ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 26, 2004
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, Judith Hodges, Catherine Garnett, Ellen Reed, and Timothy Sullivan of the Commission. Valerie Miller and A. J. Masse from Maguire Group, Kelly Naylor from Brown and Caldwell, Thor Helgeson from demaximo, inc, Alan McClennan, former Planning Director, and John Maher, Arlington Town Counsel presented the Pierce Field remediation project. Also present were MaryAnna Foskett, Melissa Davidson, Tami and Gary Kalajian, Tina Pappas, Bill O’Rourke, Curtis Morgan, Elsie Fiore, Clarissa Gorden, and Ann Marton from LEC Consultants.
7:30pm - COMMISSION BUSINESS
7:45pm – HILLS POND, MENOTOMY ROCKS PARK – Extension of Order of Conditions (DEP File No. 91-152) for treatment of aquatic weeds
The Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park filed the permit extension for the treatment of algae and a few other aquatic weeds.
Whilte/Hodges motioned to approve the permit extension; motion passed unanimously.
8:00pm – 22 NOURSE ST, NOTICE OF INTENT for addition to house and landscaping
The Commission held a site walk with a consultant for the owners on 2/1/04, Ms. Garnett, Ms. Hodges, Mr. White and Mr. Sullivan attended.
The Kalajians presented their plans for a house addition which was filed in response to enforcement action by the Commission for work within Resource Areas. The Commission finds that the Applicant demonstrated by a preponderance of credible evidence that the resource area values protected by the Bank would not be significantly or cumulatively effected by the proposed work as conditioned. Conditions on the work include the use of porous paving or gravel with the 25 foot setback from Noname Brook. the landscaping plans should include 5 blueberries, 2 inkberries and wildlife seed mix. The Commission also asked the Kalajians to reseed the area when the erosion controls are removed; they agreed to do so. They are also allowed to replace and repair the fence.
Sullivan/White motioned to approve the project with the above conditions; motion passed unanimously.
Mr.Sullivan had to recuse himself from the next hearing and left the meeting room.
8:15pm – PIERCE FIELD REMEDIATION, 865 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, ARLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, NOTICE OF INTENT for remediation of contaminated soil
Mr. McClennan explained that this project was approved by the Town Meeting where they appropriated $250,000 for replacement of the culvert conveying Mill Brook. He recounted the search for flood information on this site and could not find evidence of flooding, even during the flood of record, Hurricane Diane, in 1955.
After the 1996 storm the field also did not flood, even though, upon inspection it was discovered that the culvert conveying Mill Brook under the athletic fields was found to be 25% full of gravel.
The remediation is an insitu solution; that places an impermeable barrier over the contaminated soils.
The Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (CSWPPP) for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for this work will be finalized when the contractor is selected.
The modeled flow characteristics of the site are such that there will be no change in the peak flow from the site.
Ms. Beckwith asked whether three catchbasin which currently directly discharge to the culvert which conveys Mill Book, could be treated or eliminated. The applicant replied that they would look at this question more thoroughly.
No additional paving of the high school parking lots is proposed, and would not be allowed with this permit.
Mr. White asked whether the Field House was eliminated from this plan. Mr. Maher answered yes. The only structures on the site are the press box, concession stand and the equipment shed.
The excavation work will be done in the Summer of this year.
Ms. Gorden asked how the river will be diverted. The applicant answered that the water will continue to flow through old pipes til the new pipe is constructed along side of it. Then after the water is rerouted the old culvert will be collapsed, filled in and covered.
The project will have a website associated with it that will give construction updates.
White/Hodges motioned to approve this project with the conditions that the CSWPPP be filed with us and no other paving is allowed; motion passed unanimously.
9:00pm - WORKING SESSION - 60 Lowell St, self storage facility
Ms. Marton asked whether the Commission would claim jurisdiction over the Mill Brook inside a culvert underneath this building. The owner wants to build a self storage facility, this would be a redevelopment.
OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS
White/Reed motioned to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation; motion passed, Ms. Reed voted aye, Ms. Hodges voted aye, Mr. Stevens voted aye, Mr. White voted aye. The Commission went into Executive session and made no decisions.
White/Reed motioned to return to regular session; motion passed, Ms. Reed voted aye, Ms. Hodges voted aye, Mr. Stevens voted aye, Mr. White voted aye.
Enforcements:
339 Mystic St. - include note on when and where to plant trees near water. Show on a plan from our files.
335 Mystic St - The Commission will draft another letter to the owners reminding them of their promise to provide a planting plan last fall.
Snow into NoName Brook
22 Nourse St – The owners of this property submitted their permit application at this meeting. The erosion controls are in place.
The Commission convened at approximately 11:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cori Beckwith, Administrator
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