[Music] [Music]
Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. [Music] [Music] Good afternoon. This is a hearing of the Chadam Conservation Commission being
held on May 7th, 2025 in accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Town of Cadam Wetlands Protection bylaw and Regulations. My name is Karen Latin and I serve as the chair. Today's hearing is being broadcast live on Expinity channel 1072.
It's being recorded on the on demand archives available on the Times website. Is being conducted in person, by phone, and by video conference. The agenda, instructions on how to attend, and copies of documents for review are posted on the town's website. To all
participants, whether attending by phone or online, please remain muted unless you've been recognized by the chair. When recognized, please identify yourself for the record. If you're online and you are not a commissioner, please keep your camera
turned off and unless you've been recognized, indicate that you wish to speak by using the raised hand feature. If you're attending by phone, you can mute and unmute by using star six. So that we have a record of a quorum, I will now ask each commissioner to
indicate their presence. Vice Chair Elise Gordon, present. Janet Williams, present. Cheryl Zervy is not here. Eric Hilbert, present. Bob Delvecio, present. Paul Johnson, present. And I'm here. So, we have established we have a quorum. Is
there anyone who would like to make any announcements, comments, or future agenda items for anything other than properties on the agenda today? I would go ahead, Janet. Um, as I was preparing for this hearing and going over this agenda, it struck me
that the vast majority of the matters that we're hearing today date back several, if not many, many months. I mean, I'm looking at some that started in early January, some started in November. The the reason for all that these hang on so long um is often and
unfortunately due to the growing gap between uh zoning board being able to schedule their hearings. There is a requirement um that we never really hue to, but I think it's time that we do that we shouldn't start opening hearings and hearing testimony if a matter has
not yet been filed with the zoning board because it means that it's going to be at least three or four months if not more down the line by the time it comes back to us. By which point, I mean, I don't remember it. So, I have to go back and watch the recording and review all the notes and reread all of the things.
So, um, I think in the interest of not wasting this commission's time, we're going to start insisting on adherence to that rule that if you haven't filed with zoning, I'm going to make an immediate motion to continue the hearing and not start it. Just does don't want to do it
twice. It's a waste of everyone's time. Thank you. And we did emphasize that at the last meeting as well. Backing up the chair who said that. Yes, Paul, I think you have an announcement, don't you? Oh, yes. Um, I wanted to uh acknowledge, as
you all know, Katherine Ricks is now taking uh Ted's position. So, Greg promoted her over there. And I just wanted to publicly thank Katherine for the last seven or eight months that she's been with us and the great work that she's done for us. It's been a big help having a full staff. Um, we'll
start advertising, Greg said, soon for the new assistant. But, you know, I just wanted to say kudos and accolades to uh Katherine. Yes. And I would like to second that because she has been a huge help to us since she's come on and we've accomplished even more than we uh were
accomplishing before that. And along that line, um I'm sure some people have heard it's National Public Service Week. So I would like to thank Paul, Katherine, Crystal for all their work,
but I also would like to thank all my commissioners because You guys do a huge amount of work and it's so necessary and I very much appreciate it. And the next thing is a very good thing. It's my little well, it's
actually from Greg Berman um and Paul, but it's sort of a gift to us. Uh and if everybody's interested, we can put on the agenda for next week. Uh it has been suggested that we go to two meetings all
summer and so and if you don't agree I'd be shocked but um if you guys would like us to do that I think we could and I'm sort of thinking that maybe second and fourth
um would make sense. Uh but if you want that we will put it on the agenda and we can have a motion next week and adopt that. We'll give it some thoughts. Yes. Done yet? So if you anybody has
wants to share thought their thoughts with me at any time fine. All right. So before we begin the agenda and Paul are you doing the reading this week? Yes ma'am. Okay. Paul, are there any announcements? Thank you, Madam
Chair. Good afternoon, commissioners. We have uh three continuance requests. Uh 76 Marsh View Road, uh 44 Waterview, excuse me, Marshview Road will be continued July 23rd, 2025. 44 Water View Circle will be continued to May 14th,
2025. And 141 Abbiski will be continued to June 25th, 2025 for uh zoning applications that are pending. Yeah, I figured that was why. Okay, at this point, Paul will uh our
conservation agent will lead us through the agenda. Thank you, Madam Chair. First on the agenda is an order of conditions. The address is 36 Dune Drive. Applicant Richard uh forgive me, Puchio Jr., map 16A, parcel
10-6X 6 C, excuse me, C6. D number SE 103707. The project is raised. the southerntherly portion of the dwelling. Reconstruct the portion of the dwelling within the minor lateral expansion. Raise the floor to meet the designed flood elevation. Remove the deck and add
a step. And I have the plan that I can bring up on the screen if Mark will do that for me. Okay. Hi Thad. Good afternoon.
And I assume that you got it. They I did and for the record that Eldidge G Southeast um I just haven't been in in so long. I wanted to come in and say sorry quite all right. So I'm happy with the order. I
had very good. I had one question regarding the coastal banks that were called out in it as there are none in the immediate vicinity. There's some nearby, but um that was pretty minor. There was one
revision that occurred on the zoning side. It was the same footprint. We added the building height to the plan. Um two copies were submitted for the file. Otherwise, everything is the same. removing the
little golf tea. And we'll need to update the dates of the plan. Crystal already did. Oh, she did in this. Oh, okay. No, it says uh the last one. I did
it yesterday afternoon on should be all set, Crystal. On ours because I'm seeing 213 2025. That's the one. Oh, okay. Oh, that's it. Okay. I was thinking it was more previous revision had been 11212.
And this is one that has lingered. We were at zoning. They were not overly enamored with the design. We then went back to the drawing board, maintained the same footprint, kept in touch with you folks or your staff and said that we'll come in if you'd like to review anything. And
they said, "No, no, just push it off until zoning is happy." Okay. They were finally satisfied with the plan, granted the special permit, and now we're back to finish off this end. Okay. Um, do any commissioners have any
modifications they want to see to this order? Bob, I got one. Special condition number three. It says all debris and similar materials on the property must be removed from the property. Um, I was going to uh just uh specifically mention
the u blue stone that's piled up uh on the property. Okay. Um I'm not sure if there's anything else that we could call out that's specific uh that's that's there besides just calling it
debris. But uh I know there's a big pile of blue stone. We just added it. So that's now been added. I don't have down that there was Oh, railroad ties. A tar. Well, that was that was the wall, right? Was there a pile?
There were a couple of loose railroad ties out there. Okay. If you want to add anything, I would think railroad ties. Yeah. More than the tarp. The tarp's easily removed. Thank you. That's all I had.
Okay. Thank you, Bob. Go ahead, Eric. Um, I don't usually disagree with Bob much, but I think a person's entitled to stacks, you know, blue stone slabs on their side of
their house, you know, it's their their property. I uh they're valuable. I mean, I can understand maybe the the timbers, the old timbers, but I mean, you know, it's I think it's I think it's more we don't want in the resource area. Well, the
whole propertyy's in the resource area. True. Um, well, whatever. Thanks. Well, I I I don't think we'd be able to require somebody to do that perhaps, but if they're willing to do it to uh move their order along, you know, they can
put it in that little garage. They're they're really And the applicant is more than willing. It was there was a larger patio at one point and they just never finished removing those from the site. Okay. Anything else?
Anybody? All right. I think we're ready for a motion. Okie do. I move that we close the hearing on 36 Dune Drive and approve the order of conditions as revised. Second. Okay. Paul, hi Janet. I Elise, hi. Eric,
I Bob, hi. And I say I. So, you're all set. Have a great afternoon. Thank you. You too. Okay, the next one. Paul, you don't have your mic on, I don't think. Okay, that makes a difference,
doesn't it? Uh 76 Marshview Road, Mary Hope and Robert Nyenstein, map 8C, parcel S72, D number SCE 103721. Project is construction of an addition and deck within the footprint of an existing deck. All construction within the buffer
zone to a coastal bank and the applicants requested a continuence to July 23rd, 2025. I move that we continue 76 Marshview View Road to July 23rd, 2025. Second. Okay. Bob,
I Eric I Elise I Janet I Paul Hi. Okay, next one. Paul. Next one is a submitted notice of intent 44 Waterview Circle Grace Stalinadis. I'm sorry about these names. Map 3C, parcel
64E-J9, DB number SC 103705, proposed construction of a deck and sun room within the existing footprint of the deck at the rear of the house and the applicants requested a continuence to May 14th, 2025 for zoning relief. I move that we have Oh, sorry. Sorry. I just
Paul, do you know do your notes tell you whether it's scheduled for zoning on tomorrow or it's May? I think it's May 8th, but I don't don't hold me to that. I believe it's May 8th. Okay. I looked at the comments and I think the hearing is May 8th. May 8th on here. It says May 8th there.
Okay. This is one of the ones that you know January we open this. All right. One more. That's the last one. Good. I move that we continue 44 Waterview Circle to May 14th, 2025. Second.
Okay. Paul, hi. Janet, hi. Elise, hi. Eric, hi. Bob, hi. And I say hi. I'm trying to keep you guys all on your toes. I'm always in the same place, though, because I'm in the middle. I know. So, that's good. I noticed I thought about hitting you first and
really mixing it up. I'm ready now. Okay, Paul, the next one. Thank you, Madam Chair. Next on the agenda is 141 Abbisc Run Amy and Anthony Tatron map 12E parcel 23- A20 D number SC
103718 project is dock and stair reconstruction and the applicants requested a continuence to June 25th 2025 for zoning relief and a special permit. Okay, thank you. Do you have a comment yet J? I do have a
comment. Do we have any information? And crystal, have you heard anything about whether there's a any filing has been made with zoning? According to ZBA from what was that Friday, I think um I I don't know if
Crystal has it in front of her. They have not filed. So why do we why would we continue it till June 25th? There's no there's no hope there's no chance in the world that they'll be heard before then. And that's what they asked for. And
We we opened this in February, three months ago. I did ask uh Crystal to contact the properties the representatives for the properties that have not had not applied with ZBA to request
that they get their applications in at least before next meeting. But still that so we won't Yeah. But hopefully then I think Janet your point is well taken. Uh this one is already scheduled for June 25th. Um Oh, it is scheduled. Yeah, but we're No, we're
continuing it, but Oh, excuse me. Yeah, we're continuing June 25th. We can't I don't think we can really change that at this point. No. Um because that's what they request moving forward. Yes. I mean Oh, new ones. Yes. From now on, right? Yeah. I wouldn't do it to this one, but I would I would request that the communication be made to the whoever the
proponent is. I can't even remember that they come on June 25th and explain to us what their situation is and why they have not applied if they haven't. They better have by then or we're going to Crystal and Sarah Clark who's the permit coordinator on the other side. They communicate very well together and pass
information back and forth. So in the future we're going to have more information on whether they've applied and what what date it is if there is the hearing that's been set. So but anyway, I read it. It's going to be continuance to June 25th. Need a vote.
Okay. Then I move that we continue 141 Absagami Way to June 25th, 2025. Second. Bob. I. Eric. I. Elise. I. Janet. I. Paul. Hi. And I say I. This is going to
be a record. Okay. Uh, next. Okay. Paul. Next on the agenda is 30 Pine Lane. Michael. Uh, I a Okay, thank you. Lynch, map 13. Got
to get my glasses. 13J, parcel 6 G12B, D number SCE 103716. The project is proposed green porch, sun room, and deck addition within 50 ft of the buffer zone to a fragmented coastal bank and 100 foot buffer to a BBW. Invasive plant
management is proposed. Native plant restoration is proposed. lawn reduction mitigation plantings and a kayak rack. And once again, I am recusing myself from this property. Hi Teresa. Hi. Good afternoon. Theresa
Brig with Bluefax Design here on behalf of Mike and Toya Lynch. I'm not sure if um Mike is joining us and I did just reach out to him. Okay, great. And um and attorney Norcross to check on the status of the ZBA filing. I know they have everything they need to make that
filing. I am just can't say for sure whether that has been made at this time, but right now it says that they have not. Okay. So, we have that. Would you like me to put up the planting plan or the zeite plan? Um, I think the planting plan. Okay. Um, so this is our third
hearing on this um particular project. And so I'd just like to review with you the changes that we've made um based on our last hearing and the request to um minimize the um proposed structure as much as possible. So you may recall that we originally filed this in January of
2025 um with a request for a um proposed sun room, a proposed expanded deck um to the east of the house and a proposed deck on the north side of the house um over existing deck and lawn area. Um since that time we've um made some
changes to the plan. Um and we've changed and removed the proposed deck from the north side of the pad of the structure and um are replacing that with patio. Um which since the last hearing we've reduced the size of that proposed patio um as well as um reducing the size
of the proposed lower deck um which is located on the east side of the house. You may recall that there is an existing deck in that area um as well as an existing concrete pad which we're also proposing to remove. Um the rinse station, there was some confusion about
that. It's actually being proposed on the patio on the north side of the house. There's a small square that indicates that on the north um west side of that patio is where the proposed written station is. It was previously proposed down along the um north side of
the garage. Um the resource areas on this site include um a bordering vegetated wetland and the associated 50 and 100 foot buffer zones to that bordering vegetated wetland. And then as we've discussed in previous hearings, we also have what we're calling a fragmented coastal bank um which meets
the D definition of coastal bank uh in that um it's greater than 4:1 in some areas of the bank um and it does act as a vertical buffer to flood water. Um it is not a sediment source. Um so with that on our um updated mitigation
planting plan we've create we've created two tables for you to show what we're proposing um within the 50oot buffer to the coastal bank which is the NDZ to that fragmented coastal bank and as well as the 50oot buffer to the BVW um which
are located in two very different areas. So, when we originally came to you, we were proposing um approximately 700 square feet of net change within the 50- foot buffer to the fragmented coastal bank. We've now reduced to that to 621
square ft um within that area. Um however, we have not changed the footprint of the mitigation. We are still proposing just over 18,000 square ft of restoration, removal of lawn and removal of non-native grasses and restoring all of that with native
vegetation. Um, as we've discussed uh through multiple hearings. Um, in total um we are proposing to plant um sorry 16 17 21 trees um within this area and then
um numerous um native shrubs. Um I just want to go back quickly because we did provide an alternatives analysis along with our variance request and this was done back in January. So, I just want to review um as part of our um variance request um because we are proposing an
increase of structure within the 50-foot buffer zone um we provided an alternatives analysis in which we looked at rebuilding the existing decks um but we decided that due to the condition of the decks they need to be torn down and completely rebuilt so the same amount of
area would be disturbed. We looked at proposing new structure outside of the NDZ which is not feasible. Um and then we looked at um you know reducing the proposed structure which we have done since we did the initial um hearing. But I do want to um just bring one piece of
this um because we are proposing where all of the new structure is proposed. It's replacing either existing structure or lawn. And in additionally because the expanded structure allows the property owner owners to limit all recreation to the deck, sunroom and screen porch. Now
the patio sunroom and screen porch. We're able to remove all existing lawn within the 50-foot buffer zone and restore all of those turf areas with native shrubs. um as well as restoring a 5386 ft area on the coastal bank that
had been managed by previous property owners as moan lawn and consists of native um non-native aggressive cool season grasses and then the 10,300 square four square foot area of of forest where the understory is almost entirely invaded by English ivy oriental
bittersweet porcelain berry privet shrub honeysuckle multifllora rose black nois locust nor maple etc. So, um by by allowing for the expansion um of the deck, the patio, and the sun room in an area that's already um structure, um we
are able to eliminate all of the lawn within the 50-foot buffer zone um and restore the entire buffer zone um right down to the edge of the bordering vegetated wetland with native vegetation. Um, I think one of the requests that was made that I just want
to point out, and I think several commissioners had brought this up, is they had asked to reduce there are two proposed staircases on either side of the small deck. Um, we did speak with the property owners about this. Um, th that design is very important to them. So, they actually chose to reduce the
size of the deck, but keep the two um staircases um to allow them access off either side um and reduce the size of the patio um in order to keep those two staircases. Um but again, those staircases are located in an area that's
currently lawn um under an existing deck. So, with that, um I'm happy to answer any questions about the changes that we've made to the plan and the proposed um mitigation overall. Thank you, Eric.
Um, yeah, as far as the the no disturb and all that, I'm, you know, I I'm okay with that. I I just didn't realize that you could use a soft solution for mitigation in the no disturb zone. Uh, so now I know um in certain
circumstances. So, the only other thing I have to think about is is, you know, these these replacement trees are really kind of conveniently used for screening. I mean, they're not really um placed, you know, in a natural way that
should be in on the bank. Um that that's I mean it's it's kind of obvious um to me the way that they're placed. Mhm. I just wish that they were, you know, it would be put back together more
sporadic how nature would be. Uh if you want to go ahead and I would think if the applicant wants to go ahead and add screening if they're if they're allowed to go ahead and add the screening on top of the mitigation planting for trees. Um
that that's the only weird thing I can see about this whole plan. you know, I'm all I understand about the NDZ and it can be used. I go back in a different era. Um, that's all. Thank you. So, just to speak to that, the area
that's shown in green on the plan, and I was looking for the pointer. I can't find it. Oh, thanks. Okay. Um, so the area I think I can do this. Wait a minute, Paul. I'm not sure. Okay, there. This whole area is
completely canopied with native trees, mainly oak and pitch pine. So they're really we're trying to we are trying to insert some trees back into here generally at a smaller size sort of as um you know kind of jumpst starting natural succession a little bit knowing
that over time there's going to be some trees that are going to decline and and naturally um fall in this area. But there's really not a lot of opportunity for us to put any more canopy trees back in here. This area is the area that had
been previously managed as lawn by the um former homeowners. And so this is all open. We are removing a large locust tree from this area here. So this does give us an opportunity. And yes, the cedar trees are providing some screening from Route 28, which is down over here.
Um but it really gives us the opportunity to put in some larger sized trees. Um where we really can't shoehorn in any trees over here because this canopy is so dense. And that's one of the reasons too why we are proposing and on a plan of record to have this sort of
Vista corridor management and we do include um that in our plan notes that the Vista corridor that we're calling out here is approximately 35 ft wide which would be established to provide filtered views from the deck and the screen porch and that our Vista pruning and management would begin with the
removal of dead diseased obstructing wheat branches followed by lifting so the removal of small lower branches and pruning of healthy um limbs and branches, no topping, and no more than one-third of the canopy um should be managed from the trees. And so that's
why we are specifically proposing this vista um management corridor in here because this is such a dense canopy. Right. I got it. Can I ask you a question? Sure. Um if if there's no room uh to properly m how many trees were
taken out? So we're taking out um let me see. We have a note in here, I believe. Um, we are taking out there's six pine trees which are flagged in the field. Um, we're going to be flush cut. So, how many trees total? Um, let me see. I'm
sorry. Let me It's written out. Four black locus, one nor maple. So, that's five. Um, and six. So, 11 trees total. and we're put and so because of the mitigation requirement um for the two to one trees, we're um having to put back
20 something trees for the 11 that we're taking out. Right. So, we are kind of um doing our best to to shoehorn these trees in where they're going to fit appropriately and and be allowed to and we'll will likely survive. Okay. I mean,
I I get it, but it it's I don't know just you using the mitigation as screening trees and and you got a cluster of five that are, you know, half, you know, on the side of the house heading way up. Um uh maybe if uh maybe if you want to use
those for screening, you go ahead and put them and then if there's not enough room to put trees in your plan, maybe you can donate to the tree fund. Yes. I mean, I think one of the things certainly for future agenda items that we'll be looking at is the the mitigation requirement for the trees and
at the 2:1 and 3:1 and particularly when we're removing invasive trees and trying to preserve native trees on site and we're finding that's more and more difficult to do um in ways that are really sustainable long term. Um but I know that's not a discussion for today,
but we we did do our best in this particular case to put those in. I mean, regardless, I I know this is outside of the purview, but we we planted these trees all within the 100 foot buffer. We are going to be continuing cedar trees up outside the 100 foot buffer zone, but
I know that's not part of the purview, so we didn't put Thank god we're not paying for them. Well, understood. But they they're going to be Yes, exactly. So, Teresa, so you know, we are working on uh updating the regulations for tree and tree replacement and the ratios and
all the math there. So, I mean, this is a prime example right here. Yep. Okay. I'm all right with it if everybody else is all right with it. Yeah, I may have missed it. What about those two cherry trees in the front of the house? So, the Quanza cherries, again, we spoke
with the property owners. They're very large. They're very old. They're completely shading the front of the house. And I know that they're just shown as stars here on the plan. It doesn't indicate the size of these trees. They're actually reaching up and over to the roof. they're causing issues with with moss and mold on the front of
the house. So, they have proposed to remove those two um cherry trees. And again, this is they're in the front yard. They're between the driveway and the house. They're within the 100 foot buffer to the fragmented coastal bank, but they're outside of the 50 foot buffer to the fragmented coastal bank,
and they're totally outside of jurisdictional area to the BBW. So, um we are proposing to remove those trees. And Paul, I I drove by the other day. I've driven by a couple of times as leaves and flowers have been coming out. Those trees are totally in the way of
the house. I I I I'm now comfortable with the removal of those. Anybody else? Bob? Uh yeah, I got a question for Teresa. Uh the the path that runs from the house, the back of the house all the way down. Mhm. Um we
talked about defining that a little bit more um in the meadow area. Yes. Yeah, we did try and tuck shrubs close around the path to to sort of define that area. Um so we can certainly um you know make
sure that the shrubs are planted directly around that area. We do want to have room to mow this meadow. Um we are going to be removing the velvet grass with a sod cutter. Yeah. And trying to get that out of there, but we're going to have to manage it. um over the next, you know, certainly the next three growing seasons while it gets
established. Um so we do want to have room to be able to mow around that. We can certainly we're proposing meadow suite and um fragrant sumac in that area and so we can certainly tuck that in tighter around the path um in order to make sure that it's really well defined. Um, and then Bob, I recall the other
question and is that you had was the coloring on some of the shrubs and unfortunately that got lost in translation in my office and I was trying to fix that right before this hearing, but I ran out of time, but I will have a plan that shows the shrubs the correct color as for some reason the
plant schedule is showing them as one color and the planting plan is another. So, I apologize for that. Okay, terrific. Thank you. Quick question. Um, do we um, so I've got the updated mitigation and planting plan. Is is there an updated site plan?
There is an updated site plan. Yes. It's not not not in the drop box. Okay. I will make sure that that gets sent over immediately. Yeah. Just the electronic one. So we Yeah. Yeah. I'm sure if Mike in my office is listening in, he's probably emailing it over to
Crystal right now. Yep. Okay. and and um in the calcul in the coverage calculation recognizing it's dimminimous but is the kayak rack included in that because that is on the bank and in the NDZ to the uh um I am not 100% sure so I
will have to check on that and if it is not we will include it yeah since you have time I think it's going to be just a simple two posts with you know enough for a kayak and paddle board right minimal minimal yes minimal yes
Okay. Anything else? Do we have any updated information on ZBA? I did not hear that. Did you reach out to I did I just at with at the beginning discussion I did reach out to um attorney Norcross and the homeowner and
Michael um Lynch to see if they had a date yet for ZBA and I haven't didn't hear back as of the time I was called up. Yeah, it affects the continuation date. said no. I He's shaking his head. No. Okay. Okay. So, we'll clearly need to continue
this based on that. So, we will probably need to go into July easily. I think into July at this point. Yes. Um would you be comfortable with the 25th? Yes. Okay. I cannot do the motion. Oh.
All right. I move that we continue 30 Pine Lane to July 25th. Second. 23rd. I'm sorry. 23rd. 23rd. Thank you. Second.
Okay. Oh, you have to do it. Paul, I. Janet, I I say I I I And I abstain. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Paul, the next uh next on the
agenda is a uh notice of intent. The address is 20 L Street Karen Los Coco, map 10F, parcel R9, D number SE 10 30 I don't have the whole number 37 blank blank remove and replace pond access
stairs is the project and I shall bring that up site plan. Okay, thank you. Hi. Hi. Good afternoon. Stephanie Sequin with Brighter and Wilox representing the Lasco family who are the owners of the
home at 20 L Street. It's a 28,000 square foot lot um located on White Pond. The uh existing building was constructed in 1990. It's located up near the road on the high part of the lot. There's a steep embankment that
drops down to the um area adjacent to the pond. Um, currently there's a path in the back of the house that leads to a set of dugin uh steps that provide access down the slope to a uh little
sandy beach area that's down next to the pond. Um, those steps um first of all, they don't have any handrail at all. They've become uh they've settled. They're uneven and they're pretty treacherous to try and navigate. So, um
the family would like to replace those dugin steps with elevated timber steps. I've included um sections and uh profile of the proposed steps. Uh they will be constructed on posts elevated above grade. Uh they'll be constructed without
solid risers. Uh and entirely within the footprint of the existing structure. So, um, I originally had the the stair the proposed stairs at a 4 foot width. Uh, when I did the the coverage calculations, I saw I was a little bit
over. So, I reduced that width to 42 in and ended up with a um a wash as far as the existing and proposed coverage. Um, I think that's about it. Um, hopefully it's pretty straightforward. just a typical elevated
stair uh stair design. Uh the existing uh existing steps, the treads and whatever there is some pipe in the ground holding those steps in place will be removed uh put into a dumpster or some other container to be removed from
the site. Um I've specified that all work be done by hand. uh all the excavated material removed from the site uh upon completion of construction and the disturbed areas reveated with native just seated with a native grass
mix. This does have to go to the board of appeals. It has not been filed yet. Um Bill Lichfield uh was away for some amount of time. He is back and is ready to file. He does not expect uh he said
he was estimating a August 14th CBA hearing. Wait a minute. Didn't you just announce before the meeting that we weren't going to take any of these? Well, well, going forward. Yeah. Oh, is this old? No, this is new. Oh, I think Eric, from today, you know, anything that's on the agenda, we kind of stuck
after today. Yes. Yeah. Okay, got it. So, Stephanie, um I hear Paul or Katherine contacted you. Yes. Can you speak to that and whether things are permitted
or not permitted because I hear the steps are not permitted, which changes everything. I also heard that the shower, the AC, and the rock wall are not permitted, which maybe I can jump in. I think
between the two. So, when I looked at this and and I conferred with Katherine as well, um when I went out to the site, this is a pond. Uh the we're talking about an inland bank definition. Usually, they're down here somewhere. Um, if you have a observable breakdown
here and I think Stephanie went out and found one, then you know to be consistent with other projects as well. This is a 1993 delineation that must probably carry over from the old plan. But if you look at the performance standards, if you look at the preamble
to the rags, um, this bank delineation probably belongs down here somewhere. So then we'd end up with the stairs uh being in the 50 probably within the 100 and mitigation would be required but the stuff that's unpermitted would fall
outside the 100 foot buffer. Um and I think if Stephanie can speak to her field observation if you did find an observable breakdown there. Sure. Yeah. And I I think I was being ultraconervative. Yes. in calling the the top of that slope because that's how
it was designated on the 1990 plan. Um con carried that forward and used that as the top of the bank. I did this morning go take a closer look and there is right along the edge of the water line a a very small lip if you will that
I think is u a more appropriate top of inland bank. And so, yes, that would put the um the 100 foot buffer. There's a pointer up there. Okay. And what do I hit? The red button.
Yeah. Yeah, just the top one. Okay. Um the so the 100 foot buffer is just coming through the edge of this existing deck. So it would include um I guess the rock wall is in question. The approved
plan just had the deck uh coming around the corner like this for some reason. And I know I have um the house was permitted in 1990 uh with an order of conditions. The certificate of compliance was issued in
1991. I have in my writer and Wilcox file a set of field notes from 1993 that so shortly after this certificate of compliance that does show this deck wrapping all the way around. I don't know why it was measured up in
1993 after the certificate of compliance was issued. Um I have to imagine that this this retaining wall was there from the start. Um it is it's transitioning
from um finished gr uh first floor grade in this area and then underneath the deck is the walkout basement. So I mean that's ve very common to have a retaining wall to make that transition.
Um the air conditioning unit is uh and the shower uh with this lower bank location are now outside of the 100 foot buffer. I did talk with the um Karen Lasco Lasco who's the daughter um and
she said the shower has been there for roughly 28 years uh and the air conditioner 10 or 15 years right and I do think I mean obviously we're going to need a new plan. Yes. If and but still
steps weren't permitted. Not that I could find any and not that the conservation department found either. So, you're going to have to have mitigation. Okay. You're going to have to do a new coverage table because this
is not considered a replacement. It's considered uh you're applying to put one in. Okay. A new one. So just that I'll just end on that and then let everybody else ask questions. I just wanted to get
that out there that I think we there you know obviously we have to hear it again but that it it seems we're going to be hearing something a little bit a little different maybe same plan for path and steps but there will be mitigation and
everything. Um, when you do that, Stephanie, could you do a favor and just um make sure help explain where that top of the inland bank how it's determined because I know there's some confusion and I know that there's the zoning board uses a
different definition. So, I don't know how you parse that, but okay, you need to um satisfy both boards when you make that. The other thing is that um now that mitigation is required, this this suddenly becomes relevant. When you pull those steps out, you're going to
destabilize that bank. So I would like to see what the stabilization measures are going to be, how you're going to keep it stable. Um what you're going to plant under that under the elevated uh stairway. It's going to need to be shade
tolerant. Um and uh it should be specified and So I'm trying to understand the elevation above grade. Um we we we follow the guidelines that the state has issued that um I think it's a DMF issued about
about height versus width versus height in order to get maximize the light under the stairs to maximize the chances of survival. So it looks like it's very close to grade in some places. So, I would ask you to,
you know, when you're doing your redesign, think about elevating it a bit more and making sure that you've got enough light and room for the plants beneath. Okay? You've got a north south orientation. Um, I think that's probably
ideal because it'll get light on east and west side under there. So, that helps. But, um, just in terms of stabilizing that bank, making sure you you select the right plants to go under there that will survive and that will hold that bank. Okay. It's very steep. It I can attest to what you were saying
about how treacherous they were. I I I I I was holding my life in my hands going down there. So, it was bad. Okay. Anyone else? Hi, Stephanie. How are you? Hi.
Good. Oh, I'm uh the It's been a while. Yeah, the pathway above the stairs um is quite eroded. Um is there any way you can put um atgrade steps there or continue the
stairway with a ramp of some kind or something? Uh at the very least gravel, I think would be in order. Okay. So, stabilize that eroding path. Yeah. Uh you can see underneath the current uh stairway, there's a lot of soil
underneath that's been washed from that. Okay. Yep. Um uh and uh I don't want to open up a can of worms, but uh below the stair the current stairway along the edge of the pond, it looks like that was all
uh the vegetation was removed at some point um to create that beach, a so-called beach. Um, and I was even thinking of uh creating a vegetated buffer strip of
some kind just to um protect that area, protect the pond, I should say, um along the edge of the pond uh to create some vegetation there. I know they're using it as a beach and I see the raft and I see boats and I see
chairs and I see wood piles and I see everything down there which is the in in the NDZ. So you're looking for like shrubs between along the edge. I would like to see some kind of shrubbery at the edge
of the pond to protect the uh the water in the pond. Okay. But um there's there's a lot of everything down there and it shouldn't be in there. It shouldn't be at the you know in the NDZ chairs and wood piles
and and uh it's really a no no as far as I'm concerned. So, I'd like to see a lot of that removed. A lot of the items items. Yes.
We can add into the order. I mean, we it's commonly done. We We require um uh equipment to be removed from the resource area at the end of the season and stored in an upland location. Okay. Not on the uh bank of the pond. Now, I
know when I was there this morning, there were more items than I saw last fall. So, I think they are are coming back for the season. Oh, yeah. I don't blame them. You know, when you
when you talk about, you know, wildlife movement and so forth, I mean, uh, as far as I'm concerned, it's definitely a no no. I mean, um, you know, a lot of the times it's all about people and not about anything
else. So, I'd like to see a lot of that removed, especially, um, I mean, the chairs and so forth could be uh, you know, repositioned each each off season up up uh, up on the up up on the lawn. But like the wood pile, I don't see any
reason why. I suppose they had fires there at one time. Um yeah. Uh but uh just to clean up that area would be a Okay. Anybody else? Eric? Yeah. Uh I'll be on
the flip on this. I you know I go to a property and I look everything over and it's this property reminds me of properties when I was growing up. I mean it's a Cape Cod lawn. There's no irrigation. Um, I imagine you would take the steps out, put some fill, grade it, put your erosion fabric down. I think the whether
the steps were there or not, I mean, to me, you know, the past is dead. The uh so I think these elevated stairways going to be a big improvement. Um, you're going to have less uh erosion on the banking. Maybe uh at the top of the
stairs, you can put a couple of u you know, steps just place them naturally into the bank for the rest of the way. Um, as far as mitigation, I I can tell that this is the type of property that uh, you know, water, they probably mow the lawn three times a year. This is an
ideal uh, situation as far as u what we, uh, encourage, you know. Um, so I look at all these things when I I could say maybe put it in the order. They they shouldn't be throwing um the Leland Cypress branches and brush over the bank. They should refrain from that
because you get the Japanese knotw weed loves that stuff. You know, once you once that gets stabilized in there, it's going to be hard to get rid of. Just, you know, make a pile once a year, take the pile away. You know, if they have cutings, shouldn't throw it over the bank, but um you know, I don't have a
lot of issues with this project so far. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else? Okay. Obviously, we have to continue. Yes. And obviously we don't know when you are
heard by CBA, but I can tell you it's not soon. Well, and I need to come back to you, right? Or But I would um Well, I mean, yeah, I mean, we can't write the order
until ZBA approves, but if ZBA changed things, then you have to come to us again anyway. you see because it would be a different plan. So having to come before us first is not
necessarily true. It usually happens because we hear properties faster than CBA does. But um having said all of that, what are you thinking? What month would you like to continue to? And I'll tell you what we
have. Well, unless I'm misunderstanding something, I expect that you want to see some changes, some additional information definitely before this goes to ZBA.
Doesn't really The changes need to be made that we're asking for, but you could make them and go to ZBA first. It doesn't matter. Okay. I would just as soon try and get it ironed out with fine with with the commission here, but you
need to apply to ZBA. Yes. Yes. Um could we continue this to uh say your second meeting in June? That would be June 25th. Okay. Does that work?
Sure. You're the last applicant on the old system as far as the CBA is concerned. Yeah, I timed that right. Can can I add one thing? Um, whenever you see conservancy district boundaries on plans, you're going to maybe have the
building inspector not we do two meetings permitting some things within that district. That's so there could be implications here. So, you need to apply for ZBA as soon as you can. Yes. And get some feedback from the building commissioner about what's down below that conservy district boundary.
Okay. Okay. Good advice. All right. If we could have a motion to continue to June 25th. I move that we continue 20 L L Street to June 25th, 2025. Second.
Okay. Paul, I Janet, I Bob, I. And I say I. Okay. Thank you. We'll see you June 25th. Okay. Paul, next on agenda. Uh, next on the agenda, um, minutes minutes to be approved April
23rd, 2025. Thank you, Stephanie. Okay, this is so exciting. And it's so Thank you, Crystal. We will be considered up to date because that's our last meeting. So, we she is right on top
of them now. Um, does anybody I see Janet that you've updated already. Does anybody else have any changes to the minutes as they were? Okay. No. All right,
then. I think I'll accept later the changes if we could have a motion please for the for the minutes. Yeah. Yeah. I move that we approve the minutes submitted from April 23rd, 2025. Second.
Okay. Bob I Eric I Elise I Janet I. Paul I. And I say I. All right. One more motion. I move that we adjourn the hearing. Second. Okay. Elise, I gonna
mess you up. Paul, I'm all over. Bob, hi. Eric, hi. Janet, hi. And I say I just had to have some fun.
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