[music] [music] I'll make a motion. >> All those in favor? >> I stand. >> Okay. Old business. Certific certificate of compliance. Tony Santos 16 Brookside Drive se1-0525.
A certificate of compliance was filed by Tony Santos for property located at 16 Brookside Drive. The site work included the installation of a septic system upgraded located within 100 foot bus buffer zone to a bordering vegetated wetland. Septic system as built dated
November 7th, 2018 on file. Review of Matt is presented. Votes may be taken. Once again, the guys, this is one that's been um since 2018. Um no COC was put through. We denied the COC at the last meeting because there was garbage in the
wetlands. Um they did I did look at some pictures that Tony sent us after we looked at him today at the office. Um the pictures look like they did try to kick around the snow and try to pick things up. He showed a dumpster leaving the property and he also um had a
invoice, but I didn't kind of believe the invoice because it was dated from July something in 2023. But with that being said, it does look like they kicked it around. So, I will entertain a motion for the approval of a COC for 19
>> 16 >> 16 Brookside Drive. >> I'll make the motion. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I I new business. I believe there's no new business. Discussion 35 Hathaway Road review of matters presented. Votes may be taken.
So, we took on um Haway Road. We had um Julia do some homework on it and uh she came up with it. It's a WPA violation. Um then we had a member saying that he felt it was a MS4
um right. So, we actually got the engineer from Kico um to get involved. He wrote us a letter. He um recommends the same thing that Julia found out that um the D says it's an after the fact NOI
should be follow uh filed. So, with that being said, um I say we entertain a motion that Julia calls gets a hold of the owner. And then before we do that, may I >> go ahead.
>> Um there was a couple of different uh concerns I had about that. Um, when we were at the site visit, I had Julia take some photos showing where the connection from
the town storm water system is to the relative relevant area of where the whatever you want to call construction, dredging, scraping of the land, the little foot trench was done and the
relieving of it. I don't know. Did you guys um send and inform your the MS4 guy of these of this too? And I also took a ride by and I kind of
wrote some concerns that I didn't see no footsteps near any of the area. So I don't know where they were looking if they weren't walking up on it. Um, so yeah, I was honest me I was going to put in a mo actually I will put in a motion
[snorts] to have this continued until Julie is around. Then she can answer those questions if she forwarded the correct information or if it was just I said this this this. Can you take a look and they didn't maybe notice how
the structures that I was speaking of and I haven't got to talk to Julia about it. I went to the office today. She wasn't there. So yeah, I'll put in a motion to for it to be continued in next meeting. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? Second. Jimmy's motion.
>> Jimmy's motion or Eric's motion? >> My motion. >> Oh, no. Eric put a motion. I thought you were making a motion. I'm sorry. >> I'll second. >> Do I have anyone else? [snorts] Okay. So, now we're at a split.
>> Oh. Um, what I am going to say, Eric, is that uh Kevin Mchua did go out there. He walked the whole trench that was dug. So, I don't understand why you didn't see footprints. >> I [snorts] don't either. >> Well, they they're still there. There's footprints there today. He went in
through 39 Hathaway Road. He didn't go through 35. So, there is um he showed his pictures. He took pictures of the roots that are sticking out of the snow. He um >> you don't have to explain it to me. >> Well, I'm just letting you know that he did go there.
>> That's for continuence. >> So, that's not it. I don't need an explanation. >> Well, I'm just letting you know. So, with that being said, I would like to entertain a motion that we go by what the conical engineer sent and what DP sent Julia and uh have her have the
owner file for after the fact NOI. >> We ask the owner, right? >> What's that? We'll ask them if they want to go forward with it. >> Well, yeah. I mean, they have the right to appeal it to the D, but um I feel
that it should be an after the fact NOI filed on this property. >> And do I have a second? >> I'll second that motion. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> abstain. >> So, we got >> All right. So, wait a minute. >> How does this work? I think they both fail because you got
[snorts] >> you have um Eric and Heidi motioning >> to Eric's motion. You two didn't second it. Then you have a new motion on the floor with Mr. Susa and Mr. Thomas with no second. So >> am I correct, Bob? >> Correct.
>> Both motions would fail. >> Fail. Right. >> Mr. Chairman, if I may. >> Go right ahead. >> [clears throat] >> Thank you. Uh Bob Hankley, board of selection. Um just so everybody's aware, anything involving MS4 falls under the
jurisdiction of our office. I've spoke with multiple people about this. What this did trigger was to do a little bit more of an extensive look at the MS4 system. But based on my conversations no matter what with town council, even if a
municipal storm water system causes an issue on a property, a property owner is not allowed to rectify it themselves without discussing it and moving forward in the proper procedure. So regardless, I have no skin
in the game here, but if this two motions fail, it will have to get pushed to another meeting anyway. But just so everybody knows, no matter what, if you do violate or do something that's against the Wetlands Protection Act, regardless if MS4 is caused it,
causation doesn't allow non-compliance. So, if it is indeed, and I haven't seen pictures, and I'm not a part of this committee to do it, but I will say that if there was an act that did something in the wetlands or in the buffer zone,
following D guidelines would be recommended. With [snorts] that being said, it's also triggered a bigger conversation about our MS4 system so things like this don't happen to other people. So, we're digging in now to find out what we can do in terms of clearing.
You can't go in there with crazy machinery and start pulling it out, but you can pull brush out. You can, you know, if you have a culvert with a blockage in it that's causing storm water to end up on somebody's property. Ultimately, that would be a town concern. I would just recommend that anybody that
does have a concern like that, reach out to the voter selections office, put it in writing in an email. CC conservation as well simply so there's a chain so we can all pay attention to it and I can make the correct recommendations to my
board and to our M MS4 engineer just to make sure that we're in compliance as well and I also don't want a town related issue to cause headaches or problems for residents around the town. Um I was actually speaking with Mr.
Baros earlier in regards to this and he is putting me in touch with a couple of entities that I also spoke with town council and MS4 engineering about and it's a legit way forward. So, uh I think it'll moving forward it's going to be a
lot easier. But with that being said, if you do something against the Wetlands Protection Act, you are in the correct jurisdiction with conservation. >> All right. So, we don't have to go through this electment on this one. We're going to take care of the MS4 stuff on a separate
item, I guess you could say, but anything involving the Wetlands Protection Act is conservation jurisdiction. >> Okay. I know that um just so you know, Bob, I know Kevin matched it up with the maps. >> Yep. >> And that's why he said over the first email that we got that he didn't feel
that this was MS4. And then that's when he called me up and he says, "Hey, I'm here on site and uh I'm walking the trench. Is this what you're talking about?" I said, "Yep, I'm at the town hall. I'll meet you over there now." So, I actually went over there with him and uh he kind of described to me what kind of MS4 does and what it kind of does and
that's why he kind of put it in that email. So, with that being said, I'll just entertain this mo a motion to bring it to the next meeting. >> So, my first >> Yeah. Oh, >> make the motion to continue. >> No, second. >> Second. >> Is MS4 work all done in question?
>> No. >> No, it's never done. Oh, they the they did the report and they gave us a compliance report. Now, there are sections where >> we have the motion on. Can we clear? >> Yep. >> Okay. So, I got a second. All those in favor? >> I um I didn't give a set date. We're
going to put it on the next meeting. >> Next meeting is February 25th. >> February 25th meeting. >> And do you want Julia to reach out to the homeowners to come in or No. >> Yes, I do. Um, and uh, we'll talk to Julia on Friday, see if she wants to
watch this meeting, too, and let her know. >> I would can I would probably advise we talk about the rest of this up there in discussion. >> No, we just keep it rolling and >> I didn't look at your agenda, so I don't know what's on it. I was just um, just
making some clarifying points because there was a topic on the MS4. >> Yeah. But in regards to discussing the rest of the MS4, I don't think that is on >> agenda. Numm Heidi, if you want, I can I can call you. [laughter]
>> Yeah, it doesn't matter. I just don't know where they were at. I know they were supposed to be starting. >> They did go through some process and we do have a stack of paper to review. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Is there any comments from the audience? Anything? No.
>> Anything? >> Thank you. Thank you for your time. >> All right. So 35 halfway will be on 22526. Um next on the discussion will be environmental partners storm water peer review consultant review of matters presented. Votes may be taken. So you
know got we got like um what are we up to four in companies right now to do peer review? >> I think we have GAF field engineering Merrill and this would be a newer one recommended by Victoria. >> Yep. This was uh recommended by the
planning board Victoria. Um I'm going to put into a motion that we allow them to become part of our stormwater peerreview consultants. >> I'll make the motion. >> Yeah. >> Second. All those in favor?
>> I I >> Okay. Next on discussion. Computer, laptop, cell phone for office use. Review of matters prevent presented. Votes may be taken. So, as far as the computer and laptop, I've been um using mine for a while now. One day I walked out of the my car. I ended up dropping
my computer laptop. Um it was in a case, it didn't break. Um then the other day I went on my computer and it looked like it kind of got hacked and someone was into it. And I just don't feel that a personal computer should be used into that office or on sites um anymore. I
mean, I paid almost 800 bucks for my computer. If I get hacked through doing town work, I don't think I'm going to get reimbured for it or have it take care of it. Um, we've put in a request a few times, Julian, am I correct by saying that? For a computer in the office, another computer in the office
or at least be able to log on through Julia's computer on my name and back at the night. So, right now we're thinking about trying to get a laptop for our office that we can also take and share with pictures and everything else.
Possibly take it to the field if we need it. Um, so this way here, it's more of a someone's in the office, they need to use one a computer while they're at the office, they can use this laptop. >> We used to have one. I don't know what happened between the >> last public us what
>> for commission like if they're at the office and they want to get on the computer or figure something out. Um, like I said, Eric, I've been using mine a lot. I think mine got hacked last week. Uh, Julia, Joanne actually put a thing in for it for me. Um, I just don't feel that we should be using our
personal computers all the time at the office or bringing it back and forth. I mean, if mine is home, that's one thing. And I drive to the office and there's one there, that's something different. Um, I just think it's something that the commission should have. >> Don't we have any funds within the department that would support this?
>> Uh, very limited. Did they what are we looking at amount of funding? >> A cheap little laptop. >> So what are we talking 120 bucks 200 bucks? >> I I have no idea. I mean probably >> a small like my business laptop that you guys see me carrying around all the time
with the case and the keyboard. It's only 200 bucks. >> We're talking we don't need nothing elaborate funds for that. >> Yep. We don't need nothing elaborate. I was talking to Pam and Pam said that all departments during CO had laptops
because of CO and but we don't know where ours ended up. Mighty might end up keeping it. We have no idea where it is. >> So >> I don't think I don't think Mark had a laptop. >> Nope. Mark did not have a cell phone. >> Mark did have a cell phone >> which would be good for >> and then that's next on this right also.
Um right now Julia does not have a town cell phone. I think she should. So she can take pictures, email it to us, kind of use it more as a a company cell phone and instead of using her private I think that should have given anyway with her position.
>> I I take we entertain a motion to look into a laptop and a cell phone for the offices of the conservation commission. >> Well, let me just interject on the cell phone. I think the town um had issued to department heads cell
phones. I think the last agent had one and he turned it in when he left. >> So, there should be a cell phone somewhere here. >> When Julia got hired, Sydney said that the the cell phone was in her top desk. She said she was going to take care of
it, get it to Julia, and >> I sent an email to I don't think we need to do that on the You can just settle this. >> I don't know what else to do. I need I need I need I mean if Jim's going to handle it. I've already sent emails and
didn't we wanted to bring it up on the agenda so we don't >> I don't know who you want me to talk to next. >> I'm just getting that it's not really a town issue. So whatever if you guys want to do it. I don't think we need to make a motion on it. Do we? >> Um well I think we still have to vote whether you guys think a laptop is
>> justifiable. Make a motion to have some Who do you want to be in charge of looking into this? >> Joanne. Do you mind or do you want me to do it? I really don't care. >> I'm fine with looking at it or Julia >> make a motion to have matter
>> Julia look into our budget and open funds for use of a computer and cell phone for the conservation office. >> Do I get a second? >> I'll second the motion. >> All those in favor?
>> I [clears throat] >> Okay, Adrian update. She's not here. Um >> um I can just add one thing. >> See there's a couple. Okay. >> On the MACC um classes. I was able to get two scholarships. >> Nice.
>> For the commission. So yeah. So I got uh Jimmy going and Julia all covered by a scholarship to them that was confirmed today. >> So yeah, >> great work. >> Awesome. Yeah. Do anybody else want to go looking at Julia?
>> Uh Julia's been for all the fundamentals. >> So she's been into it college. So she's got all her fundamentals and now she's going for the regular classes. All right. Now let's move over to other businesses. Any other business that may properly come before the commission not
be anticipated when posting 48 hours prior to the meeting. Future me business. The next meeting. >> Hold on. Hold on. Um, Heidi, this is where we would be able to address about those MS4 questions. >> Oh, it's okay. I just wonder.
>> Well, other people other people may have the same questions. >> Yeah. >> All right. Come on up, >> Mr. Chairman. May come on up. >> So, I Bob Hley voter select. Um, I don't have too many deep answers in regards to it because to tell you the truth, I got
a big fat report that I haven't had a chance to go through the entire thing. But ultimately, what Kico did [clears throat] >> late spring, early summer was finalize some information. Basically, they go around, they map the entire town and
anything involving MS4, municipal storm water. What that is to do is to show us where the shortfalls are in situations. There's a lot of areas in town that have really elaborate, welldesigned basins. >> Yeah.
>> Catch basins left and right. And there's areas kind of near your house where everything's what they consider country drainage. >> Country drainage still plays into the MS4 system. So if there is just a slight recess on the edge of the road
and it eventually washes down into a stream that is technically part of the MS4 system. So there's a lot of areas in town where they told us that we have to come up with some kind of a solution. There's culverts underneath roads that aren't flowing like they should. So
ultimately what we have to do and this is going to involve using Kico heavily finding out all the guidelines on what we're allowed to do because ultimately there's conflicting information. Some
>> mass information says you can't do anything. Some say you have to clean and maintain. Some of them have got to the point where they're so overgrown that it would inv it it would involve some moderately extensive work, not damaging work, but
lots of brush that would have to be pulled out. Um unclogging culverts. I mean, they're still flowing, but they're not flowing as much as they should. So, it's leading to backups in certain areas. Um, so there's a lot to dive into, but it's not anything
like detrimental. Nothing's going to fail tomorrow. They've just said you have to address certain things. >> It's important. >> Yeah, 100%. >> Our other towns around us have they have it done. >> Anybody anybody that has municipal storm water has to go through the same
certifications and processes. Um it's a state regulated item. So they have to report to the state and say yes, this is this and we still passed >> with with the report we had. It just they do call out and saying you might want to address this before it gets to
the point where there's an issue. >> Yeah. >> But nothing nothing crazy, but there are some areas that need to be addressed. >> So now if town members were having problems with their water issues in there, who are they what would be your
best um advice into moving forward on uh outreach to someone in the town? What is it going to be? eye board. It's in their yard or just going to go straight to the selectman. >> If they believe there's a storm water
issue involving the municipal storm water system, that would come right to our office, the board of selections office, which is you can email boss at kushnet.mma. us. Clear pictures are always helpful. So when I talk to the engineers or one of
my colleagues talks to the engineers, they can show them addresses, information, um, without it actually being reported through a digital form, preferably to get somebody out there. It makes it a lot easier. So I can just forward the engineers pictures and an
address and say, "Hey, next time you're around here, can you look at this?" If it's persistent and there's an issue that really needs to be addressed, but you know, you got an issue that starts here, but somebody over here is being affected. It's going to take a little bit to figure it out. We got to go
through. Ultimately, our office would either utilize like the DBW. Obviously, not during snow season. we're not going to be out there because they got a little bit of a a headache to deal with right now. But as soon as it starts getting cleared up, part of the process was even if I have to go out there and
start pulling branches and stuff, um I will ask that you know, no matter what, if you're around a municipal outlet, whether it's a swale, a culvert, or anything like that, and you're doing yard cleaning, what I've noticed a lot of people do, and I've been guilty of it in the past, too, throwing grass
clippings over the side of your fence, whatever. Just be cognizant. If you start throwing yard waste, start throwing old Christmas trees and they end up in part of our MS4 system, they're going to lead to bigger problems down the road. You're going to have standing water. You're going to have
more mosquitoes. You're also going to have flooding potentially. So, you know, it it it's it's tough. Most people don't know. They drive by them every day and they have no idea >> that they're driving by actual storm water systems. So, but yeah, everything
should go through the board of selectment. If somebody feels that they have an issue with the municipal storm water, just email the board of selectman. Um, ultimately it's up to the chairman to put it on the agenda. Usually, what we do is we dive into it first. We look into it and then we'll put it on the agenda once we have an
idea of the path forward. >> Fair enough. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. >> Two more years. All right. Future business. The next meeting of the conservation commission will be held on February 25th, 2026. Meeting will be held at the town hall meeting room
located at 122 Main Street at Kushinet, Mass.. Once again, meetings beginning in March will be held at the police station, 64 Middle Road, in the conference room. And this is right after March 1st. So, anything we got going on
starting in March will be at the police department until further notice. Yeah. Okay. >> With that being said, I'd like to entertain a motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Motion to adjourn the meeting. >> Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I motion meeting has been adjourned. [music] [music] >> [music]