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Arlington Conservation Commission meeting: pond work, fishing-line cleanup, budget note and two hearings continued to July 23
Summary
Commissioners heard updates on pond treatments and invasive-species work, fishing-line cleanup efforts, a plan to repurpose about $9,000 in CPA feasibility-study funds, and continued NOI hearings for 26 Dudley Street and 91 Sunnyside Ave to July 23; associate-member attendance was also discussed.
The Arlington Conservation Commission on July 9 received updates on water bodies, fishing-line litter, tree-committee scheduling and administrative business, and it continued two pending hearings to the commission's July 23 meeting.
David White, speaking for the water bodies working group, reported that the supply pond water level was being lowered ahead of a treatment scheduled for July 16, crews and volunteers will harvest water chestnuts and other invasive plants, and Hill's Pond has been tested and treated for algae. White noted volunteers and a public volunteer cleanup group were organized for the coming days and that native plantings are being established in McLennan following Park & Rec approval. He also reported a wood frog transplant observed on the project.
Susan Chapnick reported extensive resident reports and photos of fishing-line waste at Hills Pond, Spy Pond and other reservoirs. She said she had forwarded detailed suggestions compiled from residents and volunteer cleanups to the fishing-line working group, which will meet July 14 at 2 p.m. via Zoom; Chapnick offered to forward her bullet points to commissioners who want to act as liaisons.
In the administrator's report, David Morgan said remaining CPA funds from a McLennan feasibility study (about $9,000) will be repurposed to develop one of the study recommendations into a more actionable proposal; he will coordinate with engineering and the Department of Public Works on priorities but warned the small amount will limit scope.
Two hearings were continued to July 23: a Notice of Intent for 26 Dudley Street, and the continued NOI for 91 Sunnyside Ave. Maureen (project representative) summarized changes to the 91 Sunnyside proposal, including rooftop infiltration, a retaining wall providing compensatory flood storage (the plan proposes altering 4.8 cubic feet of floodplain and providing 11 cubic feet of compensatory storage), and riverfront mitigation at a 3:1 ratio; commissioners requested clearer elevation data for the infiltration unit so they could confirm the required 2-foot separation from seasonal high groundwater before considering the proposal as mitigation.
During open forum, commissioners discussed associate member Eileen Coleman's repeated absences; they agreed David Morgan would reach out to confirm her availability and that a conversation should precede any change in status. The commission then voted to continue remaining items to July 23 and adjourned.
The commission's next meeting is scheduled for July 23; applicants with continued hearings were asked to submit requested additional elevation and infiltration details in advance for electronic distribution to commissioners.
