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Home My WebLink About1972-04-24-CONCOM-min.pdf i It' G`; 11.0N OF LEXINGTON , MAS'SACIFIUSETTS 4.7le�gz � yi =, CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES t Comm3pss on�eetyn .;April 24, 19741t1 + S The meeting was CalleeDo order by the Chairman, Dr Kassler, 14 at 8 00 p.m. Preset ,there Mr. Cohen, Mesdames Pease, Frick and Havels and Mr. Mazeenil', in addition to Dr. Friedman and Mesdames 4 Nichols and Solomon (who was absent 8:00 to ,8 45 to attend the ', " Planning Board me_eting) .- Land .Acoutsition Procedures was among thetopics discussed a a meeting of Dr. Kassler with the Town Manager. Town Manager isa r " t now prepari_iig recommendations on this subject to the Board of $` " y 4, Selectmen. He is of the opinion that the Commission most needs - 40 advice before entering negotiations, Dr. Kassler reported. Much , i^;,a of' the information needed is actually available from Town govern- • 4, I ment sources, Applicants .for Appointment to the Commission have turned up in Substan- tial numbers due to the publicity given to the existing vacancies, Dr. Kassler reported. Preparation and Completion of Conservation Plan. Mrs. Nichols put in a plea for a well-reasoned Conservation Plan, backed up by factual information. This would include a catalogue of open space, including wetlands. Mrs. Pease foresaw this plan as an aid to the Planning in drafting some form of wetland protection, possibly through zoning. Dr. Kassler mentioned that a plan and open space catalogue was already being used, but that it certainly could use a more professional hand to upgrade its content and usefulness. He asked Mrs. Nichols to continue gathering informa- tion so that the Commission would have more facts at hand upon which to base criteria and other planning decisions. Mesdames Rawls Pease and Frick will help in this effort, as will Mrs. Solomon, who has been working on this with the League of Women Voters Voters. Living and Learning Centers. Mr. Iagallo of the Department of Natural Resources Conservation Services, who is in charge of Hatch Act enforcement, advised Mrs. Rawls that the usual pro- cedure is for a builder to apply for a building permit and re- quest a Hatch Act Hearing, if the Building Inspector determines there is Hatch Act involvement. Living and Learning Centers called DNR themselves and an inspector came out. Although word has not been officially received, it appears that a Hatch Act hearing will not be required. Concord Avenue Realty. The Members of this organization have con- curred with the unanimous recommendation of their Board of Direc- tors that 2 acres of their unsubdivided back land be donated to the Town for Conservation purposes due to the efforts of the Con- servation Commission to purchase the Juniper Hill (Baldwin) land Legal Follow-ups. Mr. Cohen reported that he had written Town Counsel a letter concerning the following points (1) Informing of the agreement of Living and Learning to grant a conservation easement along the Munroe Brook, X1912 enclosing suggested working of easement ,� N (2) On Cooke, enclosing Board of Appeals permit. ' t Conserta vion 'Commission Minutes 4/24/72 Page, 2 (3) On Chabot gift a-a.sk1tg:_ whether any further information is needed_ from~the- Commission (4) On Meek-Hil, -requesting that option be drawn, expiration � < date Oc%,Q W± 1, 1972 Baldwin. Mr. Cohen placed a call to Mr. Danner, Mrs. Baldwin. s '4'�" lawyer, and Mr.. Hamilton replied. Mr. Cohen will set up a "-eting with Mr. Hamilton, Norman May, his lawyer, and the Commissi• Ov,,,, for next Monday, May 1, at 8 30, pending confirmation. jf to h� P1 � nF Idiewlde Farm. Cape and Islands Financial l;,' , p - Corp. gave a p relim B'oa inary presentation of their subdivision plan% which includes a ,`` road: to be built through the center of the farm, ending in a tem-_ a porary ad-de-sae. An area of over 2 acreas would be given to the €' Town for conservation - nearly all of it is low and sometimes wet.New culverts under Marrett Road at elevation 2401 drain the water from this area into the Vine Brook near the Old Res and Bridge School (where there are already water problems) . The question was raised whether it would be advisable to scoop out some of the proposed conservation area for a holding pond and/or to ditch the brook. After some discussion, with participation of Town Engineer, who appeared at this time, the Commission agreed that it is "temporarily in favor of leaving the land as much as possible in its natural state to form a natural holding pond (in times of high water) " and that it is opposed to straighten- ing and deep ditching of the water course. Care should be taken, it was stated, that the ditch should not be deeper than the culvert. A Hatch Act hearing will be required for two of the lots on the proposed new street (fill to come from levelling off of a nearby knoll) . Commission members sent a message of their above decision and a request for permission to walk the land to the Planning Board via Mrs. Solomon. Planning Board replied they will obtain permission in writing. Woodberry Road. The Commission voted to send a letter to Dr. Smith informing him of the complaints it has received on the filling of his land off Woodberry Road and reminding him of the necessity for a Hatch Act hearing before altering wetlands. Environmental Concern Committee. Initial meeting has been set for Tuesday, May 2, at the home of Mrs. Solomon, in the evening. Recreation Committee next meeting is Wednesday, May 3 evening. Commission Officers. Dr. Kassler said that he did not think Janu- are a propitious time for regular election of Commission officers and recommended early June. Commission members agreed to hold elections June S. Gifts for Chairmen. No agreement was reached on a suitable mo- mento for past chairmen, present Chairman requested a gavel, and all assented on its need and suitability. Members and Secretary will explore availability and cost. Harrington Seedling Forest Committee is still looking into places to plant trees. 1' 4 Conserv `icon. Commission, Minutes k/24/72 Page,rig g 3 ilr, i I4. Cleanups. A group of 44 -Boy4 $'couts will clean, tipple :Hill, under the direction of Stanley Solomon. . .On .y Ma; ° 6 -a walk and S>,y cleanup will take place along the Clematis Brook, from the new ,E junior high school to the Bowman School:44 ,,- I' \ .. Earth Walk. Volunteers to Meet the group, .at 9 30 0.m. Saturda -,4 April 29 and escort them; through Lexington. via Concord Avenue. and t +, pri ,Sn.gStreet to the Waltham border ("on the way to Walden Pond are .{4 'Wee—dames—Frick‘ Pease, Rawls and Solomon and Mr. Cohen. Nichols . £:� ° , * Application Futures. The question of how to apply for Federal ' assistance will We studies during the coming week by Commission v:_ ` members. Comments on the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation program ="All lands must be clearly narked as open to the general public. i' Definite recreation plans must be demonstrated in the applica- tion. .-, Meeting Room and Office. Dr. Kessler reported from his meeting with Town Manager that the Commission was welcome to hold its meetings in G-5 conference room, particularly during hot weather. However the Commission desk and files, maps and supplies would remain where they are, and the Legion Room would be the Commission' s. "home" in the town office complex. The meeting adjourned at 10 15 p.m. The next meeting of the Commission is Monday, May 1, 1972, at 7 45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, -'—' A fre1-1-,,a0_...c. Mrs. Erna S. Greene Secretary to the Commission