HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-06-15-CONCOM-min.pdf ij TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
J' MINUTES of the Commission Meeting June 15 , 1970.
The meeting was called to order ,at 8 15 p.m. by Mr Smith,
presiding briefly until Mr Brown arrived from a Hatch Act
hearing at the Board of Selectmen Mrs. Frick , Dr. Kassler
and Messrs Mazerall and Sussman were also present.
Pursuant to Art . 82 1968 , the Commission discussed the small
rear portions of their lots lying southeast of the Vine Brook
with Miss Malfa, Mr. Davis and Mr and Mrs. Walsh of Grant Street .
They expressed dissatisfaction with the use of Town brook
easements by unauthorized vehicles and seemed quite concerned
about pollution of the brook. All three expressed desire to
continue ownership of their land on the far side of the brook.
The issue of conservation easement is not completely closed.
Mrs. Frick is looking into possibl existence of limitations
upon building near brooks. She will call Steve Ells.
Brook Cleaning & Pollution The Commission agreed that the
Vine Brook pollution should be investigated farther. Mr. Brown
will be in touch with the DNR about procedures Mr. Sussman b
recommended Richard Cronin of the Fish & Game Division as a
possible source of program-generation aid. (Mr Brown also will
be in touch with Jason Cortell on this problem)
Hatch Act Hearing. Mr. Brown reported on what was said there,
showing a sketch of the builder' s stream-change proposal which
would (possibly? )make two lots buildable The following points
were brought out in discussion
1 The existing 24" culvert under Valleyfield Street
seems to be inadequate , since water backup occurs after
rainstorms
2 With the filling of the two lots which would occur
in stream-moving, basements in homes of the area would
be wetter.
3. Even if the size of the culvert were improved to
remove the water more rapidly, problems downstream in
areas such as the Bowman School may be aggravated.
A letter to this effect will go to the Board of Selectmen.
OSA 60. Concurrence in price has been received from HUD
These were recorded on the Acquisition Progress Chart . As
soon as Steeves , Modoono and Hayden Woods parcels are completely
acquired, Requisition for Grant can be made Deadline Sept. 1.
Great Meadow Study. Mrs. Frick and Dr. Kassler reported on
last week' s report meeting in Arlington. Messrs Weiner (con-
sultant) , Lopez and Hauser of Camp, Dresser and McKee and
Conservation Commission Minutes 6/15/70
Carl Noyes of Cortell were there along with a large Arlington
delegation The hydrology-geology study should continue through
September - which raises problems for Mrs Frick who has been
responsible for obtaining gauge-readers (she will ask Mr A
Maloney, who lives nearby) f{
The consultants reported that the Great Meadow is a large
water-holding area surrounded by glacial till Water levels
are characterized by peaks which drop rapidly Soil study
digging revealed an old pumping station .Diggers were once
chased out by the Lexington police. Brook pollution occurs
chiefly in Arlington, with a lesser amount of impurity
from Lexington via Sickle Brook in the Wilson Farm manure
storage area. The Great Meadow drainage ditch is brown
from high iron content. . . .An ecological study will be done by
Miss Pierce of Vassar College, aided by two students , yet to
be found.
Neither Mrs. Frick nor Dr Kessler was impressed by the quality
of work so far reported by Camp, Dresser & McKee It was agreed
to withhold approval of payment of the $573 45 bill for Lex-
ington' s share for May until the report promised in a week
arrives Mr Sussman recommeded getting in touch with the
higher management of the firm.
APplication to HUD for acquisitions voted at the 1970 Town
Meeting, hopefully, can be ready to be sent in September 15. ;s
Mrs. Greene outlined the new pre-application process, which
should be begun now by notification and information to state i
and regional clearing houses
Secretary' s Vacation will be June 20 through July 19. Mail
will be sent to Mr. Brown.
The meeting adjourned at 11 20 p.m. until July 29
Respectfully submitted,
ekg6
Mrs. Erna S Greene
Secretary to the Commission
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