ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
OCTOBER 19, 2006
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 David White, Judith Hodges, William O’Rourke, Ellen Reed, Catherine Garnett, Timothy Sullivan, Nathaniel Stevens and Chuck Tirone of the Commission. Andrew Leonard, Clarissa Rowe, Maryanne Foskett, Pete Howard and Leslie Mayer were present for the path work at Hills Pond.
7:30 pm - COMMISSION BUSINESS
Mr. Stevens asked Ms. Beckwith to contact the property manager at 17 Mill St to have them attend a meeting to review the site management plan.
Mr. Stevens and Mr. White reported that Brian Rehrig, Arlington Land Trust, has received many donations to the Arlington Stewards Land Fund from the donation in lieu of flowers in memory of Robert Bryant. Mr. Stevens will draft a thank you letter to the Bryant family.
7:45pm – NOTICE OF INTENT – MENOTOMY ROCKS PARK, pathway reconstruction around HILLS POND, DEP File No. 91-187
This hearing was continued from August 17, 2006. Mr. Leonard presented detailed plans of the proposed work. Ms. Reed recused herself from the board as she is both an abutter and a member of the Friends of Menotomy Rocks Park (FOMRP), and a co-proponent of the project.
Field work may be included on the south field, installing an irrigation system and refurbishing the existing well and pump, new topsoil and seeding.
The path work will consist of using the existing materials as the subbase under the stabilized aggregate surface. This will avoid digging of most tree roots. The path will sloped away from the pond. A field stone edge (with filter fabric used in between the aggregate and the stone) will be installed between the path and the pond. The path will be narrow in some locations. Some locations (low points) will have gravel trench drains that lead to drywells. A stone swale will be installed across the path to allow for the substantial flows from the adjacent wetland (northside of pond). The traffic control features were discussed, such as chains, gates, stones. A pond water aerator (Solarbee or conventional electric design) will be included. The pond access points will
include stones and access ramps to the beach. The plantings (beyond loam and seed) will not be included in the contract as the Friends group will be responsible for this work item.
The Commission conditioned the approval of this work upon the the submission of detailed designs for review and approval of the selected aeration system, the path aggregate surface and the water bars (size stone). Mr. Tirone and Ms. Beckwith recommended the provision of an environmental monitor for the project, similar to that hired for Spy Pond Park, to submit monthly reports, conduct site inspections, and be responsible for maintenance of erosion control system.
There is an existing maintenance permit for Menotomy Rocks Park, DEP File #91-169. The Commission will issue amended Conditions, in letter form, as planting is not included in the proposed contract for the pond work.
Ms. Garnett and Mr. O’Rourke will review the condition of the pine and oak at the southwest
corner of the pond to see whether these should/can be removed (the tree warden says they should be; Ms. Rowe agrees on the oak); if these are removed, replacement planting of trees shall be done in accordance with the bylaw's tree replacement policy. FOMRP will do the planting.
FOMRP will conduct plantings in the swale along the path leading to Jason Street. The current NOI proposes some fill to have the water drain better into the catch basin, which (Mr. Tirone pointed out) means it drains into Spy Pond. The Commission asked about excavation instead of adding material, instead, but there are too many roots. Ms. Rowe, et al, agreed to add some plantings to aid infiltration - after the wall is redone.
As there were no further questions, O’Rourke/Hodges motioned to close the hearing; motion passed unanimously.
White/Garnett motioned to approve the proposed project and issue a permit including the above conditions; motion passed unanimously.
The Commission voted to convene at approximately 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Corinna Beckwith
Administrator
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