Conservation Commission

Waltham Conservation Commission July 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes Meeting took place via public Zoom call with participation information posted at City Hall, Government Center, and on the Commission’s page of the city web site. Zoom information was circulated directly to all applicants and others on the public agenda. Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM. Attendees: Chair Alexander Sbordone, Vice Chair Bill Doyle, Gerard Dufromont, Lisa Limonciello. Absent: Michael Donovan. Public Hearing Request for Amendment to Order of Conditions (DEP File # 316-0816)(continued from 6-26-2025) Applicant: Bubchull Kim Property Location: 171 Copeland Street Project Description: Construction of 80 sq.ft. and 598 sq.ft. additions to the rear of the dwelling and construction of a rain garden. Amendments: Expansion of impervious driveway and expansion of rain garden to compensate for increase to impervious area. The applicant is working out survey/stormwater issue with Engineering and has requested a continuance. Motion to continue by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Ms. Limonciello. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Certificate of Compliance: DEP File # 316-0770 Applicant: Peter Rebuck Property Location: 554 Lexington Street Project Description: New High School project. Peter Rebuck of SMMA was present for the applicant. After visiting the site, Ms. Sullivan had recommended issuing a full COC. Mr. Doyle noted that he had made regular visits while the work was underway. He agreed that the conditions have been met. He moved to issue a COC. Ms. Limonciello seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Certificate of Compliance (DEP File # 316-0773) Applicant: Cate Solomon Property Location: 147 Riverview Ave Project Description: Addition of roof area, new deck and retaining wall. Approved 7-24-2025 Ms. Solomon was present. Ms. Sullivan had previously recommended that a COC be issued. Site photos were available. Mr. Doyle moved to issue, seconded by Mr. Dufromont. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Certificate of Compliance (DEP File # 316-0811) Applicant: Curtis Beaton Property Location: 314, 320, and 326 Lexington Street Project Description: Construction of two single-family houses, driveway modifications to the existing building, Riverfront Area restoration and plantings, and associated site work. Mr. Beaton was present. He explained that he is seeking a COC on 314 and 320, not 326. They have done all the work and he believes the properties are in compliance. The commission asked for clarification, as the order of conditions applies to the original parcel (326) and any subdivision (314, 320), so the COC will apply to all lots. Mr. Beaton explained that some work is still pending on the 326 property. Mr. Doyle elaborated on the procedural issues in this case, and after discussion it was determined that if a COC is issued at this time, it will be a partial COC and apply to all 3 lots. Work is complete at 314 and 320; at 326, the work on the riverfront side has been completed with some remaining work on the Lexington Street side, which is planned for September. Procedural details were discussed. Mr. Doyle moved to issue a partial COC, to note that 314 and 320 are complete but 326 still under the open order of conditions. Mr. Dufromont seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Certificate of Compliance (DEP File # 316-0552) Applicant: Michael Chiasson – City of Waltham Property Location: Hardy Pond Project Description: Invasive aquatic plant management program at Hardy Pond. The applicant was not required to appear. Mr. Daly from the commission office clarified that a new OOC was issued for this work at the 7/3 meeting, but the RCOC was not addressed at that time as the paperwork had been misplaced. This RCOC closes out the old order (316-0552), which has now been superseded (316-0837). This is an administrative and procedural point. Ms. Sullivan previously worked on this with CPW and recommended issuing a COC. Mr. Doyle moved to issue the COC. Mr. Dufromont seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. Motion passed. Commission Business • Approval of meeting minutes from 5-22-2025. Motion to approve by Mr. Dufromont, seconded by Mr. Doyle. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Dufromont. Abstained: Limonciello. Motion passed. • Discussion of a Storer Land Use Request by a Bentley University professor to place mosquito monitoring traps to detect and sample eggs of Asian Tiger Mosquito. Provisional permission was given as no concerns were raised by Planning, Historical, or Paine Estate staff, which share responsibility. Mr. Doyle noted that a similar monitoring program in the past, he believed from Brandeis, resulted in some public concern because the traps included insecticide. Mr. Daly noted that no insecticide was mentioned in the request and that a phone number for the researcher is printed on each trap. Mr. Dufromont asked that the professor post signs to notify the public. Mr. Daly will pass this request along. Mr. Dufromont noted that the previous concerns arose because the trapping was done without city permission. Correspondence Approved 7-24-2025  • NOTED: DCR reported significant invasive species removal during May (garlic mustard, bittersweet, buckthorn) at Beaver Brook (316-0777). Additional work was done in June and early July, targeting black swallow wort and follow-up for buckthorn. They have tentative plans to involve volunteers in knotweed removal later this summer. • NOTED: A comprehensive permit (“40B”) application has been filed with the Board of Appeals for 245-265 Winter Street. ZBA requested feedback for a 7/8 hearing and the commission office responded with similar comments as past 40B projects within WPA jurisdiction. The specific location was clarified, and Mr. Daly noted that an NOI has been received, since part of the property is in jurisdiction. It is expected to be on the 7/24 agenda. • NOTED: National Grid plans exempt gas main replacement in Waverly Oaks Road between Linden Street and Marianne Road. This will begin ASAP to be completed by 7/31/25 so MWRA can begin their construction under DEP File #316-0820. • NOTED: New FEMA flood zone maps have been issued. The city GIS system was scheduled to be updated this week. • NOTED: Algonquin Gas plans exempt test boring activities on the 1265 Main Street/Tower Road parcel, adjacent to Route 128. Cambridge Water Department has no concerns. Work date not yet scheduled. Old Business • FY2026 Budget update. City Council approved the budget 6/9. Site Visit Reports • None. • Mr. Daly reminded the commissioners that since the Conservation Agent position is vacant, site inspection responsibilities will default back to the commissioners. He noted the public hearing and meeting items scheduled for the next meeting which are likely to need site visits. He asked how the commission would like to handle this. Discussion. Mr. Sbordone stressed that commission members should always stay on public property unless they have received explicit permission to enter. It has been commission practice to contact residents before visiting. Mr. Doyle noted that commissioners try to visit in pairs whenever possible. Ms. Limonciello asked if commissioners are frequently called upon to investigate potential violations not related to current filings; other members confirmed that this happens, with the office receiving calls or email, or individual commissioners contacted directly by members the public. Mr. Dufromont suggested returning to the past practice of scheduling visits after a public hearing or meeting is opened. • Mr. Daly noted that the office recently received a report about the water level of Lyman Pond, if any commissioners feel a visit is warranted. Committee Reports • CPC: Met June 10. Next meeting September 16. Mr. Doyle had no report from the previous meeting, and noted that in September they will discuss reducing meetings to four times per year, which seems to be common practice in other municipalities. New Business • Election of Commission officers for 2026 budget year. Discussion. Mr. Dufromont nominated the current slate of officers for re-election: Chair-Sbordone, Vice Chair-Doyle, Secretary/Clerk- Dufromont, CPC Seat-Doyle. Mr. Doyle seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Limonciello, Dufromont. By roll-call vote, the current officers will continue. • Mr. Daly noted that the commission office has been extremely busy recently, compounded by the resignation of the conservation agent. He has begun the process and paperwork to Approved 7-24-2025  advertise the opening for the position. Discussion of whether the position will be advertised as full- or part-time. Mr. Sbordone believes it is budgeted full-time. Mr. Daly clarified that it was budgeted full time in FY2025, but that the approved FY2026 budget shows part-time. He shared the approved budget. Mr. Sbordone believes this is an error and will follow up. He attributed the loss of the previous agent to the mayor’s lack of sign-off on the approved upgrade to full-time during the prior budget year. • Before adjourning, Mr. Doyle recognized a member of the public still present at the meeting and asked if he had any questions or concerns for the commission. Christian Maitre was in attendance on behalf of the Waltham Times. Mr. Maitre asked for clarification on the item regarding the new high school project. Mr. Doyle explained that this involved a wetland/stream area degraded by the previous owner, which the city restored and replanted. This has been complete for a year or more and received a partial COC, but could not be closed while the larger high school project was still underway. The full COC was issued at this meeting. Mr. Maitre thanked the commission for the information, and the commission expressed appreciation of his interest and attendance. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Ms. Limonciello. All present in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM. Approved 7-24-2025