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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-02-22-CONCOM-min.pdf A24 /L[it TOWN OF LEXINGTON , MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES of Commission meeting February 22, 1972. The meeting was called to order at 8 05 p.m. by the Chairman, Dr. Kassler, with Commission members Mesdames Frick, Pease and Rawls present. Mr. Cohen arrived at 9 20 p.m. Also present were Associate Member Dr. Friedman, Town Manager, Mr. O' Connell and Paula Alden, League of Women Voters observer. Comments on Conservation Articles by Town Manager. Mr. O' Connell stated that he had recommended the Town spend $260,000 for all land acquisitions, including $50,000 for general public purposes. Not recommended were purchase of Hamilton-Baldwin and Grey Nuns pro- perties. He had questions about the conservation easement pro- posals. Dr. Kassler explained that the Commission is requesting purchase wherever pedestrian-bicycle access is planned, and that this is only along one side of a portion of the Vine Brook, which is largely undeveloped. Opinions of value are being sought on these easement and purchase proposals. Green and White land adjacent to the Porter Farm. Mr. White, of Benjamin Franklin Homes, owners of Lot 106, Map 54, arrived to discuss possible acquisition by the Town of this land for con- servation, along with the Porter Farm. Mr. White pointed out that Rolfe Road was extended and intended to serve both that lot and the one across the street, and that if all of Lot 106 were acquired by the Town, the cost of Rolfe road would have to borne by the lot across the street. He suggested that the Town acquire only a portion of the 58,000+ square foot lot, leaving a legally buildable lot. Commission members recommended that the land be walked with a contour map to see if this would be feasible. After sketching briefly the long-term land-aquisition plans of the Com- mission, Dr. Kassler asked Mr. White if he would consider donating the back portion of the lot (about 27,000 to 30,000 square feet) to the Town. Mr. White said he would talk it over with his associates and Dr. Kassler said he would get in touch with him in about 10 days. Continued Discussion of 1972 Conservation Program. Mr. O' Connell asked about $ values of proposed purchases. Dr. Kassler said that some of the opinions of value are close to the Commission' s earlier predictions. Most uncertainty lies in the brooks areas. Among the property owners in the Vine Brook area are Schena, Wasilec and Morrow, all of whom have been contacted at least by letter by the Commission. Mr. O' Connell said that he had heard that one owner in this area wants to test the right of the Town to use eminent domain for the acquisition of conservation land. Mr. O' Connel. also questioned the legal right of Commission members to walk on privately-owned land. Flowage Easement Article. Mr. O' Connell said he would look into this, but did not promise to find any more information that what is on public record. Dr. Friedman reported that he had been in touch with Mr. McSweeney about this and would contact him again. It may not be possible to find out the owner' s plans for future MAY 17 1gf2zse of the land, Mr. O' Connell pointed out. _.-.,/ Conservation Commission Minutes 2/22/72 Page 2 Environmental Concern Committee. Mr. O' Connell asked what the legal basis of the Committee was. He pointed out the difficul- ties of the complex air and noise pollution regulations. Com- mission members and those involved with planning the Committee pointed out that the function of the Committee would be to co- ordinate citizen efforts and to promote better public understand- ing of pollution problems and regulations. Hatch Act enforcement now is by the State Departments of Natural Resources and Public Works. (Mr. O' Connell left the meeting at this time. ) A Planning Board will be meeting with Mr. Jenkins at 8: 30 p.m. next Monday, and the Commission has been invited to attend. Bills and Finances. Commission approved payment of bills for stationery and two opinions of valued. These and all future bills will be handled in a manner conforming with the practice of all other Town departments. DNR Stop Order has been issued for the Vine Brook relocation project in Burlington. Mobil Station on Bedford Street. Indefinite postonement will be requested in Town Meeting. Vine Brook Land near Housing for the Elderly for which zoning change is requested in Article 84 The Planning Board is pre- paring a statement on this and has asked for the Commission' s Comment. Commission recommended that the statement should read, " . . .one acre for recreation for the immediate neighborhood and the remaining to be preserved in its natural state under juris- diction of the Board of Selectmen. " Land Acquisition Committee. Inquiry will be made about its status and progress. Study of Granny Pond will be requested in a letter soon to be sent to the Middlesex Conservation District. Mr. Sands, the owner, has given verbal permission that such a study be made. MACC Meeting March 4 at Holy Cross College in Worcester: Dr. Fried- man and Mrs. Pease volunteered to go, possibly along with one or two others. Walkway from Boston Common to Walden Pond is apparently being planned successively by Conservation Commissions along the route. Mrs. Foster of Belmont contacted Mrs. Frick. Mrs. Rawls will follow up, Ford Foundation. Commission approved the sending of an application along with proposal as prepared by Dr. Friedman. (The Metcalf and Eddy firm has offered to prepare such applications and proposals for a fee. ) r t 3t r "wee Conservation Commission Minutes 2/22/72 Page 3 Executive Session was declared at 10 15 p.m. and the meeting adjourned at 11 05 p.m. , until Monday evening, February 28, at 7 45 p.m. Respectfullyy/�f/J submitted, g„. Mrs. Erna S. Greene Secretary to the Commission