Lincoln advances surface water bylaw; groundwater rules pushed to next year

LINCOLN — March 13, 2012 — Lincoln Selectmen advance Flint's Pond surface water bylaw, defer groundwater rules. The Water Protection Bylaw Working Group, led by Planning Director Chris Reilly, presented a near-final surface water bylaw to satisfy a state Department of Environmental Protection mandate tied to the town's Flint's Pond withdrawal license. Conservation Commission representative Peter von Mertens described a Zone A of 400 feet from the pond or 200 feet from tributaries, affecting nine homes substantially and 11 in part, with 15 new prohibited activities and a 15 percent impervious-surface cap. Existing uses are grandfathered as of Aug. 1, 2012. The companion groundwater bylaw — which could reach land "from Farrar Pond over past Blue Heron Farm and encompasses Codman Farm," Water Commissioner Ruth Ann Hendrickson warned — was deferred a year. The board also approved a fuel-efficient vehicle policy and appointed Joseph Tofuri as constable.