ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
MAY 2, 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, Christine Wallace, Catherine Garnett and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Kim Turner and Tom Ryan of Ryan Associates and homeowner Andy Mass represented 8 Mystic Bank. Joseph Rossi, contractor and Inez Hatfield, owner represented 83 Sunnyside. Mark Shea, DPW, represented the 642 Summer St project. Also present were Roseann Conti, Ray Aaronian, Russell Sherrif, Toshihiro Katayama, Dan Bronstein, Bob Calantti and Jerry Ingemi.
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
White/Hodges motioned to approve the minutes of 4/11 with minor edits; motion passed unanimously.
7:35pm 8 MYSTIC BANK, NOTICE OF INTENT for landscape improvements
Mr. Ryan presented the project that includes installation of two decks, stairs and various plantings that include ornamental trees, shrubs, groundcovers and the use of native species. The permit includes the specifications for a new modular dock that will be removed during the winter. The Chapter 91 permit is being sought concurrently.
The Commission had questions regarding the existing vegetation on the site. The need for removal of an existing silver maple was questioned by Ms. Hodges. The proponents agreed to provide the Commission with the inspector’s report citing the safety hazard posed by this tree and agreed to include another large caliper tree (3 inch diameter swamp white oak or red maple) along with the previously proposed 9 smaller ornamental trees to compensate for its removal.
A few neighbors had questions and comments regarding the Lower Mystic Lake and access to the waterway.
Sullivan/Garnett moved to close the hearing; motion passed unanimously.
Wallace/White moved to approve the proposed plan with two conditions, 1) to replace the silver maple with the large caliper tree, if it needs to be removed, 2) to protect the existing trees on the site from construction activities; motion passed unanimously.
8:15 642 SUMMER ST., REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY for drainage improvements
Mr. Shea presented the project to the Commission. The Commission recounted the site walk held 4/25. The purpose of the proposed new inlet is to relieve flooding to adjacent properties. The existing wetland is well below the elevation of the proposed inlet. The device will have a backflow stop valve. The Summer St. drainage project will probably occur in 2003. This ties into that project. One tree might need to be removed to install the new inlet.
Sullivan/Hodges moved to issue a Determination of Applicability that the project is within the Buffer Zone of the wetland but it does not require the filing of a Notice of Intent; motion passed unanimously.
9:00pm 83 SUNNYSIDE AVE., REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY for a small addition –
Mr. Stevens reopened the hearing continued from 4/11/02.
Mr. Rossi had submitted the surveyed plot plan of the parcel. After lengthly discussion, the Commission decided that a site walk was in order and scheduled this for Tuesday, May 7 at 7pm. Sullivan/White motioned to continue the hearing at the request of the applicant to May 9 at 8:30pm; motion passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS, CONT.-
The opening in the fence at Meadowbrook Park has been made and the dirt piles in the cemetery are removed. The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday from 9-3pm. Ms. Beckwith will contact DPW regarding trash pick up.
The Commission is drafting a letter to MDC regarding the draw down of the Mystic River.
Clarissa Rowe will come before the Commission next week to present an amendment to the work at Hills Pond at Menotomy Rocks Park.
The installation of drain markers at Spy Pond on April 27th went very well. Lots of volunteers completed the work in about 2 hours. The next area will be covered on May 11 at 10am meeting at Menotomy Rocks Park.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10:35pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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