Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-02-10-ConCom-min Meeting broadcasted by LexMedia PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Conservation Commission ___________________________________________________________________________ Joint Meeting: Lexington Conservation Commission and Lexington Conservation Stewards AGENDA Monday, February 10th, 2025, 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, Philip Hamilton (Chair), Ruth Ladd (Vice-Chair), Thomas Whelan; Not Present: Duke Bitsko and Jason Hnatko Staff Present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Director, and Megan Downer, Department Assistant 6:30 PM Presentation of Final Concord Ave Land Management Plan, Bill Giezentanner Mr. Bill Giezentanner, Mass Audubon, presented the final plan for the Concord Ave Land Management Plan. Mr. Giezentanner stated that the topography of the parcels varies and the exposed bedrock dates back 630 million years. Natural communities onsite include upland forest, wetlands, and shrublands. Mr. Giezentanner stated there is one certified vernal pool on site and five more at Beaver Brook North. Mr. Giezentanner explained that climate change impacts includes an increase in warmer weather, degraded air quality, an increase in erosion, effects on species composition, etc. He recommends forest and wetland management plans be implemented on site. The recommended wildlife enhancements include brush piles, snags, nest boxes, and pollinator plantings. The trail options presented were reviewed by the Greenways Corridor Committee, staff, along with the Town Engineering Department. The second trail option presented was deemed the safest trail and would be easier to construct. Mr. Giezentanner stated that a proposed management priority for the site is the management of dogs on site and stated the impacts of dogs on wildlife. He presented his recommended short-term projects and long-term projects and a proposed schedule and budget for the recommendations. Ms. Barbara Katzenberg, Steward, asked for further information be shared about the species found on site and if the database for what species are on site can be grown. Mr. Giezentanner stated iNaturalist is a great resource and encourages people to use this resource for more information. Mr. Jeff Howry, Steward, stated that, based on his own research, a portion of the property was originally part of farmland and at a future time he can share maps of this site. On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 5-0 by roll call vote to approve and accept the Concord Ave Land Management Plan. Kevin Beuttell – Aye Alex Dohan – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Stewardship Report: 2024 Year in Review Ms. Mullins stated the challenges faced in 2024 included staff vacancies, boardwalk deterioration, and user conflicts including compliance with regulations for dog usage and bike usage. Accomplishments from 2024 include: year three of the West Farm Meadow Preservation, Willard’s Woods Engineering and Design Plan, the Concord Ave Land Management Plan, boardwalk extensions and repairs, Cotton Farm Orchard Management, Idylwilde Community Gardens, East Lexington Habitat Enhancement Project – Cataldo Reservation, Garlic Mustard pulling, weekly meadow trail mowing, and Eagle Scouts projects. Mr. Howry stated that major pruning will occur in Cotton Farm in the coming months and that apples have not been growing in the orchard. Ms. Holly Samuels, Steward, stated that there is great progress on the East Lexington Habitat Enhancement project. Ms. Samuels shared that Scouts helped plant pots of native plants in the nursery and will help transplant in the spring. Ms. Katzenberg asked if she would be allowed to get certification to be an herbicide distributor in the conservation areas. Ms. Mullins stated that DPW has herbicide licenses and, in order for volunteers to be able to apply herbicides, they would need supervision regardless of if they obtain a license. Ms. Mullins stated that the seasonal position has been posted and staff are working on screening and scheduling interviews. Ms. Amber Carr, former Conservation Coordinator, stated that six candidates have been screened and an estimated three or four candidates have expressed further interest. Ms. Mullins presented the Review of Fiscal Year 26 Capital Projects which included the completion of the Parker Meadow Construction project this year and the West Farm preservation from 2023 has been completed. The Whipple Hill trail repair fire access project has been put on hold and is in discussion with the Fire Department. Fiscal Year 26 Priority Projects include Cotton Farm/Community Center Connector engineering and design and the Simonds Brook Trail engineering and design. Non-capital projects include conservation restrictions and baseline field work, native plant kits and nursery support, East Lexington Habitat enrichment project, Cotton Farm/Orchard management, and GCC Concord Ave land survey for management plan funded by GCC. FY 2027-2031 Budget Planning Fiscal Year 2026 funding priorities include the Cotton Farm/Community Center Connector, the Simonds Brook Trail Design, and surveying on the Concord Ave parcels. 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 the phase two of the Cotton Farm/ Community Center Connector eastern universal accessible trail segment construction. Fiscal Year 2029 funding priorities include updating the Open Space and Recreation Plan and stage four of the Wright Farm Barn updates. Mr. Keith Ohmart, Steward, stated Mr. Donald Grant and his crew were able to complete necessary boardwalk repairs by the end of the season. Mr. Ohmart presented the proposed trail connection at Bowman Park and stated that it is recommended to realign the existing trail in Bowman Park. Mr. Ohmart also presented a proposed connector trail at Arlington Great Meadows that connects the ACROSS Lexington Trail into Lower Vine Brook. No clearing would be needed, but marking the trail with stakes would be required. Ms. Mullins expressed thanks to the lead stewards for their assistance in maintaining the town’s conservation areas. Ms. Mullins announced that Mr. Donald Grant is this year’s steward of the year. Ms. Mullins stated that the town is planning a sustainability day in March and asked if stewards could assist in staffing a table to teach others what the stewards do for Lexington’s Conservation areas do. On a motion by Ms. Ladd 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 Alex Dohan – Aye Philip Hamilton – Aye Ruth Ladd – Aye Tom Whelan – Aye Respectfully Submitted, Megan Downer LUHD Department Assistant Approved: 3/10/2025 Archived: 3/11/2025