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