ARLINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
JUNE 7, 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, William O’Rourke of the Commission as was Associate Member Chuck Tirone. Tim Sullivan of the Commission was absent. Patrick Gutherie and Aimee Taberner of 41 Wellington St were present. Brian Gillespie attended for 45 Hopkins Rd. Roseann Conti, Andy and Inga Mass were present for 8 Mystic Bank. Dick Terry of 20 Peabody Rd was also in attendance. Kim Turner attended for the 9 Dudley Street project. Joe Connelly, Director of Arlington Parks Department attended for the Wellington Park project.
7:30 p.m. - COMMISSION BUSINESS
White/Reed motioned to approved the May 17, 2007 minutes as edited; motion passed unanimously.
Mr. White reported on the Meadowbrook Park cleanup on 6/2/07, that they were also able to remove Japanese Knotweed from the area near the roadway and fence opening.
Mr. Stevens proposed supporting a House bill called the Public Land Preservation Act. The MACC has a draft support letter which Mr. Stevens read to the Conservation Commission.
White/Hodges motioned to support the bill and draft a support letter; motion passed unanimously.
7:45 pm – 45 HOPKINS RD – NOTICE OF INTENT for landscaping and fence with gate
Mr. Gillespie described the project to remove the privet hedge and replace with native plants, all hand work, build a canoe launch with granite flag stones (not mortered in place), remove invasive species along the shoreline, install wood fencing with gates along the side borders of the property and remove one Norway Maple which is leaning toward the house.
Mr. Gillespie also provided a letter from his real estate lawyer regarding the deed reference for the property boundary being at Spy Pond.
Hodges/O’Rourke motioned, with the proponent’s approval, to continue the hearing to allow for a site walk on June 14, at 8am; motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Terry asked to speak on the use of the path along the shoreline at this property. He has walked this path for 37 years and this work will obstruct what has been open til now.
8pm – 8 MYSTIC BANK – CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE for DEP File No. 91-149
Ms. Beckwith was in reciept of the letter of confirmation that the house was built in the location as shown on the plans.
Hodges/White motioned to approve the clearance of this permit for the construction of the house; motion passed unanimously.
8:15pm – WORKING SESSION – 9 DUDLEY ST. PLACE
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 Commission will hold another site walk and the proponents will file a permit amendment with the Commission, the hearing will be held on 6/21/07 at 8:30pm
8:30pm – 41 WELLINGTON ST – REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY
The property owners are proposing to construct a wood deck on the rear of their house. The work will just be within the 100 foot Buffer Zone of Spy Pond. The five footings within the Buffer Zone will be dug by hand.
White/Hodges motioned, while the project is within an area of jurisdiction, the work will not impact the resource areas, so no Notice of Intent needs to be filed; motioned passed unanimously.
9pm – WELLINGTON PARK – REQUEST FOR DETERMINATION OF APPLICABILITY for installation of park equipment
Mr. Connelly presented the proposal to install poles and wires; no concrete will be used. Some trees will be trimmed. The erosion controls will be installed by DPW. The Commission asked that silt fence be used, that the erosion controls be inspected after installation and to notify the Commission if any significant tree cutting is needed.
Reed/Garnett motioned, while the project is within the Buffer Zone of Mill Brook, the work will not impact the resource areas, so no Notice of Intent needs to be filed; motion passed unanimously.
COMMISSION BUSINESS (cont.)
Ms. Reed reported on the path project at Menotomy Rocks Park. The two trees at the southern beach need to be removed because they are dead.
Brian Rehrig of the Arlington Land Trust reported that Elizabeth Island is still available for sale but that there were no offers.
The Reservoir planting plan was discussed, a meeting held on 6/6/07, proposed splitting the work into two seasons, due to fall planting hazards and other logistics.
The Cookes Hollow project was discussed, how to proceed, obtain a contractor. The project will include erosion control, path reconstruction, invasive plant control, and possibly to add geotechnical work on the Mill Brook and banks.
Mr. Tirone reported tha 40-42 Brattle St needed siltsacks cleaned out and the haybales had fallen into the sidewalk. A letter of Noncompliance will be sent next week. The office is in reciept of a site report from May.
Meeting adjourned at 10 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Corinna Beckwith
Administrator
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