ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 7, 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, Timothy Sullivan, Christine Wallace, and Judith Hodges. Catherine Garnett of the Commission was not in attendance. Kevin O’Brien, Assistant Director of Planning presented information for the Reed’s Brook project. Charles Wright of the Winchester Country Club, Payson Whitney and Ann McMenemy of Environmental Science Services, Inc.were present for the Winchester Country Club’s well project. Also present was Grace Perez of Mystic River Watershed Association.
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
Mr. O’Brien presented some field changes at the Reeds Brook project to the Commission with regards to diseased trees to be removed from a corner of one wetland, placement of stone in the southern stormwater channel and modification to the edge of another wetland in order to create more natural slopes. The Commission asked that the tall tree stumps be left in place for burrow sites and a few of the logs left in the wetland. An existing abandoned catchbasin will also be removed. White/Hodges motioned to accept the proposed minor field changes; motion passed unanimously.
Hodges/Sullivan motioned to approve the 10/17 regular session minutes with minor edits; motion passed unanimously. White/Hodges motioned to approve the 10/17 executive session minutes with minor edits; motion passed, Mr. Sullivan voting nay.
7:45pm – WINCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB – NOTICE OF INTENT for irrigation project. Continued from October 17, 2002.
Mr. Whitney presented that he had been in contact with DEP and the file number had just been issued, 91-165.
The Commission shared with the Applicant several e-mails it had received concerning the project.
Ms. Perez presented a list of questions to ESS regarding details of the pump test and whether the contaminated sediments of the Mystic Lake will enter the well.
Mr. Payson responded with a letter, dated November 1, 2002 regarding potential contamination of the well water. His opinion is that the pollutants should not migrate to the well since they bind to sediments. The hydrologist at ESS will respond to the questions of quantities and hydrogeologic formations at the next hearing with the Winchester Conservation Commission on November 12, 2002 at the Winchester Town Hall, 71 Mt. Vernon St at 8:15pm. Mr. White and Mr. Stevens plan to attend this meeting.
The Water Management Act permit for this well was issued in 1991 and is valid for 20 years. The permit has conditions regarding usage during a water (drought) emergency that is declared by DEM or a local authority.
The Winchester Country Club has water conservation practices in place and these will not change with the use of the well. The Club also will not change its pesticide or fertilizer usage.
Ms. Perez cautioned that it is possible to have pollutants show up at a future date in the well and therefore it would be prudent to have future water quality testing as a condition of this permit.
With the applicant’s permission, the Commission continued the hearing until November 21 at 7:45pm in order to consider the additional information.
MISCELLANEOUS, CONT. –
Fiscal: Sullivan/White motioned to reimburse Ms. Beckwith for purchase of willows planted at Meadowbrook Park; motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Beckwith reported that Algonquin Gas was requesting a Certificate of Compliance and a site walk was conducted on 10/18/02. As soon as it is confirmed that the replacement trees have been installed, then the Commission will vote on this request.
Ms. Beckwith reported that Mr. White and she conducted the site walk for 8 Mystic Bank on 10/30/02. There were many replacements from the proposed design. Mr. Ryan said that he would send along the as-built plant list. The pruning of the large beech tree was discussed. Mr. Mass, the owner, is willing to install another beech down close to the water in order to remedy this issue. This planting will need to take place in the spring. The Commission expressed dismay at the idea that barberry, a known invasive species, may have been planted within the project site. The Commission will consider the request for a Certificate of Compliance after the beech tree is installed and the barberry issue has been resolved.
The Commission reviewed the property boundary at the Arlmont Conservation Land. Ms. Beckwith will communicate with DPW on this further.
Ms. Beckwith reported on:
-the CSO meeting on hydrology and stormwater basin/wetland design. The calculations show that all peak flows will be reduced. The landscaping and configuration of the basin is first rate, with a substantial forebay that will be maintained by the City of Cambridge.
-the Tri-Community meeting with Arlington, Belmont and Cambridge officials set up by Mystic River Watershed Association, EOEA and DEM to deal with flooding issues. The next meeting we will collect information on local problems.
-the Army Corps of Engineers is sponsoring ecosystem restoration projects that could include the Alewife Brook, Blair Pond, the Mugar land, the ADL parking lot and the cattail marsh next to the bikepath.. Lots of coordination is needed to conduct feasibility studies and this is going to require a match in local funding. This may be satisfied with in-kind services.
Announcements:
The Conservation Commission will hold a fall cleanup of the Window on the Mystic on Saturday,. November 16, 10-noon.
The Arlington Land Trust’s annual meeting will be held at 7pm, Monday, November 18 at the Robbins Library.
The final meeting regarding MDC’s Alewife Reservation Master Plan, “Preferred Alternative” will be held on November20th, 7-9pm, Temple Beth El, Belmont
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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