ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
NOVEMBER 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, David White, Christine Wallace, Timothy Sullivan, Catherine Garnett and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Jeffery Hershberger and Payson Whitney of ESS Inc, and Charles Wright represented the Winchester Country Club project. Grace Perez, Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association was also present. Kristin Anderson of Sunnyside Ave was present.
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
Hodges/White motioned to approve the 11/ 7 minutes as amended motion passed unanimously.
7:45pm WINCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB – NOTICE OF INTENT for irrigation project.
Mr. Stevens reopened the hearing which was continued from November 7, 2002. Some Commissioners attended the November 12, 2002 hearing of Winchester's Conservation Commission on this project. Mr. Hershberger presented the hydrogeologic information pertaining to this project at that meeting and reiterated that information at this meeting.
Ms. Perez had some questions regarding the base flow of the Herbert Meyer Brook as it pertains to the water lost to the well withdrawal and is whether there any ecological function that could be lost during this low flow time of year. Mr. Hershberger responded that there would essentially be stagnant conditions in the Brook at this time of year and therefore having less water would not exacerbate this condition further.
Ms. Perez asked if the Conservation Commissions would be notified immediately in case of violations of water quality standards and requested that the initial year of testing be done at monthly intervals in order to provide a better baseline of information.
The applicants agreed to monthly testing of the well water during the first year of operation. The results from the lab typically take 3-4 weeks to be issued and the Commissions would receive those results as soon as they were available.
The results of any risk assessment performed due to an elevation in levels of tested-for metals would be forwarded promptly to the Commissions and a decision made as to the best action to take at that point.
The applicants informed the Commission that the negotiations with the Groome's are proceeding but not completed as of yet.
There were no further questions from the Commission.
White/Sullivan motioned to close the hearing; motion passed unanimously. Since there were many details to be included in the Order of Conditions regarding monitoring, Ms. Beckwith will draft these and forward to the Commission, applicant and Ms. Perez for review and comment. The Commission will vote to finalize these Orders at the next hearing on December 5, 2002.
MISCELLANEOUS, CONT.-
White/Hodges motioned to, at the request of the homeowner, issue a letter stating the Commission finds the work completed satisfactorily at 8 Mystic Bank and to issue the Certificate of Compliance in the spring when a beech tree will be planted; motion passed unanimously.
The Commission is planning to hold a Land Stewards meeting on March 12, 2003.
Ms. Beckwith reported that the replacement trees had been installed by Algonquin behind the Sunnyside Ave. homes. Ms. Andersen also commented that the work had been completed to her satisfaction. Hodges/Wallace motioned to issue the Certificate of Compliance for Algonquin Gas at Alewife Reservation; motion passed with Mr. Sullivan and Ms. Garnett in abstention.
Ms. Anderson came with a prepared Notice of Intent for plans to control of invasive species on the MDC property behind her house on Sunnyside Ave. The Commission notified her of the need to have MDC agree with this work since MDC is the property owner. The Commission was notified, informally, that at present MDC does not concur with Ms. Andersen on her plans. Ms Andersen agreed to pursue working out a compromise with the MDC who is currently launching their Master Plan for this same area.
Ms. Beckwith reported on the latest word regarding the Ecosystem Restoration projects by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Commission sent a memo to Town departments describing this work and requesting support for participation in this work. It is going to take lots of coordination and cooperation (between municipalities, agencies and the public) in order to make this happen.
Mr. White announced that Friend of Arlington's Great Meadows is having a meeting on December 3, 2002 at the Waldorf School at 7:30pm. They are also holding a Solstice Walk, led by Jack Johnson, on December 20, 2002 at 7pm.
The Community Preservation Act committee is holding a forum for Town Meeting members during the 1 st week of January, 2003 in order to garner and gauge support for this initiative.
Ms. Beckwith described a report of stone work going on next to Hills Pond. Ms. Garnett agreed to take a look. Mr. Stevens reported that some hemlocks near to the pond may need treatment for Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA).
Ms. Beckwith reported on a 11/20th meeting she attended of Conservation staff from the region. Also, present were staff from Medford, Somerville, Watertown, Boston, Cambridge. The meeting was very informal and very informative. The next meeting will take place in January of 2003.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10:05pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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