[Music] Okay. This public hearing is now called called to order at 602. This hearing is being held as required by the provisions of chapter 131 section 40 of the general
laws of the commonwealth and act relative to the protection of wetlands and most recently amended. Notice of the time and place of this hearing was published in the haven neighborhood news on 5225. It was also posted in the town
clerk office. This meeting is being audio and videotaped. Person wishing to be heard would be called in the following order. Okay, let's just start right out here. Minutes for approval. None. Meeting
mail. Uh I can say we almost have last meetings minutes done. Almost finished into some software. So by next meeting we'll have So the first meeting mail I'm going to read off is the commission
member Nelson letter of resignation. Um um matters presented those may be be taken. There ain't much to vote on it. Um the other thing I just wanted everyone to know I did get a hold of Rebecca today. She's going to email her resignation into the board of selectmen.
With that being said, anyone interested in getting on the conservation commission, please send a letter to the board of selectment. We will have two open chairs right now. We do have one. All right, Mike, I know you got some mail. You might want to touch back on
that. Uh, we got a letter. Uh, and I think everyone got a copy. I I printed out the hard copies. It pertains to Where are they? They were sitting here. Um, I think Doug has them. Okay. So, how many you got? Sullivan. Yeah.
Sullivan. Yeah. So, that's that's um 211 Middle Road. You want to pass this one? And this just came yesterday afternoon. So, I I forwarded it out to
all of you today. Um, it speaks to peer review comments and some of the back and forth or dialogue between uh GAF and 211 Middle Road. And so I'll let you
read it. Um, I also shared this with uh the town administrator and town counselor. So I don't I don't think there's anything any action we need to take right now, but it's a it's an FYI, but It's a bit of a, you know, it's
something that may is on the horizon potentially. When did we receive this? Uh, yesterday and I sent it. Yeah, I sent it to all of you all today. So, so just so you guys know, I did go over the peer review. I wasn't sure if they were going to continue there. So, come with
it. I did review the peer review from Bill Madden. There's still a couple things he's looking for. This letter squishes a couple of those. So, I'm going to have to talk to Bill and see where we are. see if they match up. Okay. Old business.
Should we move to accept the letter of resignation from Mr. Le before we move on? Oh, I don't know. Right to the board. Yeah. Yeah. I don't think that would involve us. Not much.
Motion to I can't make motions, but motions to wish Nelson well. Yeah. We thank you for your time, Nelson, and good luck moving forward. Yes. Okay. So, continue public hearing. NOI and storm model white farm incorporated 211 middle
road, map 23, lots 2929A and 29B SE000010596. A notice of intent in stormwater application were filed by Zachary Fox, Middle Road, a cushion solar LLC for property located at 211 Middle Road, map 23, lots 29, 29A, and
29B. The applicant proposes to construct a ground mount groundmounted solar array on a portion of the open fields within the property located at 211 Middle Road in the Kushet work is limit limited to the 100 foot buffer zone in the bordering vegetated wetland and bank.
The applicant was represented by Sarah Sterns of Bails and Torren Bails and Thomas Incorporated. Plan name is Middle Road PV Solar Development. Dated September 10th, 2024. Review of matters presented. Votes
may be taken. Um, I'd like to entertain a motion to continue the public hearing. Motion to continue the public hearing. Second. All those in favor? I. So, I believe they requested a continuence. back continuence to our next meeting
which is June 11th. June 11th. Okay. I'd like to entertain a motion that this gets continue to June 11th 2025. Motion to continue this for June 11th. Second. Second. All those in favor? I I
Okay. Continue public hearing requested for an amended order of condition applicants in Copper Park Drive LLC owner Whites Farm Incorporated off Park Drive SE 0010553. A request for an amendment to an existing order of condition was filed
by S Copper Park Drive LLC for property located off Park Drive M 17 lot 22B13. The applicant proposes to install a solo photo photto
volta array consisting of 4999 kWs and battery storage project within 100t buffer zone to a border and vegetated wetland revisions include wetland crossing areas and wetland flagging. The applicant is presented uh represented by
Bob Bakawoki of Weston and Samson Engineering. Plan name is P drive solar PV development dated December 10th, 2020. Revised plans dated March 20th,
2025. The meeting has continued um to June 25th. For more information, uh entertain a motion to open the continue hearing. Motion to open the continued hearing. Second. Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. Now I'd like to
entertain a motion to continue this on June 25th, 2025. So moved. Second. Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. Uh continue public hearing NOI in storm water company for Logan Street
SE000010604. M and notice Mr. I'm sorry. So, I'm looking at June 25th. I'm looking at our schedule. I'm off. It's July. We have one July 23rd. I know they There should be a June 25th, too.
Oh, never mind. Okay. All right. So, now let's continue. Continue public hearing. No, Storm Water Company for local street se4. A notice of intent was filed by the commissioner company for property
located at for street map 25 lot 24. The applicant applicant's project is to implement a co comprehensive remittable action plan which includes excavation and stabilization removal of
impacted soils from the property and wetland resources areas. The applicant was represented by Kyle Appeian Appeasian of Woodward and Current Incorporated. Plan name site plan for Slo Street dated April 2025.
Review of Matters presented. Vote may be taken. I'd like to entertain a motion to continue the public hearing. Motion to continue the public hearing before Slo. Second. Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. I'd like to entertain a motion
that this gets put on to June 11th. So moved. Second. Second. All those in favor? I. Okay. New business. Public hearing after the fact RDA Brett Pellet, Five Trips Way. An after the fact request for termination
was filed by Brett Pellet for property located at Five Trips Way 8 lot 25D. The work cons consisted of construction of a storage shed within a 100 foot post buffered zone of a bordering vegetative wetland. Plan name is sewage disposal
system site plan August 24, 2023. Review of matters presented. Votes may be taken. I'd like to entertain a motion to open the public hearing. Motion to open public hearing. Second.
Second. All those in favor? I. Mr. the fellow to come on up. Please state your name here. Yeah, we're not letting you up easy. I live here 5 minutes away. Okay. So, what uh happened? We went out
there on the site Saturday. Um Brett took and went and build a shed and he definitely wasn't trying to hide it. It's right out in the wide open. The only thing is it's within the uh buffer zone, right? So, I know that you gave the check, you did all the paperwork for
the RBA. Uh, everything is set. The I even think I have it in the folder. Anything on it, Mike? No. Okay. So, with that being said, um, I mean, this is quick and dry. I'd like to entertain a motion, a negative
determination for the RDA. So, moved. Second. All those in favor? I I Okay. Thank you. You're all set on that. Why you standing there? Sir, keep your right in line. Certificate of compliance. Brett palleta, five trips away,
SC000010588. The certificate of compliance was filed by Brett Pelleta for property located at five tripway, map 8, lot 25. The applicant constructed a single family dwelling, septic system, land clearing, and fill engraving with within the 100 foot buffer zone to a
bordering vegetative weapon. The applicant is represented by David M. Dominion of Schneider Deion and Leon Incorporated. Clear name is sewage disposal sewage disposal system. Site plan dated August 24th,
2023. As built date July 19th, 2024 review presented. Votes may be taken. So this is only a CLC. We don't have to motion to open it. Um, as we went there Saturday, you have to be 70% of
vegetation. I think you're well within the 70%. Um, that's my opinion. Anyone else has anything to say? Great house. Beautiful house. Beautiful. And the little guy sold it. Yeah.
But, uh, no, you're all set. We'll make sure you get both of those. Um, we have both of them in the files, so we'll sign them all off tonight. When Joanne gets back, she'll give you a call and um, go from there. Thank you so much for having your time. You're welcome. You have a
great evening. Thank you. So, I have one thing. So, when the uh, we're going to sign the certificate of compliance and you can pick it up. I think that has to be filed. It's got to be filed with the uh, registry of pick it up and then file
it. Yeah. So, what we'll do is I'll have you Joanne call you when she gets back and then you two can handle all the paperwork. Um, we no longer do the filing. Okay. So, it'll be something you have to do. The only thing you have to do is get us proof that you filed everything. Okay. Easy beans, right? I
can do that. You have a great evening. Appreciate it. [Music] Okay. Discussion. Buzz Bay Coalition. Alan Decker Conservation Restriction South Main Street Rovershad Property Review
matters presented. Votes may be taken. Come on up, Ellen. All right. Good evening. This is Oh, Mr. Chairman, this was in the in the basket of stuff. This is relates to
uh discussion. Oh, I believe. Y. All right. Go ahead, Alan. Good evening. Uh Alan Decker with Buzzards Bay Coalition here to discuss with you a proposed conservation restriction that the commission may
recollect. We have talked about this project in the past, but before I get too far into it, uh I know that a single map locating the property and the conservation restriction were shared with the commission. I actually brought
additional resource coverage map layer maps that if through the chair if you're interested in having these, I'm more than happy to hand them up to you. So, here's the issue I have. Um, you guys took that house down and cleaned up down
in that area down over there off. The house is Yeah, there the houses has been removed and a lot of junk that we acquired has been removed. The only structure left on the property is uh the
there's a barn up by the road frontage that that's there and that will remain there. We intend to continue to use that as part of our ownership. Okay. The only question I have, why wasn't an IDA filled out or let us know before that house was taken down? Yeah.
I I I don't have an answer for you on that. I can certainly inquire. We had a well-versed contractor help us do that removal. Yeah. So, I was looking actually at the map today. You guys are like uh 60 ft within the vegetation on
one side, maybe 70 something feet on the other, and you're real close to that little blue stream that goes through. Um, so that definitely required at least an RDA. Um, with that being said, I would really appreciate it if an after
the fact our DA is filed for that property. So, we have it in our files, right? Um, I know that you guys are like exempt from a few things, but I think um we're all in the same same business right now trying to protect the
wetlands. So, we just want to know what's going on in our town and if any paperwork or permits are needed, I feel that you should be filling them out just like anyone else. And I completely agree with you on that fact. I was not involved in the removal um part of the
part of the project. I helped with the acquisition and I helped with the conservation restriction. But, Mr. Chair, I'm making notes of that and I will follow up with my co-workers on this and we will be in touch with Mr. and get things filed that need to be
filed. Yeah, but it's an after the fact RDA. I just witnessed one. Yeah, it's not a big deal, but it just lets us throw something in the file and now we have everything like all our eyes do tees crossed and we're in good shape because it was within 100 ft of of
correct. Correct. And it's on both sides, too. So, like I said, I told them I pulled up the map and I was like, h it should have been coming to us. Yeah. And going forward, anything that like if you guys are not sure, I mean you guys should know what's wetlands, what's bordering wetlands. You guys are handing
the same business we are. Absolutely. Um but anything coming into our town regarding demo or anything? I mean it's a we're a phone call away, right? Understood. So please um going forward make sure that we're in 100% of the loops or whatever you guys are doing. I appreciate the guidance. Thank you.
Thank you. All right. Anything else going forward? Well, I had there was a standing question to you, Mr. Chair, about additional resource maps that I'm going to discuss as part of the conservation restriction through you. If you're interested, I'm happy to hand them up. I would definitely like Yes.
All right. That should be enough for you. So, the top the top map is the same the same map that was uh electronically uh distributed through uh through Mr.
Minton. So this is the former Robishad property. It's it is now owned by the coalition. We acquired it last December 2024. the connection with the conservation commission. And the reason
commission members might recall this is in anticipation of its acquisition for the property, we put in an application to a state grant program, the conservation partnership grant program through energy and environmental
affairs, which would help us with the acquisition cost. The application was deemed uh worthy of being supported by the state. So, we got the grant that helps with the acquisition. That's all been done. Part of the grant project,
part of the grant requirements is the issuing or the granting of a conservation restriction to another entity over our ownership to ensure protection in perpetuity. And the reason I was with you last July was
seeking a letter of support from the commission to put in with the application. That's the second document um in between all the other maps. Just to remind you that at the time Mr. Rosende is the chair, I was I believe in this exact same room and we discussed it
and and the vote the vote from the commission supported the project. So what I'm with you this evening about is completing the loop and closing the circle the conservation restriction document itself. So what you have in front of you is is the is the
restriction over the ownership. This is much like other reserves that we intend to own long term other properties that we own in particular other properties like the ones we have partnered with you on here in Aushnet. the Aushnet sawmill
property for example on Mill Road. Y we also have Le Palm Farm is one of our properties. Y that the Kong holds a CR on Keating Woods and and the Hamlin Crossing which I actually was speaking with a member before the meeting started. Those are all just examples of
this ongoing partnership with you to protect properties and natural resources here in the town of Aushnik with with your with your assistance and partnership. So in in in in brief, we
don't plan anything out of the ordinary on this particular property. This is it abuts existing conservation land that we own, the Keading Woods property. Yep. There on on South Main Street. We have an existing trail network there that we
would expand into the Roachad property. There are what I will call social trails on the property right now. We want a more formalized the the public's access to the property. It's also waterfront. So, one of the reserved rights, we don't
we don't have a plan to exercise it as soon as we uh complete the conservation restriction, but we've got it in reserve cuz it's something we would like to do is actually put in going through the permits and regulatory authorities that
need um a dock and a float to make water access. It's it is something that people might want to kayak to, kayak from. It's got, as you know, it's got the stream that comes that comes down comes through the property. That's that candidly drove
a lot of our interest in being the owners of this property. That that little stream, it's little but mighty. It's an important area to protect long term. Again, trails, as I mentioned, the the existing uh barn up by the up by the
road is still there. We are going to shore it up as needed. Although it's usable now, but we want to invest in it and use it for a variety of purposes all related to what we do. So environmental
education, potentially storing some land management, land stewardship, uh tools and such in the building. Perhaps operate uh educational seminars open to the public from from the building. bring
school kids out, have somewhere to run in if the weather turns bad while we're there, that sort of thing. Um, so that is that's the barn and the area immediately around it on this locus map, which is a little out of date because as as the chair properly noted there, the
house there at the end of the private lane is not part of the is not on the property anymore. And there's a a bunch of junk just to the southwest of the barn that's no longer there either. So, um, really it is just the barn. I do
want to point out to the commission this this locus map shows the private lane. Uh, La's Lane is actually what it's called after former former former owners. Laane is a private road. It is
not actually part of the conservation restriction. Okay? So, the that private way is actually out. It's it's everything else around it. It's what on this map is shown is lot 34 and then lots
6364. So it's just over 17 acres uh comprise the uh the conservation restriction. The other the other coverages that I do want to mention do want to make note of because they are important. Uh the next map is giving you
conservation context for where this property is and what else in green is already considered permanently protected property. So uh there is there's a growing amount of aushnet shoreline that
is being protected through efforts by us but by other entities as well to enable public access to the water. I've heard it said and we believe this that the Kushnet River and its estuary is a cushion ocean front so to speak water
correct right so this is an effort uh a step in in that direction the the next map simply shows you the uh map this is not delineated but the the mapped GIS uh layer for for wetlands yes I do note
that uh it it does creep towards the the area where the house was taken down. The the red is actually uh an important layer and and another driver for our interest in this property. The red has
been designated by mass GIS as coastal adaptation area. What that simply means is that right now that's upland or it's bordering vegetated areas um salt marsh and such but it's of a low gradient and
as climate change affects sea level rise it's anticipated that that's going to be an area where the salt marsh as it gets literally drowned by sea level rise will have an have a way to migrate and not
just go out of existence. it can come for lack of for a layman's term uh it can come landward rather than go out of extinction. So that is uh that has become uh a map layer that state state
land protection programs want to fund the protection of. That's a clunky way of saying this map really helped drive our successful conservation partnership grant application. And then the last map
just gives you uh coverages for uh solid positive habitat being protected with uh biomap coverages for both core habitat and critical natural landscape. So all very positive very positive natural
resource attributes for the property. Um, I don't want to belabor any points, but I am happy to answer questions the commissioners might have this evening. But what I'm seeking is a vote by the board, by the commission to accept the
conservation restriction being granted by Buzzards Bay Coalition and then I would be uh seeking the same sort of support and a vote of approval from the from the board of select uh as the next
step. So, Mr. Deborah, do you have a question regarding the property? Okay. Uh, it's it's public accessible. It's open to all public. So, it it is it is by by dent of our ownership. That's that's our that's
our model for properties. The conservation restriction itself is actually what ensures public access can be had. There is a section in the CR that speaks to public access and the conservation restriction held by the
commission is in perpetuity which I've also been told is a very long time. So, but um that is that is what gives the public the access to the property much like the access to Heatingwoods and our
other publicly accessible reserves. So, the answer is that's a long-winded way of saying yes. So, you're kind of you you kind of lit my light bulb a little bit in in regards to this um public access. Okay. Would
this be considered um usage for the Kushnet Boy Scouts, Kushnet Girl Scouts for um like a retreat um for them to be able to earn like merit badges in the field to be able to do maybe like a camp out
overnight? Would that be something that would be considered? I think that I I think that we haven't we haven't had that opportunity to partner with Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts on on our properties. I think it's something we could certainly discuss. I can't speak
to a yes or a no at this moment, but it it you know, that type of a thing. I I think if we could consider something like this for the the community, uh for the both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, uh would be beneficial. I know the town
currently doesn't have anything. We lost it, right? What's that? We lost it with the Right. Yeah, cuz the former Girl Scout I I think it would really kind of hit a home run here if we could uh consider, you know,
um putting this into motion. We can we we are we can certainly entertain the the discussion. Yeah. So, that being said, how would um either party um get permission to be able to do something like that on that
property? Who would they have to contact? Well, they they need to be in touch with us. We're we're the land owner. Um I would direct uh inquiries to our um land stewardship director, gentleman by the name of Jack Sedar.
Okay. Um he his his contact information is available via via our website. Certainly can call the coalition's general number and be directed to his to his phone or his email address is is on our is on our website as well. That
that's the initial that's the initial point. We would want to work out, you know, what do they have in mind? Um and you know a light touch on the land, right? I is I think is what both both sides would want, right? Whether they
would have to sign a release of liability, whatever the cases may be to, you know, to appease both sides. Okay. Um but to allow both both boys and girls to be able to use this property as a beneficial learning tool um to go out
there in nature and envir that environmental science. Yeah. Correct. Right. Um, I I would be, you know, willing to step up and and Sounds like you might be the contact. I have a direct
contact with Boy Scouts Troop 11. I've been working with them for a couple of years. Um, we have a garden up at the golf course. Uh, the head of the golf course. Uh, I've been working with them on that and getting them a a shed um on that property. They lost their shed a
couple of years ago. Um again I I just think it would be a great asset to the to the community. I mean and we look right uh Alan we look at everything that the coalition does right. So I live not far from the box. I live in a cushion on
metapo road. The box are on a cushion road in metapo. You've seen some changes. Huge changes. Right. But what I see most is how many people are walking it and traveling it. I don't like the way people don't pick up after their dogs. Don't get me wrong. I don't either. But yeah, but for the most part,
you do see everyone enjoying these trails that you guys are putting in. Absolutely. Um I think this would be another beautiful access for the residents and beyond residents to come in and 17 acres to play around in. Right. Um so I think it's a really good
thing. Right. Providing the Keing Woods property. Correct. So it just gets bigger and bigger. Right. I mean now instead of going to spend a couple hours, you could probably go spend most of your day through the Ber sites. Right. So if anyone No, I appreciate the the
the connection and I'm I'm an Eagle Scout myself and so I and I will readily admit to anybody my favorite part of scouting was being out on camping trips. Yeah. On properties enjoying them. Yep. Continuously right through the winter.
Even in South Carolina in 17 acres. There's a lot to offer out there. as as young boys and girls in the field. How many ink is this? Katon's foot. Keating. Oh gosh. I should know that right off the top of my head and I don't I mean it
looks pretty big. It's over in comparison. It's over. Oh, I'm sorry. That sounds about 20. I was going to say 30 35 and the handle there. Right. Both top. Right. You're going to have close
to 40 acres of wood. walk around doing the trails. Yep. So, um does anyone else have anything else? Yeah, um yeah, it's great, great work. Um I'm just curious. So, the commission
is going to vote on accepting the conservation restriction. That's the request. And is there anything is there any like document that memorializes I mean what that entails? I'm sorry. as far as as far as being a
holder. Yeah, the the obligation. Yeah, it's a good thing. I'm not, you know, but I'm just thinking we got a few. I mean, you're you're This is my first time. You're the holder on on other properties of ours, principally like the the cushion and sawmill. Um it, you
know, it's at your election to um check up on it every every so often. um at your you know at your how what you determine. I mean, yeah, that's that's the point of having a different entity or a different party holding holding the
conservation restriction over our over our ownership to ensure it. Right. So, kind of like together with it's a joint deal, right? Joint. That's right. Yeah. It's a partnership. We view it as a partnership with the town for the public access for the use by by by the public
for the preservation of the natural resources. uh what documents it right now is the vote in the minutes and then the signature on on the signature page. Y so before we go forward one more go ahead Mike. So um I know you can do this
with GIS but there's a um a it's a website uh it's Noah sea level rise viewer and you can just type that in. I'm going to do that later and you can you can see what projections. Yeah. Yeah. 10 feet. I
think it goes up to 10 or 12 feet. That's a little cheesy. Having worked with Noah, I can say that it's a little cheesy, but it gives you a sense of like to your to the point of it's going to look something like that resilience over
time. Yeah. Yeah. What what a foot rise would do, what 18 in over time. Yeah. Right. No, absolutely. So this 22 cents. Yeah. So this would be the biggest parcel that you guys we would co-ownship
in this town. Correct. 17 acres plus. Wasn't there something substantial on the road? You're you might remember I've been in front of you in the last year and a half
because we did a project called Red um Red Barn Farm. Oh yeah. Okay. It's mainly in Matapo. But there is a you'll remember this because part of the part of the property that we acquired
is in is in a cushion was slated was slated for solar. Yes. I we we ended the solar use and but that parcel right now is accessible from the mount from the matapo it side but it is in a cushion
and it's it's larger than said it is right yeah um so I'm going to entertain a motion to put this to a vote but before I do we are truly understood that I'm looking for an after the fact RBA
So, I'm not going to continue this. We're just going to I'm going to put it to a motion to vote. I do want to see that RBA come in sooner than later. I appreciate that. Yes. And um I believe that'll be it for the demolition of the of the for the work that was done, the demolition and the cleanup. You can put
it all in one demolition cleanup. Um just so like I said, we have it in our record. The after the fact is just a little more money for the application, but it's no big deal. Um and then we'll go from there. How's that sound? I appreciate that very much. All right. So, with that being said, I'd like to
entertain a motion to um the vote on the conservation restriction as a negative determination. I'll make a motion with with the agreeance of the after the fact RDA.
Yes. I didn't think I had to add on to it since I did with the add-on of the RDA. After the fact RDA. Thank you. All right. I'll second I'll make that motion. No, she made the motion. Oh, I'm sorry. I'll second that motion. All those in favor?
I I. All four of us, you got a positive vote. That's I That's wonderful. Now, I have a signature page because I when I have mine right here. Well, so when I saw tonight's agenda, I anticipated I
saw that a member was going to resign. I did not anticipate a second member potentially resigning, but I have an updated signature page minus Mr. Viver. If uh if you if you would rather sign that other Otherwise, the one you have
is fine. If they're blank, we have a majority. So, I just didn't know three in there. Hold on one second. That's two for pellet. Yeah, that we're not going to sign yet, but we collect the meeting. And then is that Ellen
Decka? No, that's middle room. You might not have it. Well, I also have one printed just like the one you have in your pack. Okay. So, I have two for the person before you and I don't have
yours here. So, we will accept yours. So, Mr. Chair, I have exactly like the one in your packet. So it has Mr. Bever and Mrs. Soya Soja. I also have minus Mr. Beveris. Okay. Let me have that. Let
me have them both. Okay. So, this is what we're going to do, right? You're going to take one of these with you. I'd like to take an original. I'm a notary and I'm able to notoriize your signatures and I'm happy to tomorrow morning send Mr. Mitten a
scan of the signed notorized page for the for the records. Okay. A public meeting duly held on what's today? 28. It is 28th of May. Okay. [Music]
28205 chapter [Music] 2 on this day of a second on the 28th day of
[Music] which was So that's for me to fill. I'm happy to take care of that. I just need signatures by the members. [Music] I'm just going to throw this one in a
file. Sure. Thanks. and Mark, as I said, I'll when I get it notorized and sealed, I'll scan it. Okay. Get it to him. Um, and I'm here. I'll be Friday afternoon. So, I'll get back to you Friday afternoon. That
That's great. That's great. Joanne back in the office for him. Monday for the RDA. Yeah, you can help out with Okay. Yep. I will be point number one tomorrow morning.
appreciate your time this evening. All right, sir. There we go. And that one U Doug put in that you got green envelope. All right. Thank you, young man. I want
to thank you. Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate the opportunity to be with you. As you said, you do value the partnership that we're building over time with with the conservation commission and the and the citizenry of um of a cushion. Okay. Please pass the word to the coalition too. Anything that
goes on in the cushion it might or not, a phone call is a phone call. And I'm going to tell you the truth. A lot of people that we have callers and stuff and we go to it also helps us learn a little bit, right? So if we go somewhere where the coalition is doing something, we might learn a little bit from you
guys while at that meeting, right? We learned a little bit from a cushioning company. If they have some soil, they got to dig off. So everywhere you go, if you'll learn a little more, it just fills the file cabinet. Understood. All right. Yes, sir. Nice job.
Thank you. All right. Thank you very much. Have a good evening. You too. Thank you. Okay. So, we're just going to skip over the next one. Uh, how do you say that? Shred. Serpent. Oh, okay. Serpent. After the
plan update, focus on natural and cultured resources. Review of matters presented. Votes may be taken. It's all you. All right. We're back with Serpent. We took a couple minute recess just to set up the projective forum. Um, going forward, ladies, please present your
name and we'll go from there. Thank you. I'm Caitlyn Whan. I'm a comprehensive planner at Serbed. I'm Sarah Singh, principal environmental planner at Serbed. So, our um first presentation today is about it's just an overview of um of
Kushnet's cultural and historic resources. Then we'll have a few questions to get some feedback from you guys at the end. So we just have a brief overview um of Koshnet's history which I'm sure you guys are acquainted with with the Kushnia settling of Kushnet way back
when in the early 1600s and then the Puritans coming and eventually industrial developments throughout the town and then a brief timeline speaking to that as well. And then the bulk of it is the cultural and historic resources in the town. So we start on the right here we
have a map of some historic um assets in the town. So Kushnet currently has two buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one historic district. Um the historic district is shared with New Edward. So the first building is the Long Plain
Friends Meeting House, the Long Plain Quaker Church. That's a historic Quaker meeting house. It's listed on the National Register for its um religious, architectural, and community planning significance. And it's also the oldest church building still standing in this part of the state.
And then a little bit further down the street is the Lawn Plane um school/ Longplane Museum. And that building is from the late 1800s as well. And it now operates as a long plane museum. Um run by the Historical Society. And the historic district is on
the other side of town. It's right here in pink. Um shared with New Edward. Um it's listed in the national register due dates planning, community development, and architectural significance with a period of significance between 1750 and 1959. It has 38 contributing historic
buildings. And then in addition to the National Register of Historic Places, Kushnet also has 199 um historic properties that are listed in MACRIS, which is the Massachusetts Cultural um resource information system. But in terms of cultural events,
really the only one that we were able to find in a Christian seems to be the peach apple festival which highlights a Christian agricultural past. This is actually a question later on, but I guess I can ask you guys now. Um, do you know of any other cultural events that happen in the town? Anything like
significant? Let's do it. That's okay. Some of the churches do this, you know, I don't know. So I I can tell you for the Apple Peach Festival, the Aushnet Lions Club has a lot to do with the
Apple Peach Festival. Without the Aushnet Lions, the Apple Peach Festival actually wouldn't exist. Really and I I can tell you this fact for fact because I'm an Aushnet Lion member. Um and we do this event every single
year. Um we have three spots. They sell um food, beer, and wine. Um so the accush lines is a big part of this a big part of the parade. Um you know they have scholarship we
have scholarship programs we offer to the community. Um so the Christian Lions has a lot of involvement with with this community. All right. Good to know. Thank you. I mean it was all started because of the peaches, the apples, everything else, right? I mean we've had
tons of orchards in here. Unfortunately, a lot of them are closing down and it's really changing and cushion it from what it used to be. Yeah. And then in terms of um important local businesses like you said a lot of the orchards have you know like shut down
but you know pet um Peter's family orchard and keys farm are two big ones that definitely seem to be like key pillars in the community along with the crearyy and of course the company and title list which only has like the manufacturing plant and it's something that sounds well known for the not the
manufacturing plant the um testing facility. So I see a Kushna crearyy. I have to say it's the best ice cream I've ever eaten in my life. It's unbelievable. And I know there's a couple other places in town. I you know that I hear it's just as good. But I go
somewhere else where you can know. It's a bit of a cultural event over there, right? Yeah. I mean it's baseball behind. It definitely seems to be a favorite. Oh god.
Then in terms of historic um bylaws, the town has one which is the community preservation act bylaw. And that bylaw basically establishes a funding source for a variety of different things and they include historic preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historic resource um sources. And
there's a community preservation committee that oversees these activities. And then this is a breakdown of CPA funding by topic um from 2015 to 2024. And during that 10-year period, the um largest category of projects that
were funded in efficient were historic related projects. And then this is just a further breakdown of um funding over the last 10 years with the three biggest being um the upgrade to the housing authority fire alarm system um upgrade
that field and then um over acquisition of lot. And then these are some results from our survey regarding like historic and cultural assets in town. So the first one is regarding wayfinding signage. And when asked um in the survey where people
would like to see additional way finding signage, the highest answered um highest given answer was historical landmarks with over half of people wanting to see additional way finding signage there followed by awareness of natural areas in the town.
And then in terms of cultural asset preservation, the most common um place that people think should be prioritized for preservation is the Lake Street um/hold reservoir. That was closely followed by the soft. The only thing with Lake Street, we
don't even own it. Really? Yeah. Thank you. Do you know who does own it? Well, they own the water, correct? We we still own the land. Okay. But the lakes themselves are owned by the city of New.
Okay. It's a backup reservoir. Okay. For the city. They haven't used it in years. Right. There's a nice little trail system there. Yes. Really nice little loop. Good to know. Thank you. I would add something else that may come up. uh
welding mill is one of the oldest mills in North America I understand and it it's it's and then we have Hamlin mill I don't know if that's the exact right name for it but so we actually had a
meeting head of the board meeting last week with with Victoria and some gentleman was there too I don't remember beta or names but he was there and um it's really like kind of unbelievable the buildings that we do have in a
cushion that are not registered. Yeah, I agree. You know, like we have the the old library. Um there's a lot of houses, there's other buildings, a lot of places that are not registered into the historical that should be. Even that old hospital on South Main Street, I don't
know what the history, but I know it goes back ways. Goes back ways. My father was born. That's what I mean. My mother My mother worked there, you know. I mean, what's She was a candy striper there when it was a hospital. That's awesome. What's the There's a plaque as
you go down South Main Street. It's It's hard to see. I I walked by it one day, but you know where it looks like a shed up front. Looks like an old barn. So, it's on my corner. It's a historical
marker of of there was a property. That might be the old Quaker meeting house. Uh, no. It's it's it's going south. Um it's right across almost right across from um
uh PJT. Oh, okay. It's it's a marker. It was like one of the early earliest homesteads and a cushion is what I read. I think that's what the marker said. Oh, okay. Yeah, that's right. I know what you're talking about. You don't see it unless you walk by. It's just a little
the little plaque, right? Yeah. Okay. if you want to reach out. I I've got the history of Kushnet checked out so none of y'all can get it, but I think it's in there. I think that that property was
I don't mean to keep No, it's okay. I appreciate the information. It's super interesting. And then um our last um question from the survey that we highlighted here was regarding cultural events and activities. And the most common answer to this was people wanting to see more
like food festivals or restaurant night type of events followed by open street events. And then residents also um answered that they were interested in a seasonal concert series which is interesting because the library already runs a concert series from what we've heard. So and it's actually pretty cool.
I've been to a few of them over there. It's really nice. It's an outdoor setting. Um, it is it's really nice and it does have a good showing. There's quite a few people that show up. The the Koopa behind that. Yeah. The cazo thing with Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
I've been to a few concerts there. Um, and then our guiding questions. We already hit the first one about cultural events. Seems like there's not too many right now, but what kind of cultural events would you guys like to see in town? Like what do you think would add value to the town?
Tractors. Old school little tractors. And I'm serious. I mean, this was family, right? And that's what Kushner is known as a cow town. When I grew up, everyone said, "Oh, you live in the cow town, right?" And that's what it was, right? It was mostly, you know, the big whites farm dairy. It was all these
fields that had loads of cows in it. And it's all about tractors. So when you go to the Kushnet Peach Festival, you see in the parade all these old tractors coming up and down the parade and something like that would like bring it more of the old school farming together.
So not just like the tractor pull itself, but you know with the animal showing and everything else. I don't know how many you know farms in Kushnet still want to show animals or be part of the 4 club but to even get the 4 club into a cushion where they had a showing
would be pretty cool. I think and we have the property for it either behind the old school where the Apple Peach Festival is or the Quaker meeting house or there are some fields where you know something could be done maybe a couple of wampos,
right? That actually would be really cool. Yeah, they do it on the cape a lot coming out. Well, that's what I mean. You know, if the history goes that far back, that would be a lot of um next question. Um which historical
buildings and towns are important to you and how would you like to see the buildings either preserved or maybe reused to keep them alive? So, one of my is the library. We have a beautiful old building. I know that the veterans were involved trying to get
turned into a VA home. It wasn't enough space to make it worth their while. So, they couldn't get enough apartments in it to do that. Um, but I feel that that building should be more than just sitting there and should be used for education. I think it would make a great
little museum community as a farm town, right? Rather than sitting empty. I I think that would be a great touch for the town. So the only thing we wasn't there an issue on handicap or ADA that was no
longer No, as far Well, as far as doing any updating, that was the issue that everything would have to conform to the ADA uh bylaws and that's why an elevator and so on and it it just got out of control with costs. But they should
definitely do something with that building. Yeah, I agree. still sitting idle whether they can look into some kind of grant and I can't I can't see so I know that I can't see it no defined and they got it approved but
they just the next step is from what I'm understanding understanding so I know that um u Victoria is looking into that cuz that was part of that head of the board meeting we had and that's a building that should be something done
to it um we also So have like the little churches on Perry. There's a church on Perry Hill Road, right? That should have a monthly mass. If they don't do a weekly mass there or something, there should be an advertised monthly mass. A little old school, right? I mean, I go to church on Sundays. I'm not saying
that everyone should or, you know, their beliefs are different or whatever, but I'm just saying just to bring the historic way back, right? Cuz that has the wood stove that has the pipe that goes right through it to keep the whole place warm. All I'm saying is a historical mass, even if it's once a
month or something, to try to use the buildings instead of having them sit empty. Do you know if they do anything like right now? They've been trying for a very long time for the preservation, right? The problem is there's no bathrooms either, no parking, and so
they can't it needs it needs more work and they spent a ton of money on it already, but that's not off the table yet. Sorry. So porn Jones cut it out there for someone just a little Renaissance. And again, that would make
a great venue for like a a small wedding. Um something like bathrooms that you get one of those trailer outdoor things. Yeah, that's right.
Yeah. So, make some use of it, right? It is. It's got a lot of history. It's quite good, right? And then our next question was regarding whether or not um a Christian public school should integrate local history
into the curriculum. I know some um towns in the area will have like a little local history lesson in the schools. So, I was out with my just a quick little story. I was up with my daughter last weekend for uh lunch. I took her to lunch to Al's cafe but dive
just to get the cas. But her and I were talking and I started bringing up some of the history of a cushion. Now she went through a Kushner all the way till high school. She has no idea about a Kushnet and I'm saying I just can't believe they don't like teach of the culture we live in. Right. Our schools
are a Kushnet. Should it they have some of our history? Definitely. Right. So, I definitely feel that something should be in. Yes. So, another I'm sorry, I'm going back. I was trying to find the old library. I don't know where it's at. So, the bridge
on Main Street is it's on Main Street. Yeah. Right across the country right by the Yeah. Okay. It's just a little west of the four corners. Okay. I didn't I didn't realize that. So, the bridge that crosses over the river. Yeah. That's a
that's a major historic structure. Yes, it is. It was there when the the British cross Stone Bridge, I believe. Yeah. So, that's that's I don't know how old that is, but it goes way way back. And there's a couple buildings down there, right? I don't know if they've
been rebuilt, but there's a that was a that was a center of town historically. Correct. Yes. So, I I don't I don't know if that's gone, but that's the building right along. The group is been there right in there once a month. Right in
back of it. The buildings right in back of it are pretty historic I believe as well. Yeah. So the brown one on the corner used to be a store right right along. My grandfather was telling me that there used to be a store. So it's it's funny. We had somebody reach
out to us about doing something similar to river fire that goes on in Providence. Yeah. and that that I know a little bit of the history of doing that and that's kind of beyond but the conservation commission but I mean there
you know we're it's it's a city on on the water it's you know it's a town water so so unfortunately fire water has been squashed the water fire yes is it done done because of all the
construction within this area um police chief and everybody body is on board with squashing that um because of the the ongoing construction, road digging, etc., etc., uh on the river. Um
so, it's been pushed off this year, unfortunately. Yeah. And the Lions Club actually was was trying to get this to go forward. Bring my grandson. Yes. If there was no construction going on, do you think it would be something that's feasible? Absolutely. Um, we had
Alliance Club had the wheels in motion. We actually had uh the flyers printed. We had tickets printed. Um, we actually had sponsors from a lot of local businesses that were participating um to get the fly water off the ground.
We were going to have food trucks, entertainment, make it a really a big community event uh and well advertised. Yeah. I panicked there for a second. It's water fire. You said fire water that
squash. I was Yeah, I knew what you meant. Um, and then our last question is a little more technical, so it's okay if you don't know the answer to this one. Um but when we were looking through the 2008 master plan, one of the goals that was mentioned in the plan was just like
general upgrading or you know preservation of Welden Mill, Whites factory, the Perry Hill School and they said notable stone arch bridges throughout town. Do you guys are you guys aware of any upgrades or preservation efforts or anything like that that have been made to those
properties since 2008? Well, the pererryio school, didn't they just do a few years back do some work to that? I can't. So, the artist Well, they mill in and the wife's factory. I don't think any of
But they let the pieces fall. Well, as far as Yeah, they have to really. Well, I guess I mean it would be nice to see some preservation because it'll it won't withstand the test of time. So, I saw a picture 10 years ago and I can't believe
how much different. That's that's such a gorgeous piece of of architecture. It's terrible. Uh, and I think the neglect is just But so I I know I I'd stopped there a
few years ago anyhow. I'm sorry, but we picked up three or four big garbage bags full of trash under that whites. Oh, it's But I just I went by there since they opened that that road and they blocking it off.
Blocked off. It is blocked off now. So that's So that's a little Yeah, they have it blocked off. You can still get in there. Uh it's pretty much closed off. I was just out there. I went out there Saturday after I left you guys. Yeah.
And my uh my letter carrier lives right there. And she told me that they just put up Yeah. They put up a blockade and they don't want anybody going in there. And it's it's a liability. It's becoming a liability. Well, yeah, that is that's
becoming a liability. People go right up against that take if they get too close. Right. Yeah. So So I'm not a resident of town. I live in Bedford. But I would say look if you look those are two of the oldest mills whites and weld two of the
oldest mills in North America. I mean they were built early. Yeah. If you want to preserve something and then we even have that on main street makes it a little cemetery the haven conservation borders
the river house there that's right on main street and that's right the little cemetery with huge little house there. I would love to see that like shown to students like with the people in the actual clothing of the time, the clothing plantation.
Correct. Correct. Because it's it's a single house and you can look inside the windows off of it and everything else and a lot of people parked there during the Apple Beach Festival and that's one day I was parked there and I was actually reading it and I was like, "Wow, they should do something more than just let it run away." Yeah. Right. I
know that the air cushion and if they even own it, but that would be awesome to put a house original to its original time, right? As far as like let kids walk in and see the wife and the husband, the way they were dressed and the way the kitchen was set up and how
everything was in one room because back then it was right. Your kitchen, your living room, your dining room, everything was right there because you're only eating up one spot, right? The loft has a half loft. So, as we had that gets fully heated and to to have the kids go in there and see what it was
really like back then or they got to go all the way to Plymouth, right? But if they brought our history of town in school, that could be a field trip. Yeah, that'd be awesome. It really would, you know. That was great for feedback. Thank you.
Pass it over. Thank you. All right. See you later. So, I know somewhere in the archives at home we have pictures of South Main Street back in the day when it was at Dirt Road. The house that Cheryl owns um
was a single family farm and there was a farm stand that was attached to the house where they used to sell potatoes, food and behind it the house was just nothing but farm animals, pigs, etc.
Um we had the opportunity to meet the um a gentleman that grew up in that house when he was a child. All right. Cool. Yeah. Well, you know that you know the history with Laura Keane as well, right? That that uh estate that's right next
door to the COA that goes way back. That goes as far back as Lincoln. I understand. So I have a book that says the accusion history. So I have two of them. I have one that's the original from 1908 I think it is 09. So I have the
original book. Then I have a second original book that a lady of a cushion all Gford wrote in it and attached newspaper clippings because she said this is uncorrect in the book. This is how it really was.
Wow. Yeah. But I have the book that this lady actually not rewrote but she added pieces into it. And if you read the original, then you go to hers. It's just like minor little things that are different. But she picked out everything that was wrong in that book and she put
it like newspaper clippings. She added a little note. Uh didn't even staple like putting it between the pages. So it's like the one that I like reading, right? And it's I've read it a couple times and it's pretty cool. Where'd you find that? Um so Gford, she lived in a cushion my
room two houses over for me. Nice. So when she took and she had to go to a nursing assisted living, she had me clean out her house for us. So I cleaned it all out. We put it all in storage and the lady was a severe book collector. So I have a bunch of books and she actually
gave me some other antiques. But um she was just an unbelievable woman and she's like, I don't care what they say. This is what really happened. And even so she was still driving at the age of 92 years old. And um when her and I went for a ride, we stopped a couple different
places and she says, "Yeah, this ain't the way it used to be. This is the way it was." But her and her husband was two houses over from me and he was the mean man in the old neighborhood when we were a little kid who was scared of her husband. But it was just unbelievable the history that she knew, you know, of
what people say did and what really happened. That's awesome that you got that. Yeah. Oh, forget it. All right, young lady. You're up. Okay. How long do I have? Four minutes. No, really. When when does your meeting
normally end? When you're done. Yeah, it's fine. Okay. All right. Well, that was quick. Would you like me to go over this the purposes and real meaning of OSRP? Yeah, go right ahead.
Okay. So, OSIP is an a strategic document, essentially a wish list, um a way to share your vision for the future of your community.
And communities use this to plan for the future of conservation and recreation resources. And it's developed through public participation to reflect your needs, your vision, your desires. developing this OSRP is part of
the master plan process and Serpent is also working on the water resources management plan. I'm co-leading that as well. And so you can think of it as a triple project. Through the OSRP, a Kushnet can
accommodate growth, preserve community character, and enhance residents quality of life while meeting these goals. Number one, community setting. Understanding your regional context, history, population characteristics, and
growth patterns. Number two, environmental analysis, which is really going to be more of the focus of this presentation. That involves assessing geology, soils, topography, vegetation, wildlife, and
scenic resources. Then inventory of lands cataloging the private, public and nonprofit parcels that are of conservation and recreation interest. Community vision articulating the goals of the community and
objectives for open space and recreation. And then the five-year action plan where we outline specific actions to achieve those goals. And we are in the early stages of the research and writing. So that's why we're here.
We want your input. Having an approved OSRP makes a community eligible for certain grant programs for up to 10 years. Um later on I can get into those details. What are all those opportunities? It also can be strategic
in making the most out of CPA funding, Community Preservation Act. So, as you know, Kushnet is adjacent to Route 140 and I 95. Your neighbors are New Bedford, Fair Haven, Freetown, Matapoet, and
Rochester. You've got this gorgeous Aushnet River cutting through the town down to the eastern border and the New Bedford reservoir lies in the north section and it's suburban and semi-rural. Few notable employment
centers including South Main Street and Main Street. Originally settled by a subset of the Wapanoaga tribe, the Kushas. That word means peaceful resting place near water. And this was settled by Europeans in
1659. Manufacturing hub and then it became known for cotton bills. And then a Kushnet company emerged major employer. A Kushnet was part of Dartmouth, New Bedford and Fair Haven before being incorporated in
1860. Population grew a lot after World War II from 4,145 back in 1940 to 10,62 in 2023. I just thought of something. I don't know if this same book
I there's history that George Washington actually stayed someplace here in a Kushman. It's in this history of a Kushman. Yeah, it's in the book that Everett is the one that told me about the book. So they make copies of that
book and um they haven't had copies in probably like 10 years, but 10 years ago the the book came out again, the original book when it was, you know, copied. It's old. It's old. community. Sorry.
And today your community is known for its scenic beauty, its orchards, farmland, the river. I I want to um take a moment to ask why is it that the orchards are disappearing or ending their
business? Was it the case that they just could not find a successor like a new generation of farmers? So truthfully, this this town has just got way overdeveloped. It's way too many houses. The farm is gone. They passed a lot of new bylaws where you get these
retreat lots and now everyone just wants to build, right? So you don't have the farm interest anymore. Instead, we're getting million-dollar uh houses put up. And I feel that this town has taken a big turn for the worst. My own personal
opinion. Um I can't stand the way it is right now. Um, and I've lived here my whole entire life. I've lived uh 57 years on the same road, three houses. So, I've been here for a long time. And, um, it's just an easy way out, I think.
Right. So, instead of passing it down to a family member, I think they just say, "Well, if we sell off a couple lots, put a couple houses up, now we don't have to do the farming. We can still survive with the small farmhouse." But that's
the only thing I can think of. But you know, I know that one orchard tried to pass it down to the grandchildren. The grandchildren were interested, but the property still got sold because of the kids, right? The kids themselves. It wasn't the grandchildren. The kids are like, "No, we don't want to deal with
this. We don't want the work." And I think that's the other problem is nobody wants to do the hard work anymore to be the farmer. Everybody wants to grab a hold of one of those things and say, "Let's live life." Yeah. Right. I mean, we got roads uh in Cushing Lane
that was known as chicken lane because of the whole street was all chicken farmers, right? So, you just take places like that and just disappeared off the edge, right? I mean, on my street, we had we I had the horse farm. My father had the horse farm and cows. The house next door was a pig
farmer. They had well over 2500 pigs. So, it's just all those places are just gone. But you take and you look where the house the horse farms were and now it's all houses. All the hays are houses. All the pig farm is houses. So it's just going from white dairy farm
was all cows. Right. Yeah. Was a farm. Not a solar farm. No, it's going to be a sol. It's going to be a solar farm. And that's that's going on throughout southeast Massachusetts. Conversion of open space. It's private property.
space to to solar range. I I think the farmers aren't finding it to be prosperous anymore. They don't want to work that hard. Um, you know, the end results, it's like Jimmy said, it's easier to sell to these hungry solar
farms. And unfortunately, um, we have that going on here and cushion it like wildfire and it's not in my backyard. Uh, unfortunately, it's a very hard thing to control. We do our best to try to keep it in control.
Um, I just think we're being overrun again with solar and the building of these expensive homes. I I would say as a former biologist for the federal government for about 35
years, almost 35 years, I I don't know if there's any kind of cumulative impact assessment going on for for the impacts of the these solar farms. And I'm not we need we need to transition, don't get me
wrong. We need, you know, technology, but I think they're being treated in isolation. And I think um I it be nice to see you know some overarching can can we assess we're we're altering the
hydraology of of this entire region and we have people working to preserve control non-point source pollution running into Naransa Bay and then into Buzzard's Bay and I think you're seeing cumulative impacts like I I I
think it's a big problem and I think it's a a problem that maybe people are talking about it, but in this job and working with the commission members here that, you know, donate their time and are out all the time, you know, trying
to condition these the these projects to protect the environment. I I think it's it's like the Alamo sometimes. Now, I was telling you, we went to dinner with my daughter. I mean, lunch with my daughter. So, her and I I started talking about cars, right? So, just a
quick thing. 100 years ago, there's 23,000 cars on the road. There's n 9.6 billion cars on the road today within a 100red years. So, you tell me where this earth is heading. So many cars is going to turn
this earth, you know. It's just everyone's developing, everyone's going bigger, better, you know, everyone wants to do things faster. But life is no longer the slow farmer. You know, things are just too slow now for that. Everyone wants to hurry up and get what you want now. They don't want to see something
grow. They want to get it now. They don't, you know what I mean? And with that being said, it's just everything everywhere. It's, you know, if you're a little bit old school, you're looking back saying, "Oh my god, they're ruining this world." And they are. Plain and simple. This world's getting ruined. Right? Is it going to be here in my
lifetime? Probably. You know, I'm worried about my grandkids, right? What's it going to look like when my granddaughter's 16, right? Why are there these mudslides, these floods, these things in the things we can do? Floods in in the mountains, right? Why? Cuz we're ruining this earth. I mean,
that's where the conservation commission comes in. Yeah. We try. It's a never ending fight for us. Yeah. Continue, young, lady. I hope we take a bad conversation. Just
slightly. All right. Okay. Geology. Aishna's geology was shaped by the plea toene ice age which ended 12,000 years ago. During this period, moving glaciers carved the landscape and
deposited materials that influence modern drainage, groundwater, and vegetation. The features created by this glacial activity include drumlands, glacial outwash plane, erratic boulders, and
blue stone ice formation. Georgia's bank in Cape Cod outwash. It's where it stopped. [Music] And this here's a map of your topography showing you the highs and lows of your
terrain. What's the highest point in town? Is the fire the watchtower? It's the highest point. It might be the old middle men road. The fire tower. That's what I was trying. That might be one of the highest points.
Soils and land use implications. Soils determine the suitability of land for various uses. Farming, forestry, recreation, construction, and wastewater disposal. Due to wet soils, sleeps, steep slopes,
and poor drainage, much of a Kushnet's land is unsuitable for large scale development. However, areas with well- drained soils such as the outwash plane are more favorable for agriculture and residential use. Commercial mining of
sand, gravel, and clay has also been historically successful in some areas. And these are the four major soil types found in a Kushnet. And there's multiple names in there because they're like mixes of very specific
soils. Inland Hills in the northwest region of your community. There's Paxton Woodbridge Whitman. Uh poorly drained with a high water table. In the east, we call that Paxton
Woodbridge. also poorly drained soils near waterways and limitations due to wetness, low permeability and surface stones. Huley Freetown Scarbor. This is an upper Aushnet River Basin. These are
sandy, grally, organic soils, highly permeable but droughtprone, also poorly drained. Urban altered soils southwest corner 19% of the town's land is covered
by buildings and pavement impervious area. So we can't classify those soils. And here's a list of all the different plant species you find here. Trees, shrubs, and vines, wild flowers.
I'll give you a second to take it in. Spartina on there. I didn't see Spartina salt marsh grass. Oh, you can add those spartina. alternative floors or time of patents. I'll make note of that. All the
wetlands plants of the northeast you find up in there. There's a few good resources that you can just you can get that off. What's one sea lavender? People collect it for home use. I think it's on
the endangered species list. Sea lavender down here. Sea lavender. people collect it because it makes a nice I don't know bouquet or something probably salt marsh down there and then I'll be quiet
just see I do know something vegetation plays a crucial role for ecological and human communities it supports habitats and ecosystems stabilizes the soils and prevents erosion enhances groundwater infiltration,
serves as a visual buffer and a noise buffer, and it improves your local air quality. I'm just going to share that I was born in New Delhi, and I have not been back in my hometown of 25 million people in many, many years, maybe over
15 years. And I had the opportunity to go last December. My parents invited me and my whole family was gathering, family reunion and I decided I'm not going and and I insisted my husband's not going, my mother-in-law, please let's not go there because of the air
quality. The air pollution was so bad it was hazardous. It was it became the most polluted area on Earth and it overtook New York City. So just sharing that so you appreciate how important your air quality is. We take it for granted, but
this this clean fresh air, it keeps us from getting sick. And when you don't have it, you you get asthma, you get all kinds of respiratory illnesses. My my mother-in-law went and she came back very sick. Double pneumonia.
Forests. Forests cover over 50% of your land area, so they are the most abundant vegetative resource. They provide habitat for wildlife, contribute to landscape diversity, and offer recreational spaces. Your forests are not large
continuous tracts, but rather scattered woodlands interspersed with residential areas and open fields. The dominant hardwood species are white oak, black oak, and red maple. And the softwood species are eastern white pine and white
cedar. Proper forest management is essential especially in water recharge and supply areas. Healthy forests contribute to controlling the storm water runoff and erosion. Filtering airborne and waterborne pollutants
before they reach water sources and promoting groundwater infiltration. Sustainable timber harvesting can enhance the forest health by allowing sunlight, water, and air to reach younger trees and shrubs, promoting growth and increasing rainwater
infiltration. On the other hand, unmanaged forests eventually develop into old growth forests, which is rare in Massachusetts and all over the country. And these old growth forests provide exceptional wildlife value.
So, a Kushman's participation in forestry management programs could help the community maintain healthy, diverse forests while preserving certain areas for old growth trees. And this is my favorite part of the presentation. I I went on
flicker.com and searched for uh photographs taken in a kushnet by your local photographers and and these are your wildlife. Clockwise from the left, that's river
herring, great horned owl, that's a red fox. Yeah, northern red belly cter. and the American eel. Is that gorgeous? So there is there is a site here in town
and the residents the commission they're all residents by you. So so there there's there the the Atlantic white cedar swamps. I know um the one in New Bedford that extends here
is the largest tract of Atlantic white cedars in on the eastern seabboard. So that's a significant ecological feature. And I I think I would suggest
and you take this adjustment for what it's worth. I I would be really interested to know how much forests are being taken down to put up solar farms here. And you could I I've seen a report from Serpent that shows where this is
going on. And I think it's accelerating and and it's land change and and I I don't mean to keep harping on this, but I don't think anybody's actually looking at it from a big picture standpoint. and everything you're saying about force is
100% true. And I think again, you know, we got to make a transition, but I think wise use or something. I don't know. Anyhow, I I'll be quiet. So, when we have solar fields going in a field, that's one thing. But when we're wiping
out 30 acres, that's a bummer. And and we've got the the two of them going side by side. It's going to be over 50 acres. If you really got camera people have told me there's 200 I told Yeah, it's around. Well, that was a nice
presentation. That was fantastic. Really enjoyable. Is there clay soil? There you go. Is it clay? I don't know. But I know I know it's not
Well, there there's problems with drains, right? With the from Yeah. talking to Yeah. There's a lot of impermeable soil.
Yeah. Oh, yeah. seen it when I was doing some excavating at my house. I had to go I wonder my property. I had to go through some through some clay. I don't know. Yeah. Did it die?
That's a big reason why the water tables are so high in this town. Between the clay and the ledge, everything. Yeah, that's right. The water just sits right on top. But if you want a good line, you're supposed to put the clay, then your loom, then your seed. Cuz now
just run through. It'll keep you a long way. Just a little trick of the trade. Has there been any mapping of of any of the indigenous sites around here? I I know around Lake the Lakes,
the reservoirs. Yeah, the reservoirs down there. There's a a burial ground on the Wanogs. There's a few different way over to Quit. Quit this 105. Yeah. Somebody told me too that um just south it's just where fair haven starts there.
There was there's a site there on the river. Oh yeah. We back and running in lady. Yes. Let's do it. Here you see a river water and a gorgeous photo of a swan.
This was taken at your sawmill. Do you know this lady, Christine Ross, the photographer? No, I don't. And here is a list of all your wildlife in the hardwood forests, in open and agricultural lands, and the
wetlands as well. Salmon spotted salmon. Oh yeah, they were abundant when we were little kids. I still see them around the yard. Not as many. No, I do. Well, I still see them though in some good spots, you know, some pretty good size salamanders, too.
Uh at least my place. Get they get pretty big. Here you see the survey results. We haven't put everything here, but just a couple questions like what do you like best about a Christianized open
space? The winner was the hiking and walking trails followed by the conservation areas. You got a golf course. I don't play golf cuz I play it badly. But that's really You seem the
type of badly. Yeah. You rode in a golf course with it. You saw how you handled it. I uh personally I enjoy the 194. Yes. The most. So I was an expert driving that golf course.
So the other thing is that um I know that uh they brought up at the head of the board meeting was um something host where they actually let you camp overnight in your town and
you get to I can't think of the name of it now. Um yeah, I don't know. But they were talking about it about how you can actually go to places, set your camper up, and allows you to be within town to check things out in the town. Um it was
actually pretty cool. But I mean, when we see the recreational facilities, um was it like Airbnb camping spots? Yeah, there's a name for it and it's not someone else. He was there. Glamping.
No, glamping is when you have a nice camper, but you can still tend it. Um, it's something host and what it does, it allows these towns and it's going on in New York right now. I guess what allows is for people to get like a campsite one or two nights in Kushnet like we were
thinking of the um the Quaker house and stuff like that where there's little fields where you can put a camper up and go see the town and um check it out. you know, with with your camper, you're going to be self-contained. But it was actually a really cool thing that we were talking about and it it's something
that I would love to see. Um I know that um I know it's a big stretch and it probably take a while to happen, you know, but I think it's something that's pretty cool. And this is what folks mentioned when they were asked, what else would you
like to see that isn't currently available? And maybe some of this is available as you were you were talking about the concerts offered at the library. So maybe some folks just aren't aware. You mentioned outdoor concerts, bike lanes, off-road and ATV trails, dog
park, picnic areas, and community farming. So we got that Keith. Um and we're hoping that that ends up turning into a a farm, right? Back to a farm. I know that they were there this year in the winter trimming the apple trees so
they didn't get out of control which I thought was great. And I know that they got a bunch of dumpsters right now and they're actually cleaning out the house. I don't know if it's banning them or what's going on but to see people on there and some activity happening. I know it's still going through probate court but that I think that would be a
huge win. Um cuz I was actually looking to do a community garden at the golf course cuz when you go through the gate there's a big field on one side the left side I believe and I know that I've talked to the selectman regarding it and I would love to see a huge community
garden something that we did that was that done that before and that the boy scouts are taking it over and they were correct I'm talking more for like the community to get involved like right now it is the boy scouts are doing it But it don't seem like even when um Kelsey was
trying to pick it up, it didn't seem like we had a lot of people that were willing like to step it up. And I donate uh plants to the schools to a girl that plants at the schools. And it's unbelievable how these little kids really don't know where vegetables come
from, you know. So a community garden or something like that where the schools could take them once again, right? You take the schools that are teaching, put it in decorate, uh, they're teaching and show these kids, hey, look at this is what happens. You plant a tomato seed, you watch it grow, you water it, you take care of it, you get your fruit at
the end, right? And I think that's missing in a lot. And considering we're an old farm town, I think that should be definitely pushed through. I'm there. My colleague and I have been trying to get in touch and set up a
meeting with Kora Pierce who is the head of um Fair Haven Aushet Land Preservation Trust and she's the one that Keat's farm I think was bequeathed to. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Right. Um do you do you have any connection
with her? Any relationship with her? No, but I have heard her mention before. I can't remember what that's what I'm saying that platform was that they were discussing. Oh, I think it was about access to the utility company cuz the
utility company needs access through that property. That's correct. And I believe that's when it came up about the accushion behav and that I mean we didn't go into deep discussion, right? But that's what it pertained to. Correct. Was all the U
They have a right away actually is what it was. Eversource has a right away. Yeah, that's what it was. But I've never I've never spoken to anyone myself. Yeah, that's what it was. She doesn't want to meet with us, but we'll keep
trying. That's interesting. I know they were trying to keep that in the family as a family farm, right? Don't know. I don't think that was the case. Yeah, I don't think that there was any family interest moving that forward.
Yeah, this question was which of the following approaches to open space preservation do you support the most? The winner was promoting use of existing open space land followed by encouraging donations. Yeah, that's that's becoming more and
more popular, right Jimmy? Yeah, it is. Unfortunately though, everyone wants bells. No one wants to donate it. Well, I mean, look at that. Manise property. Yeah. So, we just had a guy.
Yeah. He's donating. He's put a development in. There's 14 houses. 15 houses. I think about 15 houses. But now he's got a big chunk of land that a cushion company buys it and he's donating that donating all that. It's a
habitat and that's going to be a huge chunk of property. Yeah, that's a big asset. And once again, I'm hoping that it does get put through trails and everything else. I know the access there is an access for the property um already that he's donating. So that could be a
substantial really nice trail area and let you know people see the location. Is there deep? That's lane, I believe. Donate. Isn't that a lane's way some property? Yeah, that's after. Yep. We got Deep Brooks, another uh development
going in. They're going to donate the rest of their property. I mean, don't worry. The reason they're donating to the taxes on it, if it ends up locking it in with no one could ever do anything, it's a win-win, right? It definitely is. Yeah.
Those are the two I've heard of it. So, the Riverview Riverview Park, is that the one down off of Jean Street? That's right by uh that's right by the project where the alcohol pipes convert. So, I didn't even know that had a
playground in it. No, it's not much. I don't No, I don't believe it's much on the other side. On the other side. Yeah, but the other side is still right on that side. A little playground in there. I'm talking about it. Pushing it. Yeah, they do have a
little playground. So, that's why I see why they say that it especially needs, you know, maintenance. There's a trail that goes from um Yeah. goes from Main Street all the way down through Yeah. Just just east of um Napa. Yeah.
So, this is what the people want. We had 47 respondents. uh maintenance, especially the playground at Riverview Park, updates to the basketball courts, tennis courts, and soccer field. Modernizing and expanding the walking areas, cleaner
trails, wider trails, more accessibility. Yeah. Golf course should have a clubhouse or grill room, bathrooms at the playground. I think you'll find this interesting.
See if I can zoom in. Yeah. So mostly on the map you see red which is protected in perpetuity and purple which means unknown level of
protection. The highest priority land that should be protected include areas in the Haway Swamp, surrounding areas of the town forest and parcels around the Aushnet River and reservoir. All of that is ecologically
significant. In total, there's 1,752 acres labeled as open space and over 1500 of them have that permanent in perpetuity
protection. This ensures forever conservation managed for the benefit of future cons generations regardless of who owns them like that. We just had 17 tonight. Yeah, you were
here to witness, right? Yes. So, I'm sorry. I know people want to get out of here, but I'll just add this. It's again, it's it may be something Serpent would like to think about. Somebody should be thinking about this
is the whole drainage, right? I don't know where it splits up near Taton. It all flows down into um the Taton River into Naragans Bay. It it's a it's an entire system of the southeast that all
flows down into Buzzard's Bay and it's like the Everglades, the glacial till there is an amazing amount of water moving down slope into Buzzard's Bay. And I I don't know, it's just we treat things like in isolation,
but we got a massive system here. And when we're looking at wetlands, wetlands and uplands are an entire system and we're, you know, we can people can build on the uplands. It's private property. You know, that's
the world. But I don't know. We look at things in isolation and we're missing we're missing the big picture. That's just my opinion. But and you guys can I know you want to go home. I'm sorry. I just I I keep seeing this and I think
one of the real values that the southeast southeast Massachusetts is one of the prettiest places I've ever been some of these woods here and I've been all over the world. I've been to lots of different places. It's spectacular down here. And I think that's one of the
that's one of the durable long-term values that you know somebody like Serpent when he produced that report. If you're asking an opinion, I'm filling out the poll for you here. That's my opinion. And
well said. Could whack me here. Just back in. All right. Continue. So these are the town owned open spaces that we knew of at that time when we made this. Town Forest, Poke Park, Porter Street Conservation Area, a
Kushnet River Conservation Area, Long Cemetery, a Kushnet Cemetery, Buttonwood Meadows Conservation Area, Quaker Wells Water Supply Land, Long Plain Friends Meeting House and Cemetery, Whites Dairy Farm Conservation Area, Aushnet River
Valley Golf Course, Perkins Lane Conservation Area, Aushnet Elementary and Ford Middle School, Matapoet Road Conservation Area, Wing Lane, Nestles Lane, Lantern Lane, The town owns just over 40% over 700
acres of open space. Uh Buzzards Bay Coalition owns just over 20% 357.8 acres. Felt owns 16.4%
4% 287 acres and private owners and various land trusts own 22.8% 400 acres. That's all there is. There isn't anymore.
Thank you. Thank you. Very good. Yeah, let's hope the tongue keeps it in uh restriction. So, I think if we could try to utilize more of the open space, make it
more people friendly, per se, like offer more in it, right? More trails. Um, I know that a few things will be wider trails and everything else, but also more of the advertisement of it. Like when you drive down the road and like um
coalition bogs, right, on you see the signs, right? Coalition bogs. Here's where you park. Here's where the trails are. A cushion it our open space. You don't see that. Um, we have the trails on Lake Street. Do you see a sign there? There is not a sign there that says, you
know, Lake Street trails begin here, right? So, I think there has to be more like education to let people know where these are and then maybe naturally it'll start getting used more, but a lot of it is you're going to talk to somebody or
like it's not well advertised per se, right? So, a few of those, right? So if you want to go for a trail, I tell my kids, well, let's go see what the coalition has, right? When actually we have so much in town, you know, that is unadvertised that should be, hey,
listen, there's 20 acres over there or there's 50 acres or I was actually looking at some property on Link Street and the house. I was nervous about the land behind it and they said, oh, don't worry about that. That's conservation owned. And I was like, pretty good. I've lived in a vision my whole life. I
didn't know that. Right. So that something like that should have trails in it or access to the public to it. If we own it as a town, the town should be there. Period. Right. So that's why I feel that more advertisement, more maybe
we come up with a a trail or a a sheet where it has all these places for people to go. And once again, why not start right at the schools with it? Hey, listen. You know, you want something for your parents to do with you this weekend? is the trails of a cushion or
the open space that is open to the public, right? Why don't you guys go there and see it? Be a simple map, right? And it could be just so easy to get more people to use what we have available, right? So everybody, you look
at everybody, right? Let's go to vacation. Let's go to Aruba. Let's go to Bermuda. Let's go everywhere. But look at let's look at home, right? If you stop here in the United States itself, it's beautiful, right? But what I'm saying is if you even take a weekend where you have your kids for the weekend
and you you need something to do or want something to do instead of this, let's go to the open space. Let's go see what this town has to offer to come here, right? And that's why I was really interested and I can't think of it on that thing about the host where people
get campsite. I guess it's really hard to have sight, but it's something to really get people involved with the town that we live in, you know. being, you know, but I just feel that there has to be something advertised. So, a lot of
these um master plans, right? They're in a building like this, everyone's sitting down, we're talking, right? And here we're talking right now, the head of the board meetings, we're all talking about this stuff. But if we don't get it to the people who are actually going to do the walking, it's going to be just fed
through word of mouth. And if you don't keep talking to the other person, no one's ever going to know about it. So I think whatever we do has to be spread. Even like you take a little riverside pot, right? They're saying that it needs improvement, right? How many people really know there's even a little playground there?
Right. Not a lot. So I think no matter what we do with this open land space, we have to advertise this open land space. Like you said, a simple trail map or and mark the trails. I mean, we go out
of state, say, let's say, for instance, we go to New Hampshire, right? All of these trails in New Hampshire, they're marked, you know, this is, you know, this way to this trail and they name the trail, you know, and everything is well marked, you know, and in in Vermont,
these trails are marked. they're mapped, you know, you know, maybe the small like 17 acres, maybe that ain't a big trail where you you need to market, but once the coalition does stop on the trail, it has to be advertised, right? And I think that's a big part of what we're missing
about this land because no matter how much land you own or the town owns, if the if the residents ain't getting the benefit from it, I know it's still preserving it, but then it's just like everyone saying, "Well, what is that property?" Oh, we have no idea. What did you rather say, hey, listen, let's go
check that out. I heard they put new trails in on this property. So, this this may be something we asked Buzz Bay coalition for as as part of um you know, negotiations, right, for these land prices. We don't like that trail mark.
They can't be built into the master plan as well. Correct. That's there's no reason why sorrow simple math that you can probably that means sun and illusion
illusion and son um you should talk to have you spoken to Scott Daget at the late there's a It's called the Lake Stream Committee Committee. The vision. Yeah. So, they're working to try to uh address problems in these these four
ponds that that have some invasive species, but they've they've been behind. And I don't I don't know the whole story, but there's a parking space now. It's their initiative with the town with the selectment. Um, and they
they're um they put in the there's a beautiful little trail if you have little kids. It's about a mile. It's a it's a nice little trail and they put down there's mulch on it. Yeah. Nobody knows
we haven't been going down. They got picnic tables. What should I ask him? Scott Daget. Um, well, in terms of open space and trails, he he's I mean, it's a huge
feature here in in a Kushman. And I mean, I know the lake itself, their motivation, I think, in part is people Yeah. recreation on the lake, right? So he he he headed up the Lake Street project and they're moving forward on uh
remediating the weeds within those bodies of water with an eco harvester and and to make it more user friendly and accessible. Yeah. And they they they were involved. There's a dock down there. I mean, so
there it's an organization, it's volunteer here in town that is working to enhance open space. And I don't know the story with the trail, but you know, again, beautiful little trail. They put in picnic tables. There's there's uh uh
receptacles. You can get rid of trash down there. So, I mean, they're they're trying to Yeah. you know, kick it in. The other thing we have to really think about too is um so we have Lake Street and my wife works for Life Street which
is for group homes for disabled people and she's always looking for places to take people. So she's actually contact the town about putting ADA picnic tables cuz right now she can't get to a picnic table with people in a wheelchair, right? And these people have electric
chairs so they're the bigger ones. And um that was one of her big concerns is that whatever the town's doing, they should make everything at least partially ADA, right? So this we had people even though disabled want to sit by the lake and have a lunch. And my
wife can't take them there cuz there's no place to take right when they come out of the van, they just can't sit there. They need a table to go to. So she actually contacted one of the select man. They're going to try to get her at least one 88 picnic table there. But that should be even like for the
riverside that should be every little place that we're looking for open space for people to go to. There should at least be something there for the ADA, right? It doesn't have to be 99%. But it should at least have a picnic table for a wheelchair access. And just those
little things. I mean, if we're going to say, okay, let's welcome this to a cushion and make it really friendly for the people, which I want it to be, we have to advertise it. But it has to be for everybody, right? So just my thoughts. With that being said, if you
don't mind, I'm going to entertain a motion to adjourn this meeting. Motion to adjourn this meeting. Second. All those in favor? I I [Music]
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