ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
MARCH 21, 2002
Mr. Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30pm in the second floor conference room of the Town Hall Annex. Present were Nathaniel Stevens, Timothy Sullivan, David White, Catherine Garnett and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Edward Herman represented 104 Spy Pond Parkway. Jessica Poser presented an art display in the Alewife Brook. Also in attendance were Roger Frymire, Kevin Smith, Dan O’Connell and Tina Lappas. John Belskis, and Brian Taranto of the Poet’s corner neighborhood were also present..
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
Ms. Hodges reported on the Capital budget committee’s approval of the Reservoir weed harvesting money and the money to repair the landscaping at Cookes Hollow. The Commission needs to support these at Town Meeting.
Sullivan/Garnett motioned to approve the minutes of 2/28/02 with edits from Mr. White; motion passed unanimously.
Jessica Poser presented her project of an art display within the Alewife Brook just downstream of the bikepath. The display consists of small mirrors mounted with aquarium sealant on wooden blocks, tied together and held in place by cinder blocks. The display will be installed for the May 11 Herring Run celebration and will remain in place for approximately one week. Ms. Poser will monitor the display daily. She will also place explanatory signage at the bikepath/pedestrian bridge and at the MDC sign board. The Commission approved of the art display and will write a letter of support for the work.
7:45pm 104 SPY POND PARKWAY, EXTENSION TO ORDER OF CONDITIONS #91-137 –
Mr. Hermon, the new owner, explained his intention to demolish and rebuild in a similar manner as the existing permit. When his new house plans are ready, he will file for an amendment to the existing permit.
Garnett/Hodges moved to close the hearing and extend the permit for three years to May 24, 2005; motion passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS, CONT.-
The Conservation Lands regulations were reviewed by John Maher, Town Counsel, and met with his approval. White/Sullivan motioned to adopt the regulations with edits from Ms. Hodges; motion passed unanimously.
The Great Meadows Friends group has scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at 7:30pm, at the Waldorf School on Mass Ave, Lexington. They will hold a walk on Sunday, March 24 at 9:30am at the Waldorf School. Their website is www.foagm.org.
Mr. Frymire discussed the need to rally volunteers in the effort to removal water chestnuts by hand from Arlington Reservoir. It could take as many people as we can muster. The time for harvesting by hand is late May, early June. We’ll need waders, life jackets.
Mr. Belkis discussed the Warrant article regarding isolated wetlands and the continuance of the Board of Selectman hearing on this to April 4 in order for more consideration or modification of the Warrant.
The spring efforts to clean up debris at Meadowbrook park will be hampered since the fence from the cemetery was repaired. The Commission will ask DPW to install an opening for our use.
There has been extensive tree trimming along the bikeway by DPW at the request of Arlington Bikeway Advisory Committee. There have been many complaints on how this work was conducted. A meeting to discuss these issues is tentatively scheduled for April 3, 7:30pm in the Town Hall Annex, 1st or 2nd floor conference rooms. The Commission will draft a letter discussing the work within areas of our jurisdiction.
The Commission will hold a site walk to discuss flooding along No Name (aka Geri’s) Brook on Saturday, March 30, 10am, meet at 55 Bow St. Mr. White shared the latest photograph of the work on the Tiger cage. The wing walls were constructed. While the main pipe is connected, the overflow and the pipe from Bow St have not been installed as of yet.
The Commission will cancel the May 16th meeting and hold one on May 9th in order to ensure a quorum.
The MACC conference was very informative. DEP will be issuing new guidance on small docks and piers by September of this year. This will be used to enhance the Commission’s processing of these permits.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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