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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-02-28-CONCOM-min.pdf 'z #4 ::441 x 3 TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES of Commission meeting February 28, 1972. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Dr. Kassler, at 8 00 p.m. , with Commission members Messrs Brown and Cohen and Mesdames Frick, Pease and Rawls and Mr. Mazerall (ex-officio) present, as well as Associate Members Dr. Friedman and Mesdames Nichols and Solomon and visitor Roland Gubisch. Conservation Program - philosoply and problem areas are most likely in the use of eminent domain and in the conservation easement pro- posals along the brooks. Dr. Kassler asked Mr. Cohen, with the help of Mr. Smith, to gather information, philosophy and documenta- tion on conservation easements, including information on court tests, if any. Land Accuisition Policy Committee will meet on Thursday, March 2, at 8: 30 a.m. Members of the Committee are Al Buse, Chairman, Jack Cogan, Vincent Hayes, Lois Brown, Elizabeth Flynn and Dr. Kassler (observer Mr. Frick or Mr. Cohen) . Mark Moore "Lexington Green" proposal. It was reported that ac- cording to Mr. Moore the Hailey and Aldrich survey reported the land "buildable" with proper drainage. (Copy of the report would be available to the Commission later in the .evening) . Commission members stated that the Commission should limit its comments on the proposed project to its impact on the land and water systems of the North Lexington Brook. First control over the land use would be through Boning. Hatch act hearing may be required for filling. Mrs. Nichols said that in conversation with old residents of the area, she had learned that the land (proposed for the major part of the apartment-condominium development) had been farmed, but that plowing was frequently delayed due to wetness and that trucks had sometimes been mired. Mrs. Nichols was asked to gather more documented evidence of this sort. According to the Planning Board, the proposed development would be equivalent in land coverage to 45 single-family homes. About 30 such homes could be put on the main part of the land and possibly as many as 45 spread over the entire area, including the triangle on the other side of the tracks. Pollution of the North Lexington Brook with petroleum products was observed recently by Mrs. Nichols. More than one documentation of this pollution was recommended by Dr. Kassler, and Mesdames Nichols and Solomon will take another look, If the brook still iscovered with slick, a letter will go to the Board of Health. Ashley (With Planning Board and Mr. Jenkins) Mr. Jenkins explained that he had recently signed an option for 20 acres of the Ashley land (not including Mrs. Ashley' s house) , which slopes down from Highland Avenue to a level portion with about a 9% grade. He showed what he called a "study plan" of development, showing a road connecting Highland Avenue with the end of Worthen Road. Commis- sion members pointed out that much of the land at the end of Worthen Road is wet and cannot be walked except when frozen. The builder MAY 11 1972 Conservation Commission Minutes 2/28/72 Page 2 40 was asked if he had consudered connecting to the end Of Sherburne Road instead (This land is owned by Colonial Development Corp, and the last two lots are not built upon, presumably because they are wet) . Mrs. Rawls said she favors purchase of the entire piece Mr. Jenkins has under option Mr. Zaleski asked the builder if he intends to purchase only the buildable land and leave some for conservation - possibly 8.2 acres. . Mr. Jenkins said he had to make another commitment on the land by mid-March, which would predate Town Meeting, so that it would be necessary to make a decision on where to draw boundary lines as soon as possible. / Questions were raised on how much information on the land in the area is already known, since some studies were made by the Engineer- ing Department to propose Worthen Road layout. MOVED and PASSED by Planning Board to request this information of Town Engineer. The Conservation Commission and Planning Board declared executive session at 9 31 p.m. and the Commission adjourned its meeting at 10 55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Erna S. Greene Secretary to the Commission