ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
JANUARY 4, 2007
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, William O’Rourke, and David White of the Commission as was Associate Member Chuck Tirone. Tim Sullivan, Ellen Reed, and Cori Beckwith of the Commission were absent. Also in attendance were John Scalisi and Dave Crispin, P.E. of the BSC Group (for 15 Thesda Street).
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
Mr. White reported that most of the “Walking In Arlington” book had been mostly scanned.
Some members of the Commission will visit Cooke’s Hollow on Saturday at 9 AM to continue developing a Request For Proposal for services to assist in addressing issues at the Conservation Land.
Mr. White reported that the Open Space Committee will begin work on revising the Town’s Open Space Plan with the assistance of the consulting firm VHB, Inc.
Mr. Stevens reminded Commissioners of the Arlington Land Trust’s Annual Meeting on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 7 PM.
7:45pm - CONTINUED HEARING on NOTICE OF INTENT – 15 Thesda Street
Mr. Stevens, Mr. White, Mr. O’Rourke, and Mr. Tirone visited the site this morning with the Applicant and Mr. Crispin.
Mr. Crispin presented and handed in a revised project plan, which eliminated any reference to work on retaining walls, and also specified two locations for the erosion control fencing: closer to the house during construction, and then at the southern property line when the yard is to be loamed and seeded.
The Commission discussed whether a vegetated buffer should be required, and decided that the Applicant should only be allowed to mow between his property line and the nearby fence twice a year in spring and summer.
The Commission also discussed the stockpiling of materials, location of dumpsters, and demolition and construction sequencing. The Applicant agreed to conditions to:
· provide 48 hours notice to Commission prior to start of any work
· provide names of project manager/individual for the contractor performing the house demolition, the house construction, and the landscaping
· provide a copy of the full Order of Conditions and Permit to any and all contractors working on the site
· be allowed to mow vegetation only up to twice a year (in spring and fall) between his property line and nearby fence
· cover dumpster(s) at night and on days not in use
· sweep site at end of each work day
· cover stockpiles at end of each work day
· notify the Commission of any proposed changes in plans
· provide an as-built plan stamped by a P.E. when applying for a Certificate of Compliance
O’Rourke/White moved to close the public hearing; motion passed unanimously.
White/O’Rourke moved to issue an Order of Conditions and Permit with the conditions discussed; motion passed unanimously.
OTHER COMMISSION BUSINESS- continued:
54 Spy Pond Park – Mr. Tirone reported that some work appeared to be different from that approved by the Commission (in the area of the old garage, which was suppose to be left as a sandy area). The Commission will ask Ms. Beckwith to investigate.
40-42 Brattle Street – Mr. Tirone reported on site conditions, which were mostly good with one exception. The Commission awaits the monthly monitoring report from the environmental monitor. Mr. Tirone noted haybales and siltation fencing set up on adjacent property, perhaps by the MWRA. The Commission will investigate with Ms. Beckwith’s assistance.
Policy on Enforcement - Ms. Hodges to send Mr. Stevens latest draft for his review.
54R Park Avenue – Ms. Hodges will visit this conservation land soon.
The Annual Report should be due soon.
Mr. Stevens will contact Kevin O’Brien about the policy committee he convened in December at the request of the Town Manager.
Ms. Hodges reported a tree that had fallen into and was surviving in the middle of Mill Brook near the Watermill Condominiums. The Commission suggested she contact the property manager as it appears to be on the condominium’s common property.
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Nathaniel Stevens
Commissioner
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