ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 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, Nathaniel Stevens, Ellen Reed and William O’Rourke of the Commission. Timothy Sullivan and David White of the Commission were absent. Also present were Mike Carlson, George and Lori Lake for 18 Sheraton Park, Mary Winstanley O’Connor and Michael Hart for 208 Pleasant Street, John Costa, MacKay Fraser, Ajay Page.
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
Enforcements
33 Ryder St - Ms. Beckwith, Mr. White and Mr. Stevens of the Commission conducted another site walk on October 13, 2004 to ask questions and inspect the grounds and reported the visit to the rest of the Commission. O’Rourke/Hodges motioned to close out the Notice of Violation letter issued on June 25, 2004, that the site is now in compliance with the Wetlands Protection Act and the Arlington Wetlands Bylaw; motion passed unanimously.
The site visit confirmed the need for the installation of a chain link fence along the adjacent portion of Ryder Brook. Mr. Lalicata asked that this item be installed at the Town’s expense since this property is owned by the Town. The Commission agreed to pursue the payment of this item.
7:45pm 210 PLEASANT ST – NOTICE OF INTENT for addition to single family home on Spy Pond
Atty. O’Connor presented the project to the Commission and explained that the proposed addition is on the side of the house away from the Pond and the work is 110 feet from Spy Pond. Staging and machinery would also be located on the existing asphalt driveway. Drainage of roof runoff is directed to the lawn and landscaped area adjacent to house. The house previously had a permit for the landscaping done within the Buffer Zone to the Pond.
Mr. Costa, 214 Pleasant St, asked if the owner knew that there was a sewer easement within the area of the proposed addition (and beyond the Commission’s jurisdiction). Mr. Hart responded that he had this line surveyed and it does not run through the area of the addition.
The lot has a potential habitat of an endangered species and therefore notice of this filing has been sent to the Natural Heritage Program (NHESP) in Westford. No response has been yet received.
The Commission is also not in receipt of the DEP file number.
Reed/Hodges motioned to continue this hearing to November 4, 2004 at 8:25pm pending notice from both NHESP and DEP; motion passed unanimously.
8:15pm – 18 SHERATON PARK – NOTICE OF INTENT for reconstruction of an existing retaining wall on Spy Pond
Mr. Carlson, the contractor, explained his revised proposal of the wall design, taking into account the information provided by Mr. O’Rourke. The base of the wall will sit on a footing of trap rock which can be placed under the waterline. Behind the wall ¾ inch stone and mesh to contain fines will be placed behind the wall to redirect drainage to PVC weep holes installed in the wall. Silt fence will be installed in the Pond to contain siltation to the work area, approximately 3 feet from the wall. All work will be done by hand and transported to the site via Bobcat.
Mr. O’Rourke made a case for placement of a concrete footing for this wall, as it is bound to deteriorated in the same manner as the existing without it.
The Commission is not in receipt of a DEP file number. The applicant may also decide to make changes to the project as suggested by Mr. O’Rourke, and if so, will submit additional information to the Commission.
O’Rourke/Hodges motioned to continue to November 4, 2004 at 8:30pm pending receipt of the DEP file number; motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS, CONT.
Ms. Beckwith shared materials submitted by the Engineering Department on behalf of the Board of Selectmen acting as the Board of Survey to approve site improvements to two developments, one at Knowles Farm on Hemlock Street and the other at Colonial Circle on Lowell St, across from Colonial Village. Ms. Beckwith will draft these comments, which are due November 3rd.
Ms. Reed reported on the tree count at Arlington Reservoir Dam and 55 trees over 5 inches in diameter (at breast height) will be cut down with the proposed work in addition to substantial limb removal. The consultant suggested a wetland replication area adjacent to the proposed spillway. The Commission will visit the site to confirm the use of this site for wetland replication and report back to the consultant.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Corinna Beckwith
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