HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-10-17-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
Monday October 17, 2017
6:30 P.M.
Parker Room, Town Office Building
1625 Massachusetts Ave
Vice Chair David Langseth opened the meeting at 6:33pm in the Hudson Room.
Commissioners Present: Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk, Kevin Beuttell, Ruth Ladd, Alex Dohan.
David Langseth
Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Casey Hagerty, Conservation
Department Assistant
6:33pm
Request for insignificant plan change: Diamond School, DEP 201-1013 BL 970
Fred King, Schofield Brothers Engineer, stated that when the project was originally approved,
the commission had requested additional stormwater features. They installed an additional basin,
but had to move the baseball field slightly as the result. Now, they must provide a handicapped
accessible path to the field from the parking lot. They are proposed a four foot wide stone dust
path.
Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0 in
favor.
6:43pm
Request for insignificant plan change: Bridge School, DET 16-16
Fred King, Schofield Brothers, explained that as they were digging for the infiltration systems,
they hit ledge. They cannot blast the ledge because of a gas line in the area. Now, they are
proposing to shorten the basin from 4 feet to 3 feet. They will not be able to meet full TSS
removal with this unit, but there are other units on site that will be able to make the needed TSS
removal.
Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0
in favor.
6:47pm
Request for insignificant plan change: 420-430 Bedford Street, DEP 201-1060, BL 1017
Ms. Mullins explained that a bus stop along Bedford Street has been moved. Now there is a
walking path leading from 420-430 Bedford Street that does not lead to anywhere. The owner is
proposing to remove that crosswalk and replace it with lawn.
Motion to approve the plan change made by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell. Vote: 6-0
in favor.
6:50pm
Request for Insignificant plan change: 18 Constitution Road, DEP 201-884, BL 843
Venkata Bhupatiraju- homeowner
Ms. Mullins explained that she has met with the Engineering Department regarding this project.
Because this project was approved before they required test pits with all submittals, they stated
that they are comfortable approving the project without test pits done prior to construction under
the condition that test pits will be done when construction begins.
Motion to approve the plan change made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Bettell. Vote: 6-0 in
favor.
6:52pm
Violations: 8 Joseph Comee Road and 5 Joseph Comee Road
Ms. Mullins explained that both violations were noticed on the same day. Fill was on site but had
not been spilled yet. Work was stopped. The homeowners were alerted of the violation and will
be in contact with the staff regarding the next steps.
Violations: 32 Woodpark Circle
Ms. Mullins explained that the owner of 32 Woodpark Cir.built a raised bed garden and a shed in
the rear of the property. She had sent a letter explaining that this would need a permit. On a site
visit, she noticed that they were building a deck. She issued a stop work order and the owner is
working with the Conservation Office.
6:57pm
Issue Order of Conditions: DEP 201-1072, BL 1029, 23 Hamblen Street
The commission reviewed a draft Order of Conditions and discussed edits they want to see.
Motion to issue the Order of Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan.
Vote: 6-0 in favor.
7:05pm
DET 17-28
RDA, 404 Lincoln Street
Owner/Applicant: Jinsi Tan
Project: Septic abandonment and connection to town sewer
Motion to continue the hearing to 10/30/2017 at the applicant's request made by Ms. Ladd and
seconded by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
7:09pm
DET 17-29
RDA, Rt. 2 and Rt.128 Interchange
Owner/applicant: Eversource Energy
Project: Underground electrical conduit installation
Sean Hale,Normandy Associates and Matt Waldrip- Eversource Engineering
Mr. Hale explained that they are proposing to install 1,700 sq. ft. of electrical conduit along the
shoulder of Rt. 128 South onto Rt. 2. West. They will be installed next to the new stormwater
features that were recently installed.
Mr. Waldrip explained that they will be using a method of trenchless drilling called HDD. The
only ground disturbance will be at the splice boxes which there are four of They use pressurized
water to create the path.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
The commission stated that they were concerned about the Cambridge reservoir which lies
directly next to this project.
The commission asked how deep the drilling will go. The applicant explained that they are
unsure until they begin construction.
The commission expressed concern about potential frack out. Mr. Waldrip stated that frack out is
very unlikely but they do have contingency plans in place if that does happen.
The commission expressed concern about the splice boxes and how they will be supported
during construction.
The commission stated that they are OK with issuing the permit contingent upon more details
being provided to the Commission as well as Cambridge Water Department being included in the
preconstruction meeting.
Motion to issue a Negative Determination with Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded
by Mr. Wolk. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
7:47pm
DEP 201-1074, BL 1031
NOI, 6 Peacock Farm Drive
Owner/applicant: Carlos and Leslie Hoyt
Project: Home addition and driveway replacement
Markus Pinney- wetlands scientist and Peter Gammie- Engineer
Mr. Pinney explained that his client is proposing to build an addition and a second driveway.
Most of the work is being done outside of the buffer to the wetlands across the street. They are
proposing a stormwater system to mitigate for the addition as well as the second driveway.
Mr. Langseth entered the Engineering Report into the record.
Questions and comments from the Commission:
The commission asked for more details regarding the pervious pavers. They stated that they were
concerned about the slope of the driveway.
The commission stated that they want clarification regarding the downspout overflows.
Motion to continue the hearing to 10/30/2017 at the applicant's request made by Mr. Beuttell and
seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
8:12pm
DEP 201-1071, BL 1028
NOI, 39 Middleby Road
Owner/applicant: John Franson
Project: New patio
John Franson, homeowner
Mr. Langseth explained that the applicant has submitted drainage calculations and the
engineering department has approved.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in
favor.
8:13pm
DEP 201-1011, BL 968
Amended Order of Conditions, 37 Justin Street
Owner/applicant: Muhammed Rahman and Paula Karim
Project: after the fact changes to approved plan
Sadee Barbar- Builder, Paula Karim- owner
Mr. Barbar explained that they have made a few changes to the proposed plan. They have
removed the roof area off of the kitchen door and have changed the orientation of the steps off of
the deck. They are also proposing to add additional plantings along the side of the house.
Motion to close the hearing made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mrs. Dohan. Vote: 6-0 in
favor.
Pending Continued
8:30pm
Issue Order of Conditions: DEP 201-1073, BL 1030, 15 Oxbow Road
Motion to issue Order of Conditions made by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0
in favor.
8:31pm
Issue Certificate of Compliance: Hartwell Ave, Kiln Brook Office Park, DEP 201-70, BL 2
Motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd.
Vote: 6-0 in favor.
8:33pm
Approve 2018 meeting schedule
The Commission approved the meeting schedule for 2018
8:35pm
Schedule Site Visits for the 10/30/17 meeting
Site visits were scheduled for 10/27/2017 at gam.
8:37pm
Steep Slope Regulation Discussion
Ms. Mullins explained that this will be put on the agenda for approval on 11/13/2017.
8:39pm
100 foot buffer zone regulation discussion
The commission discussed the language that they want to use for the regulation.
8:54pm
Survey marker regulation
The commission discussed the need for adequate controls so that a survey can be reproduced.
9:llpm
Reports
Mr. Wolk reported the Town Meeting article regarding 44 Adams Street had been withdrawn.
Mrs. Dohan reported that there is a planning meeting scheduled for the Wright Farm Bain
project.
9:18pm
Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Ladd. Vote: 6-0 in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Casey Hagerty
Conservation Department Assistant
Approved 10/30/2017