ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
MAY 6, 2004
Mr. Stevens called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Town Hall Annex. Present were Catherine Garnett, Judith Hodges, Bill O’Rourke, Ellen Reed, Nathaniel Stevens, Timothy Sullivan, and David White of the Commission as well as Cori Beckwith, Administrator. Also in attendance were Elsie Fiore, Ed Renshaw, Charles and Donna Condon, Paul and Connan Treater, John Cronen. Don Vittars, Park and Recreation Commission, Kate Thomas and Ken Thomsen of Carol Johnson Associates, Rick Gorman, P.E. of Judith Nitsch Engineering, Inc., attended for the Spy Pond Park public hearing.
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
Town Meeting – Articles 7 & 8 & 31: Mr. Stevens and Ms. Beckwith reported that they attended Town Meeting on May 3, 2004, to answer questions concerning Articles 7 & 8 which amended the Wetlands and Floodplain provisions of the Town Zoning Bylaw. Both were approved. A motion to not add the Ryder Street waterway to the floodplain and wetlands zoning map was defeated; the motion was made at the request of Mr. Mirak whose property abuts the waterway. Mr. Stevens spoke briefly with the proponent of Article 31 which would remove the expiration date (June 30, 2004) from the variance provision granted by last year’s Annual Town Meeting.
Budget – Also at Town Meeting, Caryn Malloy, Director of Personnel, mentioned to Mr. Stevens that the Commission’s operating account had insufficient funds to pay the Administrator’s salary for the remainder of the fiscal year. Mr. Stevens said he would follow-up with Ms. Malloy.
Enforcement:
335 Mystic Street – No one appeared for the owner. Ms. Beckwith reported Mrs. Piazza left a message on the office voice-mail that she was heading out of town and could not make the meeting.
Land Stewards – Arlington Land Trust, Inc. and Commission need to finalize procedures for disbursements from the ASC Fund.
19 Rear Lowell Street – Mr. White reported that the Redevelopment Board had approved the project, which includes private access over Noname/Geri’s Brook to the bike path. Also, the developer is proposing to fund the desired improvements to the Bow Street access to the bike path.
Winchester CC/Groome’s – While Ms. Beckwith was on the project site inspecting work performed by the Winchester Country Club, the Applicant pointed out and Ms. Beckwith noted trees that were removed on the Groomes’ property within resource areas and not by the Applicant. Ms. Garnett said she would investigate and report back to the Commission.
8:00 p.m. – NOTICE OF INTENT: SPY POND PARK
Don Vitters, Chair of the Park and Recreation Commission introduced the project, noting that the present design is the result of many years of development and community input. The goals are to improve park conditions and the Spy Pond shoreline, control run-off, and improve public safety by rebuilding the boat ramp.
Kate Thompson of Carol Johnson and Associates presented the project design, the Resource Areas on the site, and how the project will meet the performance standards, especially by controlling existing erosion problems and upgrading treatment for stormwater so that it meets or exceeds the DEP’s stormwater management policy/standards. Work will occur within Resource Areas or their respective Buffer Zones.
Rick Gorman, P.E. of Judith Nitsch Engineering, Inc. discussed the stormwater systems and proposed improvements in greater detail.
Public comments included how will the proposed park design allow clean up of trash and debris from the water, use of the boat ramp by others than emergency response personnel, and stormwater flow in other areas of Spy Pond.
The Commission asked and the Applicant agreed to investigate the 18-inch pipe coming from Wyman Terrace and evaluate the feasibility of treating that stormwater, as well as explore whether the blow-out for the drinking fountain line can be changed.
Hodges/White motioned to approve the project with the above conditions; motion passed unanimously.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nathaniel Stevens
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