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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-29 CONCOM-min MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION March 29, 2011 Commissioners present: Joyce Miller, Stew Kennedy, Phil Hamilton, Charlie Wyman, David Langseth Absent: Duke Bitsko, Dick Wolk Others present: Karen Mullins, Conservation Administrator; Emily Schadler, Conservation Assistant; the Lexington Conservation Stewards Directors Chair Joyce Miller opened the meeting at 7:30 pm in Room G-15, Town Offices Building. 7:30 pm Informal: Community gardens rules, Emily Schadler Emily Schadler reported that she and some of Lexington’s community gardeners are drafting a set of rules for Lexington’s community gardens, addressing maintenance/clean-up, water usage, organic standards, parking, appropriate use, and compost maintenance and asked for feedback. The Commission shared feedback regarding the parking area, shared tools, and the garden coordinator position. Joyce Miller clarified that a draft of the rules would be circulated to the Commission when available. 7:44 pm Informal: Update on tools fundraiser and shed, Lexington Conservation Stewards Keith Ohmart reported on the tools fundraiser that the Lexington Conservation Stewards and the Citizens for Lexington Conservation have been partnering on over the past few months. The fundraiser letter was sent to 350 addresses, and the response rate was around 20%, bringing in nearly $5000.00. CLC will purchase the tools and loan them permanently to the Town, allowing the Stewards/CLC to loan the tools to other groups who they work cooperatively with when needed. 7:50 pm Informal: 2011 Stewards’ master project list, Lexington Conservation Stewards Bonnie Newman reported on the Stewards’ master projects list for 2011. Tom Whelan added that the Engineering Division is working with the Watershed Stewards to begin setting up a volunteer water quality monitoring program. A site visit with Keith Ohmart for North Street regarding the trail improvements there th was set for April 16. Stew Kennedy added that repairs to 3 bridges at Juniper Hill may be additional project for this year. Documentation: 2011 Stewards’ Master Project List Page 1 of 3 MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING March 29, 2011 8:10 pm Informal: Cotton Farm management plan check-in, Lexington Conservation Stewards Tom Whelan reported that a group of Stewards have started to write the land management plan required by the State to meet the requirements of the LAND grant for the Cotton Farm purchase. He presented some of the topics that the plan is currently addressing. The Commission and Stewards discussed next steps for the plan and suggestions for topics to address in it. 8:35 pm Informal: Invasive species work on conservation land, Lexington Conservation Stewards Emily Schadler requested feedback from the Commission on the idea of completing a blanket RDA addressing invasive species removal on a number of conservation properties to increase efficiency in permitting. The Commission and Stewards discussed the benefits of the regulated use of spot-treatment and injection pesticides on certain invasive species that are causing the most damage on conservation land, such as Oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, burning bush, and multiflora rose. Karen Mullins stated that staff would look into insurance issues around pesticide application. 8:45 pm Informal Power drive mobility devices/ADA accessibility, Lexington Conservation Stewards Stew Kennedy updated the Commission on a recent ruling that allows access for power driven mobility devices on trails unless a prior valid reason for prohibiting their use exists. The Commission and Stewards discussed the idea of assessing where power driven mobility devices would and would not be appropriate based on the parameters in the ruling. Motion made and seconded to appoint a sub-committee to study and make recommendations on the PDMD rulings and that Stew Kennedy serve as the chair. 5-0 in favor. David Kaufman stated that he would like to emphasize the importance of having land management plans completed for our conservation areas. The Commission and Stewards discussed land management planning, the progress being made toward it through the new trail maps and through intern data collection, and future upcoming projects for planning, such as the Leary property. 9:05 pm Bylaw regulation amendments discussion Page 2 of 3 MINUTES – LEXINGTON CONSERVATION COMMMISSION MEETING March 29, 2011 Karen Mullins presented the comments that she made on the draft on the bylaw. The Commission discussed the comments briefly. Phil Hamilton suggested that a separate meeting to discuss the bylaw regulation be set up. 9:20 pm Pending Matters Joyce Miller explained that the Robinson Road expansion may impact the brook there and would like to know what the Commission’s jurisdiction is there. Karen Mullins stated that she had started to discuss this with Engineering. Joyce Miller reported that there may be 6-8 units with underground parking being proposed for the Leary affordable housing parcel. The Commission discussed their role in the process. 9:42 pm Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted by, Emily Schadler Conservation Assistant Page 3 of 3