ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
MARCH 3, 2005
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, Timothy Sullivan and David White of the Commission. William O’Rourke, of the Commission, was absent. Also in attendance were Elizabeth Karpati, and Joey Glushko, Planner, Town of Arlington, and Robert Schlager of the Bulfinch Companies and Elsie Fiore.
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
A letter to the abutters to the Brand St. conservation land was sent out 2/28/05, clarifying the existing uses and property boundaries.
7:45pm - NOTICE OF INTENT – Rehabilitation of Rt. 2 path along Spy Pond
Ms. Glushko and Ms. Karpati explained the Notice of Intent materials that were submitted and recounted that while approximately 1800 feet of shoreline includes the entire project area, only a very small portion (less than 50 linear feet) of that work impacts the Bank (as defined by the state’s Wetlands Protection Act) with the installation of stabilized paths to the water’s edge. This work is also mitigated with the restoration of existing eroded access points. The new stabilized paths will still function as Bank since the materials used will only stabilize the fill slope, not change its characteristics.
The AMC led volunteer work days are scheduled for May 14-15. This project includes removal of invasive species, pruning to create 3-6 vistas, 2-4 sitting areas with stone (granite block) benches, erosion control and stabilization of access points to the pond’s edge. The entire project is expected to take two entire seasons.
White/Reed motioned to approve the proposed project; motion passed unanimously.
8:00pm – NOTICE OF INTENT – Removal of pavement at parking lot west of Acorn Park Drive
Mr. Schlager presented the project which is required by the Cambridge Planning Board in order to receive an occupancy permit for the redevelopment in Cambridge. The existing pavement and base will be removed and loam and seed installed so there is no change in the flood storage capacity of the parcel. The seed mix is a wildflower mix. The existing trees in the lot will remain. The drain lines from the rest of the lot will be closed/abandoned and this will benefit the drain that services the Thorndike Field soccer fields as there will be fewer inputs to the existing pipe.
Ms. Fiore asked if the work would be completed by the expiration date of the lease for this parcel from DCR. Mr. Schlager said that the work would be completed by December 31, 2005 and would welcome this as a condition of the Order of Conditions.
Ms. Fiore asked how the old pavement was to be disposed of. Mr. Schlager said the pavement will go to a asphalt recycling plant. The work in Arlington should only take about a week. The work on the entire lot should take approximately 2 months or so, with three phases of work, seeding will take 4-6 weeks in the spring or fall. Dan Driscoll at DCR is overseeing this work.
Since this project is also located in Cambridge, the Cambridge Conservation Commission has closed its hearing on this project and will be drafting the Order of Conditions soon. Mr. Schlager will direct the administrator to provide us a copy of the Conditions for consideration.
Sullivan/White motioned to close the hearing and vote on this project at the 3/17 meeting in order to consider the Cambridge Conservation Commission’s Order of Conditions if received by then; motion passed unanimously, with Ms Garnett in abstention due to conflict of interest.
8:45pm REVISION OF BYLAW REGULATIONS – continued to 3/17/05
9pm CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE – 19 Massachusetts Ave, DEP File #91-133
The applicants filed a detailed sketch of the flood storage chamber as well as the signed easement for the rear of the property.
White/Garnett motioned to issue the Certificate of Compliance with ongoing conditions regarding stormwater maintenance; motion passed unanimously.
OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS-
The Commission will organize the next annual Arlington Land Stewards meeting at the end of April.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Corinna Beckwith
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