, except for small shrubs. This project would be considered a minor activity under the Riverfront Act and would be exempt from filing if nothing were done within 50 feet of the brook. Mr. Fonarev asked if he could plant more trees or shrubs near the brook to replace a large tree, located approximately 45 feet from the brook,that he would like to take down. Mr. Bitsko suggested the reinforced planting near the brook would enhance the protection of the brook so that removal of any trees further into the yard would not have a negative affect on the brook area. It was decided that Mr. Fonarev should come back with a sketch showing what he would propose for the area. A continued discussion was scheduled for April 25 at 7 45 Cont'd. DET #00-4 35 Haves Lane. P Johnson. drainage/single-family house and street widening 8:30 pm A memo was read from representative, Gary Larson, agreeing to a continuance of the hearing to April 25 It was moved, seconded and voted to continue the hearing to April 25, 2000. Order of Conditions. Hayden Recreation Centre - BL-423 It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the Order of Conditions for the Hayden Recreation Centre as amended. Certificate of Compliance. 2 Highland Avenue - DET #99-16 It was moved, seconded and voted to issue the Certificate of Compliance for 2 Highland Avenue. Conservation Restriction - 22 Revere Street (201-404. CR#821 It was moved, seconded and voted to approve the Conservation Restriction for 22 Revere Street. Conservation Commission Tee Shirts were distributed to Commissioners who had not received them. It was decided that we will not sell the Commission tee shirts. Garden Club Planting— Shaker Glen - It was decided that a plan should be submitted for approval. Lexington Park Development Open Land - Ms. Nordby reported that Jerry Maloney, the builder, has asked if the Commission would be interested in having the open land in the upcoming Lexington Park subdivision deeded to conservation or would rather have it remain in the subdivision ownership with a conservation restriction placed over it. The Commission will have responsibility of the land if they own it. The Commission decided that a CR is preferred but that public access was important. Before a decision can be made, a plan showing the proposed open space needs to be reviewed. REPORTS MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 4/11/00 PAGE 3 West Farm Mrs. Miller reported that Myla Kabit-Zinn, representing neighbors of West Farm, asked if we could put up doggy bags for people walking their dogs. Mrs. Miller believes this is a good idea and perhaps we could call on the Wilsons to help us. Since this method has been used at Sutherland Woods, Joyce will talk to the person there to learn more about this. Another area where doggy bags would also be useful is Willard's Woods because there are so many complaints from that area regarding dogs. Marrett Road School Site - Mrs. Miller said the Commission had been asked by a Town Meeting Member to pursue the transfer of this site. This should be placed on next year's Town Meeting. We could encourage the neighborhood to get involved as they did with Hennessey Field. Commissioners Bitsko, Fallick, Frick, Hamilton, Miller and Wolk voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of approving minutes and discussing land acquisition. The meeting resumed in open session. Web—Local Board Training Calendar - Commissioners expressed an interest in the web-based clearing house for Town Boards. It is an interne calendar designed to help town officials access one-stop cross-board event listings. The Internet address is: www.townboard.org Lexington Christian Academy (201-4281 - Mrs. Miller noted that we received a letter from Carol Batstone regarding her conveyance of land to LCA in 1985 which placed a deed restriction on that land for residential lots only This is the same site where the school proposed construction of 20 parking spaces. Lexington High School (201-4381 - Mrs. Miller learned from Lisa Baci that many pine trees have been cut outside the Commission's jurisdiction. The contractors plan to cut the curb along Worthen Road for the construction of driveways for bus drop-off access. Lisa is concerned about the addition of this impervious surface before the drainage system is installed when that parking area is rebuilt. One of the access points would go through the low wet area. Lisa wants advance notice of meetings with the contract manager so that she can attend with Ms. Nordby Idvlwilde Gardens - Ms.Nordby reported that she will be walking the Idylwilde garden area with the new garden manager, Don Kozak. They will be reviewing the problems with the trees on abutting properties. Site Visits on Saturday Anril 22 - 10 a.m. - 57 Solomon Pierce Road; then 6 Lake Street. Dunback Meadow - Mrs. Miller reported that she was notified there are sofas and other large debris on the pine knoll behind the Clarke School. DPW should be asked to remove this. Bob Stewart's Party - A date was set for Saturday, May 13, in the late afternoon at Joyce Miller's home. Everyone should bring refreshments. MINUTES - LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION 4/11/00 PAGE 4 Fiber Optic Cable Proiect Ms. Nordby reported that a wetlands hearing is scheduled for May 9th for the installation of fiber optic cable from Rte. 128 to Arlington. Ms. Nordby asked for a time to schedule the site visit for the wetlands flagging. ENSR will do the flagging and a van and Police escort will be available. Commissioners decided that a site visit is not necessary for this project and will review the plans when they are submitted. The meeting adjourned at 9.45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Linda A. Gaudet Secretary