HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971-02-01-CONCOM-min.pdf TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES of the Commission meeting February 1 , 1971.
The meeting was called to order at 7 55 by the chairman Mr Brown,
with Commission members Mrs Frick and Dr Kassler and Associate sy'
Commission members Manfred Friedman and Margaret Rawlsresent r.
Visitors were Josette Carter, Charlotte Sanderson and''Iris Wheaton. r.
1970 Applications The DNR has raised the question about the ',
open space Master Plan. Agreed the present open space master
plan should be updated and sent DNR, with explanations of changes g:'
and additions. Dr. Kassler will see about this
Cary Lecture Extra Word from Washington is "don' t give up" . Dr
Kassler will try to get positive commitment this week for a date
during the first weekend in March Publicity for the talk by
Rep Peter McCloskey of California should begin soon +i
HUD - OSA-51 The Time of Performance has been extended to March
30 , 1971 Final award of damages from eminent domain court cases
has been made. Town Counsel will give the Commission data on the
final figures and then the Chairman can send in a supplemental
application to HUD for grant amounting to half of the award.
Snowmobiles No word from Town Manager
Mass Association of Conservation Commissions has issued its
schedule of conferences Copy attached Mr Brown recommended
especially the Annual Meeting Saturday , March 6 , 9 a m at the
King Philip Restaurant in Wrentham and the northern sector meeting
on Thursday, April 1 , 2 p m at the Colonial Inn, Lynnfield
Bill from Camp DresseY' and McKee for work on the Great Meadow
Study from November 28 through December 26 , 1970 - Total $1064 90 ,
Lexington portion $532 45 - approved. There is now $3800 left in
the account
Operating Budget Mr Brown announced that S 70 was returned to
E & D from the 1970 budget for Secretarial help Word has not been
received on the amount allotted for 1971
Bow Street Filling Dr Kassler asked for additional word about
Hatch Act ruling or hearing preceding the recent filling on the
Ralph Cataldo Farm Mrs Frick said there was mention of a pos-
sible Hatch Act hearing in the Minuteklast January, but that it N±n
was ruled that the land was exempt from the Hatch Act because it
is a farm The necessary notification papers evidently were filed
with the DNR Mrs Wheaton showed the Commission a copy of the
Cataldos' January 12 , 1970 letter to the Planning Board, stating
their intent to fill the land Mrs Wheaton stated that she had
word from Mr Hayward of DNR that a Hatch Act hearing would have
to be held before the land could be built upon (whether or not
rezoning goes through) Mrs Wheaton expressed concern about
loop-holes in the Hatch Act and suggested contacting Ben Nason
of the Conservation Law Foundation and Representative Wetmore ,
who headed a commission on wetlands The, relationship of the
Inland Wetlands Act to the "Hatch Act" was discussed briefly
Conservation Commission Minutes - 2/1/71 Page 2
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Snow Dump Mrs Frick has been receiving 1-e t-e—s on the town' s
east Lexington snow dump area, which lies between Mass Ave and
the Sickle Brook Trees are being knocked down and the brook
is being contaminated with the salt in the snow Furthermore,
the Town is also dumping leaves in the area Not only is it ugly,
but also wetland is being filled Agreed the Commission will
talk this over wL!.}h the Town Manager, when he next meets with
us - February In
Vine Brook Cleaning, includes tree-cutting, according to a telephone
call from Mrs Walsh of 175 Grant Street Several good-looking
birch trees were felled , according to Mrs Walsh, and adding to
the insult , the men tossed the paper cups from their coffee break
into the brook! Apparently the men cleaning the brook did not
receive very much in the way of instruction Another matter to
take up with the Town Manager
The Commission declared executive session at 9 15 p m and met
in executive session with the Board of Selectmen from 9 30 to
10 p.m The next meeting of the Commission will be February
8, 1971
Respectfully submitted,
v- i°
Mrs Erna S Greene
Secretary to the Commission
FEB 9 VT