HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-06-29-LCC-min.pdf LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Notes of the Regular Meeting held June 29, 1964
Mr Sussman called the meeting to order at 8 40 p m
in the Conference Room opposite the Building Inspector ' s office
in the Town Office Building
Members present were the following Mr Sussman, Mr
Smith, Mr Ripley and Mr Ells
Old Business,
Attention was given to new ideas for publicity for the
Commission, and Mr Ripley suggested that the members give
thought to a short slogan that would express the ideas of the
Commission and bring their suggestions to the next meeting
Mr Shaffrath of the Soil Conservation Service attended
the meeting at the invitation of the Commission in order to
discuss the format and contents of the detailed soil survey and
interpretive report, which is the first step in preparing the
town' s natural resources inventory, The following topics were
discussed
Aerial Photographs, The Soil Conservation Service will
plot the soil types in the town on base photographs flown in
1952 unless a tentatively scheduled new flight is made prior
to the time the report is produced Mr. Shaffrath was ques-
tioned whether or not this would cause the final report to be
inaccurate He pointed out that these photographs were being
used merely as a method of plotting soil types, and that the
final natural resources inventory will show the most recent
development in the town that is reflected in information pro-
vided either by the town or the Soil Conservation Service
Mr Sussman will write our legislative representatives in
Washington in order to encourage the Department of Agriculture
to provide us with a recent flight from which this information
could be most readily obtained, and will write Philip Graham
who was associated with recent detailed aerial photographs taken
of the north portion of Lexington A discussion of whether to
obtain sterographic coverage of the town, at a cost of $17,
was tabled until it can be determined whether a new run will be
available in the near future
Format The Commission discussed the method by which the
information in the soil survey and the natural resources inven-
tory should be displayed in order to make it readily available
It was the sense of the meeting that the report should include
one set of interpretive maps at a scale of four inches to the
mile, one set at the same scale on transparent ozalid material
(with a reasonably detailed base map to the same scale possibly
an enlargement of the topographic sheet) , and one set of trans-
/ parencies which can be used on the vugraph for display at the
-2-
Town Meeting It was noted that the maps, in addition to
showing the interpretive information, would show the princi-
pal roads in the town for orientation purposes. It was also
noted that not all copies purchased by the Commission would
need to have such a complete set of display materials. Final
decision was postponed until Mr. Shaffrath can obtain for us
an estimate of the cost
Coverage. There was discussion as to whether certain
areas of the town should be excluded from the soil mapping
It was the decision of the Commission that no areas of the
town should be excluded, for the following reasons The
cost of soil mapping is minimal, approximating nine and one-
half cents an acre; it is predictable that there will be changes
even in developed areas of the town such as new roads, new
schools, new need for sewerage facilities and that soil informa-
tion would be vital in planning these new facilities. The
Commission felt that it could not predict that developed areas
of the town would not undergo change, and it felt that the
minimal cost of mapping could save far greater sums in the
future.
Interpretive maps requested.
1. Suitability of land for septic tank filter fields
(also indicating permeability of sub-surface and/or general
depth to ground water tables ) After discussion, it was de-
cided to not exclude areas of the town which are presently
sewered, as including such areas would provide a basis of
comparison which would help to determine what presently un-
sewered areas are critical.
2 Commercial and Industrial Sites a On-cite sewerage
effluent disposal; b community sewerage system available At
the request of the Planning Board, this map was requested
3 Suitability of land for home sites (based on houses
with cellars, difficulty of construction or added problems of
seepage, slopes, ledge Used in conjunction with number 1.
when community sewerage not available ). At the request of
the Planning Board, this map was requested
4 Suitability of land for athletic fields (also indicates
more level areas, good drainage, and lack of rockiness ), A , the
request of the Planning Board, this map was requested
5. Suitability of land for development for shallow-water
recreation (fishing, limited boating, etc , ), nature study,
water fowl Mr. Shaffrath cautioned that the maximum depth
of water in such areas would be from five to six feet and
that the selection of sites for larger and deeper impoundments
-3-
would be a part of the natural resources inventory and not
the soil survey This map was requested by the Conservation
Commission.
6. Sources of sand and gravel The Commission re-
quested this map for the use of other town boards when
Mr Shaffrath pointed out that this was an excellent method
of choosing sites for swimming holes.
7 Roads (reflect degree of difficulty and cost of
installing and maintaining new roads. Heaps avoid problems
in development and later municipal maintenance ). This map
was requested at the request of the Planning Board.
8 Woodland (guide selection of areas for town forest
use, as well as guiding selection of species for reforestation
and shade trees ). The Commission and the Planning Board re-
quested this map.
9. Surface runoff (permability of surface, of value
in storm-water disposal compitatitns.). The Planning Board
and the Commission joined in requesting this map. It was
pointed out that this map would not display the extent of
paved areas, but that certain data regarding such areas would
be probably available in the town 's engineer 's office
10. Agriculture (Three degrees of suitability). This
map was requested by the Planning Board and the Conservation
Commission. F
11. Land slope characteristics (complement topographic
map; combines with surface runoff interpretation to compute
problem potential ). This map was requested by the Planning
Board and the Conservation Commission.
Ten of the above maps are included in the complete
survey price. Additional maps require the payment of a small
additional fee; this matter will be adjusted between the Com-
mission and the Planning Board.
The following maps will not be requested at the present
1. Suitability of land for schools and for school sites This
map was not requested. However, the request can be made at a
later date if the appropriate town board or the selectmen feel
it advisable. A copy of these minutes are being sent to the
selectmen and Mr. Smith will contact Mr. Steele,
2. Suitability of land for cemeteries. This map was not re-
quested, However, the request can be made at a later date if
the appropriate town board or the selectmen deem it advisable
-4-
Mr. Ripley will contact Mr. Potter of the Cemetery Commissioners;
it was the recommendation of Mr. Shaffrafth that a specific
site evaluation by the Soil Conservation Service would serve
the purposes of the town.
Number of copies ordered Each copy costs $2 17 apiece,
and these publications may not be sold by the town A small
numae ' are included in the cost of the report. It was the
Commission 's strong recommendation that sufficient additional
copies be obtained to supply appropriate town boards and
libraries with this basic tool The Commission placed an order
for fifty extra copies and will advise Mr. Shaffrath if a
greater number is desired on the recommendation of other town
bodies.
Annotated photographs One set of photographs with
detailed annotations as to soil types is supplied and in-
cluded in the cost of the basic report. On Mr. Shaffrath 's re-
commendation, it was decided to order an additional set, at a
cost of $17, for the use of the town engineer.
Advance notification. Mr. Shaffrath will contact the
Commission as the date for soil examirtion approaches, pro-
bably in August. The Commission will endeavor to have publicity
provided in the Minuteman. The survey will be conducted by
approximately two men who will carefully hand-drill holes with
a two and a half inch auger in inconspicuous locations to a depth
up to forty-two inches and refill the holes after inspection
No land will be entered over the owner 's objection. The ex-
perience has been that landowners are willing to cooperate when
the understand the purposes of the examination
Mr Ripley will send copies of large Lexington street
maps to Mr Shaffrath at the Soil Conservation Service, Sudbury
Road, Concord.
North Street Property. Mr Sussman will proceed, in
association with Mr. Gray, to negotiate with the landowner,
after obtaining certain clarifications from the selectmen.
7
r
-5-
Mr. Ells will investigate a property in the Lincoln
Street area
It was Voted to adjourn the meeting for two weeks
until 8 30 in the evening on Monday, July 13, 1964,
Respettfully subm�d'
Stephen Ells
Secretary pro tempore
SFE/c ed
JUL 2 1964