PRESENT: Debbie Bier, Nancy Butman (Chair), Cathy Gates, Valarie Kinkade, Holly Larner, Barbara Lynn-Davis; and Erica Morrison, League of Women Voters Observer.
The meeting was convened by Nancy at 7:07 with a quorum present.
The Agenda was approved.
The Minutes of the November 15, 2007 meeting were reviewed and approved with minor corrections.
Debbie suggested consolidating all EBI materials held by herself and former Chair Barbara Lynn-Davis, and filing these at 141 Keyes Road.
Hugh Cargill Task Force:
Nancy reported a good meeting she had attended, with representatives from the Playing Fields Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Natural Resources Commission, Public Works, Community Gardens, and the Agriculture Committee. The group came to a consensus that a “low-impact” playing field could happen at Alcott School. The field would allow for soccer and baseball. It would be natural turf with irrigation, and with no permanent above ground structures. The backstop is on Town-owned land. The outfield falls on Hugh Cargill land. The goal was to look at management of the entire piece of property. The land is wet and is usable as haying land, not farmland. One possible management plan for the land is to be habitat for grassland birds.
The Burke land (if the Town does acquire it) is still on the table. This area may become the location for premier playing fields. Since this is real farmland and is historically sensitive, there was some concern among members about its development in the future.
Debbie raised the issue that a late CPA project has been proposed to develop 335 Walden Street as affordable housing, with the back preserved for open space. One troubling issue for the viewshed had been that parking was proposed for the front, though this was later changed.
Debbie suggested raising awareness proactively about archaeology in Concord (without being specific about the location of sites, however.)
Barbara brought up the issue of lesser viewshed quality of the Burke land. There was further discussion of the argument against developing this land, due to the loss of viable farmland.
Cell Tower Balloon Test:
Regarding the new cell tower proposed for Annursnac Hill, Nancy reported that the yellow balloon flown for the test got snagged in a tree. The tower is going to be higher than the towers currently built on the site. At the prison, it was visible, but not along Barretts Mill Road. Any place you can see extant cell towers, this new tower will be visible.
Valarie asked if we can request a lesser height. Nancy reported some neighbors are upset. Nancy said from an historical point of view, it is difficult to object to this one, since it is an already ruined site and it does not seem to be visible from any major historical sites.
It was moved by Debbie, seconded and so voted that we write a letter to Elisa Stone at Stone Hill Environmental, Inc. (with a cc to Brona Simon at Mass Historical) indicating that we don’t see any negative impact of this cell tower on the properties listed in Ms. Simon’s letter of 10/24/07.
Finigan’s Place:
The family of John Finigan is proposing that he be honored with the name of a new street to be located at 14x Strawberry Hill Road. The family sent some materials: he was raised at 46 Lexington Road, and went to the high school. He learned Japanese, was a land developer, and sold real estate. He served on various Town committees. He was an Honored Citizen, and died recently.
Debbie questioned whether he was part of an Irish farming family. In any event, she felt that Mr. Finigan had no connection to this place, and suggested consulting the Master Plan for the Strawberry Hill area for some additional ideas.
“Mason Barn,” located at 606 Strawberry Hill Road, was the top choice among members. It was moved, seconded, and so voted that we recommend “Mason Barn Road” as a name, and write a letter to Tyke Crowley of the ZBA.
New Street Naming:
Private streets are to be constructed at 48 Old Powder Mill Road. There will be a health club, tennis courts, etc., and the development will satisfy 40B requirements.
Valarie suggested referencing mill workers from the Damon Mill, or even technical terms from the era. It was decided to write a letter to Rob Hewitt, West Concord Development LLC, asking how many names they will need, for a map of the proposed development, and any history that he knows about the area.
Town Warrant Articles:
Main Street Article: 631 Main Street was built when the other houses in the area were built. It has a great history, but it is an isolated, non-contiguous example. The criticism may be that it is “spot zoning.” The house is on our proposed DD list, in the event that inclusion in the HD is not successful.
Amendment to the DD Bylaw: Nancy questioned if 86 Hayward Court should be included. It is a Priority “4.” It is one of the twenty oldest buildings remaining in West Concord, but the property only has one star.
She also felt that 1487 Monument has a fuzzy history. The history of the garage and carriage house, for example, is not clear. The property has been recently renovated and is likely not in any near-term risk.
It was decided to eliminate these two properties from the list.
The windmill needs more research, since we don’t know its date. However, it is an unusual structure in Concord.
It was decided also to not go forward with an amendment to the language to include “historic portion” at this time, because the whole Bylaw needs to be looked at in the future.
Letter to Homeowners:
It was agreed that we all liked the letter. Marcia has offered to have her staff help with sending it out.
CPC Update:
Debbie reported that the Deed House did not get CPA funding. Valarie expressed concern that the Town will go forward without any CHC review of the project.
Annual Report:
Members contributed thoughts on the most important projects undertaken in the past year. Nancy will draft a report. It will be illustrated with a picture of Hangar 24.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Lynn-Davis
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