ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
AUGUST 1, 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, Catherine Garnett and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Timothy Sullivan and Cori Beckwith, Administrator, were absent. Attending were Edward Herman, 104 Spy Pond Parkway, Betsy Herman, Jim Marzilli, 15 Stevens Terrace, Ann Cella 99 Spy Pond Parkway, Magaret Marasheneen 102 Spy Pond Parkway, Lorrain Crescio 100 Spy Pond Parkway, Rich Cahill 114 Spy Pond Parkway, Ann Norton 119 Sunnyside Ave, Kristin Anderson 125 Sunnyside Ave, Billy Kiely 125 Sunnyside Ave, Vladimir Janderjsek 89 Sunnyside Ave, Kevin Wright 97 Sunnyside Ave, and Gloria Wright 97 Sunnyside Ave.
7:30 p.m. COMMISSION BUSINESS
Meeting Minutes – White/Wallace moved to approve the meeting minutes for July 18, 2002 as amended; motion passed unanimously.
Bench on Bike Path at Gold’s Gym – Ms. Hodges and Mr. White reported on Gold’s Gym’s response to the Commission’s letter asking that the bench be removed as it might cause problems when storm water comes down bike path and Geri’s Brook. Gold’s Gym responded that bench was secured and wouldn’t move. After discussion, Commission decided to send letter to Gold’s Gym saying that bench could stay, but if it were a problem in any way, the Commission would likely ask for it to be removed. Ms. Hodges offered to prepare letter.
Bow Street Access To Bikeway – Ms. Garnett reported that she had spoken with Ron Santosuosso of DPW about proposed materials for design and man holes at site; he said all were active, so she will prepare design accordingly. She and Mr. White plan meeting with neighbors next week to refine plans. If plans and specs finalized soon, there is a good chance plan can be constructed in the fall as part of curb contract.
7:45 p.m. 104 SPY POND PARKWAY, AMENDMENT TO ORDER OF CONDITIONS #91----137
Mr. Herman presented the changes to the proposed plan (to tear down and rebuilt house) which include slight enlargement to existing house foot print by enlarging rear porch area; eliminating from design 500+/- sq. ft. patio from north side; and moving double driveway south, further away from pond and using ecostone pavers, a product suggested by Ms. Beckwith as it is claimed to have 100% permeability, which is a big improvement over other surfaces. These driveway pavers would have stone between them, and sit on two-layer stone/gravel bed (2” on top of 8”). Mr. Herman discussed driveway maintenance and construction, provided samples and literature on the product, and presented conditions for inclusion in amended permit.
Richard Cahill of 114 Spy Pond Parkway urged the Commission to act quickly so as to allow the work to begin as soon as possible as the existing house has been unoccupied for three-plus years and, as such, has been a detriment to the neighborhood. Mr. Herman replied he purchased the house 3 months ago and is hoping to complete work as soon as possible. Mr. Stevens noted that the original permit had been extended until March 2005.
Following further discussion, White/Wallace moved to close the public hearing; motion passed unanimously. White/Wallace moved to amend the Order of Conditions as requested and with conditions discussed. Motion passed unanimously.
8:10 p.m. COMMISSION BUSINESS, continued:
Algonquin/MDC Reservation at Sunnyside Ave. – Ms. Anderson updated the Commission on her most recent contacts with Algonquin Gas about their work in the Alewife Reservation behind her and her neighbor’s homes on Sunnyside Avenue and the condition the area was left. She showed pictures taken from 123 Sunnyside last winter, about time Algonquin did its work, showing vegetation removed all the way to fence next to Alewife Brook; promised to provide copies to Commission. Neighbors are cutting Japanese knotweed; MDC cut grass last week. The Commission provided her with a copy of the July 22, 2002 letter to the Commission from Duke Energy/Algonquin Gas in response to the Commission’s July 16, 2002 letter.
Neighbors, Rep. Marzilli and Commission discussed types of trees that were planted and should be replanted, flooding conditions and existing drainage culverts possibly damaged by Algonquin’s work, the increase in mosquitoes, and need to return grade to condition prior to work and to prevent ponding.
Commission will write another letter to Algonquin.
Brief discussion of proposed bike path in this part of Alewife Reservation; shown on conceptual MDC Master Plan.
Winchester Country Club has requested a site visit for a Certificate of Compliance it will be requesting soon.
Burkhart Corp./19 Mass. Ave. called office to request Commission “sign off” next week on its project.
Land Steward Booklet was distributed and discussed to have printed for Town Day (Sept. 16).
Water chestnut harvesting begun at Reservoir. Park and Rec. has installed the temporary fence for geese control at the swimming area at the Res.
Arlmont Conservation Land – Mr. Stevens reported on his communications with Richard Bento, DPW Director, about the incursion onto this conservation land, apparently by the contractor hired to do curb work in the neighborhood. Mr. Bento had offered to plant trees to replace those that had been cut. The Commission asked that the contractor (or whomever) immediately move their equipment and the debris and dirt still on the property.
Copies of the comment letter on the Environmental Notification Form for the Belmont Uplands/Frontage Road project were distributed to the Commission; the letter was filed on July 30.
The Commission wondered about the status of the money MetroMedia/Level 3 Communications posted under the Wetlands Bylaw for its work along the Bike Path, and whether it could use that money to clean up Geri’s Brook (a.k.a. No Name Brook). Mr. Stevens said he would ask Mr. Bento about this, as he believed the bond had been combined with that for the DPW.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathaniel Stevens, Chair
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