ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DECEMBER 19, 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, Cathy Garnett, Timothy Sullivan, and Judith Hodges of the Commission. Christine Wallace, of the Commission, was not present. Robert Mirak and Alan Katz were in attendance regarding the property at 1165 Massachusetts Avenue.
7:30pm MISCELLANEOUS –
Sullivan/White motioned to approve the 12/5 minutes with edits; motion passed unanimously.
The Commission further discussed work at Hills Pond. Mr. Stevens or Mr. White will discuss this issue with the Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park and ask them to submit a planting plan in February.
Mr. Stevens reported that the Spy Pond Committee is going to draft a warrant for next spring that asks for more money for control of aquatic weeds in Spy Pond and the Reservoir. The Conservation Commission likely will co-sponsor or support the warrant article, and discus this further at its next meeting on January 2, 2003.
Ms. Beckwith and Mr. White reported on the MDC’s Alewife Reservation Master Plan and its features. Ms Beckwith sent a letter of support to MDC. The Commission is drafting a letter to Town boards and the newspaper.
The dumpster has been removed from the Conservation Land on Arlmont St. Ms. Beckwith will talk with DPW about getting curbstones placed on the perimeter of the property.
Mr. Stevens reported that the Community Preservation Act (CPA) committee is holding support forums on January 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 in the Senior Center for a question and answer period following a brief presentation on the CPA.
7:45pm MIRAK CHEVROLET, 1165 MASSACHUSETTS AVE., REQUESTS FOR CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE, DEP File No. 91-26, 91-96, 91-107
Ms. Beckwith reported on the site walk conducted on December 18, 2002 with Mr. White and Mr. Mirak. She recommended complete certification of the all three outstanding permits.
Permit No. 91-26 was issued in 1982 for the initial construction of the dealership at 1125 Massachusetts Avenue. The work included a 10 foot wide landscaped strip next to Mill Brook (which now has mature trees) and the installation of oil traps in the three catch basins leading from the parking lots to Mill Brook.
White/Garnett motioned to issue the Certificate of Compliance for permit 91-26; motion passed unanimously.
Permit No. 91-96 was issued in 1992 for reconstruction of a loading dock to the old Schwamb Mill buildling and repair of a small concrete bridge (not a road, access to basement). The original existing loading dock was in disrepair and the newly designed dock was slightly smaller in size. The dock is located approximately 100 feet away from and downslope of the edge of Mill Brook. The bridge work was minor concrete work to repair abutments of this small structure.
Garnett/Hodges motioned to issue the Certificate of Compliance for permit 91-96; motion passed unanimously.
Permit No. 91-107 was issued in 1994 regarding three fuel tank removals on the property and the removal of a diseased tree. All three tanks were removed according the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. Completed reports are in the Commissions files.
White/Hodges motioned to issue the Certificate of Compliance for permit 91-107; motion passed unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS, cont. –
Mr. White sent out letters to residents regarding the Land Steward program. The kick-off meeting is scheduled for March 19 in the Robbins Library Community Room. The room is reserved from 6 to 9pm. The neighbors of each property will be invited to this meeting and to join the Stewards. Ms. Beckwith will check for the names/addresses in the assessors or ask Ted Siegan to help find this information. Mr. White will ask someone from the Citizens for Lexington Conservation for help at this initial start up phase.
The Commission will look into hiring a summer intern from Tufts University’s River Institute to work on the Steward program. The Planning department might like to share an intern.
The Commission signed the Order of Conditions for Winchester Country Club.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 9:10pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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