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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-03-02-CONCOM-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON , MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES of Commission meeting March 2, 1970 The meeting was called to order by the Vice Chairman, Francis W K. Smith at 7 37 p m. , with Mrs. Frick and Mr Totman pre- sent Messrs. Mazerall and Sussman arrived shortly thereafter Warrant Article areas. The following parcels should be ad- vocated in Town Meeting with priority in order listed, it was decided. 1. Drummer Boy (Art. 9$) 45 acres E of transmission lines Rough estimate $100,000 2. Bedford St.- Heritage Hotels (Art. 96) 8 acres along the brook - $16,000 rough estimate 3. Justin St. Parcel (contained in Art. 94) - $1,000 4. Busa (article 77) This parcel is important because it receives water from Worthen Rd. across Bedford St and it serves as buffer between an industrial and a residential area. A life estate agreement is now under discussion with Mrs. Busa Rough estimate 310,000 for 3 78 acres 5. Hamilton - Juniper Hill (art 79) 6 Green & White land W of Maple St. (Art. 97) 45 acres. Rough estimate $90,000. 7. E of Maple St (Art. 78) . Conservation land or ease- ment will be given Town if Art 102 rezoning passes The Commission agreed that the rest of its easement program should be moved for indefinite postponement - unless agree- ment should be reached with a large landowner before Town Meeting.- for the following reasons 1) The entire program could be jeopardized if the wrath of eminent domain oponents is aroused 2) Brooks and wetlands along the back ends of occupied house lots are not likely to be developed nr disturbed in the very near future 65-foot In addition, sewer easement east of Vine Brook will provide sufficient development-prevention near Kendall Road Land- owners involved will be so informed Conservation Commission 3/2/706 r page 2 �, i Meeting with Selectmen Mr. Cataldo said that he had not re- ceived sufficient information from the Conservation Commission or from Camp Dresser & McKee on the exact areas involved in the Great Meadow hydrological study. Mrs. Frick and Mr. Totman said they understood that Camp Dresser & McKee had been in touch with Town officials. Mr Totman will discuss this with Camp, Dresser & McKee and with Mr. O' Connell. Because of the large number of parcels involved in the Con-aPgr� `dls servation Commission/Planning Board Articles for easements tia.d „ot P,�_ ' or acquisitions along brooks and waterways aiHe gave the v;ous(Yy be.cn previously agreed-upon list of priorities, stating that obtc4 opinions of value are now being obtained on five parcels and the ' Wilson property off Justin St. already asunder option for 51,000. Mr. Cataldo asked if this meant indefinite postponement for articles 95, 78, 80 and 81. Mr. Smith said yes, except for Art. 78 areas which would be a gift to the Town from Mr. Stoico, if article 102 passes. Mr. Cataldo requested the Conservation Commission to get j the property descriptions for Mr. Legro as soon as possible and then the dollar values when they become available. The Selectmen asked that the opinions of value include a com- parison of easement versus outright purchase costs. t'�� The Valleyfield Realty Trust property, which was discovered �' to contain_3-a-crP.s more upop_,r-eaummee.,,__w-illrbe purchased with,_ y� C, , about c 3-�`u�rd—f. e= _ �bk,.°ifs�rer �, Fund and about $4400 from the Conservation Fund, it was 4qo y-yea y i agreed. ' 1 if / -- 4 i Conservation Fund It was agreed that an Article should be submitted to the next Town Meeting that funds should be trans- ferred so that the Conservation Fund can be replenished to v; its previously-authorized amount of $5,000 Conversation with Philip Rosenberg of HUD and Mr. Sussman r took place last week about the •Amicangelo-Kenney letters which have been sent Secretary Romney, Senators, etc Mr. t^ Sussman said that the letter is part of a pattern of threats from a crank. Mr. Sussman told Mr. Rosenberg he could check the truth of this with the Chief of Police. Great Meadow Study Since volunteers are doing quite a bit of work reading meters, Mrs. Frick wondered what Camp Dresser { & McKee are doing. A copy of their progress report of 1/28/70 is enclosed Mr Totman said much of their work will not show t. until results are in next summer. He pointed out that the 4 ecology study will cost more than the hydrological survey MOVED and PASSED to authorize payment on Camp Dresser and McKee , invoice for work during January - $218.94 A recent letter informed the Commission that Kenneth Weiner has left Camp, Dresser & McKee and is being replaced by Alfredo lik Lopez on the Study 5.14 Conservation Commission 3/2/70 Page 3 Letter from Mrs. Drake of the Vine Brook Protective Association to the Planning Board expressing their opposition to develop- ment of the Vine Brook area was sent to the Commission. In addition to the Association' s survey of wet basement and other neighborhood water problems, a U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service study summary was enclosed. It will be answered as follows: Thank you for the service of suprlying citizen observation , and information. We are awaiting further details from the Town survey before taking a stand " Even if it could be proved or promised that development of the Vine Brook Tax Title land Would improve the water situation, the group stated at the hearing that they would rather keep their wet basements in order to keep the land as open space. d 1 { Letter from Mr. Zeller about the Stoico rezoning proposal, will be answered saying the Commission was unable to find a member available or well to attend the Planning Board hearing. However, we are aware of the plans and have dis- cussed them with Mr. Stoico Opinions of Value. The Commission agreed that if Mr. Berglund was unable, Mr. Singer should be asked. Publicity. An article and pictorial editorial written by Mrs Frick were displayed and received compliments from the Commis- sion. Office supplies. MOVED and PASSED to authorize Mrs. Greene to order 1000 envelopes from the printer at a cost of $35-$40. The meeting adjourned at 10.07 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mrs. Erna S. Greene, Secretary to the Commission Pt t