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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-01-10-CONCOM-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES of Commission meeting January 10 , 1972. The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Dr. Kassler, with Commission members Mesdames Frick, Pease and Rawls and Mr. Mazerall (ex-officio)present, as well as Associate Members Dr. Friedman, Mrs. Nichols, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Solomon. Minutes of the January 3. 1972 meeting of the Commission were ap- proved with the following amendment Page 2, paragraph 3, should have the following inserted to replace sentences 4 and 5, the last sentence to become another paragraph under the same heading: "The discussion entered around the Shawsheen River water- shed in Bedford and Lexington, and the possibility that, particularly in Lexington, the use to which this land is being put is affecting Bedford' s wells along the Shawsheen River. The more rapid runoff after storms was mentioned, as was the decreased capacity of this land to hold water since so much of it has been filled. There has not yet been proof that Lexington' s dumping operation is causing pollution, but the Bedford Conservation Commission spoke of the possibility of using water samples from various locations to try to prove such pollution exists. It appeared to Mrs. Rawls that the Town of Bedford would, if necessary, take legal action to stop the spread of Lexington' s dump. They determined, however, to try to settle the problem amicably first, through meetings between Selectmen of the two towns. Mrs. Rawls felt that much of the watershed land in question would require Hatch Act permit before filling and. subsequent use and was alerting the Commission to the possibility of action in this area. " Goals and General Policies. Dr. Kassler recommended that the Commission' s 1972 program be made public and discussed openly as soon as possible. Agreed by all present that publicizing specific articles would have to wait until the articles' inclusion in the warrant is certain - essentially until publication of the Warrant. Dr. Kassler advocated building increased understanding of conserva- tion beginning with "Goals and General Policies" , a document first presented, discussed and revised in September (9/20/71) . The Commission reviewed, revised and adopted the document as attached, and agreed to its general circulation Utica Street Land. Dr. Kassler recommended, and the Commission agreed, that Michael Weinmayr should be asked to prepare a prelimin- ary plan for partial recreational use Photos of 1972 Conservation Program lands. Dr. Kassler has asked a local amateur rhotograoher to walk with him through some of the lands involved, with the possibility of providing views of those areas of Town and the beauty to be found there JAN 31 F , c a Conservation Commission Minutes 1/10/72 Page 2 Great Meadow joint committees of Arlington and Lexington met last week and agreed that the land of the Great Meadow should be protected as soon as possible, perhaps by zoning. They recommended that the land should. be left open as a wildlife pre- serve and outdoor classroom. At this time, also attention should be paid to the problem of flooding. In Lexington, this would mean the building of a small damm at Fottler Avenue. If at a later date the Town of Arlington wishes to pursue a municipal golf course , the joint committees should remain in existence to supervie Thus supervision would be channelled through the Lexington these ple Conservation Commission, of which the Great Meadow Committee is a subcommittee. A formal statement of all this will be forth- coming after the committees have agreed upon exact wording. Ford Foundation. Several Commission members have received a brochure and application forms for applying for Ford Foundation grants. Up to $750 could be granted without requiring matching municipal funding. Dr. Kessler asked Dr. Friedman to prepare a list of projects which might be eligible for this kind of funding. Hatch Act. A Commission member discovered what looked like discarded iron equipment dumped on land owned. either by Mr. Tillinghast or by the Town of Arlington. Mrs. Frick will make inquiries. DNR will be written for information on what con- stitute proper and improper fill. Environmental Protection Committee. Agreed that such a committee should be part of the Commission' s job and that such a subcommittee should be formed. Dr. Kessler asked Dr. Friedman and Mrs Solomon to he in charge of this effort Recommended that the committee possibly include some members os the former Air Pollution Com- mittee. Reported that $3,000 is in 1972 Town Budget for recycling. Executive Session was declared from 8 15 until 8 30 and from 9 35 until 10:45. Next Meeting with Planning Board will be arranged by Mrs. Frick. Cooke Option. Mr. Smith will call Mr. May for latest information. Mrs Naming Conservation Lands. A Committee of Mrs. Pease, Dr. Kasslert/Rawl and Dr. Friedman was appointed to begin the naming effort by drawing up guidelines for nomenclature. It was suggested that outstanding features within conservation lands, such as ponds , knolls or groves, might also be given names. Environmental Program in Schools. Teachers in the program have asked how they could participate more in the conservation program. Recommended teachers become acquainted with lands under considera- tion as soon as the Warrant is published, and possibly that a high school group could mark boundaries of conservation lands working from plans. Conservation Commission Minutes 1/10/72 Page 3 Yg` t CLC Meeting on Thursday, January 20th, will focus on transportation problems as well as on the schools' program in environmental edu- cation. Highway and Road Salting. Commission members inquired about facts on road salting in Lexington. It was reported that less salt had been used this year, partly due to the warm weather. A New Map Showing All Town-Owned Lands now stands atop the file cabinets. All Commission members admired it and complimented Mrs. Nichols, who made it. They asked if it could be reproduced. She said that reproductions would not come out in color and that the map would have to be put on mylar in order to be easily re- producible. This "preliminary working map" was referred to many times during the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11 00 p.m. , until Monday, January 17 , at 7 45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, dui- , 1 ,/✓Alec2,"'_ Mrs. Erna S. Greene Secretary to the Commission