HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-03-02-LCC-min.pdf LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on March 2, 1964
The, seventh meeting of the Lexington Conservation Commission
was held in the conference room opposite the Building Inspector's
Office In the Town Office Building at 8;30 p.m.
All committee members were present.
All of the minutes of the previous meeting were approved:.
The Chairman reported that a set of lot plans had been obtained
by Paul Mazerali from the Public Works Department and would be of great
assistance to us in our Charting of open lands. He also mentioned the
existence of a topographical map located in the planning Board Office.
Mr. Ells ,report,ed that an examination of the law had satisfied him
that the town could purchase property for conservation purposes In trust.
0 iSCUSS IOy RELATIVE TO THE GREAT 49 11
Mr. Ripley reported that he had read an article in the library dealing
with the peat industry in Lexington particularly involving the Greet Meadow.
He thought It most interesting, but doubted that it was of any value to
our purposes.
Mr. Smith reported that an examination of the eleven deeds running to
the Town of Arlington conveying portions of the Great Meadow did not
disclose any reservations or limitations upon the Town of Arlington.
Mr. Ells agreed to look for special statutes dealing with the Great
Meadow.
Mr. Ripley reported that the Town at one time had voted to take the
Great Meadow by eminent domain, but this vote was never carried out.
Mr. Ells reported that Mr. Snow had prepared and had submitted to the
State a complete plan of recreational and conservation, areas in the town
and had further been instrumental in having a plan Contest for the devel-
ment of the Great Meadow instituted, with the result that over thirty
different entries had been filed, suggesting recreational and conservation
development of the Great Meadow. It was suggested that Mr. Ells contact
Mr. Snow to see if these could be obtained, and also, to see if he could
meet with our board when he returns to Lexington In March.
Mr. Ripley mentioned that half of the so-called Arlington Reservoir
was located in Lexington, and It was suggested that he confer with the
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Chairman of the Recreation Committee to see if this could be developed
for town purposes.
Mr. Ells reported the receipt of a letter from Llewellyn E. Schaffrath,
Work Unit Conservationist, of the United States Department of Agriculture,
Soil Conservation Service, Sudbury Road, Concord, who expressed` his
willingness to come and meet with us and point,out the flood-control
possibilities of the Great Meadow with this service. if such a project
were undertaken, the,ent.ire engineering expense would be paid by the
federal government.
Mr, Ells also reported that he had received a large volume of material
from a former Arlington resident relative to the Great Meadow, whichhe
would digest at his earliest convenience and report further to us on its
contents.
HOBBS BASIN
Mr. Ells noted that Arnold E. Howard at , l4 Robbins Road, Lexington',
had recently been appointed as Chief of Recreation in the Oepartment of
Natural Resources. it was suggested that Mr. Ripley, who knowsMr. Howard,
speak to him relative to the recreation and conservation advantages of
Hobbs Basin.
OTHER BUS itVpS
Mr. Smith noted that the League of Women Voters had submitted five
questions to their members dealing with land use and preserving open
space, upon which they had hoped to obtain a consensus during the month
of March. It wasfelt the work of the League would be of great help
in publicizing our program and in educating the voters of the town to
our needs.
It was suggested that a letter by sent to our representatives at the
State House urging support of the bill lifting the limit on conservation
funds. Mr. Elis submitted copies of advertising showing that open spaces
are an asset to developers and also urged the board to hold joint meetings
with other boards such as Recreation, Park, Assessors , etc.
The hunting item in the Warrant that had been questioned by ,Mr. Ells
at our previous meeting Mr. Elis discussed with Mr. Tropeano,and he
stated that he no longer objected to the item.
There being no other business to come before the meeting, it was moved
and voted to adjourn at 9;45 p. m. until Monday, March 9, 1964 at 8:30 p.m.
the open meeting to commence at •814 p.m.
Francis W. K. Smith
REC1 Secretary, pro tempore
MAR 4 1964