HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-03 CONCOM-min
MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION February 3, 2011
Commissioners Present: Joyce Miller, Duke Bitsko, Charlie Wyman, Stewart Kennedy,
Phil Hamilton, David Langseth (arrived at 7:32 pm)
Commissioners Absent: Dick Wolk
Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:20 pm in Room G-15 of the Town Office
Building.
7:20 pm Whipple Hill Run Update
Emily Schadler explained the Stewards’ position on the proposal from Josh Katzman to
host a running event at Whipple Hill. The Commission agreed with the Stewards that
Whipple Hill's trails are unsuitable at this time for a running event due to mud, erosion,
and maintenance issues, but that after the trails have been improved, such an event might
be possible.
7:24 pm Land Management Subcommittee Update
Mr. Hamilton updated the Commission that the land management subcommittee met last
week to discuss recommendations regarding dog-related regulations on conservation land
for the upcoming February 15, 2011 meeting. Mr. Hamilton stated that a draft of the
recommendations will be available prior to the February 15, 2011 meeting. Emily
Schadler reported that she met with Dave Pinsonneault regarding trash barrels and
identified two trash barrels that met DPW approval and were the least costly,
approximately $250 each. DPW does not have funds to support the purchase of trash
barrels at this time, and hence, the Commission requested staff to evaluate available
funds in the conservation trust funds to support the purchase of four trash barrels.
7:30 pm Meeting: Idylwilde Community Gardens Improvement Project
Documentation: Improvement Proposal for Lexington’s Idylewilde Community Gardens
dated 12/15/2010.
Emily Schadler updated the Commission on the draft proposals for improving the
th
Idylwilde community garden based on the December 15 gardeners' meeting.
The Commission heard comments from the public as follows: Don Kosak, current
Idylewilde Garden Coordinator, noted that he is in favor of the new garden location with
perimeter fencing and water as well as a phasing out plan for existing gardens over two
years. He also noted that the new location could be designed to expand to provide
additional plots in future as needed. Laura and Steven Krich reported that lack of water
and sunlight is a major issue at the existing location.
The Commission commented as follows: Charlie Wyman asked whether there was a
downside to relocating to the larger field, such as wildlife habitat impacts, which the
response was there was no known negative impacts since currently no trails, ground
nesting birds, or trees that would be impacted. Mr. Wyman also inquired what would
happen to the existing garden, which the response was that the gardens would be phased
out over two years to the new location and the fencing would be removed and area seeded
and replanted. Philip Hamilton inquired about funding, which he was reminded that a
program improvement request of $10,600 was approved in this year’s budget for these
improvements. David Langseth suggested that a well has long term costs to be
considered since it may require greater maintenance and operation costs. He also
suggested that shared tools may not be a town service but something that gardeners could
coordinate on their own. Duke Bitsko suggested that we think about plantings and
restoration of the area left behind and try to do the fence removal without bringing big
equipment in. He also asked about the view and how it would be impacted and if the
garden could move closer to Middle Street. Stew Kennedy is in favor of moving it but
did not want to see a driveway with parking in the garden area and requested that access
and parking be restricted to near Middle Street.
Laura Krich voiced that she supported moving the garden to the new location on the other
side of the stream.
The Commission voiced that they were in favor of the proposal to relocate the
community gardens at Idylewilde to the larger field area and requested that staff present
this proposal at the public meeting scheduled on February 22.
8:10 pm Discussion of Bylaw Regulation Amendments
Sections A and B: Buffer Zone
The Commission agreed to add the word "adequately" to the buffer zone wording
In item 4, the Commission discussed changing the wording to remove "underground" but
decided to leave it as is.
In item 3, the Commission agreed to add porches to the list.
In item 4, the Commission agreed to add a comma
The Commission agreed that sections A and B are complete drafts and ready to take to
Town Meeting.
Section C: Site Development and Landscaping
Section 5.C.2.c.: The Commission agreed to change the wording to instead include a A.
with provisions for an undisturbed area and B. with provisions for a disturbed area.
Wetland Restoration
The Commission discussed combining 5, 6, and 7 and discussed the size limits.
Duke suggests that other towns have restoration performance standards and that we
should adopt them as well.
The Commission agreed to require that turf grass be removed from the wetlands, buffer,
and restoration area.
The Commission agreed to provide more feedback to Duke so that he can prepare another
draft round on this section.
Phil suggests "wetlands must be restored" instead of "restored wetlands must be
constructed."
Removal of invasives, removal of sod, new native plant pallet.
Restoration should occur within the first full growing season.
The Commission agreed to change the wording from "25 Foot No Disturbance Zone
Demarcation" to "No Disturbance Zone Demarcation" Agreed that this section is
finished.
Stormwater: Charlie and David's debate
Karen will take a stab at the replication.
Ratio for replication - 2:1 with the authority to reduce it to 1.5:1 based on site conditions.
Site visit Saturday morning: 124 Maple Street, 9:30
Walnut Street drainage at 10:00
Adjourned: 9:20 pm