HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-04-08-CONCOM-min 1
TOWN OF LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 8, 2019
6:30pm
Parker Room
Town Office Building, 1625 Mass. Ave, Lexington, MA
Commissioners Present: Phil Hamilton, Alex Dohan, David Langseth, Ruth Ladd, Kevin
Beuttell, Dick Wolk and Duke Bitsko
Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator and Katie Luczai, Conservation
Department Assistant
6:30pm
New Business/Pendine Matters
Memorial bench proposal for Meagherville- Lex Global Warming Action Committee
Lis Bornhofft of Lex Global Warming Action Committee presented before the Commission. Ms.
Bornhofft presented a proposed memorial bench for Ms. Kay Tiffany who was a longtime
resident who loved the many conservation areas in Lexington. The granite bench is proposed to
be located in Meagherville, one tenth mile from Cedar Street and one tenth mile from Garfield
Street. Charlie Ronchetti is volunteering to install the bench. The exact location is to be decided
based on accessibility to the site. The bench is to be engraved with "Kay Tiffany, 1935-2019,
She saved these woods".
Ms. Bornhofft stated that additional wording may be added. The Commission agreed to approve
the wording as is and if additional wording is added then Ms. Bornhofft must come before the
Commission for approval. Mr. Bitsko stated that the depth of the proposed engraving should be
taken into consideration when determining the location of the engraving due to potential erosion.
On a motion by Mr. Wolk and seconded by Mr. Langseth, the Commission voted to approve the
Memorial bench proposal.
Issue Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation: 497 Concord Ave DEP 4 201-1127 BL
1084
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Wolk, the Commission voted 5-0 to issue the
ORAD for 497 Concord Ave. Ms. Dohan and Mr. Langseth abstained.
Request for Certificate of Compliance: (not read) 482 Bedford Street DEP 4 201-894 BL 853
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To be discussed at a later date.
Review RDA Compliance: 12 Cooke Road DET 18-3
The applicant provided a thorough explanation of the pool installation in order to gain final
compliance for the determination of applicability.
No motion was made.
Review RDA Compliance: 30 Dewey Road DET 18-6
Ms. Mullins stated that the applicant has complied with the RDA.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted to agree that
the applicant complied with the Determination of Applicability.
Insignificant Plan Change: 151 Grove Street DEP 4201-1095 BL# 1052 (Installation of a geo-
thermic well)
Mr. Scott Smyers presented before the Commission. Mr. Smyers presented three proposed bore
holes to be completed on the property in order to install a well. Mr. Smyers and Ms. Mullins
confirmed that test pits have already been completed. The project should be completed within
one day.
Ms. Dohan asked that the applicant use compost silt socks as opposed to the proposed straw
waddles.
An abutter asked if the proposed activity will affect the stream in the rear of the property. Mr.
Smyers stated that the activity should not affect the stream since the activitys is well outside of
the buffer zone area and it is a closed system.
On a motion by Ms. Dohan and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 7-0 to approve
the insignificant plan change for 151 Grove Street.
Ocean River Institute Presentation: Lawn Care Practices
Mr. Rob Moyer, Hunter Lanberg and Isabelle of the Ocean River Institute presented before the
Commission. Mr. Moyer explained that fertilizers used in lawn care practices are polluting the
environment, particularly through runoff into waterways. Mr. Moyer explained that the Ocean
River Institute is attempting to educate towns and cities to maximize the use of slow release
nitrogen fertilizers.
Mr. Lanberg stated that slow release nitrogen fertilizers allow for a slower release of a smaller
amount of nitrogen into the earth. This allows for more uniform color and growth while also
minimizing the total amount of nitrogen being released. Slow release nitrogen is a better
alternative to Roundup since it is a well known carcinogen that bio-accumulates in our bodies,
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making the slow released fertilizer a better alternative not only for the environment but also
ourselves. Other alternatives include weed-whacking, heat based approaches and organic based
herbicides.
Chairman Hamilton left, passing the Chairmanship to Vice Chair, David Langseth.
Mr. Langseth asked if the Ocean River Institute was suggesting specific language to add to
wetland permitting regulations.
Mr. Moyer stated that he will send the language to the Commission and stated that the town of
Arlington has already adopted it.
The Ocean River Institute stated that they are trying to work with a local hardware store to
supply slow release fertilizers in their stores. They stated that slow release is only truly slow
releasing if it is at least 60%. Mr. Moyer stated that they are suggesting wetland permitting
regulations recommend 80% slow releasing fertilizers.
Mr. Wolk raised his concerns regarding the availability of slow releasing fertilizers and the
public education needed regarding this confusing subject.
Approve Meeting Minutes: 2-11-2019, 3-11-2019 and 3-25-2019
The minutes from February 11, 2019 will be approved at the following meeting.
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to accept the
meeting minutes for March 11, 2019.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Wolk, the Commission voted 6-0 to accept the
meeting minutes for March 25, 2019.
Review schedule for site visits for April 22, 2019 meeting (Saturday, April 20 2019)
The site visits to be conducted on April 20, 2019 will include filings for the meetings on April 22
and April 29. Thus far there are about four filings with the deadline for April 29, 2019 on the
following day.
Ms. Ladd will be absent for the meetings on April 22 and April 29.
Buffer Zone Performance Standards Amendments to Regulations
Discussion of the buffer zone performance standards will be moved until Chairman Hamilton is
in attendance.
7:00 pm
New Public Meetings/Hearings
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DET 19-12
RDA, 163 Grove Street
Applicant: Mary McGarry
Project: Determine whether associated activities related to the renovation of the existing
dwelling, including installation of underground electrical conduit line from the street utility pole
to the dwelling and roof overhangs
Mr. Richard McGarry presented before the commission to propose installation of an
underground electrical conduit.
Ms. Mullins stated that the applicant previously came before the Commission to gain approval
for the proposed addition. Ms. Mullins reminded the Commission that, as a part of the issued
conditions, a shed and driveway were to be removed and replaced. Ms. Mullins stated that on a
recent site visit that it appeared as though additional work was being done.
Mr. McGarry stated that he did extend the roof overhang around the entire house.
Mr. Beuttell asked what the net square footage of the additional overhang amounted to.
Mr. McGarry did not know.
Mr. Beuttell asked if FENO markers were to be installed along the property edge abutting the
conservation land.
Mr. Bitsko stated that the new placement of the shed was fine as long as it is outside of the 50
foot buffer zone. The Commission concurred.
Mr. Langseth asked that a condition added that, if the trenching work is required to install the
electrical line takes place overnight, the applicant must fill it for overnight periods.
On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Mr. Wolk, the Commission voted 6-0 to issue a
negative determination with conditions.
Continued Public Hearings
DEP 201-1120 BL 1076
NOI, 244 Wood Street
Applicant: MIT Lincoln Labs
Project: Proposed electrical building modifications within the 100 foot buffer zone
Previous Hearings: 1-7-2019, 1-28-2019, 2-11-2019, 2-25-2019, 3-11-2019, 3-25-2019
*Request to continue to Monday, 4/22/19 at 7:00 PM
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue
the hearing until Monday, April 22 at the applicant's request.
DEP 4 201-XXXX BL
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NOI, 758 Marrett Road
Applicant: Minuteman Vocational High School
Project: Construction of synthetic tuft athletic fields
Previous Meeting: 2-25-2019, 3-25-2019
*Request to continue to Monday, 4/22/19 at 7:00 PM
On a motion by Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue
the hearing until Monday, April 22 at the applicant's request.
DEP 4 201-1126 BL 1083
NOI, 6 Blinn Road
Applicant: Lauren Dillon
Project: Proposed raze and rebuild of a single family dwelling
Previous Meeting: 3-11-2019
Ms. Lauren Dillon and Mr. Wesley Leighton presented before the Commission. Ms. Dillon
presented a new plan for a single family residence informally to the Commission. The new
proposed dwelling eliminates the proposed deck and is placed in the same footprint of the
existing dwelling. The amount of impervious surface area has decreased by almost 50%.
Ms. Dohan asked if they were keeping the existing foundation or constructing a new one.
Ms. Dillon stated that they will be constructing a new foundation.
Mr. Beuttell raised serious concerns regarding the second wetland delineation which was
drastically different than the first delineation and is still missing completed data forms. Mr.
Beuttell suggested that a peer review be conducted.
Mr. Bitsko inquired about the test conducted during the site visit. Mr. Wolk stated the tests were
spotty and Ms. Ladd stated that the ground was very wet.
Ms. Mullins suggested as an alternative that she can conduct soils tests with the wetland
scientist.
Mr. Wolk stated that, regardless of the potential confirmed wetland delineation, the proposed
house will continue to have issues such as the stormwater management effects of an increased
dwelling elevation.
Mr. Langseth stated that stormwater management will be difficult because of the high ground
water table.
The Commission agreed that the next step is for Ms. Mullins to arrange a site visit with Mr.
Crossman, the wetland scientist, in order to conduct soil tests. If the site visit does not produce a
definitive delineation or unsatisfactory results, an outside consultant will be brought in to
conduct a peer review at the applicant's expense.
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On a motion by Mr. Beuttell and seconded by Ms. Dohan, the Commission voted 6-0 to continue
the hearing until April 29, 2019 at the applicant's request.
At 7:52pm, on a motion be Ms. Ladd and seconded by Mr. Beuttell, the Commission voted 6-0
to adjourn the Conservation Commission meeting.