Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-01-CONCOM-min TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES Monday, October 1, 2018 6:30 P.M. Parker Room, Town Office Building 1625 Massachusetts Ave Chair Phil Hamilton opened the meeting at 6:30 pm in the Parker Room of the Town Office Building. Commissioners Present: Chair—Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, Dick Wolk, David Langseth, Kevin Beuttell, and Ruth Ladd Commissioners Absent: Duke Bitsko Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Katie Luczai, Administrative Clerk 6:32 pm NEW BUSINESS/PENDING MATTERS • Issue Order of Conditions - 4 Hancock Ave., DEP File No. 201-1109, Bylaw No. BL 1067 On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the Order of Conditions. Mr. Hamilton did note that Ms. Ladd, Mr. Langseth and Mr. Beuttell were not in fact in attendance at the prior hearing. Documents received: - As Built dated 8.21.2018 (9/17/2018) - As Built dated 9.14.2018 (9/17/2018) - Engineering comment (9/13/2018) 6:33pm • Issue Order of Conditions - 17 Banks Ave., DEP File No. 201-1107, Bylaw No. BL 1065, P. Zhou Documents received: - Engineering Comments (9/17/2018) - NOI Revised Plan (9/10/2018) - HydroCAD Report (9/10/2018) - Revised as built plans dated 9/10/2018 (9/10/2018) Mr. Hamilton asked for a recollection of prior discussions of 17 Banks Ave. Ms. Mullins reminded the Commission that the owners and contractors of 17 Banks Ave had agreed to comply with the requests of the Commission and shortened the proposed length of the deck. Mr. Hamilton added that it was agreed that the deck was now no longer closer to the wetland than the current structure. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue the Order of Conditions. 6:35pm • FY 2020 Budget Development Ms. Mullins noted the upcoming budget for FY 2020. Ms. Mullins reminded the Commission of the desired project to implement ADA accessible paths in Willard's Woods. Ms. Mullins explained that with the help of the Engineering Department it would be possible to project planning for the paths in 2020 and construction of the paths in 2021. Ms. Mullins mentioned that the Commission has also brought up adding a comprehensive meadow mowing program and West Farm to the budget. Ms. Dohan asked what the status was of the ADA path at Parker Meadow. Ms. Mullins clarified that installation of an ADA path at Parker Meadow would happen after installation of an ADA path at Willard's Woods. Ms. Dohan added that Senator Cindy Friedman had asked for funding for installing ADA paths in Lexington in the state's environmental bond bill. Ms. Mullins mentioned that she and Ms. Dohan recently met with Mass Audubon to discuss potentially creating an environmental center in the barn at Wright Farm. Ms. Mullins asked the Commission if they had any other items they would like to discuss for the upcoming FY2020 budget. She mentioned need for of a new mower which would be about $4,000. Ms. Mullins continued to mention the summer program. Ms. Mullins mentioned recent difficulty in finding enough applicants and that if they raised the hourly rate maybe more applications would be submitted. Ms. Mullins proposed an increase to $11 per hour for the summer maintenance program. 6:42pm 0 Meeting Minutes: 9/17/2018 Due to lack of meeting minutes from September 17th, 2018, Ms. Mullins explained that they would be moved to be discussed during the next meeting on October 15th, 2018. 6:43pm • Planning Board Project Comments Ms. Mullins relayed to the Planning Board that the Commission had no comments on the proposed development on Watertown Street. She relayed the message from the Planning Board that all jurisdictional areas would remain untouched. 6:45pm • Reports: Bike Advisory, Community Gardens, Community Preservation Committee, Greenway Corridor Committee, Land Acquisition, Land Management, Land Steward Directors, and Tree Committee Mr. Hamilton asked if there were any additional reports to discuss. Mr. Wolk noted on an unrelated note that it appears the dog walking issue at Willard's Woods seems to be resolved. Ms. Mullins stated that because of the dog issue they were able to give more hours to Adam Green, the part time ranger. Adam has been able to reinforce violations by people disobeying the dog rules. 6:50pm Mr. Hamilton announced that the Commission was going into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition Mr. Hamilton called for a roll call vote. Ms. Ladd motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Mr. Beuttell motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Ms. Dohan motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Mr. Wolk motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Mr. Hamilton motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Mr. Langseth motioned in favor to move into an Executive Session. Mr. Hamilton announced that the Commission was officially beginning the Executive Session. 6:56pm The cameras were turned off and audience members left the room. 7pm Mr. Hamilton announced that the Commission was now out of the Executive Session. 7pm DEP File No. 201-1102, Bylaw No. BL 1059 NOI, 99 East Street Owner/applicant: 99 East Street LLC Project: Demo and construct new house within bordering land subject to flooding (BLSF), the 200-foot riverfront area, and the 100-foot buffer zone from bank and BLSF Documents received (continued from 9-4-2018): - Floodplain Calculations (9/11/2018) - Site Plan (9/11/2018) Presenter: Scott Smyers and Jonathan Shuster, Oxbow Associates Mr. Hamilton reminded the Commission that at the prior meeting the Commission was unable to act because of the lack of a quorum. Ms. Dohan recused herself. Mr. Smyers announced that there is an additional engineering calculation. Mr. Hamilton accepted the new engineering calculations onto the record. Ms. Mullins confirmed that the Commission received electronic copies. Mr. Langseth announced that due to his absence at the prior hearing, he should abstain from voting. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 4-0 to close the hearing. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 4-0 to issue the Order of Conditions. Ms. Mullins mentioned that there was one change in the flood storage component of the engineering plans that should be brought to the attention of the Commission. Mr. Langseth advised that the construction must be done with attention to the predicted weather. Ms. Mullins continued to ask about the plant restoration efforts, emphasizing the survivability of the plants and monitoring efforts for the following two years. Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Wolk voiced their support for this. Mr. Hamilton retroactively added these requirements to the Order of Conditions. Ms. Dohan rejoined the Commission. 7:14pm Ms. Mullins asked for any additional topics for discussion for the evening. Ms. Dohan proposed the possibility of creating of an advisory board for Wright Farm. She envisions that the board would meet several times a year. The Commission mentioned that it would be beneficial to include a representative from the neighborhood. On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:17pm. Approved 10-29-2018 Respectfully submitted, Katie Luczai Conservation Department Assistant