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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-03-30-LCC-min.pdf LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION Minutes of the Regular Meeting held March 30, 1964 - 9th Meeting Mr iussman called the meeting to order ar 8:30 P.M., in the Conference Room opposite the Building inspector's office in the Town Office Building. All members were present. The minuted of the March 9 meeting were accepted as distributed. OLD BUSINESS GREAT MEADOW The atart of grass fires again this season prompted discussion. It was brought out that raising the water level would not be a full cure; when the water level was higher, the children could still get the tall, dry grass to burn. Also, higher water levels make it harder for the firemen to reach the necessary places. Mr Ripley commented that the vandalism is worse now tha it has been for the last 25 years, Mr Ells suggested conservation education in the schools. Pfrhaps through that medium the children may be taught to value this land. Mr Sussman reported on his recent telecon with Mr Shaffrath of the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, who had spoken to the Commission at arts previous meet- ing. Mr. Shaffrath had subsequently been to Arlington to speak with its Town En- gineer about flooding by watercourses in that town, and about using the Great Mea- dow as flood water storage basin. It appears that the Arlington Town Engineer wishes to keep the Meadow from being built on, and might in that sense come to be an ally of the Commission. Mr Shaffrath had advised the Arlington Engineer that the Meadow should remain unfilled and unbuilt, that it would make a fine floodguard(see above) , but that Federal funds from the Dept. of Agriculture could not be forthcoming for recreating it as a flood resevoir. This last is because the surrounding area has become urbanized, and the small watershed flood protec- tion money may only be used in essentially agricultural areas. Each year the brook running near the Meadow floods in the vicinity of Arlington Heights; a lumber compang and other establishments in the area aite said to sustain damage. It was MOVED and VOTED that MR, ELLS take the Arlington paper to keep track of floods, etc., and that he should be reimbursed. FEDERAL AID Mr Ells reported that there is Federal Aid available up to 20% fo r the purchase of land for permanent open space, the minimum is 10 Acres. There is also a federal statute that says wherever federal money is used for building roads, 3% is available for the purchase along that highway for the purpose of preserving "scenic beauty", in addition to the right of wavy. The land so purchased would be owned by the State as parkland. The LCC adjourned temporarily to meet with the Planning Board at 9 00 P.M. JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD Mr Ells reported to the Planning Board about the federal statute concerhing "scenic beauty" land(see above). He gave as an example the following. If Route 3 were forced on Lexington, the Meadow might be considered as a unified parcel for such aid to save it from development Cedar Hill was also cited, but it might be too late to acquire that parcel with Federal funds. Mr Ells reviewed the laws and actions governing Arlington's ownership of the Great Meadow, and the past intercourse between the two towns on that subject. Mr. Meyer said that in his opinion Cedar Hill should be held by the Town, not by the State. Mr Ells also told the PB about the 20% Federal Aid available from the House end Home Finance Agency for permanent open space(see above) . The Federal aid funds are available to ANY properly constituted Town agency which has the right to make such purchases. Mr Ells commented upon the bill before the State Legislature which seeks to eliminate the $15,000 ceiling which presently exists on the reimbursabletby the State) expenditures of each Conservation Commission. Lexington's failure to create a Conservation Fund was discussed. Mr. Ells pointed out that the Town must create the Fund in order that the Town be reim- bursed by the State for land purchases. It was observed that the only authoriza- tion for the Town to purchase open space or Conservation land lay in the enabling act for its Conservation Commission; otherwise, the Town may purchase open lands for other purposes such es school sites, plaugrounds, parks, etc. Concern was expressed that the Town' s rate of accuisition of open lends has slowed down over the peat year or so. SOIL SURVEY MAP Mr. Sussman informed the PB about what information would be given in the Soil Survey Map Study. The Cost to the Town had been bstiaated, by4Shaffrath es between $2800 and $3000; of this, approximately the first 41;2000 would represent 50% of the cost of the field work, with Washington providing the other $2000. The balance of $$800 or so would be the cost of report preparation. Thus the total cost would be about $15000, but the Town would have to appropriate and expend only $3000 (approximately) Mr Sussman emphasized how important and useful the survey could be to the Town and suggested that the funds be requested at the Special Town Meet- ing in May. The PB answered that it was worth investigating. Mr. Zaleski appear- ed to be well versed and knowledgable on the subject, and indicated that the Town of Holbrook had made extensive use of the Study in its Master Plan. Mr. Meyer felt that only emergency items should be considered at Special Town Meetings, and that the matter should be deferred until Spring, 1965. OPEN GREEN AREAS LEFT OPEN BY DEVELOPERS It was noted that nearly each week the Her ald's Real Estate page carries an article showing how developers have left large green areas in their developments, end that this is used as a POSITIVE point in the advertiseing. A reprint from the previous day's paper was passed around. It was pointed out that this is not just restricted to cluster zoning, and that the Town had acquired land bordering on Vine Brook, near Burnham Farms, in just such an arrangement. It was observed that a large part of the Town has been already built up in clusters, such as houses built before 19307 followed by the depression-years building, and then the immed- iate postwar development, finally curbed by the 1954 zoning restrictions. Unfor- tunately, Lexington's early "cluster zoning" did not contain provisions for com- pensatory open lend. The Planning Board said the subject was one it would get around to discussing eventually. " ITEM 4The Board of Health does have a list of house lots that are under some restriction by that Board. The LOC reconvened ite separate meeting it about 9 45 P.M. OLD BUSINESS HOBBS BROOK BASIN - Nothing new, HUNTING AND FISHING COM;4ITSEE It was MOVED and VOTED that MR. RIPLEY represent the LOC on the Hunting and Fishing Committee WILLARDS' WOODS Mr. Ells discovered that the Town had WW "dedicated to public uses". This de- vice hasn't been used in Massachusetts for 60 years, but might be used as a last resort It was brought out that the supervisory control of the area is dispersed. Several complaints have been received by the Commission, from townspeople concerned about the area, asking that something be done to consolidate management of the land, and complaining about dredging, removal of plants emplaced by the Field and Garden Society, and sawing of trees(both alive and deadh. The Commission felt that it would be pleased to act in an advisory capacity to the Selectmen in this matter, if such a request shoul be made of the Commission. STEREO PHOTOS Mr Ells has ordered one stereoscopic set of Town photographs for 42. He will report on its usefulness. VINE BROOK As was suggested at the previous meeting, Mr. Sussman contacted Mr. Mazarell about planting by the Boy Scouts in the barren area next to Vine Brook. BILL PAGE is willing to supervise, as stated in his letter Some weeping willows are there now. Mr Mazarell said that the Town shovel must get into one side of the brook during the winter. Mr Sussman offered the idea that one side be planted and the other side be planted above a certain point which would allow the shovel access to whatever side it needs to use. MR. MAZARELL will get in touch with Bill Page to study the feasibility of this plan. It was MOVED and VOTED to adjourn at 10:52 P.M. until Monday. April 6 at 8:30 P.M. for executive session, the open meeting to begin at approximately 8:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Associate Secretary RECORD App