you for welcome uh all to the uh Amoris uh conservation commission meeting. Today is October 22nd uh 2025 and we have with us a full
complement of uh conservation uh commissioners. Um, like to welcome uh Carol McNary, Sarah Matthews, and Tina Smith. Um, and uh we're here ready to ready to go.
Um, let's see. Um I we were having some uh introductions uh before and um I I'm now uh unfortunately a little bit
unprepared because I didn't take out my um I didn't take out my uh agenda. Um, is there some way that somebody could give us could put it up there? In any case, um, uh, we may as well uh
start with, uh, may as well start with a a chair's report unless um unless we want to hear first from the director. Bruce has something to say. Um you were going to mention the what's going to
happen with the hearings in case people needed to didn't have to stay on for the whole thing. >> Okay. So um we have today two hearings um one for uh 7:15 I believe one for uh 720.
Uh, Shootsbury Road, ANRAD is uh is going to be um continued uh to November 12th. Um and the second hearing that we have
uh an NOI for 126 through 148 Southeast Street and 43 Belchure Road uh will be opening on November 12th uh at 7:15. Uh the Abutters uh still needed to be notified and I believe there was
uh yeah so um just if you're here for either of those uh two hearings um they will not be taking place today. They'll be uh uh moved to November 12th. Um let's see. So um I was looking for the
the agenda if that's possible. [Music] So um I may as well go through a chair's report. Uh Erin, was there Yeah, we'll go we'll start with the chair's report.
Uh we are still um under a drought um state declared drought and there is a water ban uh in effect in Ammerst. Um I saw in the news uh that the uh application for an NOI by Archipelago in
South uh Ammerst uh over by Atkins was withdrawn. Um that's all I have on that so far. Um hunting season is in process. The
it's uh bow hunting season for deer until a until the Monday after um Thanksgiving when it turns to shotgun. Um and it's a small game season. Uh
rabbits, feeasant, and growl, etc. Um, otherwise there have been there have been sightings of the uh spotted lantern fly in Ammerst. It's an invasive
species. Uh, I think there was a publicized uh instance um just last week and my wife who's a wildlife biologist uh saw one in South Ammerst uh uh three days ago as well.
Um, I believe that's uh that's it for the chair's report. Um, with that said, uh, we're looking for, uh, Jason. >> Yes, I'd seen a news article that said that the Shootsbury Road project, NOI,
was also pulled. And then we have the Shootsbury Road and RRAD. Um, I I don't believe that the article was old. However, I went on our town website and at the planning commission, it says that it was pulled, but again, there's
no date on that web page. Uh, so I don't know how old that is. But I'm just curious, is this is this Shootsberry Road Solar Project the same Shootesberry Road Solar Project we've been talking about off and on for
the last two years, year, year and a half? >> Are you asking me? >> I'm asking anybody who has an answer. >> Yeah. Um Erin, do you think you could clarify that? >> Sure. Um, I don't believe that that's
accurate. I mean, it could be that that's an old news story um from when it was withdrawn from uh the zoning or yeah, the zoning board um andor when the
previous uh notice of intent was pulled. So, what we have in front of us is the ANRAD just for the delineation. Um, so that that has not been withdrawn. I'm not sure where the other story came from or maybe if it's on the town website, it might be out of date.
>> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks, Aaron. Um well, if uh we have no uh objections, um we'll turn it to Dave for the uh director's report. >> Thanks very much, Andre. Um I too want to welcome our new members. uh you know
certainly from myself and Aaron we are uh here to help you get acclimated to the commission um obviously Aaron is is your best source of information for applications and and current current uh business of the commission but I'm always available to the new members and
as well as the uh the the returning members if you will the the current members um I'm available to all of you as a resource uh uh for you so feel free to call me or email me and um you know if there's something we need to discuss or get together or email uh certain
members of the commission are more um not prolific but more regular if you will with emailing me or calling me. So please feel free uh that's our job is to be the liaison to you all. So uh we are happy to do that. A couple of um uh
updates from around town. Um first of all we did have a a nice um informal meeting over at G Pond. I believe it was on Friday. I think it was the 10th. Sarah, is that right? The 10th. 10th of October. I'm going to say we had 8 to 10
folks. Aaron was there, myself. Um, Beth Wilson from town staff from the commission. Sarah and Rachel. Am I missing anybody from the commission? I think it was Sarah and Rachel. We had a I mean, we probably spent an hour, hour and 20 minutes walking, talking, sharing
history, uh, sharing kind of current status. And um you know I think we have a good game plan uh moving forward. Um we certainly learned a lot having staff there with with um institutional memory was very
helpful. Beth Wilson from DPW the environmental scientists uh gave us a lot of perspective and some interesting uh pieces of the the whole puzzle with Gulp Pond and the associated wetlands and resource areas. So um we've got a plan. I think we're going to um the
immediate thing is to kind of address the water level in Gulp Pond and so uh I've been in touch with our friends at Beaver Solutions and uh we're going to be meeting out there in the next 5 to seven working days and I'll be in touch
with Sarah and uh Sarah is kind of I guess the neighborhood liaison if you will if if you don't mind me uh referring to you that way and again it was a very pleasant conversation and I think everybody cares deeply about that conservation area and the resource areas around it. So, I think we've got an
informal game plan and we're going to kind of move forward with it. So, um more on that soon. Um Mount Pollock, um you've heard about some of the very modest improvements we did up there, uh nothing too too exciting, but from a from an access and and parking
standpoint, it's nice to be able to park up there and not uh bump fenders or bump the guard rail. Uh we we have new signage going up there, a new kiosk. Uh we have a very short but uh fully
accessible if you will. It meets ADA trail there to a nice overlook and bench. Um and um yeah, we have a brand new guardrail replacing all that 30-year-old uh uh old structure up there. So it's coming along nicely. And that was done a combination of town
staff and some contracted work. Um, what else is going on? Um, I believe Erin and I reported probably at your last meeting that the town did receive the MVP grant. I had thanked Bruce for his amazing work kind of pulling us all together, being the glue there to to keep us on point.
This is a grant to uh to uh inventory and assess all of the culverts in Ammerst, Hadley, Belchuretown, Pelum with the help of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. And so you'll be hearing more about this. There'll be opportunities to get involved with it.
There'll be volunteer opportunities if you if you would like to be trained as someone who can assess coververts. I think there'll be an opportunity for that. So if you're into culverts and want to learn more about climate resiliency, uh Aaron and uh I can can
fill you in at future meetings. Um other improvements around town. Sweet Alice um uh has seen some some nice improvements the trail uh at Sweet Alice around the Plumbrook Pond. Uh Aaron and I were out there last week and uh happy to report
um that there is a new boardwalk and bridge. Uh this was permitted through the commission probably a year and a half to two years ago and and we collaborated with Kestrel and shared some of the cost and there's a wonderful new bridge. This is uh over one of the
tributaries that feeds Plum Brook Pond and uh as you're headed up on the Mount Hoyoko Range, you will see it. It's I'm going to say 60 to 75 ft long. And it's a wonderful way to protect wetlands and a small stream, intermittent stream
coming down from the Mount Hoyok range. And maybe during Aaron's time, she might be able to share some photos of that. But it really came out nice. Very nice. Um and very low impact. We use uh helico peers. So these are uh uh drilled into
the ground. Very little wetland or or resource area disturbance. And it was one of the cleanest construction sites near a resource near resource area that I've ever seen. Uh they put down mats to protect the uh the wetland area. There was very little tracking in mud or
anything like that. It was it was a very nice job. What else is going on? Um CPA proposals. Um, we did get in two CPA proposals, not the most exciting, but I would call them uh uh uh uh important
and and semi-regular. We put in a request for more trail and bridge funding to the CPA committee. And we also put in another request to help us uh uh get to the finish line with the new signs for recreation areas and
conservation areas. So, you'll see those working through the CPA process. I believe Jason is still, is that right? Jason is still the CPA rep. And um that process begins the first week in November. And so, the CPA committee will be hearing those proposals starting
November 6th. You're welcome to chime in or or weigh in or listen in on those meetings. They'll be happening every Thursday uh in the month of November. And then finally, tomorrow night, there is an event. Uh I believe it's
semi-invitation only, but Kestrel is celebrating their incredible uh land conservation deal with the trustees of reservations. Um that is over 2,000 acres of protected land. This is the the uh effort to protect uh land formerly
held by Kohl's and co the Kohl's company. And that land is in uh primarily in Pelum. Uh I believe some in Shootsbury, Belchuretown, and uh there are some outlying parcels as well that may be part of another celebration. But
uh very exciting that Kestrel and the trustees have teamed up and uh are protecting a couple of thousand acres for wildlife and people and trails and water supply protection. So that's my quick round the round the town. uh happy
to take any questions or if there's anything else that I might have missed, please feel free to ask me now. I do I have a question um about that Sweet Alice Trail. There's a um an access uh to the trail um through
private property. Uh there's a town access uh along a driveway there and it's been uh blocked a bunch lately. I'm wondering what uh what the story is with that. Do you know where I'm talking about? >> Do you mean Andre? Do you mean along
Vista Terrace? >> No, I mean actually uh along Bay Road uh right um just just uh just just east of uh Mechanic Street.
Uh, Middle Street, sorry. >> It's east of Middle Street. Um, >> middle where Middle Street and uh and South Middle Street are uh two houses over, there's a driveway that has um uh town access there with parking and the
parking's been uh the trail leads right to it. >> Um I'm not exactly sure. We've had a couple of things going on down that way. There is a trail head um east of Sweet Alice
um on the on the north side of uh Bay Road. Um there we share that access. It there's there's a private driveway and we have parking over to the left if that's the one you're referring to. >> Yes. So that should if it hasn't opened
up already. uh they repave their driveway uh late summer. And what what we found was folks coming in to visit the conservation area where if you if you've had your driveway paved or repaved or or resealed, people needed to
do, you know, two threepoint turns and they were damaging the brand new buminous pavement. So we we worked with the land owner to put up some signs. Brad Border Week, our our land manager, put up some signs that basically said closed for a bit. It should be open now.
I think I I said we're all set and we communicated that with the land owner. So, it should be back open. If somebody notices that that isn't, please email me, but it should be back open. If that's the one you're referring to, that should be all good. But that's the reason is we were just trying to protect
uh it's a shared uh rightaway where we have the right to park and then pass and repass over their driveway. >> Yeah. Okay. Yep. Uh it does look like it uh has reopened, but I was wondering what was going on. I I'm familiar with the uh the property cuz we were going to
buy that property above there and and there were issues with the title that included that whole issue that whole section there. >> Yes. It's not it's it's it's an it's a access that I wanna we want to do
something better with all the access points of the Mount Hoyok range along Bay Road. It's on our list, our project list to kind of make them make it clearer where they are, better signage, and that's all part of our sign program we're working on because it's not always
clear if you're from Ammerst or know the trails, you know, where they are, but it's not clear to people who aren't come, you know, who might be visiting here for the day or the week or or with friends or whatever. >> We have some work to do along Bay Road.
>> Well, thanks for your update, Dave. You are welcome. >> I wanted to say that um I've been up to the Mount Pollock place and it's I'm so grateful not to have to maneuver around and it it's it's it's a
big improvement and it with with a small amount of space and I've also been on the Sweet Alice trail around the pond and that's really perfect. It's lovely. >> Yeah. Thank you, girl. and and we've we've got more things planned, some some
lowhanging fruit and and some other stuff that is a little bit bigger. I mentioned Vista Terrace in response to Andre's question because uh the commission new members may not be aware, but we are working on a new access point to the Mount Hoyok Range off of Vista Terrace. Vista Terrace is a relatively
new subdivision road off of West Street as you're headed up the notch. It's on your left. And we negotiated as part of that development for a donation to the town of about 7 acres of land that includes a small parking lot. Again,
call it five cars, uh, plus or minus. And we are going to be building a trail there that is all permitted. We brought that through the commission. Simple trail. It will head over. This is just north of the Norwatic Fish and Game uh
Club uh property. So, you will when you're on that trail, you will from time to time be hearing some some some uh uh uh um uh some noises, some some some uh shots up on it is is very safe. We'll be plenty of uh plenty of distance from
where that takes place up at Norwatic Fishing Game and it'll cut over to the east and intercept the trolley line trail which heads up the Mount Hoyok Range. So, it'll be another place to park, to bike in from, to walk, etc. And we're trying to make over time
connections to Atkins and the uh uh points west of Bay Road. We we need to work on uh uh crosswalks and things like that with DPW and and make things safe, but there will be a parking lot there soon and we'll announce that as soon as
it's in place. >> Great. Uh Bruce is next. Um I'm just going to remind you uh remind us all that uh when we speak raise your hand first and then I'll call on you. Um so that we uh when you when we raise our
hands they actually get placed on the uh on the top of our screen in order of uh hands raised. Uh just something for us to remember as we move forward. Bruce uh >> Aaron was going to describe changes in the schedule for November and
December. We should do that now because maybe people will drop off by the end. >> Sounds good. Um, so we only have one meeting in November on uh November 12th and um
we've uh moved up the two meetings in December to the third. Yeah. So that's our meeting schedule for November and December. Um and I think Andre is not going to be
here for the meeting on the 12th. Um, so that is also a factor for consideration at least for one hearing tonight that we should talk about. >> Right. So we have uh the uh our ANRAD uh meeting uh that's
or our ANRAD um discussion which was going to take place today and we've moved it to November uh 12th. Right. Um, so I think we need to talk about when we're continuing that too. Uh, because I think we might have
potentially a problem with the continuation to the 12th since you won't be here, Andre, and we won't have a quorum of members on that date. Um, also I think we need to um I I've already spoken well, do we want to move into hearings to have a discussion on that
now or do you want to talk schedule first like kind of the scheduling elements of this first? >> Well, let's just talk about the scheduling elements. um being that um >> right the the issue being that on November 12th I won't be therefore we
won't have a quorum of folks who've uh who've already attended the uh uh previous uh hearings um therefore we can't have that hearing on the 12th when I'm back uh December um what was it the
>> uh the 3rd and the 17th uh December the 3rd and the 17th um we'll be able to uh have uh have that hearing. So, we're going to we won't be able to have the Shootsbury Road um
hearing on November 12th, even though I mentioned that at the very beginning of our meeting. It's going to have to be uh uh in December the at least to start in December. What the third, right? >> Yes. Um and uh there is something uh
else about this uh about the uh shoot road and uh which is that we will need to be making a decision. we will need all the materials that we're looking for um and need to have uh be making a
decision on that um by December um what they did we say it was the 17th >> right well and I think a lot of this depends on on Jason um Jason's future um and I don't know you know that's
obviously a consideration here and moving into January um we'll um Andre, Bruce, Rachel, and Jason on the shoot road an so um if
you know considerations being what they are, if um Jason ends up departing the commission for for greener pastures, we we might need to move more quickly on a decision for the ENRAD. >> Okay. For those who don't who aren't
aware, um Jason is uh has put his name in for a position as a uh on the town um town council, right?
>> Yeah. District two town council. >> District two town council. And in the chance that he uh does uh get it, um that would leave uh Jason out of our uh out of the commission and uh therefore
not not available uh as uh to to form a quorum. So that's where the uh stickiness uh starts and I think we can discuss the rest of it uh at the hearing
I guess. Does that make sense? >> I mean, yes, if we don't have a quar if if Jason is gone, he'll be gone uh at the end of the year. Uh which means we have to have uh all the materials to
make a decision uh by this the meeting on the 17th. If we can't make a dec, you know, if we don't have all the materials, then we're going to have to I mean, the logical thing would be to deny uh based on not having enough information. So, uh, I think it's
important to, uh, to have this outfront, um, and to make sure that, uh, uh, the Shootsbury, uh, solar project folks are well aware of, um, of what's going on. Uh we're not nobody's uh vying one way
or another, but we do uh need to have our uh information um and we need to be ready uh by the uh December 17th meeting if Jason uh has to leave the commission. So all right with that being said um
are we ready to move on uh the uh two minutes uh discussed the uh the drought status um we are in a continued drought. We got some uh nice rain uh for a couple of days but that's not enough.
Um, we have um minutes uh that were uh presented uh by Bruce, I believe, right? Uh put together by Bruce. Um >> I draft them. Aaron reviews them and
modifies based on her understanding. >> All right. Um have we had a chance to look at those? Are we ready to uh how many are there? Uh Erin. >> Um see one, two, three, four, five. Five
sets. >> Um thank you guys. I just had one one modification on the notes for 924 2025 under Sweet Alice. Um I abstain from voting there because I'm better to Sweet
Ellis. So, >> I can take care of that, Bruce. >> Okay. >> Thanks, Rachel. >> Any other uh objections or anything? >> Okay. Do we have a motion to uh approve them? I will move that we approve the minutes
from 7:23 2025, 7:30 2025, 79 2025, 910 2025, and 924 2025. >> Thanks, Jason. Second. Anybody for a second? >> I second. >> Uh Jason with a motion and Rachel with a
second. Rachel, >> I >> Carol, >> hi. Sarah, you'll have to unmute. >> Yeah. >> Tina, >> hi. >> Bruce,
I didn't hear you, Bruce. >> And Jason. All right. And I'm an I2. Um, land use applications. Aaron. >> Um, so we don't have any land use
applications, but just quick uh land management update for particularly for the new members. Um, so for the last gosh close to four and a half years, the conservation commission has been working
on a draft land use policy regulation document. Um, which is a consolidation of a number of different policies that have been developed over the years. And um we had had a um a land management subcommittee that spent about two years
going through the document and refining it and updating it. Um, and we've since that time consolidated the entire document together, had our town attorney review it, and we have a semi-final version of those um, policy regulations
in the um, land use um, policy regulation folder of the packet this week. Um, just hoping that everybody, including new members, could give that full document a look. um by section. There are sections that are highlighted
that were already approved by the full body of the commission to to be included in the document and those are noted with an approval date on the heading of the given section if they've already been approved. Um, but there are a couple sections that were not handled directly
by the subcommittee like the beaver section. That was a section that was drafted after. And there's a couple smaller sections like about um APRs and stuff like that that it would be really great to have um just everybody take a look at and if you have any comments if you could send them to me by December
1st. I think the intention was the first part of the year for us to have uh public hearing to um review and take public comment on that document um and move towards approving it and implementing it. >> Thank you. Um yeah, I I would like to be
visiting that uh at the beginning of next year as well as the hunting uh regulations um which we uh left off. Um, and regarding the hunting, uh, I'll
ask, um, I had asked that, uh, Aaron that you and Dave, uh, contact or I thought I had, uh, contact the, uh, town's attorney, uh, about the statement that's on the, uh, town's website, uh,
that says hunting is only permitted in uh, these uh, these these town uh properties. Um I would like to have you uh consult with the town's attorney uh because there is
no legislation that uh that actually uh that has been enacted that uh uh that makes it illegal to hunt anywhere uh in the town or in these properties. So um I've asked that in the past. Uh Dave,
would you please uh make sure to find out for me? All right, great. Thanks. Cuz uh if the website states it and it's not correct, it should be off. Uh all right. So, uh anything else on uh
land management updates or uh land use applications, which we didn't have any? >> Uh no. And I have um some uh project updates as well, but if you would prefer to move into hearings, I can handle those later or I can do those now. It's
totally up to you, Andre. >> Uh you may as well do them now because there's no uh we're not really going to have uh anything in the hearings. So yeah, go ahead. >> Okay. Um so
um just to make everybody aware that um this the past couple weeks there have been a number of um kickoff meetings or um pre-construction meetings for a number of projects that had been previously approved. Um so the some of
the bigger ones would be like the Hickory Ridge order of conditions. um that the amendment two portion uh where they're going to be moving in to um do a number of uh of projects that were permitted. Um and uh there we had the
pre-construction meeting um on what day was it? Tuesday morning. Yesterday morning um I also had the pre-construction yesterday morning for the um Amity Street and University Drive roundabout project. And then um uh Monday morning I have the kickoff the
pre-construction meeting for the project on the corner of Amity Street and University Drive. So there's a number of large projects that are kicking off um in in right now. Um and then also the Middle Street Culvert project kicked off
um a couple weeks ago. The single family home at um 875 Belchtown Road, 815 Main Street, and then the single family home at Old Migu Road. So there is a lot of construction kicking off um and uh we've already got a lot of projects underway.
So you'll see um a a uptick in our monitoring reports um which are already robust. So it's going to be um a lot going on this fall. >> Nice. >> Good. Good.
>> Um >> Okay. Well, uh I think with that then it looks like we're going to be getting pretty busy then uh later on later on in the year. Well, with that uh we'll move into our uh public hearings. Um
I think uh before uh before the hearings though uh there was a uh note on public comment um uh from uh staff um essentially if there
uh if you're emailing uh staff with a comment for the uh conservation commission um you should uh request that um requested in uh in writing when you do it. But the best uh way to do to submit
a comment for us for uh to us for uh is to go through the uh website and submit a public comment um that you can find uh on the Ammerst Conservation Commission web page.
And you have a picture there of what it uh what the web page looks like. We'll move into our uh hearings. Um have a general procedures for uh fairness. Uh in the hearings uh we have 20 minutes
dedicated to each uh uh each hearing on the agenda. It starts with uh five minutes uh presentation by the applicant. Five minutes for the staff to comment. 5 minutes for uh public comment or two minutes uh per
person and then five minutes for the conservation commissioners. Um we uh do require just so that everybody uh is aware ahead of time that any uh submitted or revised materials uh be uh
given to the uh commission by the Wednesday uh of the week prior to our meetings. Uh and those of you uh presenting u just please uh clearly state your name and the address of the project, who
you're representing, and for uh members of the public uh state your name, address, and if you have preferred pronouns. Um and then uh you'll raise your hand when you want to speak and uh I'll call on you in the order that uh your hands
raised. With that, we'll move into ourh first uh hearing. It's an Ian red um by Goddard Consulting on behalf of Pure Sky Development, Inc. for the confirmation of both Mass Wetland Protection Act resource area boundaries and wetlands
protection town of Amoris general bylaw 3.31 and the regulations resource area boundaries with within a designated study area on Shootsbury Road. Map 9B lot 11 and 12 and map 9D lot 27. Um
there uh we're still uh waiting to uh have a third party um uh or two third parties um do some evaluation of the sites. And um because
of that uh process, we're uh going to need to continue the hearing to um uh the 12th of uh November at uh 7:20 p.m. With that, we need a motion. Uh Erin,
>> um so I just want to make sure we correct that date. Um and uh >> okay, >> just another piece of this which I I did speak with the applicant about. So they did um understand the situation about the November 12th meeting that we
wouldn't have a quorum and they were fine um and requested in writing that we continue to December 12th. Um, I did speak with them to make them aware of the situation um with the with the need to have the peer like that we we really
need to receive the check so we can set up a contract immediately and get the peer review underway. Um, because we will need to have the materials so that the commission can act by the December 12th meeting. Um, so I don't know. I mean, my recommendation
as staff to protect the commission legally would be to state um that we would be granting a continuation to uh December 3rd. Um, and that uh we would need to receive all materials to render
a decision by December 11th. um and that if all materials are not received at that time that the commission um would be uh needing to deny for lack of information at that time based on the situation that's before the board. So,
if if we um make all of that information clear to the applicants um which I've I've already spoken to them about, they understand the deadline situation. Um but I think it would be helpful to have that in a motion similar to the last time around so that we can um uh just
protect the commission legally speaking in the instance that we the we don't have a quorum after the 17th. Mhm. >> Um and uh and so yeah, they they would need to have a so I think it's fairly
clear now to them uh that uh uh by uh that they need to have uh that our next meeting is going to be on the 3rd of December and that we need materials uh by the Wednesday before the the meeting after
that which is the 17th. So they will need to have all of their uh materials in by you said the 11th or the uh 10th I suppose. >> Yeah. They right for for a com a week prior to that meeting, right? In order
for everybody to review it in advance. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, uh by the 10th, right? Is that the date or am I I'm not looking at a uh >> Yes. I'm just modifying the motion because this is all sort of happening very um
you know as we've discussed this. >> Okay. So we'll just wait for you to present us the motion. Is that >> Yeah. Ah, sorry. I It's You know how when you
write like a th after uh a number, it makes all the writing small? It did that while I was typing. Um, so I'm just going to share my screen so that we can um just have this in front of us. Um,
there we go. Uh, Again, we I know there's a lot of factors involved here, but I think we're just trying to cover the commission legally in the CA in the instance that materials aren't in by that date. And I can refine this, however.
>> Okay. Thank you. So, uh, with all that, unless there are any questions. Oh, Bruce has a question. >> Oh, I was going to make a motion. >> Oh, go for a motion. I move to continue the public hearing for D number 089-0762
to December 3rd, 2025 at 7:15 p.m. All materials from the conclusion of the peer review will need to be received by the commission no later than December 10th, 2025 for consideration at the December 17th
meeting, I think is what you meant. If materials are not received by December 10th, um the commission may need to deny the project for lack of information. Do you want to correct it now, Erin? Based on >> Bruce, >> my correction,
>> Bruce. >> Yeah. >> The uh date when all of that needs to be in is the 10th. >> That's what I said. >> Oh, okay. We just needed some extra in there. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Got it. All right. So, we have a motion
uh by Bruce. >> I'll second. >> Jason seconds. Jason. >> Hi, >> Bruce. >> Hi, >> Carol. >> I >> Rachel. >> Hi,
>> Sarah. >> Hi, >> and Tina. >> Hi, >> Andi. Okay, so with that, we'll move on to our second hearing. Um we won't be opening uh this hearing uh
it but uh this was uh to be a Stonefield Engineering and Design on behalf of Amir Me uh Miki of Fort River LLC for the proposed construction of a mixeduse structure housing and commercial with proposed parking, storm water and
associated site work and landscaping at 126 140 148 Southeast Street and 43 Belchuretown Road, map 15 C, lots 7, 8, 9, and 48. Um, the abutters in this uh
um in this the abutters to this uh property were not uh all notified on time. So, because of that, we can't uh we won't be opening the hearing. Um, and it's being uh moved to
uh the 12th of uh November at 7:15 p.m. Um, there's no motion needed because we didn't open. Is that correct, Darren? >> That's correct. >> All right. Bruce has a question. Bruce. >> Oh, I didn't lower it. Sorry.
>> It's okay. Sorry. All right. Um, with that, we're moving on to other business. Eric. >> Yeah. So, um there's a couple pieces in the um packet that I'll just call your
attention to. Um the first are um at the last meeting we had talked about the um uh requests for comments on the Eversource WT-11 project that are due um by or before November 21st, 2025. The
commission had asked me to um reach out to the neighboring towns. This project extends from um Irving all the way to Lello and um to reach out to the the towns that are al along the line to um
see if we wanted to uh collaborate on on assembling comments and also um putting together ideas for potential mitigation projects that could benefit the region. um which I did do and um we're there's a doodle poll out
right now and the way that it's been sort of extended so far is having you know one or two representatives from each town to try to get together on a doodle poll to have these conversations um just for the sake of uh you know we
want to avoid having any um open meeting law violations and so if we had like say one member of the conservation commission um to attend. Uh the person who comes to mind is Bruce, primarily because Bruce was involved with the um
Fort River Forward project where we assembled a large list of potential mitigation projects. Um but there's there's already been a number of uh folks, staff andor committee members from other towns who have signed on. Um
and so uh depending on folks comfort with that uh that's something that that a member of the commission could participate on. Um also just so everyone knows in the packet there is a a letter that has already been
um it's been drafted and the towns of Pelum Shootsbury and Beluretown have already signed on to it. Um Monagu is currently reviewing it for potentially signing on. um that's not official, but it's been shared with them. Um and so this letter was shared with us for the
opportunity to sign on. I did read the letter and felt like it was a very compelling um letter and would ask the commission to consider whether they'd like to sign on to that if you've had an opportunity to read it tonight. Um
obviously we have one more meeting um on the 12th before the comments are due. So, we do have some additional time if folks haven't had a chance to read that yet, but certainly the sooner the better in terms of um uh number one getting these comments um
assembled and agreed to and also um anything we can do I think to coordinate with the neighboring towns for game plan moving forward would be great. >> Right. Thanks. Thanks on that Aaron. Uh maybe that's something we should uh just
take up as a quick discussion now. Um I have read it. Uh I'm in agreement with it and I would uh opt to sign it, but I'd like to hear from the rest of uh uh the rest of us.
Anybody else have opinions on uh on the letter? Does uh Jason please? >> Yeah, I would be open to signing it. >> All right. >> For the conservation commission signing. >> Thanks, Jason. Uh Sarah. >> Yeah, I would like to sign it or have
the commission sign it as well. >> All right. Thanks. And Bruce, >> so Erin, given that it sounds like the commission wants to sign it, what is the purpose of the meeting or attending the meeting? Um well it's it's inviting all the towns
um from from Irving um all the way down to Lello. So >> we can it's really to to all get together and say what are your comments and um uh collaborate together on um mitigation potential mitigation ideas um
that might benefit multiple towns. I think uh it's clear that um Pelum Shootsbury and Belchtown have put a lot of thought into it at this point and I would just add um if you haven't looked at the map this really impacts a relatively small corner in the town of
Ammerst but in the towns of Pelum Shootsbury and Belgetown for example we're talking like massive swaths of wetland resource area being cleared. So >> um I think it's really kind of a showing of support also to our neighboring towns. Um, so
>> well, I'm open to going if if we can work it out at a time when I can. >> And if we can't, then we should have someone else go. >> That's good thing, Bruce. So, we've got so far four people who uh
are for it. Um, anything else, Bruce, before I talk? >> I I think we should sign it conceptually. Um, so >> great. Thanks. I I appreciate it. Thanks, Bruce. Tina, >> I haven't fully reviewed the materials.
I was looking at the engineering plans trying to figure out which one of these maps related to Ammerst. I haven't found it yet. But I am curious if um because it's an Eversource right away, if there is an easement already on file, how much
push back are we allowed to do if that's been reviewed by council? Um, yeah. No, so it's not to push back on the the easement or the work. I don't think um I think it's uh there's certain
elements of it in terms of alternatives that they were expressing concern about and also um uh the mitigation options haven't really been extensively explored. So, I know there there was some concern about some of the tree clearing that is
not impacting the power lines and whether there's a need to remove that and sort of determining that on a case-by case basis rather than just drawing a line. >> Um but um so the question is has our town council
reviewed their easement to determine it to be legal? I guess I mean I'm no I was more not understanding. So the trees are going to be cut regardless of this letter. Very likely they will be um unless
there's ones that can be spared. And I think that's the argument that's being made is like if on a case-byase basis trees can be spared that aren't impacting the power line, they'd like those decisions to be made. Um, also just that there's like alternatives
analysis weren't submitted with the application. There's like a number of sort of shortfalls with the submitted materials. And then the other piece of this which Bruce had asked me about earlier today, um, in the third paragraph, there's some indication that some work had already taken place or was
underway and there was some question about what that was. And apparently there was like some preparation to do tree removal work before the project had even been permitted. So, um that's been since stopped is my understanding, but
it sounded like it was um there was some issues with overall with um this being a little rushed, I guess. >> Oh, I see. Yeah. I guess I'd say my question is more in line of I I would be curious to read the easement that they
do hold and see what the language says because that might be helpful in pushing back. >> Interesting. Okay. I can >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm wondering how we could do that. Um but I'll look into that and try
to get an answer. And I think right now, sorry to interrupt here, but I think where we are right now is is that these towns, the towns have already um drafted this >> and we're kind of in a place where uh
coming in at this this point in time, it's probably not uh feasible for us to uh edit it or anything, but we're kind of just a thumbs up or thumbs down to whether we want to endorse it. Um,
I think that's kind of where we uh where we are right now. If I if I understood you, Tina. >> Yeah. >> All right. Well, thank you, uh, Bruce. Uh, no, I'm sorry, Sarah. >> First, >> Sarah.
>> Um, yeah. Um, just responding, Tina, to your question about, um, the easement. Yeah. So utilities as you know take these huge uh transmission line easements that cross multiple properties and um and although
they have you know they have rights under the easement but like any land owner whether they have an easement or they own and fee there are restrictions on what they can do they still need to get permits in order to do what they can do and I think um and um so I I I think
this letter the you know the concern is that in going to to get their permit and the the you know application that they submitted. You know that they that they just that there are concerns with with
that with their application and with not exploring alternatives to the type of sort of really massive tree clearing that that they're proposing. Um and um the easement what'll happen is that the
easements cross you know huge swaths of property. So they're so everybody that owns property that's covered by a transmission easement is going to have an easement recorded against their property in connection with that. They tend to all be similar,
you know, um you and they're pretty broadly drafted. So, I mean, you're certainly right that utilities typically get a lot of sort of leeway in their drafting, but they can't do whatever they want. And I think the concern is they're kind of really overreaching
here. And and the towns are trying to stand up for the kind of damage that they think is going to be done. >> Thanks, Sarah. Bruce, >> um I think it's worth keeping in mind that this is a letter to the state regulatory department that's relevant
here in which the towns are basically saying you the MEPA uh in asked Eversource to do something and they didn't do it. They didn't provide what you asked them to provide and we object.
So, and secondly, I think even if we discovered something interesting, Tina digs into the to the easement language and discover something, there's nothing that precludes us from sending another letter saying, "Oh, by the way, and there's this, too, because we have till
the 21st to do it." >> Good points, Bruce. Um, and thanks for that clarification. Um, so, uh, it sounds to me, uh, like we're all or mo the majority of us are on, uh, for
signing on for this. Should we do we need to take a vote for this? >> Uh, I'm sorry, Rachel. >> We do. Okay. So, we will Rachel. >> Yeah. And and I I want to highlight what the report from the state said initially
that um you know even though only a small portion of the property um sorry a small portion of the ement crosses Ammerst land Ammerst is significantly impacted by the work up slope. Um a zone
2 area is a drinking water area. So whatever goes into the ground or whatever degrades the water going into the ground and in zone 2 affects everyone's drinking water um and you know amethyst brook and so there are areas that are um maybe in another
town's jurisdiction that significantly impact what happens in the resource areas of town. Just a and I I definitely support this letter. Um, but I just want to point that out to other commissioners. >> Thanks, Rachel. Um,
let's see. I think, uh, then we're we're going to be up we're up for a vote. Um, hang on one second. Um, so, uh, I guess what we're looking for is a, uh,
is is a motion to, um, uh, sign on, uh, for the, uh, conservation commission to sign on to the, uh, uh, Eversource uh, WT11 um, letter that uh, has been put to
Beltown. >> So moved. Uh motion by Jason. Do we have a second? >> And that's Bruce with a second. >> Bruce. >> Uh I >> uh Rachel.
>> Hi. >> Jason. >> Hi. >> Um >> Tina, >> I >> Carol >> I >> Sarah >> I >> and I'm an I. Um
okay. So, uh, sorry, Erin now, uh, comments on the, uh, 2024 clean energy law. >> Yes. Um, so I did submit comments, um, literally at 4:00. They were due at
5:00. Um, it was a hustle to get through um, what I could get through in order to get comments in on time. Um, and I expressed that the conservation commission uh wanted to comment and um
didn't have an opportunity to comment due to the very limited um time window that was provided for comment. And so um that I as staff was doing my best to um identify concerns with the proposed regulations as they impacted the
conservation commission and and ultimately you know the town. I think there was there's a lot of implications there. Um, so I did submit that comment and um I included it in the packet for for everybody to to review and I apologize there are a couple um
typographical errors but it was like I could barely have time to proofread it. Um it was a lot to get through, a lot to digest and a lot to comment on. Um but yeah, very a lot of there are some very
concerning implications with a lot of the roll out I would say. um particularly staff implications and um I mean there yeah it just if you read the letter I think it kind of speaks for itself but um expectations that anrads
and nois are being reviewed at the same time that everything be completed within a year that we're getting like construction phase drawings at the same time we're getting permit phase drawings it's it's a very very um
tough tough um process. So, >> I did my best. >> Yeah, I found it to be well uh well written and and most certainly the the point about there being no them giving no time for comment um is
is a is a strong point. We should have more time where we could uh be commenting on it. Um I don't think that there's anything that we need to do for that um at this point. Uh it's already fired off, right? Um so >> yes,
>> u but it'd be good for you all to for us all to uh to read it um so that we're familiar with what may be coming down the road. [Music] Any comments on that?
>> Yeah. Okay, I see Bruce's hand up. Go ahead, Bruce. >> Let Sarah go first. >> Sarah, go ahead. >> Um, I just uh I just have a suggestion. I don't um which is I know KP Law
represents the town of Ammerst and I think a lot of the towns in Massachusetts, probably some of our neighboring towns. And um I think it it might be helpful to reach out to them and ask them to give a presentation to us cuz smart 3.0 is just coming out and
it's quite different from the other two solar programs. And I I just think it might benefit um that you know the town bodies that are like the conservation commission to you know get um some advice about you know what we are able
to do and not do in order to protect our our our resources. And um um I think we I think we should pitch that they do it for free. They might here. Um, so that that would be my my suggestion because I think it
would benefit everybody. >> It's a great idea, Sarah. Thank you. Aaron was yours on what Sarah said or >> Well, I was just going to say um there was a number of elements to that the um uh clean energy um documents that
weren't yet completed at the time that the public comments were um required to be submitted. So, they like hadn't even finished all the documents for review for the comment. Um but also there there are a number of other sets of regulations that are coming down the
line and a lot of these regulations are for implementation on March 3rd 2026. Um I believe there's another round of housing regulations which are very similar. Um >> uh and just want to keep that on the
forefront um because that's going to be the next um set to review in a very very rushed um manner. So, uh, stay tuned for that. I'll do my best to stay on top of it. It's a lot, um, coming at us to
review and comment on. >> Okay, Erin. Thanks, Bruce. >> Hey. Um, I I recommend that we authorize Aaron to send a copy of what she wrote and what she sent in to our Senator Kifford and our representative Dom so
that they're aware that this it's not that they're not already aware, but they need to hear from all of the constituents that they have that this is really concerning. And I've seen other examples where one or both of them went to the state department and said, "Well,
what's going on with this?" you know, and things can happen when you when they do that. >> I think that's an excellent idea. Thank you, Bruce, for for bringing that up. Um, Aaron, you think you could do that?
Thank you. >> Uh, with that, I I suppose we're we're moving to correspond. Uh, no, we still have a couple of questions. Uh, Carol, >> um, Erin, when you were talking about the housing reg
act, >> Erin, you're uh, muted. Sorry. >> Thanks. Um, forgive me that I don't have all of them um, memorized the names of them, but I know that there's the Clean Energy Act and then the the act relative to
housing, the emergency housing legislation. >> Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. That also >> limits um the powers of the conservation commission and >> yes, >> changes where the way pe appeals are handled and so on. Correct. It
>> it would have a lot of implications for the work of this commission. >> Yes. Exactly. Yep. Limits to public um uh public input um uh public involvement um uh application of our local bylaws.
Um there's a lot of a lot of implications and time limits for reviews um uh just to name a few. But yeah, there's a lot of issues, >> right? >> Thank you.
Um, Bruce, your hand still. I'm sorry, Carol. You have any more questions? >> No. Uh, Bruce, >> no. Okay. Um, so now, uh, correspondence. >> So, there was a couple um interesting
things that I put into your folders. There's a D listening session on no um November 6th from 5:30 to 7:30 um if I'm able I'm definitely going to try to attend this um to give the state
feedback on uh D involvement on conservation commission matters. Um so that's good thing to have on your radar if you're able to attend. There's also a rally and hearing to protect animals from rodenticides on Monday. uh October
27th at 1:00 p.m. at the state house, but that's also virtually available. And for anybody who's not aware about the dangers of anti-coagulant rodenticides, um the damages to the food web caused by that and wildlife, um it's pretty
significant and something I would really encourage others to look into. And then Andre already mentioned the spotted lantern fly infestation. Um and then the correspondence that Andre mentioned earlier which were the
withdrawal of um the um project that archipelago project that is also in the um of correspondence folder for the commission. Um did you want me to just keep moving into
compliance Andre? Um, yes, but uh we do have we do have a question uh here from Bruce. >> Um, with regard to the hearing, um, I assume it's a House committee hearing.
Um, or it could be a Senate hearing. Um, but in order for someone to participate virtually, we need to know exactly when it's going to happen, what the link is. We probably have to register ahead of time. So, do you have that information or would it be helpful to you for
someone like me to go try to find it? >> Um, it's it should be in the um uh the document that I put on the website. >> It's not working. >> No, no. Did you put on the website or in our packet? >> In your packets. Sorry.
>> Okay, then I I'm sorry. I didn't see it. I'll go look for it. >> Yeah, I did look and it has directions at the state house and it also has um >> Okay. I apologize. I didn't see it. >> No problem. >> All right. Um, and I'll uh I will second
uh Aaron's description of the of uh rodenticide uh as being uh quite deadly. I've investigated not just rodenticide but other um
other poisonings of wildlife and what you end up with is target species in closer to the middle and some others that might die with them and then everything that eats them and whatever eats them it ends up turning into kind of a uh what they call these circles of
death um with uh concentric rings of uh of animals that prey on or eat dead animals. It's pretty pretty nasty. The huge impact too on on uh target and
non-target species. Uh Bruce, you have your hand up again. >> Go ahead. >> No, no, it's just that I am used to a system where after a few seconds it puts it back down for you and it's not doing that and so then I forget to put it myself.
>> Oh, okay. Well, I guess I could be part of the system. Just I'm calling on >> There you go. >> Okay. Uh, yep. Uh, we'll move to compliance updates. Aaron, >> Aaron's muted. >> Sorry.
Um uh so 11 uh Poets Corner just had a conversation uh with Andre earlier today about this one that I I'm going to try to follow up and verify that their plantings were installed and that their mitigation was installed as was
required. Um so I'm going to try to follow up with them um prior to our next meeting. 685 West Street, I have a site visit scheduled on Monday morning with the landowner to go out and have a look at the staked buffer zone areas. um to try to assist that land owner in moving
forward if I can without having to file a permit. But I'm kind of need to see the site to understand what's going on. Um and then 130 Harkness Road. This is the single family home on Harkness, kind of on the corner of Harkness Road and um Belchuretown Road. Um
so there was an issue there several months ago because the site was is very grally and um it had been open for a while. We have a a site monitor out there and there was quite a bit of sediment. Um there was like reals and gullies that were forming and coming down up against the erosion control
boundary and and um breaching the erosion control boundary going beyond the erosion controls. So um at the time I um asked them to clean that up and seed down the area um to stabilize it as
soon as possible which they went in and they did seed it down. Um, but the material that's up against this the sock was never cleaned or if it was cleaned, it's filled in again and the material is still breaching behind the controls. So,
um, I've been in contact with the monitor and with the owner requesting that this be um, addressed probably for I want to say at least the last two monitoring reports and there hasn't been any actions. So, I'm just making the commission aware of it. Um, you know, I
can continue trying to correspond with them to get some action here. Um, not sure what the commission's feelings are in terms of um, you know, issuing a notice of non-compliance or if I should just continue trying to um, get
something to move forward there on that. >> And is this one the one that you're going to have a meeting with them next week or No, this is >> No, this is a different one. I think at this point if they've had enough time to uh do uh to to take
measures and they haven't done it um uh then we issue them a notice of non-compliance. That's that's an opinion of mine. Uh don't want to be speaking for the whole commission, but uh um they've had time to respond, right? They've had time to
uh to do something and so far nothing's happened. Is that >> Yes, that's correct. >> Out there uh other than you know that that uh differ from mine or that uh compliment or have other angles.
>> All right. Uh I suppose with that then what we should probably Oh, go ahead Rachel. >> Do we know if this is like a an issue that they may have taken action to repair and then that it continued on after or do we know
that or >> um I to my knowledge it hadn't it hadn't been addressed. Um it's possible that it was addressed and then it just immediately backfilled with more sediment. Um but
certainly in the last two 3 weeks it's been brought up several times to to take a look at it. Um, I mean, I could say it needs to be fixed by X date and if it's not fixed by X date, the commission will issue a notice of non-compliance. Um, that's another
option. >> That makes Bruce >> what is the consequence to the applicant if we issue this notice of non-compliance?
Um well, it's it's mostly just telling them in writing that they're out of compliance with their permit and there can be any number of um the commission can respond with any number of orders relative to that. So they could say like we're issuing you a cease and desist. No
more work can take place on the site until you clean this up. Um it can be spelling out we want something done by a given date um to come back into compliance. Um it's it's kind of a uh
halfway point I would say for between issuing an enforcement order and um just negotiating um because it's not I don't think a fullout violation where wetlands are being filled at this point. It's really like a you know a buffer zone
issue where materials going beyond the erosion controls into the 50 foot buffer. still impactful but um not on the scale of enforcement. >> My only concern is just that the
applicant that people not think they can just ignore >> Yeah. >> our agent when she tells them they need to be doing something. That's a that's a good point, Bruce. And that's I that's why I was uh why I'm recommending what uh you know a notice
of non-compliance especially after not receiving any responses and you've contacted them. Erin loose if you don't have anything else I'll go I'll move to Carol. >> Yeah that's fine. >> Okay Carol >> um I agree. I just don't think it's uh
right to waste Erin's time with her keeping continuing to reach out to them and being ignored. >> Good point. All right. So, um I suppose we're uh
looking for a I suppose for a motion to issue a notice of non-compliance to what address? Um, yeah, it's I believe 130 Harkness Road >> to uh 130 Harkness Road.
>> So moved. >> Bruce with a motion. >> I'll second. >> Jason seconds. Jason >> I. >> Sarah. >> I. >> Bruce. >> Hi, >> Tina. >> I >> Rachel.
>> I have to abstain. >> Okay. Carol >> I >> and I'm an I. So we will be uh we've agreed to send a notice of non-compliance. Carol, your hand is up.
>> Oops. Sorry. >> No problem. So uh with that, we're looking for uh any public comments um before we close. Let me see here. Raise your hand if
you're in the public and you wish to make a comment. Going twice. Okay. No public comment. Are there any other topics uh from among us uh that are not reasonably anticipated 48 hours
before the meeting? Jason? Yeah, I was out uh speaking with some folks in some neighborhoods around here and uh in particular there was a a pretty
what seems to be blatant disregard for um wetlands protection. And I was told an order on uh and I'm told Aaron that you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Kingman Road and Tuckerman Road.
Um there is two lots that were cleared have not been stabilized. There's stock piles out on the um lots and there are inlet silt sacks in the inlet uh directly in front of the lots that are
is just filled with sediment. I'm told that this was a an issue in maybe 2021 that came before the conservation commission and that the the contractor cleared these lots, cut a
bunch of vegetation down the slope into the wetlands, was supposed to plant a bunch of stuff and never responded and nothing ever happened. And the lots were never stabilized. uh they're still pretty
exposed and the silt sacks are still in. So I uh I told the folks that I was speaking with that I would bring it up at the next meeting and so uh I'm bringing it up and I want to know what's happening and why that contractor or the
land whomever has not taken any action yet and what can be done. >> Awesome. >> Great question. Yeah, >> I have a memory of that place. Um, they pretty much did what you what you
described. They cut that whole uh the whole back of the property straight down to the to the to the stream. Um, but I didn't realize that they didn't do anything about that, Erin. I thought they uh we had them here and we spoke
with them and they were going to uh uh do a a bunch of uh mitigation planting. >> Yeah. So, um they have a determination of applicability um what transpired after so there was an enforcement order
on that case and they um ended up getting a determination um approving the construction. There's only only one of the lots is within uh jurisdiction. So the other lot is outside of jurisdiction. Um and the commission did
require plantings um to be installed on the slope. So, um they we did have a pre-construction meeting following them getting the determination that they had installed um silt fence out there and um
they moved forward with you know stripping the top soil and then the site was essentially abandoned and this was years ago um probably two two and a half years ago
>> um and uh I was monitor monitoring the erosion controls and um uh slowly watching them deteriorate. At one point I did go out and I was on the verge of you know issuing them a notice
of non-compliance. I went out to the site and the site was had be become fully vegetated with like golden rod and grasses and so it was it was not that I could say it was unstable. Their permit was still valid. So they have an open
permit. Um granted I have observed that their BMPs um have have failed and that they have this issue with the um fabric that they put in the catch basin on the culdesac that was full of material.
So I did reach out to um Jason at DPW and I reached out to the landowner a number of times and it was I kept continually hitting a dead end. Um, I do think that it's it's partially my fault
for not being more um uh uh I guess um ambitious in tracking them down and partially um a little bit of uh I don't know PTSD from our last experience um because it was a a pretty
um uh um difficult site to deal with. And so I uh took a step back and I visited the site and the site was stable and I I was honestly waiting to the point until the
permit expired. I was like, "Okay, this permit's going to expire and then, you know, we'll sort of have a little more um uh ability to take action on it." But then the governor came out with the COVID um tolling period which extended
the permit for another three years. and I have just felt like I'm at sort of an impass with um I'm challenged with how to deal with that one, but I but I am more than happy to issue a notice of non-compliance on it and uh move that forward to try to
get some action um out there. Um >> how about >> how about we uh take a look at it um in the in the next meeting or so. um just take a quick look some pictures and so on and then uh uh I won't be here but uh
the rest of you can decide whether to issue that notice of non-compliance. I think it you know from what I know I I I'm familiar with it. I remember it quite well. Um it sounds like it deserves it but I haven't uh seen any of the newer pictures and all that and I
don't know that you folks are are familiar with it. >> Yeah, it does deserve some attention and I appreciate that Jason brought it up. I've been um yeah, I should have been paying more attention to it. >> It's funny. I think about that place
often because I I drive by there and I uh on Henry Street and right behind that on Henry Street is where I saw a bear uh right after right while we were having those hearings, I saw a bear cross the uh come off Henry Street and uh cross
the tracks and go up to those properties. Anyway, >> uh, I have a a thought, >> please. >> Erin, would it be helpful or cause you more difficulty if we had a site visit out there and all six of us were there
and we invited the landowner to show up for our site visit? We wouldn't deliberate or anything. We could all say nothing, but at least we were there were the entire commission is concerned enough about this to show up and take a look at it. Would that help or it just
would be extra work for you? You'd have to organize it? >> Well, it would I think it would help and I would definitely appreciate it. Um because it's it's been a very challenging situation. Um challenging very challenging. So, yeah, I think
having multiple people there would be really good. >> Well, that's my suggestion. >> Well, how about we do uh how about we do that then, Erin? if you can set up a uh a site visit. Um
let the landowner know when we'll be there to visit it if you don't hear back. Um and then we could take a look at it. Um then we'll be familiar for the next meeting and uh make a decision on how to proceed on it. Um
I'm assuming that Bruce's hand is up uh because it didn't bounce back. Jason, >> thanks. Um, yeah. I just regardless of what we do, you know, and I'd like to be out there to see this site in greater
detail than what I have already seen. Um, but I do believe that the the clogged silt sack does pose a uh safety issue. Uh, it's it's my understanding that that it causes that culde-sac to
flood. there are some lowerlying homes and driveways in the area, but then also um as we're getting into the cooler weather here, if that is flooded and freezes, uh I think that that would be a potential significant safety risk.
So, I don't know. I I say all that to say if there's something that can be done about that specific clogged inlet prior to anything else happening that would be um uh you know I think that would be ideal.
>> So I mean um I I've reached out to DPW to try to get them to address it because the landowner was not responsive. Um but I'm open to suggestions. I mean, I'm even willing to pop the thing open and
try to get it out. Um, you're not going to do that. I mean, I don't know. I don't know what this if DPW won't do it and, you know, the landowner won't do it, like, you know, but I'm open to suggestions for how to get that thing out of there. And, uh,
>> you're going to need a piece of equipment to do it. It's it's I'm I'm assuming there's hundreds of pounds of sediment in there at this point. >> Yeah. Um, so >> yeah, it's not a standard silt sack either. It's just a piece of landscaping
fabric. They they did a really um they just laid a piece of landscaping fabric underneath it. So it's not like a bag that's full of material. >> It's even worse because as soon as you lift the grate, it's going to fall in. >> Right. Exactly. >> Um
if that's the case, I mean, let me know what you want to do and I'll help you. Okay. >> All right. Well, that's uh that's important. Well, I think that we've covered everything. Um
everybody did a good job. I'm I'm going to point out a couple things uh for us to uh keep in mind. Uh number one um I mentioned before we'll raise our hands uh before uh speaking
and whoever is chairing uh we'll call on you. Um, and number two, when we're uh not speaking or ready to speak, um, unless we're all uh speaking among us all, but if we're in hearings and so on,
please mute yourselves because a lot of times uh whatever sounds are going on behind you uh come through pretty clearly uh to the rest of us. Just two two points to uh to keep in mind. Uh great meeting everyone. Uh we're done a
little bit earlier than normal. So thank you everyone. We're looking for now a motion to uh >> move we >> Rachel with a second. Rachel >> I >> Sarah.
>> Hi >> Bruce. >> Hi >> Tina. >> Hi >> Gerald. Hi. >> And I'm an eye. >> I'm an I as well. >> Oh, I didn't call on you, Jason. >> That's all right.
>> Call you last. I always do. Uh, all right. Well, thanks everyone. We'll see you in quite a while for me. I'm out of the I'm out for a few weeks. So, enjoy and uh see you soon.
>> Thanks everybody. >> Bye everyone. Have a good night.