ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
JUNE 21, 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 Ellen Reed, Nathaniel Stevens, David White, Judith Hodges, Catherine Garnett, Tim Sullivan, William O’Rourke of the Commission as was Associate Member Chuck Tirone. Brian Gillespie attended for 45 Hopkins Rd. Martha Penzenik and Kevin Barbera were present for the 19 Lakeview St project. John and Mary McCann were present for the 30 Spy Pond Parkway project. Ronald Rosenbum, Judith Berman, Carolyn Tiffany, Oakes Plimpton and Elsee Bowes, Chris Leich, Andrew Fisher and Gene Bensen were also in attendance.
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
7:45 pm – 19 LAKEVIEW ST – NOTICE OF INTENT for house addition
Ms. Penzenik presented the revised plan sheet with the changes to the erosion control plan and staging area. The clearance letter from Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program was received and is on file. The file number (91-190) from DEP was received with no additional comments.
Sullivan/White motioned to issue the permit for the house addition within the Buffer Zone to Spy Pond with standard conditions; motion passed unanimously.
8pm – 30 SPY POND PARKWAY – REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY for invasive plant removal
Mr. McCann presented his outline of the phramites control work that he has been performing at the shoreline Spy Pond. The work includes hand cutting and covering with a double layer of tarps.
Ms. Garnett asked that the area be replanted with shrubs. Mr. McCann proposed blueberry bushes.
Reed/Hodges motioned to issue a Determination of Applicability that while the work is within an area of jurisdiction that it will have no negative impact on that resource area and no Notice of Intent needs to be filed; motion passed unanimously.
8:15pm - 45 HOPKINS RD – NOTICE OF INTENT for landscaping and fence with gate
This hearing was continued from June 7, 2007 in order to conduct a site walk on June 14, which most the Commission attended.
Ms. Beckwith reminded the Commission that the fence would have a lower section removed in order to allow for passage of small fauna near the water.
Ms. Beckwith noted that she had received a note from Nancy Flynn (former owner of the property and present neighbor) regarding the property.
Mr. Bensen requested that the Commission continue the hearing until September in order to allow for investigation into competing claims over the prescriptive use of the shoreline path.
Mr. Barbera asked if the pathway was planted, then is it improved?
Ms. Tiffany spoke in support of the project since it would be good for Spy Pond.
Mr. Leich reported that he walked the pathway regularly and it has special quality and long time use. The project proposed was less than neighborly. He would support the continuance of the hearing til September. He supports the access to the waterway since the public keeps an eye on the waterway.
Mr. Fisher stated that the path is wonderful thing. George Emerson thought it was a protected path by law. Mr. Fisher begged the Commission to keep it open and to encourage respective use.
Ms. Tiffany reported that beer bottles and other trash were left by the public, in her yard, where her kids play.
Ms. Berman spoke of the fishing community and need for public education, telling them to remove their lines, equipment when done.
Mr. Stevens reminded those assembled that the two Spy Pond groups were in existence to help with public education as well as other volunteer efforts.
Mr. Gillespie responded to the comments by stating that the hedge currently blocks his access to the pond and his personal property rights extend to the edge of the water. They have observed uncaring pedestrians, leaving trash of all description. They had planned on leaving the gate open for neighbors.
Mr. Stevens suggested that the Commission close the hearing and defer the vote to the next meeting, on July 5 at 8pm, in order to carefully consider all of the issues. Mr. Gillespie consented to this proposal.
Sullivan/O’Rourke motioned to close the hearing; motion passed unanimously.
8:30pm – 9 DUDLEY ST. PLACE- AMENDMENT to ORDER OF CONDITIONS , DEP File No. 91-188
Kim Turner and the property owner was present to discuss the building construction. Changes to the building design were made at the request of the Building Department in regards to fire safety regulations since this business is a BBQ store. The building is 22% bigger than in the previous design. The existing infiltration system is utilized. The ivy in the landscape design will be replaced with a native species. A rainbarrel will be placed at the front corner of the building to use for landscape watering.
Mr. O’Rourke asked that the changes be incorporated in to a finalized plan drawing.
White/Hodges motioned, with the applicants consent, to continue the hearing to July 5 at 8:30pm in order to compile the final drawing; motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS (cont.)
Mr. Stevens asked that the Commission affirm the consultant fee regulations for the Town Wetlands Bylaw. Reed/White motioned to approve the consultant fee regulations; motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Reed reported on the path project at Menotomy Rocks Park, the entire silt fence was anchored with gravel and a terra tube. Vandals then pulled out the fence. There was a swimmer in Hills Pond. The stone wall collapsed along the swale by Jason St. Mr. Tirone asked that the silt fence ends be turned upslope and that the haybales were close enough.
Mr. Tirone attended the hearing to support the House bill filed by Rep. Will Brownsberger, to buy the Belmont Uplands and add the parcel to the Alewife Reservation.
Ms. Reed offered to make a brochure for the Town Day table on invasive species.
Meeting adjourned at 10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Corinna Beckwith
Administrator
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