ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
JUNE 6, 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, David White, Christine Wallace, Timothy Sullivan, Catherine Garnett and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Robert Keane, owner and Tom Ryan and Kim Turner, consultants, presented the 4 Mystic Bank project. Dr. Peter Braun discussed the Mystic Lake weed control work. Also present were Andy Mass, 8 Mystic Bank and Dean Harrington, 28 Robin Hood Rd.
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
Fiscal - Mr. Stevens reported that the Finance Committee approved an increase in our main budget account for office expenses. This action is intended to eliminate the need to request money from our fees account through a Town Meeting Warrant article each year. Mr. Sullivan restated his concern that this will lead to losing the balance of our fees account to the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year. He will gather more information to find a sound method of fund transfers that ensure our fees remain within the purview of the Conservation Commission.
7:35pm 4 MYSTIC BANK, AMENDMENT TO ORDER OF CONDITIONS #91-161
Mr. Ryan presented the changes to the landscape plan which include modifying the retaining wall and some of the plantings. The new design will have no encroachment on the 100 year floodplain. The stairway will remain as previously designed and the resulting cut in the slope will result in a net increase in flood storage.
Mr. White expressed concern on the use of English Ivy to obsure the wall, and that it can be a nuisance or even invasive in this area. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Keane said they would agree to the substitution of Virginia Creeper.
Ms. Garnett reported that the MDC and/or Arlington’s Planning Department is looking into the legality or reversion of the strip of land along Mystic Lake for public use. This issue is beyond the scope of the Conservation Commission and does not hinder the issuance of this permit.
Wallace/White motioned to amend the permits under the Arlington Wetlands Bylaw and the Wetlands Protection Act; motion passed unanimously.
7:45pm UPPER MYSTIC LAKE, working session to discuss aquatic weed control program
Dr. Braun explained the history of the weed control on the section of Mystic Lake where he and seven residents live and swim. Their properties are next to the Window on the Mystic Conservation Land.. The residents have been paying for Aquatic Control Technologies to treat aquatic weeds immediately in front of their properties for the past 5 years. Last year they did not treat the weeds. The latest report states that the weeds are coming in very vigorously and a treatment will be warranted this year. This work is permitted with Order of Conditions #91-131 as extended two years ago. Further work will require a new permit, next year.
MISCELLANEOUS, CONT.-
Ms. Hodges asked if there was any news of the Enforcement Order for 63 Hutchinson Rd. Ms. Beckwith will inquire.
Fiscal, continued – Hodges/Garnett motioned to reimburse Ms. Beckwith for office supplies; motion passed unanimously.
The Reservoir account has $21,000 for this year’s mechanical harvesting of water chestnuts.
Ms. Beckwith went to 54 Brattle Street and observed the dead tree overhanging the parked car of the residents. The tree appears to be on Conservation Land. Mr. White is going to walk the site with the land owner and the plot plan to determine the boundaries.
Many volunteers have contacted the Conservation Commission recently. The Commission discussed projects that could be conducted; mainly trash removal at Meadowbrook Park and Mill Brook. While not elegant work, it is desperately needed.
The Bikepath is being repaved. The Bow St.entrance is going to be reconfigured. Ms. Garnett will bring in some designs next meeting.
The Commission’s report is being produced for Town Meeting will resumes on Monday.
Mr. White reported on the Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows draft introductory letter to the Board of Selectmen.
Ms. Beckwith reported on the issues regarding Mal’s Towing. The Health Dept. alerted Ms. Beckwith to illegal dumping of laquer along the bikepath at this business which is immediately adjacent to Sickle Brook in Lexington, just over the Arlington Town boundary. The Board of Selectmen (BOS) are currently considered a permit to include selling of second hand vehicles by this business. The Commission sent a report to the BOS expressing the concern that runoff from parking lots will enter to the adjacent brook. All vehicles/work should be inside buildings with legally hooked up drains. The DEP and/or Lexington Conservation Commission may proceed with enforcement or clean up actions regarding the laquer and possibly an underground storage tank.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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