ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
DECEMBER 18, 2003
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, Catherine Garnett, and Ellen Reed of the Commission. Judith Hodges and Timothy Sullivan were absent. Ellen Reed has been sworn in by the Town Clerk and therefore is a voting member of the Commission. Maryanna Foskett and Clarissa Rowe were present for the discussion of Hills Pond in Menotomy Rocks Park. Tami and Gary Kalajian and Michael Corda were present for the 22 Nourse St project.
7:30pm - COMMISSION BUSINESS
Garnett/White motioned to approve the 11/6 minutes with minor edits; motion passed unanimously. White/Reed motioned to approve the 12/4 minutes with minor edits, motion passed unanimously.
7:45pm - HILLS POND - working session on possible maintenance permit
The Commission reviewed a draft of a possible maintenance permit and discussed forwarding the revised draft to the Public Work department for its review.
Ms. Rowe mentioned that she had a map of the hillside seep wetland in the Park. Ms. Beckwith is collecting information on every small wetland in town in order to include it in the revision of the Zoning map layer of wetlands and waterways (see next item).
8:00pm - Enforcement - 22 Nourse St
The contractor Michael Corda presented plans of the single family house that is being converted to a 2-family house with a large addition. The property abuts the bikeway and the Noname Brook, although neither were depicted on the plans or information presented. The project has a Zoning permit but not a Building permit at this time. The owners have been working for quite awhile with the town on this permit but only recently learned of the proximity to the Brook and that they needed a permit from the Conservation Commission. The Conservation Commission has not yet visited the site.
The work that has been done so far includes the demolition of a garage and the excavation for the foundation. The contractor asked if they could proceed with installing the foundation in order not to endanger the existing structure. The Commission agreed to let them proceed with this work only and that they install erosion controls immediately, including haybales or siltation fencing and cover dirt piles with tarps.
The Redevelopment Board will be notified of the work since this parcel is adjacent to the bikepath.
This project was never referred to the Conservation Commission from either the Building Department nor the Zoning Board because the wetlands, floodplain Zoning map does not include Noname Brook.
This needs to be revised. Ideally, the Building Department would like a property list of land that falls within our jurisdiction. Ms. Beckwith is proceeding with this task. The revised Zoning map would need to be approved at Town Meeting.
Ms. Beckwith forwarded Notice of Intent filing instructions to the owners.
COMMISSION BUSINESS, CONT.
Enforcements:
339 Mystic St – A voicemail was received from Amal regarding the recently sent letter. Ms. Beckwith was directed to leave a voicemail requesting a written response with plans.
The Commission will hold the annual Land Stewards meeting on March 23, 2004 from 7-9pm (sharp) in the Community Room of the Robbins Library.
The Commission has been reviewing Wetlands Protection Act Regulations and our local bylaw and regulations regarding the submission for Spy Pond Park and the floodplain. Mr. Stevens suggested to the consultant that they request that the project be considered a limited project and concede that most of the project is within the floodplain. The consultants are reviewing this proposal.
The Commission convened at approximately 9:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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