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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-06-10-ConCom-min Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission ___________________________________________________________________________ Joint Meeting: Lexington Conservation Commission and Lexington Conservation Stewards AGENDA Monday, June 10th, 2024, 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: Kevin Beuttell, Alex Dohan, Jason Hnatko, Ruth Ladd (Vice-Chair), Thomas Whelan; Not present Duke Bitsko and Philip Hamilton (Chair) Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director, Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator 6:30 PM Review of Kiosk Project at Poor Farm by Scout Marc Haddad Ms. Amber Carr, Conservation Coordinator, stated that Eagle Scout Marc Haddad installed a kiosk at Poor Farm Conservation Area and will be presenting about this project. Mr. Haddad presented and stated that he chose Poor Farm for his eagle scout project due to there not being a kiosk there previously. Mr. Haddad presented that he prepared for this project by seeking Conservation approval of the location of the kiosk, acquiring materials and raising money for the project through a Go Fund Me. Mr. Haddad also stated that the project was completed in six hours and he will be submitting photos of the completed project to staff to have on record. Review and Vote to Approve ADA Garden Bed Design at Idylwilde Ms. Carr presented and stated that the project is an Eagle Scout project to create ADA accessible raised garden beds at the Community Garden. Ms. Carr stated that the designs were reviewed by engineering and the Commission on Disabilities for feedback. Ms. Carr stated that the proposed raised beds would require an accessible parking space, five feet wide walkways, and to be constructed two and a half feet high with the distance from each side to the center constructed to be two and a half feet in distance to meet ADA requirements. Ms. Carr stated that a draft for qualifications for the ADA plots would be reviewed by the Commission on Disabilities. On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Hnatko, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to approve the ADA Garden Bed Design at Idylwilde. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Jason Hnatko – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Conservation Restriction Municipal Certification Acceptance: 72 Maple Street CR Ms. Karen Mullins, Conservation Director, stated that the Commission met with the estate representative onsite last fall. Ms. Mullins stated that the property owners are seeking a Certificate of Compliance which cannot be issued until the Conservation Restriction is executed. Ms. Mullins stated that conservation staff have drafted a list of the conservation values that benefit the public for review by the Commission. On a motion by Mr. Hnatko and seconded by Mr. Whelan, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to approve the Municipal Certification. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Jason Hnatko – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to allow Vice-Chair Ruth Ladd to sign the Municipal Certification on the Commission’s behalf. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Jason Hnatko – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Stewardship Report: Project updates and work plan outlook for Summer 2024 Ms. Carr stated that she has submitted her letter of resignation from the Town of Lexington and will be officially resigning on July 12th, 2024. The Summer 2024 Stewardship Report included updates on the preservation of West Farm Meadow, the Parker Meadow Accessible Trail project, an engineer design plan at Willards Woods, Wright Farm Bard stabilization, Whipple Hill repairs for fire access, and the stewardship and scouts’ challenges and accomplishments throughout the year. Ms. Carr stated that this is the third year working on the preservation of the West Farm Meadow; the first two years consisted of woody invasive plant removal with year two also consisting of black swallow wort control and sumac control. Ms. Carr stated that the project is expected to be completed by Fall 2024 and all that remains of the project is spot treatments. Mr. Stephen Perkins, Steward, stated that the moths previously released did not reappear and there is preparation for one more release of moths this year for Black Swallow wort control. Ms. Carr presented an update on the Parker Meadow Accessible Trail project and stated that vegetation monitoring will be occurring and the vegetation fencing will remain in place until the project is completed. Ms. Carr stated that the project created 1,697 feet of accessible trails. Conservation received funding for an engineer design plan at Willards Woods for a proposed universally accessible trail construction funding and meadow mowing, as stated by Ms. Carr. Additionally, the Open Space Recreation Plan will be posted on the town website upon its competition. FY25 Project Overview (7/1/24-6/30/25) Ms. Carr presented the priority projects for fiscal year (FY) 2025 included Whipple Hill trail repair for fire access, Willard’s Woods site improvements, and various participatory budget projects. The participatory budget projects include $100,000 in ARPA funding towards Conservation Land Management, field/meadow restoration, Conservation Restriction (CR) Enforcement, Willard’s Woods meadow preservation, ADA design and engineering, Wright Farm site access and parking, Parker Meadow construction, Open Space and Recreation Plan update, West Farm meadow preservation and Wright Farm barn stabilization. Mr. Jeff Howry, Steward, presented that a pollinator pasture is proposed at the Orchard comprised of seasonal flowering perennials. Ms. Mullins stated that the proposed location is currently maintained by an abutter. Ms. Carr stated that the proposal would not be able to move forward this year due to lack of time for staff to oversee this project. Ms. Carr presented the remainder of FY 2025 project overviews that would require permitting and/or funding, including updates on proposed trail and boardwalk improvement projects at the Bowman School, Cataldo Reservation, and Valleyfield Road along with ACROSS Lexington routes. FY26 Budget Request Preparation (7/1/25-6/30/26) Fiscal Year 2026 funding priorities include the Cotton Farm/Community Center Connector Eastern Universal Accessible Trail segment design and engineering, and Simond’s Brook Conservation Area Trail design and engineering. Possible PIR requests include DPW support/outside contractor for chipping, boardwalk maintenance, dumpster disposal solution, automatic tailgate to load/unload DR mowers onto the truck, and additional staffing to support the department. Long-term project outlook FY 26-30 (7/1/25-6/30/30) Fiscal Year 2027 funding priorities include Wright Farm Barn preservation and rehabilitation and Simond’s Brook conservation area trail construction. Fiscal Year 2028 funding priorities include Cotton Farm/Community Center Connector Eastern Universal Accessible Trail segment construction. Fiscal Year 2029 funding priorities include the OSRP updates. Greenways Corridor Committee (GCC) member, Keith Ohmart, stated that the GCC is proposing a new route connecting the existing Arlington Great Meadows trails to the existing Lower Vine Brook trails, connectors on Concord Ave between Routes 8 and 9, Waterstone connector/Route 3, and a Lowell Street connector. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Whelan, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to adjourn the meeting. Record of Vote as Follows: Kevin Beuttell – Aye Duke Bitsko – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Respectfully Submitted via Video Recording, Megan Downer LUHD Department Assistant Approved: 9/9/2024 Archived: 9/17/2024