Heat. Heat. Good afternoon and welcome to the January 27th, 2026 meeting of the Town of Cadam Select Board. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and will be available shortly hereafter for scheduled and on demand viewing on any smartphone or tablet device. If anyone
else is recording the meeting, including the use of AI note takingaking apps, please notify the chair. Seeing none, pursuant to Governor Healey's March 28th, 2025 signing of chapter 2 of the acts of 2025 extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during
the state of emergency suspending certain provisions of the open meeting lawsuits general laws chapter 38 section 20 until June 30th, 2027. And this meeting of the Chattam Select Board is being conducted in person and via remote participation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately
access the proceedings as provided for in the order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in progress may do so by calling the phone number 158-945410. conference ID 203 386491
pound or join the meeting online via Microsoft Teams through the link in the posted agenda. While this is a live broadcast and simal cast on Cadam TV Exfinity channel 1072 despite our best efforts we may not be able to provide real time access. We
will post a record of this meeting on the town's website as soon as possible. First item of business is to establish a quorum. Miss Davis >> present. >> Mr. Dikkins >> present. >> Mr. Meadows >> present. >> Mr. Smith >> present. >> And the chair is present. So five to
zero. Uh first we'll take up the minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2026. Do I hear a motion? >> Move the minutes. Mr. Chairman, >> is there a second? >> Second. >> Any corrections? Chair just has one on page nine. Um, this has to do with the date, the
time of adjournment of the meeting. We entered executive session at 7:52. I thought it says the meeting was adjourned at 8:04. I thought the executive session went longer than that. >> 8:34 instead of Yeah, that sounds right. Okay, with that correction, I'll take a vote. Miss Davis.
>> Hi, >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi, >> Mr. Meadows. Hi, >> Mr. Smith. >> Hi. and the chair votes side. They are approved. Um, next we have public announcements and agenda item requests. Are there any from the board?
>> Mr. Chair, >> yes. >> It's more of a request. Uh, we finalized our goals and objectives and voted on those in the last couple of weeks. And I think well, what I'd like to see is even though we're working on the committee handbook, I'd like to see our committees
u be sent um our goals and objectives so that they can review them. I think that's a good idea. I know that the council in Asia has always, for example, has always looked at our goals as they have modified theirs. >> We'll get that done. >> Kathy, do they go to the chair? Do you know the chairs?
>> I believe I sent them to the chairs. I know department heads and staff le. It's already been done. Thank you. >> Anything else from the board? Any from the public? Okay. Um, so I'm going to invite our
fire chief, Justin Tavano, and our deputy emergency uh management director uh to give us an update on um the response to the storms plural the last couple of days. Welcome,
gentlemen. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh welcome everybody. Um just want to take a few minutes and just uh give a a brief um update on the planning and preparedness efforts that went on last week and throughout the weekend from the most recent storm and uh what we can expect
going forward as we look ahead to Sunday. Looks like maybe some more weather coming our way. Uh the emergency management team began monitoring uh the most recent storm system on Monday the 19th. Communications with National Weather Service, MIMA, Barnesville
County Emergency Management, and our utility providers began early in the week and increased in frequency as we entered the weekend. Emergency management was planning and preparing for for a significant winter storm throughout the week and conducted internal town Chattam calls Friday and Sunday. The early guidance predicted
extreme cold temperatures on Saturday, followed by heavy snow Sunday into Monday with the potential for mixed precipitation on the tail end of the storm. There were no early concerns regarding winds, flooding, or widespread power outages. The biggest unknown throughout the week was the total snow
accumulation, which would be contingent on temperatures and where the storm track would place the snow mix line. As we entered the weekend, confidence in an impactful storm event increased and the forecast called for up to 12 inches of snow on the lower Cape. There were no
notable changes to the remainder of the forecast relative to wind, flooding, or the potential for widespread outages. Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Public Works all had increased staffing Sunday into Monday. Based on the forecast and timing of the
storm's impact, the decision was made on Friday for all town offices, including the community center and transfer station to have a delayed start on Monday with the potential for full closure. As the storm took shape on Sunday, and the forecast was still calling for additional snowfall throughout the day Monday, the decision
was made to remain closed for the full day Monday. The emergency operations center, our EOC, operate at a level one monitoring phase with deputy director Mark Heler tracking responses from the fire department, police department, and DPW
along with hazards throughout town and emerging issues while coordinating with county and state agencies. Plans were in place for full staffing of the EOC if the storm were to take a different track and have a greater impact on our region.
in regards to personal care sites and overnight shelters. With the expectation that the precipitation would turn into a mix on Sunday evening and Monday morning and winds would increase, the potential for isolated power outages increased. Due to this potential, emergency management
made plans to activate the Chattam Community Center as a personal care site on Monday from 8:00 a.m. until 900 pm to provide any affected residents with a safe place to warm up and recharge electronic devices if necessary. personal care site was staffed by
volunteers from the Brewster Orleans, Cadam, and Harwitch Community Emergency Response Team, otherwise referred to as Boxert. Boxer was fully prepared to support the town's response and recovery efforts in any way possible, and their
efforts are greatly appreciated by us. If residents required similar accommodations for warming and/or recharging outside of the posted hours of the personal care site, they were advised that the Chattam Police Department would remain available 24 hours every day. Emergency management was in
communication with leadership from St. Christopher's Church, which was prepared to stand up as a personal care site as well if needed. The county did not pre-activate the regional shelter, but had Red Cross and Americanore volunteers secured and ready if there was a significant community
need for overnight sheltering. Emergency management was also in communication with private partners to secure additional overnight shelter accommodations for any isolated needs. For transportation, fire and police department personnel were available to
assist any residents with transportation to the police station if they needed a a place to warm up or recharge devices. With the opening of the personal care site at the community center on Monday, two drivers for the from the center for active living were on call to provide transport to any residents in need. The
vans from the SEAF fall were relocated to the fire department so they could remain clear of snow and prepared for deployment. For communications, the town of Chadam Fire Department and Police Department social media accounts began posting notices about a potential
significant winter storm as early as Wednesday, January 21st. A reverse 911 was sent out to all subscribers via the Smart 911 emergency notification system on Saturday, January 24th. Once reliable guidance was provided by our weather experts,
emergency management posted a situational awareness statement on the emergency management landing page on the town website providing all relevant storm related information including safety tips. The center for active living staff made calls to all residents identified on the special assistance
list. Several residents were identified as being reliant on home oxygen but indicated that they felt comfortable with the emer with their emergency supplies. One resident on this list stated that she did not feel comfortable being home alone during the storm and requested assistance with temporary shelter. Sefall staff submitted this
request to emergency management and temporary relocation accommodations were made with one of the town's private partners. Fire department personnel transported that resident to that location site on Sunday morning prior to the storm's arrival and returned to her home on
Monday. SEAF fall staff made another round of calls through the special assistance list on Monday to ensure everybody was safe. The town of Chadam maintains outstanding collaboration between all town departments, volunteer organizations, regional and state partners, local
private partners, and private utility providers. The town of Chattam Storm preparation calls provide critical insight into the challenges that each department faces. It aids they aid in identifying vulnerable residents and they ensure that nothing falls through the cracks so
that the town is prepared is as prepared as possible to respond and recover to significant weather events such as this. The staff member from the Harbon Masters Division was assigned to the fire department with a pickup truck and plow for the duration of the storm. This resource responds alongside fire and EMS
personnel to ensure adequate access during emergencies. also allowing DPW and plowing contractors to continue to focus on clearing the roads. Town departments have access to a shared incident log via Microsoft Teams, logging any storm related information
and responses, especially those which travel which impact travel, block roadways, or result in utility disruptions. This log has proven critical in past weather events, providing emergency emergency responders with heightened situational awareness in identifying areas of town which have
endured the greatest impact. The town manager's office, fire department, and police department coordinate communications to maintain consistent messaging to the community. Storm preparation, response, and recovery is a collaborative effort
involving all towns, volunteer groups, regional and state partners, local private partners, and private utilities. Preparations begin with monitoring information and guidance a week out. And it is critically important that we do not rush to make final decisions and publicized information as forecasts
often do not gain reliable confidence until 24 to 48 hours before impact. Even when storms end up being less impactful than predicted, hazards are minimal, and few challenges are presented, it is crucial that our departments are prepared, staffed
adequately, and have the appropriate resources necessary to respond and recover to these types of events. While this storm brought a significant amount of snow over the course of a day and a half, we are fortunate that the winds were not worse and there were no reported there were no reported power outages.
The police department has reported that it did not have anyone call or show up seeking warmth or electricity to recharge devices and there were no visitors to the personal care site at the Chattam Community Center on Monday as well. Ultimately, the town of Chattam was well prepared for the storm and
efforts turned out to be a rather have and not need than need and not have scenario. Thank you to all town staff, our cert volunteers who participated in planning, response and recovery efforts as we move deeper into the winter season. With the possibility of another storm on the horizon this weekend,
emergency management continues to emphasize the importance of residents being prepared, having a plan, and staying informed. >> Thank you, Chief, for that very detailed report and for the work u of your department staff. Deputy Chief Heler Heler, do you have anything you'd like to add?
>> Not at this time. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any questions from the board? This is purelyformational at this point. >> No, it was a great report. You you mentioned you it's better to have and not need. Is there did you have any needs at all? >> Uh, not really. It was it was all in all pretty quiet. We had some uh some
potential carbon monoxide calls. Um, never know what each storm is going to bring as far as challenges. This one with just the the temperature fluctuations and then when the wet snow came in um and the wind directions, we started to um you know get worried along with the drifting that occurred throughout the day Sunday, we started
worry about uh getting exhaust vents blocked up. Um, we did go out for a couple investigations for carbon monoxide and mitigated those quickly. >> Thanks, Justin. Good job. >> Thank you, Corey. >> I know it's a little early, but any words of wisdom for this upcoming weekend? >> Um, it it's a little early, but um it
does look like there's going to be some sort of impact. Um, a little less, if I had to guess. Um, I'm not a meteorologist, but just based on what we're seeing right now, it looks like probably a little bit less snow, but a little bit more wind. So, I think unfortunately it looks like we're getting into one of those same patterns
that I think we were in in maybe 2015 where it was week after week after week after week. So, >> hope you're wrong. >> Hope I'm wrong. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Unless there are other any other questions uh or public announcements or agenda item requests, we're going to move on to the
next item on the agenda. >> Okay. Thank you, gentlemen. Appreciate your work. The next item is a public hearing to consider a petition for Minstar Electric Company doing business as Evers Source Energy to install 40 ft plus or minus 1 to 3 in conduit and one new handhole
122HA9 at 159 C Pine Road. Ordinarily, I would ask our clerk Steuart Smith to read the public hearing notice. Stuart, do you want to do that? I can ask the vice chair to read it if it's more convenient.
>> Yeah, that would be great. Thank you. >> Bless you, Jeeoff. Thank you. Uh, the Chattam Select Board will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27th, 2026, in the large meeting room of the town office annex 261 George Ryder Road, Chattamass, and remotely via
Microsoft Teams platform to consider a petition from NStar Electric doing business as Eversource Energy to install 40 feet plus or minus 1 to 3 in conduit and one new handhold 122H9
at 159 C Pine Road. The public is welcome to attend the meeting in person or participate via a link in the meetings posted agenda signed the select board. >> Thank you. Uh so if attending for Eversource is Barbara Betett. Barbara, do you have anything you'd like to say
in support of this uh petition? I would just like to know if there were going to be any questions um about the petition and I did verify that we would mull under the road which I know was um something that was you know that you
guys wanted to make sure of. So that is what we will do. >> Okay. Yes, there is a commentary there's an email from the public works director in support of it with that condition or that recommendation. Any um questions or comments from the board? If not, we'll
ask for the public to participate if they wish. It's public hearing. Anybody have anything they want to say on this petition from Eversource? >> I don't see anyone. I'll entertain a motion. >> Move to approve, Mr. Chairman. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I will call the
role. M. Davis. >> I. >> Mr. Dyka. I. >> Mr. Matters. I. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Thank you. It's approved. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Have a good evening. >> Thank you. We do not have any items for the consent
agenda. So we will next proceed to the public comments on the business agenda. Um if anyone wants to make comment on any item on the business agenda at this time, they may do so. Otherwise, they can do it contemporaneously when the agenda item is taken up.
Uh Elaine Gibbs. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh just on the um agenda item for the bulkhead replacement at Barnhill and the bulkhead replacement at Ryder's Cove, if uh when that presentation is made, if uh someone could just tell us
how they got that bad. Um apparently they were recently discovered with inspections by GEI or whoever was down there. And it seems to me we should be inspecting them more frequently than that. It seems like again we get ourselves in a position where we don't maintain things and then we have to
replace them. Between these two it looks like it's going to be uh a total of at least 5.5 million and so I hope they will address that as to how they got this bad because it's dangerous for the public. Thank you.
>> Thank you Elaine. Your request is noted. Any others? Okay, I see none. First item on we'll now proceed with the regular business agenda. The first is to consider a special one-day alcohol license licenses for various states in 2026 for the creative arts center. And
presenting for the arts center is Amy Middleton. Miss Middleton. >> Hi. >> Do you want to um There are a number of dates here. >> Uh yes. These are our monthly uh well they they work out pretty much monthly
receptions for our art shows. Okay. Um, >> it's it's pretty standard what we've we've had for years and years and they're for the most part from 4:30 to 6 on Friday evenings, but uh because of
the way the calendar fell with Good Friday and a few other dates there. You know, there I think there's a couple Thursdays in there. >> They run from February 6th through October 16th. And all the events are held at the Creative Arts Center at 154
Croll Road. >> Correct. >> That's correct. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any questions from the board or do I hear a motion? >> Mr. Chair, I move to approve move to grant special one-day alcohol licenses for wine and malt beverages only to Amy Middleton of the Creative Arts Center for events being held at 154 Crow Road,
Chattam on the following dates and times. February 6th. These are all from 4:30 to 6. I'm going to read the dates. February 6th, March 6th, April 10th, May 8th, June 5th, July 9th, July 31st, September 3rd, and October 16th. Again,
all from 4:30 to 6 p.m. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> A second. Then just a quick uh comment. >> Yes. >> Just a small typo on October um 2026, not 2025. >> It should be October >> minor, but >> Oh, 2026. It says 2025. Okay.
>> Catch. >> Thank you. Okay. And you did second it. >> Second it. Yes. >> Okay. Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. Hi. >> Mr. Dyson. Hi. Mr. Meadows. Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Five to zero. It's approved. Thank you. Good luck.
>> Thank you. Please join us. >> Next is consider approvals for proposed Chattam Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Association events for 2026. Um Kristen Mueller will present this as she has in the past. This is the second year in a row. So, I think you've done
done them all in one fell swoop. >> Um, >> this has not yet gone to the parks and recck commission because of the storm, which is normally the first step. The board can take a vote that's contingent upon a positive recommendation from that commission. So, Kristen, do you want to present this? I know, let me say first,
we have several members who have a conflict on individual items. They will remain on the panel but abstain when the we'll separate those items out. >> Sure. and and uh for individual votes and they will each respectively abstain
when those come up. Mr. Meadows, >> Mr. Chair, as a member of the Merchant Association, I have historically recuse myself from the entire slate, so I will step away. Um I don't think we're short on any vote, so should not be an issue. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I got you to stay last year for a little bit.
>> Kristen, it's all yours now. >> I thank you Kristen Mueller for the Chamber of Commerce Emergence Association. Um as you mentioned this is the second year we are doing um or I am before you to request our entire year um of events permissions and associated uh
permits. Um it became clear to us in over the last couple of years in planning that all of our events are interdependent upon each other and so presenting them to you as one whole slate um helps us plan ahead and helps us start funding requests and all of
that and so um I appreciate you allowing us to do that. I also wanted to just take a moment to thank you for entertaining the conversation that we had last year about Kate Gold Park. Um it has sort of uh really rolled into a a
great um beautifification committee that's making wonderful progress on um on making sure that the park remains sustainable. And um I just appreciate your your support last year in moving forward with that and I think that the
committee at this point with stakeholders from all over the town is really um doing some great work. So thank you for that. Um, okay. So, um, you're familiar with most of our events. I'm not going to bore you with a lot of the details. Um, only to, uh, say
that in speaking with the police department after, um, between October Fest and Christmas Stroll, they have made a request that the event not grow any beyond its current means. And, um, we're fine with that. So there are no
changes to that um event for next year. All of the perimeters would be identical and um all of the requests would be identical for that. Same with um all of our other events. Um there's really no
changes to the slate this year. If you have questions about any particular ones, I can offer some details or clarify some things, but 2026 is shaping up to look, you know, just like 2025. Um, if if we can pull that off.
>> Thank you. And I want to acknowledge the participation of Mr. Dykens and the beautifification committee. Um, I had one question on the October Fest. >> Yes. >> Um, the there is a question on the form that asks whether a fee will be charged for funds solicited and it's marked yes. I assume there's not that's a reference
not to a fee, but >> just to the donations requested, funds solicited. I thought I needed to say yes, it's all voluntary donations and not within Kate Gold Park as per the the deed restriction on on that. Um so in the parking lot and on the street, but not within the the bounds of the park.
>> Okay. So um there are multiple um motions. Well, I did want to make one other note quickly if I may. Um, this is just sort of a point of information. The permission for the buoy tree um was supposed to expire this past week and we
had um the the business that will be housing it for the winter was closed last week. So, we weren't able to remove it. I was in touch with Kathy and with the DPW and we were granted an extension. Well, now I'm not really sure when it's going to move because moving it is going to be complicated with all
the snow, but um I will keep in touch with Tom Bar and Kathy and as soon as it is physically possible to move it, we will get it out of there. >> Very good. Thank you. Okay, so there are several motions here. I guess I'll offer
them and um but the first is a uh I move to grant permission to use town property for the following locations as outlined by the applicant. Let me ask the Shireen and and Jeff are is there anyone on any item on this that you wish to recuse yourself?
>> Yes, I'm gonna abstain from the October Fest October 17th and the related motions. >> That's the Okay, that's the second one. Kate Gold Park. >> Mr. Chairman, I'm going to recuse from Art in the Park. I'll abstain.
>> Is that on this as well? >> It's use of the facility Kate Park. Well, should we split those? Otherwise, we're not going to have >> three voters. >> Is that It says Kate Cool Park, June 17th or August 14th. That's the art in the park.
>> That's the art in the park. Yes. >> Why don't we split that one up? >> Um, >> you'll have Stuart, you >> can recuse from that, Jeff. And the October 9th to the 31st. >> I can vote for that. >> And you can vote for that, too. 9 through the 31st. What is that? That's pumpkin people. >> Yeah.
>> You okay on that? >> Yes. >> You're going to abstain from October 17? >> Okay. >> So, well, let let me offer the motion this way. First motion is I move to grant permission to use town property for the following locations as outlined by the applicant. Chadam Community Center on April 4th, 2026, Sears Park on
December 11th. >> Community center. What >> the Easter egg hunt? >> It's the park. It's Cakewell Park. the Easter egg hunt. >> This is April 4th.
>> Yeah. Did I do that wrong? >> That's the Easter egg hunt. >> Yeah, that's in K Park. That was my mistake. >> But that's not the one you're refusing. No. So that's >> So the first one, excuse me, the first one should read Kold Park, not the community center.
>> Okay. Okay. So that's the first item in this motion. The second is Sears Park on December 11th, 2026. >> Wait. Oh, Sears Park. Yes. I'm sorry. My bad. >> Chadam Bars Avenue parking lot on
October. Well, you're going to recuse yourself from that sharing, right? >> The October 17th. >> Yeah. So, we'll we'll strike that from this one as well. So, this this this motion is limited to the Cool Park on on April 4th, 2026.
Sears Park on December 11th, 2026. The town hall the town hall parking lot on December 11th, 2026. Yep. >> We'll split that one up, too. The the town hall lot blonde on Main Street and Cross Street on November
20th, 2026 to January 22nd, 2027. That's the motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. I will call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. Mr. Dykins, >> I think I can vote I on this. >> Yes, you both you both can vote him. >> Mr. Mr. Dykins I, Mr. Smith
>> I. >> And the chair votes I. So that's four to zero. Now we'll take the ones on which there are recusals. The first one is um Tate Gold Park on June 17th to August 14th, 2026. Mr. Dykens has recused
himself. I'll call I'll accept a motion on that. Uh, >> I'll offer the motion. >> Yeah, you and I'll second your motion. Yeah. >> Call the role on Miss Davis. >> I, >> Mr. Smith, >> I. >> And the chair votes side. That's three
to zero. >> And Kate Gold Park on October 17th. Miss Davis has recused from that. >> Correct. >> All the role on that. >> Um, Miss Mr. Dykins. I miss
>> uh uh I did I offer the motion on I offered the motion on that. I need a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Now, Mr. Dykins >> I. >> Mr. Smith >> I. >> And the chair votes I. >> Next is um the Chadam Bars Avenue
parking lot on October 17, 2026. And Miss Davis is recused from that. >> Correct. >> I'll go for the motion and I'm looking for a second. >> Second. >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith >> I >> and the chair votes I town hall parking
lot on October 17th 2026 Miss Davis has recused >> correct >> and I'll offer the motion >> second >> and it's seconded Mr. Dykins >> I >> Mr. Smith >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Okay. Next is to uh a motion to grant use of town roads
on December 11th, 2026 is outlined by the applicant. I don't think anyone is recused on this. >> No. >> Um is there a second? >> Second. >> And um that's on my motion and I'll call the role. Mr. D, Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I.
>> And the chair votes I four to zero. Um, I move to grant four specialed one-day entertainment licenses for the following dates and locations as outlined by the applicant. Um,
the first is going to be one where Miss Davis is recused. Well, we'll take that individually right now. Uh, Saturday, October 17th, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm at Kate Gul Park Chattam Avenue lot and town hall parking lot for
amplified live and recorded music for dance exhibitions and live bands. That's my motion. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Davis has recused. Mr. Dykins >> I. >> And Mr. Smith >> I. >> And the chair votes I. >> Next. Friday, December 11th, 2026 from
5:00 p. p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Sears Park for amplified recorded music. Is there a second? and second >> second to my motion. Uh and I'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dikkins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Next. I move uh
on Saturday, December 12th, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Main Street for live acoustic singing carolers. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Call the RO. Miss Davis. Hi. >> Mr. Dikens. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Next Sunday, I
move December 30 13, 2026 from 11 o'clock a.m. to 2 o'clock pm on Main Street for live acoustic singing carolers. >> Second. >> And to call the role, Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dy, >> I. >> Mr. Mr. Smith, >> I >> and the chair votes I.
Next, I move to grant two special one-day alcohol licenses as follows. Miss Davis is going to recuse from this to Eric Christensen of Pores and Bites LLC for Saturday, Octo October 17th, 2026 from
11 o'clock a.m. to 5:00 pm at the town hall parking lot and to Erica Christensen of Pors and Bits LLC. It's Pors and Bites spelled both ways. Invites LLC for Saturday, October 17th,
2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Cadam Bars Avenue lot. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Call the role. Um, Mr. Dykins. >> Hi, >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. >> I think that's everything.
>> Okay. Thank you. All right. Dean, >> good job. >> Thank you. All right. >> We'll wait for Corey to come back. The next item on the agenda is to consider proposed changes to the 2026 Independence Day parade and
parade route parking prohibition. and our police chief, Mike Anderson, and the the chair of the Independence Day parade committee, Steve Dbor, will be presenting on this. Oh, it's actually um
Lieutenant Harris and Chief Chief Anderson is here as well. So, who's going first on this? >> I guess I got two hands raised. >> Mr. Dbor. >> So, good evening. Welcome, >> Steve Dbor. I'm here tonight as the uh the chair for the Independence Day parade committee.
uh along with Chief Mike Anderson and Lieutenant Sarah Harris. Um I wanted to just give you a brief update of where we stand today and then uh more importantly discuss three topics of change that we would uh like to see happen for the
parade this year. Uh the committee has a full conting contingency of five people this year. We lost two very helpful people last year, but we were able to get two new ones this year. and uh just a short time ago and they've already hit the ground and
they're off and running and doing very well. Um we've already uh solicited through the media um for themes for this year's parade. Um we'll be um the committee will be deciding what that's going to be on our meeting on February
18th and then we'll make that known to everybody so that they can get started on their floats. and at about the same time we're going to start soliciting for the grand marshall for the parade this year. So the three topics that we wanted to
discuss, the first one um I guess we'll take this in order of difficulty. The first one is changing the time uh the start time of the parade. Um in the past it's been 9:30 uh which has caused some amount of of standing around and people
waiting. Uh we're proposing that to start the parade at nine o'clock this year. Um that'll uh lessen the amount of people waiting and it'll also um get people home to start their own celebrations a little bit earlier that
day. Do you want to say anything about that? >> Yeah, people usually don't know what time it starts anyway. So we felt that the nine o'clock change on that would be uh indifferent to everyone. So, >> everyone's already waiting and ready for it to go at 9:00, so we'd like to start earlier.
>> Thank you. Why don't we take these recommendations separately? Um, are there any questions or comments? Cory, you're the liazison to the committee. >> Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chair. No, I mean I frankly I think the the 9:00 is is fine. Um, I'm usually downtown early myself,
you know, and there's a lot of bodies who are mulling around getting coffee and and muffins and whatever other shops are open and they're getting their chairs set up. Honestly, I don't think anyone's even going to notice the difference. Um, so the night I don't think n a 9:00 start
is an issue at all. >> Sure. >> I'm a little bit ambivalent to this, but I do know a lot of people like to have their breakfast celebrations with families and stuff and then and then walk down or be at the park and do that.
So, and I mean it there is people are well iniscon So, the staff memo indicates that the start time change requires no no approval from the select board. Um, are there any comments from the public?
Questions from the public? I don't see any. Um, so we we can do nothing on this or if you want we can take a vote endorsing it. All right, we'll leave it. We'll You're starting at 9:00. >> Okay. >> Um, your next recommendation, Steve. All
right. the the second recommendation um and and and all of these three items were deliberated um by the committee I think over the course of uh two meetings and we had input from Chief Anderson and Lieutenant Harris and Corey Matters as
our liaison. Um it this one involves a change of the route of the parade. Um what we're trying to do is eliminate large gaps that seem to occur towards the end of the parade to the point where
uh participants were actually getting into the line of March thinking the parade was over um which caused further problems for the people who were actually in the parade. So we're trying to eliminate that happening and uh compress the area a little bit. So, our
thought was to um come down Main Street as we always did, but make a right onto Old Harbor Road at the Rotary and go up Old Harbor Road to the Barliffe Avenue area where the parade could break down and then make their way back to the
middle school. There was also some concern that under the current route, the larger floats, the trucks had difficulty making the turn onto Croll Road. Is that correct? >> Yes. We've had a number of issues, especially down at the lights at Croll
Road um with the crowds coming into the road to the major intersection that we're actually trying to keep open and then still getting the larger floats to be able to traverse that area has been difficult over the years as we've have extended it. Okay. >> Do you think that won't be an issue for
going up Old Harbor Road? I mean, that's a tighter turn, isn't it? >> No, it's it's a fairly easier turn. Um, before they had to traverse around the rotary, so they almost had to make it more difficult to get straight through the rotary and now they can just bend, right? And we have a wide enough area there that we've assessed and um they go
through all the time. So, >> just just a couple comments. Um the u there was huge crowds from the rotary down to the start of the beginning of crawl road and then along crawl road. I appreciate your comment about the gaps
in the parade. There were gaps in the parade. So much so many so that people did think it was over and they started to walk away. But I'm a little worried about crowd control. There's a lot of people around the road and a lot of people from the road to be down to crawl and going up crawl that those those folks are going to go up old
harbor and so old harbor is going to we have to expect considerable amount of people on old old harbor. Are there sidewalks the whole way in Old Harbor or or not? >> Nearly. Yes. Yes. Nearly. Yes. And old harbor is always closed anyway because
we have that area closed because no one can come down to the Rotary and Main Street area is closed. So that road already being closed would allow us to have everyone lining the sides um just as they would on Main Street towards Coral. >> And then the thought when it ends at Barliff, you take a left and go to the middle school. Back to the middle
school. >> Yeah. You could either make a left there or >> go back to Shore Road. >> Straight out to Shore Road or you know even make a right >> and go down towards the Fish Pier. >> Yes. >> But yeah, what's the comparative widths of of Crow Road and Cold Harbor? Are they >> the width?
>> The width. I mean >> I don't have the w But everything's traversible and the same as downtown Main Street. So, >> what was the question again? >> I asked how wide comparatively is Crow Road versus Old Harbor. >> I think you would find uh Old Harbor to
be a little bit wider because it's a state roadway as opposed to a town roadway. >> Okay. >> And the distance, uh, we measured the distance of the parade route. It's it's only off by one/tenth of a mile. I think this one is, uh, roughly the same length. >> Okay.
>> What am I? I have another question. >> Yes. >> So, one of my questions is I I mean, everybody's so tied into the idea of just, you know, coming down Route 28, finding your spot either early or not, late comers. What
What's the outreach and what's the plan to red, you know, inform literally thousands of people it's not going to be the same? >> Correct. >> I mean, how how is that going to happen? it it what kind of outreach plan do you have to just sort of say these this is
the new route if if it comes to be and you know this is the access and and you know I'm I'm thinking of all the folks that are at like the red nun you know and then along that road and it seems like it's a significant almost cultural
change too so I I just curious as to what kind of advertising and outreach you're going to do to inform? Well, the parade committee does have their own web page and we have a lot of followers Instagram and and the like social media and of course the uh the chronicle and
um you know any any number of social media things and >> the same with the police out the outlets that we use along with the town chat. showing the roots and the parking and all the information along with the change of time. Um along with we've talked about bannering the area and the
police presence of coaching everybody of hey the parade's down there. Um in this past year is the first year that I actually was in the parade and saw where the crowds were. Um it wasn't as full down towards Shore Road. Everyone kind of congregates right there at the Rotary
like you said. So, we're hoping that this will progress people to move down there or down to Old Harbor as we continue them through >> that. I'm sorry. I thought you were finished. Go ahead. >> That's a lot of people. I mean, I I can understand the safety side of this. Spot
on. You know, that's a lot of people that congregate at the community center and as I said at the nun and then at the corners, the Rotary and the corners. That's a lot of people to redirect down to one roadway that doesn't have any real spill out. >> Sure. I think it's the same area due to
depot road. Um and then also using Highland, we kind of assessed the areas with the committee as to you know if all the people that were parked here at the community or were sat sitting here at the community center would now be at the um Masonic Hall or at the old water
department being able to use the school. And this change also opened us an outlet to be able to bring a shuttle into the community center, use the shuttles um use the parking lot of the community center longer because we don't have to close that area and actually maybe use
the little league field as more parking um to allow and direct these people. But we would, like you said, be a new culture that we would have to teach everybody year one, year two. Thank you. Could I could I just add one thing to think about too with this new proposed route by making the turn onto Old
Harbor? Um you you will have the ability for the the the usual group of Chattam parade attendees who show up late. They they can get to the parade route. Uh if they show up late last year, they're stopped at at the at the Croll Road Main
Street intersection. Now they can travel on foot right up to pretty much where the Cumberland Farms is. But most importantly, when the parade ends, the people who are usually stuck downtown between those traffic lights at Croll Road, that road is already open. So
you'll be able to uh accommodate the the late ars and the and the people can leave earlier and we're anticipating less traffic with this footprint. >> Appreciate that. >> That's what we're hoping for. >> Thanks. >> You I'm trying to Visualize this because
when I when I walk on Old Harbor, I always use the sidewalk that's headed north. Is there a sidewalk on the other side? I didn't think there was. >> No, there there's not. >> On the east side. >> The northbound side. Well, the southbound side. The east side. Yes.
>> Yeah. >> And is is that not a concern in terms of where people would congregate to watch the parade? There's >> Do you want to mention that you spoke to some of the property owners of the the proposed route? >> Yes, I did. I did stop by the the uh the
filling station. Normally they're closed that day. Um but I I think they're going to remain open uh that day. I spoke to Father John at Holy Redeemer. He was concerned because they have an eight o'clock mass that day. Um and he was
because they also used their parking lot as a fundraiser. But we're not gonna we're not going to block off that street. They're still going to be able to use that parking lot. We're going to probably encourage people to use that parking lot. And if the mass starts at 8, the parade starts at 9:00. By the time they get to the church, it'll
probably be closer to 9:30. And he was okay with that. And I also spoke with um Rich Roy from the Masonic Lodge and uh he was kind of happy to hear that we were going to possibly be going past their site because they use that also as a fundraiser. What about private
homeowners on on the uh both sides of the street? Actually, >> that roadway would be closed anyways, regardless of the route, >> but people are going to be >> congregating on their front lawns. >> Yeah. >> It'd be no different than Lower Main
Street. Uh other than the fact that they've been doing Lower Main Street for generations. >> Okay. Well, >> one area that has high shrubs to straight to the road. Um, so there wouldn't be anybody to be able to sit
roadside there, but it would be similar like you said to Croll Road, the people that sit there and the rest of Main Street. Um, they would just be transported to another area. Well, we're advised that
the parade route requires no action from the select board, but the proposed motion is for us to support that recommendation. So, I'm a little confused. Are we required? Is the board board's approval required for the change in the parade rule? >> It's not.
>> Okay, Corey. No, I mean the board's the board is being asked to support the the conversations that the Capri committee, fire rescue chief, everyone's kind of discussed um prior. Um you know, I know there's I I don't like change. I'm I
miss the good old days when we used to bring the floats to the ballpark and we'd all hang out at afterward, but those days are long over with and I understand why. And we've made some changes over the years. Um you know, I'm not a thousand% supportive of this, but I I understand the thinking and the
philosophy behind it. Um, and I think um I you know, even though it's it's going to take a little bit of getting used to, but we're going to have to do some PR to bring the word out. Um I think for the reasons that have been put on the table, um I think it I think this board should
um should support it. Uh we're trying to do things a little more efficiently. Um you know, the parade, we love the parade. Um the downside is there's been gaps. There's been gaps year the last couple years and it does impact you know the overall experience
and um if we can correct that and make a route that's pretty much the same distance um and then reshuff shuffle some of the traffic to a different part of town with some more efficiency is something I think that has merit. So
it's it's different for sure. Um, but we've made we've we've gotten through prior changes in years past and we'll get through this um I think when all said and done. >> We're not changing the length of the parade. >> It's.5 miles 1.6.
>> Yeah, exactly. >> Um, any other comments from the board or the public? >> Jeff, did you want to say something? >> Well, I I you know, I'm going to support your recommendation. I do have some concern about um uh the the crowds that
will be moving up Old Harbor because again I'm repeating myself but there were an awful lot of people from the Rotary down to Coral Road. A lot of people and coming up Coral Road. So I I have I have some concern about that. Shireen's comment about pre-
parade publicity is important because a lot of these people are going to be showing up that week thinking they're going to be on Cruel Road or Main Street. >> We're going to be changing a lot of family traditions, too. >> Yes. >> Along the way. >> Yeah. >> Um again, I'm I'm sort of like like
Corey is I I'm I'm not 100% convinced this is the best idea. Um but I do appreciate the safety concerns. With that, I >> um Mr. Phillips. >> All right. For the record, Brian Phillips, 374 Orleans Road. Um this
little speech is for this and uh the parking spots, but I you know, I got >> We're not talking parking yet. That's the next step, >> right? But this will apply just for you guys to understand. Uh it is more important uh than ever to embrace our traditions and culture as a
Chadam community not get rid of them. Uh it is our culture that has kept us uh that has kept Jadam beautiful for so long. Uh there has been a rise of a class of people that are detrimental to society and Chadam in particular. These people are the new voic I think I did
that right or new money with no class. These people are selfish and only care about what they want like the Kardashian values. And I'm going to give a couple examples of why this is important. When we threw big parties on the beach, we always made sure we cleaned up every single piece of trash there. About two
years ago, I went to a party on the outer beach and I left early on a kayak, but I was getting yelled at. They said, "Hey, the party you were at, no one clean up their mess." Again, I wasn't there, but this is the mentality uh now is that people want to clean up their trash. Um, and then the other one was
the shell fishing industry where uh, you know, a lot of the old-timers are telling me when they're scratching for cohogs, you know, it's all seed, but yet they see, you know, people, you know, summer residents taking a, you know, a a basket of seed out. So, you know, I think it's really important we need to,
you know, promote, you know, promote our culture. Um, I kind of, you know, I've been following these meetings and I asked the parade committee, you know, if anyone on the parade committee had grown up in Chadam or raised children in Shadam and the
answer was no. So, I mean, I don't know if they really fully understand our culture or our values and why these things are important. Um, so as far as the parade route, it seems, you know, I kind of went through the the report and it seems like it's been
changed a couple times for whatever reason, but there's always some sort of unintended consequence. Um, so they just keep changing it and then, um, so I kind of want to go over the determining factors. So, the route will discourage, you know, the new
routes can discourage large gaps. I don't know. Can you have some sort of volunteers directing traffic or something? It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. And then the next one, two, uh, or three, four,
uh, five. I know it says it's going to free up traffic. I mean, there is 30,000 people cramming themselves into this town. Nothing anyone does. It doesn't matter what road you close, you open, you go this way, you go that way, it's going to be jammed. It's going to be gridlocked no matter what. So, I don't
really think that's a reason to change the parade route. Um, and we got uh this route uh you know, this route significantly lessens the overall public safety footprint currently in place, but that's only
because the parade, you know, the parade committee or whoever has changed the parade route to what it is now. So, it's fixing a problem that they created themselves. Um, >> Brian, we have a three minute limit, so try to >> All right, I'll make it quick. If you know, I don't usually speak too long.
So, it says, you know, the the the new route provides better, you know, shade trees for for spectators. I mean, these all seem pretty I don't know, insignificant because what
what I'm really concerned about here is um you know, people that have done a lot for this community and that person is Mike Giorgio. I mean, I worked for him. The guy just takes it on the chin all day long and keeps moving forward in a
posit positive direction. You know, he's a family man. He does a lot of charity. Um we have you know he has about two months to make all his money and for whatever you know these reasons are it seems very superficial. Um to affect a
pillar of our community like that I think is just wrong. And it's not just him. It's all the people that go and congregate there. So I mean whatever superficial reasons are being made by you know people that aren't really from here that's going to affect a pillar of
our community I think is wrong. And I think you guys should really reconsider this parade route. >> Thank you. Um Carol Gordon. >> Thank you. >> Hi Carol Gordon from South Chadam. I just want to say a little bit about the parade. Uh obviously I've been there
many many years and just to shorten the route or to take it by old harbor. I think it's going to bring more congested, bring many all the people that sit at the Unitarian Church. And where are they going to go? They're going to go up towards Old Harbor or it's just going to be it's just going to bring congestion just the other way
around. Whereas for years, it's been working fairly good. I understand your concerns and everything, but uh just I I don't know. I think that it's it's always worked pretty well. And I don't know where these people are going to go and you know, we all you you've seen the crowds that sit at the Unitarian Church
and down towards Carl Road. So, uh, anyway, just my two cents. >> Thank you. Uh, Stuart, you had your hand up. >> Stuart, he's frozen. Oh, there you are. >> You're muted, Stuart.
>> You're muted. >> Hear me now. >> There you are. Okay. >> Okay. Uh, sorry, my signal is kind of weak down here. Um, so just a couple of questions. I may have missed it. Uh, the proposal. Well, first,
who approves the change in the route if it's not the select board? >> I'm assuming it's the committee. I mean, Chief, do you have any town management? Do either of you have any comment on that? I can only comment on the fact that I signed parade permits, but the
parade permits that are come that come from town parades, I don't have authority on. >> So, if it was if it was a a a non-town parade or a road race, that's the permit I signed. A townsponsored parade. Uh and
I I think the bylaw says except for uh the military um or or the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts. Uh those are the only permits I don't sign. >> I would take from that that it's the select board. If the select board doesn't like this, the select board could probably say no. I mean the
committee I don't think has authority. We're the executive of the town together with the manager. That's how I would >> I don't know if any other board member feels that way. That's that would be my impression. Stuart, >> I I I would tend to agree with you
devoid of assigning it to the committee which I don't think is part of their charge and I just don't know what what other entity would approve a public well a change such as this besides the board. But uh
I'll leave it. I would say that when the changes have been made in recent years, which has simply been to extend the parade because more people wanted to see it. Um there would be the change was presented to us by the committee, there was no votes taken. The committee is basically the group that's managing the
parade, >> not the board doesn't get involved in the give and take. Corey, >> I was I was going to say we we've made several changes over what was that process because I don't think we ever formally make it taken. >> No, I don't think voted. I think what I think the committee came before us and
said this is the way to be this year and people were happy and we let it go. >> That's correct that when they extended the parade route down you know beyond the rotary and down coral road they came in and said we're going to extend the route. This is why we think it's good good idea blah blah blah. I don't believe we ever took a vote.
>> Well I'm I'm going to proceed I'm going to proceed on the basis that that the select board is makes the final call on this particular point. It's in the motion anyway that's proposed. That's my sense of it whether we agree or not. Stuart, did you have anything else?
>> Yes. Um, it was mentioned uh that Mr. the owner of the Red Nun, Mr. Giorgio, does he does he oppose this as a business owner? I'm just curious. Does he oppose this? I I don't know. >> I'm not sure he's even aware of it. >> We haven't received any communication.
>> I I did speak with him um briefly last year. He did not open for breakfast. He just merely had people there after. I feel I spoke with him about the traffic would still come by his business and be the same. Um he didn't show up here or have any further concerns to me when I
spoke with him about it. >> He didn't voice any objection. >> Okay. And um lastly, the uh the because I missed it. The parade route uh is proposed and obviously instead of going down to uh the intersection at Coral
Road, it's going to go uh northbound on Old Harbor. And then I this is the part I missed. I assume over uh depot to Highland. Is that >> I think they said Barl Cliff. >> Yes. >> Yeah. The ending point would either be they can turn off on Barliff and head
towards the middle school. They can go straight and head out of town down Orleans Road in 28 or they can take a right on Barliff and head back to the Fish Pier to unload if that's where they started at. >> But the parade is the parade the advance of the parade ends at Barliff Avenue. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you, Stuart. Any other comments? Brian, I'll let you speak a second time, but you I'm not going to give you three minutes. You have one minute for the record. You know, uh Mike Jojo
is opposed to this and the people that congregate at the Red Nun, the locals that go there are opposed to this. >> Okay. I just would note we haven't received any form anything formal from me. I appre Thank you. Um back to the board. Does the board um want to want to
take a position on this? Do we we have to decide tonight? >> I don't I I don't think so. Um you know >> what's >> what's the sentiment of the board? I myself I kind of share the ambivalence about it, but that's largely because I've seen you know we're at the
beginning of the parade. So my tendency I live downtown, so I walk back home. It's my opportunity to watch the entire parade actually. And there are big gaps um as it comes across um makes that turn on to cool road. Uh, and I understand
the concerns you have, but it is a huge change. And as Shireen said, there are a huge bunch of people who are accustomed to watching the parade on that stretch between the Rotary and and Coral Road that are going to be displaced, not to
mention all the people that have been increasing in numbers along Croll Road. So, they're going to have to move along. But, I'll throw it open for >> not not to muddy the waters. I mean, you could look at this as a as a pilot. Yeah, >> example. If if if >> if it works and we're happy
>> and and we need to tweak it again for the following year, we can do that. If if we find that this was, you know, holy smokes, this was not the right idea. There were some u you know, things that we didn't see or didn't plan for, we can always readjust. Okay.
>> And when Mr. Phillips had said that, you know, none of the board had raised families here, I actually have and my family has sat for 20 years at the university unarian church. So, I will displace them for this parade because I feel that that intersection, the safety, getting traffic out is going to just
benefit from this shift. >> And I want to defend the committee. I don't I can't even remember who else is on the committee, but you know, these are dedicated people that serve on the committee. And we have had that committee is open to um non-residents. We've had occasionally some non-residents. I don't know if there are
any non-residents on there now, but these are people that have they may not have um their families may not go back generations in Chadam or they might but um they're dedicated public servants and we appreciate this their service. So uh what was what would the board like to do
on this? >> Cy well this is this is extremely difficult because we do recognize I mean Shireen point hit the nail on the head. There's a lot of traditions in this town and you know um certain families of you know the
old Elders Elen Lumpin Insurance Company seeing the same faces there the Ford dealership you see the same faces there and then then we expanded the route down Crow Road we saw new faces in different areas so you know we it it is going to
displace those there's you know on the other hand you know there's others you know the Masonic Lodge said oh you know they're excited to get this new opportunity so we're going You know, you could make an argument we're creating, you know, new traditions for new families on the road. There's there's no
right or wrong on this. I mean, I've been part of this conversation for quite some time. Um, we're trying to set certain things aside and looking under the logistics and safety and u making a better parade because of the gaps at this that continue year after year. Unfortunately, I mean, we've had we we
we walk the front of the parade and then we walk back and there's these huge gaps and you can see people leaving and we we I mean I I walk all the way back, you know, at the end of the parade and it's not just one year this has happened. This has happened year after year and
it's a problem. So, if we need to fix it, changing the route is probably going to be the best method of fixing it. Um, is this the perfect solution? Who knows? We don't know. Um I think there's enough that I've been part of the conversation
about that I'm willing to support this. A pilot, you want to call it a pilot, you can call it a pilot. I don't care. Um bottom line is we're going to have a lot of people in town this year. This is the 250th anniversary. So whatever the route it is, it is going to be a lot of bodies. We have a lot of communications
to put through. We got to figure out parking. um you know and and I think this does have a little better layout to to help some of that crowd control and traffic pattern. So from that perspective I I think it's I think it's feasible to move forward with it and and
I respect all the traditions that we are going to displace. Um it's not something I'm I'm dismissing but it is these things do happen and um you know again over time we get over them. I mean, I felt the burn for years. You know, hey, used to go down to Veterans Field and
all the parade floats would be parked there. We'd walk around and hang out and that would be the end of our afternoon and those days disappeared. And, you know, after a while it does, this thing does disappear, but um, you know, this is not an easy decision, especially for someone who's grown up here, you know, and been to a fair amount of parades in
my life. um you know change is not obviously welcome but I think there's enough logistical issues that um I think in today's society and and with the crowds we have it makes more sense. Jeff, I think you had something. >> No, I'm good. >> Okay, Shireen,
>> I just have a I'm trying to visualize the Old Harbor scenario because I I'm looking at or in my mind's eye, I'm looking at like past the Rotary, there's tons of commercial properties, parking
lots, a lot of spillover, right, that goes all the way down. And even Coral Road, the same thing. There's a lot of commercial properties where people can I'm just wondering how residents on Old Harbor Road will react to the idea that,
you know, of course the sidewalk is the sidewalk, but the other side of the road there isn't and it's just private property. How are um I mean, have we envisioned how private property owners are going to react to crowds on their
front lawns? I mean, not everybody is the Nickerson family that has everybody sitting on their lawn. >> Loud and clear. The only thing I I I could hope for is the um cooperation that the private property owners have on Lower Main Street uh and
that that have had uh cooperation for all these years. That's the best I think we can hope for. >> A lot of those homes put their chairs out for their own selves earlier or they put flags out or they do something if they wanted to in other welcome the people within the first five feet of
their lawn and enjoy the day. But I usually find those homeowners put their own chairs out first. >> Oh, I get that. I And and because it's been traditional, it seems to just be an organic event that happens. I'm just this is going to be new to property
owners on Old Harbor Road. And that's where I'm thinking that, you know, I mean, do we know what how that's going to play? >> Yeah. Okay. I have a question for either the chief or Lieutenant Harris. So, um,
on the next item we're going to talk about, which is parking on Main Street, you you justify your recommendation in part for public safety purposes. Yes. >> Because um, you've got cars parked there and we're dealing in
modern society with with a lot of potential for bad people showing up. Does is that a is that a factor in in this change either way? Great great question without making this meeting run any
longer than we have to. the way the police department staffs the detail officers in a footprint as large as we currently have. We have officers that start early at one post and as that parade passes,
they have to find a way to get to a post that's further west, whether it's west to Croll Road, uh north on Croll Road, Stony Hill Road. Um if if we collapse that footprint so we don't have any
parade going west of the rotary the majority of my police officers and my detail officers who are already on a post at the eastern side of the town they have to travel less or they can stay. So, when you've heard me say,
you know, well, there's gaps in the parade. Why don't they just hire more police officers to fix the gaps? Or the kids run into the parade. Why don't they just hire more police officers to keep the kids out? I'd love to. I'd love to have I'd love to have the parade route, you know, not not elbow to elbow, but u
I I just don't have that luxury because we compete with other events at the same date and same time. Quite frankly, the advantage, and this this is one of the things that we talked about, is it's going to hopefully, we'll see, make it logistically easier for us
to cover the same distance parade in a smaller footprint with I don't want to say minimal staffing, but not having to have posts that are unfilled or or unattended
or filled with a civilian people. So I keep my fingers crossed that this same size length parade, same amount of float parade, maybe a change in spectator viewing location. Uh the the
allowance for late arrivals and hopefully your earlier departures with with the hope that we can cover this parade with the current staffing that we have and and feel a little bit more comfortable doing it. >> The fire chief is gone. I think I was
would ask is he still there? Justin, are you still there? I don't see him. Uh I was wondering if there is any similar argument pro or con on the fire department side in terms of the movement of their vehicles. You know, we we always seem to have some event. Speaking
for the chief, um they preposition their uh companies. I know one is stationed at the DPW. So the the pretty much the fire station house, I don't want to say is empty, but you've got the the the Chattam fire units that are in the parade. They continue west and usually
station at the police station at George Ryder at the end or they circle back to the lighthouse and respond to any emergencies there. Um it it in my opinion, we've discussed it with the fire department, this should not change their safety plan, their safety
footprint, their safety operations one bit. Okay. All right. Um well, I was um when Corey mentioned the 250th, I I you know, that that might bring more people into
town. Um that gives me some pause. Um I guess I'm somewhat maybe maybe what the chief just said kind of tips the argument in favor of approving this in my mind. But um I'll um entertain a motion if someone wants to offer one. I
I move to approve and just a comment. I am fairly ambivalent. I'm worried about the crowds changing. I think there's a bolus of folks from the Rotary on down, but um I'm willing I'm going to support the Independence Day uh uh committee. Um I appreciate Brian's comments and also
the comments from my select board compadres here about traditions. Um we've experimented before, if you will, made changes before and it's been successful. Let's see how this turns out. So anyway, I'm willing to I'm willing to be in favor of >> So you've offered a motion >> a motion to approve. Yeah. >> Um is there a second?
>> Second. >> Okay. I'll I'll call the uh no further discussion from the board. I'll call the role on that particular motion. Miss Davis, >> I'm not willing to make a decision right now. So I'm going to abstain. >> Okay. Mr. Dyken. >> I said I. >> Mr. Matters. I.
>> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. So it's 41. Okay, your third. And uh this is this the easy one, Chief. >> This should be the easy one. Um
again, and and this this is the easy one. I I think because this one doesn't require select board approval. Um but in keeping with Miss Davis statement, family family traditions, and I I want
the public to understand that I get it. I understand it. I've seen 32 uh Fourth of July parades. Uh I I know personally some of the people that this is going to affect. Uh they've called me, they've emailed me uh and expressed their
displeasure about this. Um but I've I've got some notes, but but again, I'm just going to skim them because I I think u the the recommendation speaks for itself. You know, we we've had uh parade
incidents. We've had vehicle ramming intrusions throughout the country. We've had three recently in the United States. And and to say that nothing ever happens here. One of the most recent one was in Grand Blanc, uh, Michigan, a small town of 7,500 people, not not much larger
than we are. Um, over the past several years, we focused on a a bunch of new safety precautions. Uh there probably isn't an event now, maybe a road race or two where we don't staff up an emergency operation center
consisting of police, fire, emergency management, DPW if needed. Uh town PIOS. We've uh introduced drone technology. Uh we implemented large commercial vehicles to act as barriers uh for the
first time last year. And as a matter of fact, that was met from what I heard with overwhelming support. and and people said, "Geez, why what took you so long to do that?" Or, "It's it's it's too bad that this is the world we live in." Um, we've increased the parking prohibitions in and around certain
events. Um, and and one of the things that I I I just really think is important is over the past several years, we've we've shopped out our operational plan uh to other police departments that are pretty much our same size or a little bit larger that have large parade events. And we we try
to look at each of these departments best practices. And at the end of the day, when we focus all or most of our efforts to keep the parade route closed to everybody except parade participants,
uh, and then we allow a small group of vehicles to remain in and on the parade route, every other police department that that reads that thinks that we're insane. Um,
and again, the most of that parade route is no parking except that small group of again, uh, it's traditionally been families who who sit in pickup trucks. And again, I I I get it. Um, I I I hear
where they're coming from, but I think there's some other vehicles that have evolved from that that aren't those families anymore and use that opportunity to use a different type of vehicle as a storage unit uh or or a view obstruction and some of the the
risks. I I'll just go over a couple of them. Again, these these are vehicles parked on a closed parade route. Um, these vehicles technically are allowed to be parked inside areas where we take robust measures to keep vehicles outside
of the parade area. Once the parade passes these vehicles, there's no measure in place to prevent these vehicles from driving into the parade, which if you've been at the end of the parade, is historically a pedestrian mall of people after the
parade. These vehicles have no uh no obstacle or they have the ability to to to just drive into these people or into this crowd of people. Once this parade passes, there's no measure uh in place to prevent these vehicles from driving into the exit
exiting crowd of spectators. And and again, what's troubling to me is these vehicles sit sometimes, you know, a day and a half in advance. They sit unchecked. They sit uninspected for long periods of time before the parade starts. It's not a topic I take lightly. Um, you
guys know me. I've been doing this for a while. Uh, I I take the safety of everybody in this town very seriously and I get it. Um, I've reached out. I don't want to make this an arbitrary police decision. Why? Because I can. Um, I've reached out for some support. The
parade committee uh supports this. The merchants association supports this. And just just like I came for you in front of you guys back in um in June u when I asked your support to close those beaches a little bit earlier. Um
we we've could have done that, but it it it it makes me feel better knowing that I have the the board support and the community support. And again, this is one of those ones where according to the traffic laws, the police can prohibit parking. Um, that's what I'm going to do
this year and I'd like to have your backing in. >> So, so your your intention is to have parking prohibited on either side of the street all along the parade route. That's >> July 4th, 2026. Parade route will be no
parking tow zone start to finish. >> Okay. Um, and I I I would assume the fire department is going to be happy with that, too, because that they'll be able to pass their vehicles, emergency vehicles, as as might be needed. Uh, any
questions or comments from the board. >> Shireen, >> Chief, I respect you and I will support you. >> Thank you. That that means a lot because I know we we have some of the same friends that that are going to be upset about this and and I appreciate that. Thank you, >> Cy. You took the words out of my mouth.
I have a lot of respect for the chief. I have a It's a very difficult conversation. There's a lot of history, a lot of traditions out there. Um, but I I you have my full support. Thank you, >> Ditto. Here, ma'am. This is the year to make the change, I guess. >> Here we go. >> I'm going to echo what my colleagues
said. I don't know if you want to hang around for public safety during the uh airport matter, Chief. Um, Steuart Smith. >> Yeah. Uh, thank you. I'm uh you know frequently
I think that we overuse uh the arguments for safety and security in order to reach a particular goal. Uh this is not one of them. the the parking of vehicles on Main Street in today's
day and age, all you have to do is turn on the television is an inherently bad idea in a very very challenging uh safety and security environment for the uh parade route. So, I'm going to uh support the uh change.
>> Okay. So, uh is there a motion? Mr. Dykins, do you want to offer a motion to endorse the U police department police chief? move to support the recommendation to prohibit parking along the entire parade route for the 2026 Independence Day parade. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Did Did you have a
comment? I I We won't take a vote yet. >> Brian Phillips, 374 Orleans Road. Like I said, I know how you guys already feel about this, which is very disappointing. Um, so I guess I, you know, the stated examples, the thing in Orleans, that was
some guy put a bunch of IEDs out there. And then the one that the chief brought up, it was recently was a mass shooting and an arson at a church. So I guess my uh question is to lieutenant or the chief is um if someone wants to attack
the parade, what does having those cars on the road have anything to do with it? Because if someone wants to attack, they're going to use a backpack bomb or put a bomb in a chair or be, you know, bring a gun in there. So, I don't understand why um if someone's going to
attack the parade that those cars being there has anything to do with it. >> Thank you, Brian. I'm I'm sorry, LT. I'll get this. I I I appreciate that, Brian. I think that uh you're right. I I hope all those examples that you give do not happen. Uh but I think the removal
of any vehicles on the parade route is a a step in the right direction of prevention. Okay. Um so I mean what what exactly are so you said it was you know what a bomb or people driving through and then people
using as a cooler was the main objections. To answer your question, I've seen uh a lot of those uh traditional family pickup truck vehicles evolve into
vehicles with uh just chairs and coolers and and and it's it's usually a roadside uh storage area and then the then the people come down the following morning and set their their >> I'm assuming adult beverages, right? Or is that
>> that's prohibited? >> That was okay. I was getting there with that. Um, all right. So, are coolers banned in general down there? >> Coolers are not banned. You could have water, soda, juice in the coolers, uh, but open containers of alcohol. That's
>> okay. So, the coolers and then the chairs are not banned down there. So, the only thing that's really coming up is a little bit of an obstruction of a view with these vehicles, right? Because all the other things are not banned. >> I disagree. I think it's a little bit more than that.
Okay. Um, and I was going through the uh, you know, vehicles are parked closed pray. I don't know why it's a big deal. Vehicles allowed parked inside areas where deployed security the measures prevent these vehicles from driving. Again, if someone's going to
make an attack, they're going to make an attack. I don't think it, you know, >> somebody Brian could get get in one of those cars and just drive out while the parade's going on. Somebody could be in in go in their car and drive into the parade while it's while it's in progress if they wanted
to. >> I agree that >> if you don't have the car there infinite like uh possibilities of like bad things that could happen. >> So, >> right. So, I mean it's kind of like we're getting rid of tradition over a bunch of superficial things. And then number five, it says these vehicles sit unchecked and uninspected for a long
period of time before the parade starts. But the first paragraph, it says, uh, Chattam police usually spend the early morning hours attempting to notify offending vehicles owners parked on the parade room. So, I mean, it says right here that you guys check out the cars.
What that means, Brian, is that we uh attempt to notify the vehicle owners that are not parked in the historically spaces that we have allowed in the past. We focus on all the other prohibited areas. Correct. >> Okay. Okay. But there's a police
presence going through those cars, right? You're going downtown, checking things out. >> Not usually on the vehicles that have been historically allowed to park there now. >> Okay. I mean, um, I did contact my friends that are here, uh, you know,
that use that parade. You know, um, Justin Sinto, his kid was sick, couldn't come in. You know, I talked, you know, some of the people I talked to, their kids have grown out of it, but they'll, you know, there's other people that their kids are going to be old enough to do this. Um, and again, I just think, you know,
>> Ryan, three minutes. Please wrap it up. >> Sorry, Dan. Wrap it up. >> I just think this is just a shame. And then on the other the other one, I just think it's just disappointing that we would throw a guy like Mark Giorgio under the bus and all the families that have done so much for this town. Thank you. >> Thank you, Brian. Yes, sir. Did you want
to speak? Please identify yourself. >> Um, can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Hi. Uh, James Conway, Chattam High, class of04. Uh, I had a whole big thing prepared to sort of, you know, sway
the emotions and, you know, appeal to tradition. And there's a lot about child safety, a lot of small children in the back of my pickup truck, and it kept them safe off the streets. And, um, uh, I understand now, I mean, I acknowledge the safety concerns. I think they are uh
very valid and it appears there not a whole lot we can do at this point. So I just want to um echo the chief's sentiments that it's um it's too bad this is the world we live in. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Any other public
comment? >> Okay, I'll bring it back to the board. We have a motion on the table. >> Sorry, I just wanted to touch on one more thing that chief missed on. A lot of people have come to him and come to us and the committee wanting the vehicles to be moved because of the obstruction. And I feel like you had said there's a lot of people that will
be moving to the area. This is also giving them more area to be able to be seated. Um if you've gone, you've all walked the route, you see how those vehicles, nobody behind them can see the parade. So this is also opening that up for them. So they've been supportive and reached out to the chief supporting this
ban of the parking. >> Thank you, Lieutenant. Okay, I'll call the role on Mr. Dykins motion seconded by Mr. Meadows. Miss Davis >> I >> Mr. Dykins I >> Mr. Meadows I >> Mr. Smith >> I >> and the chair votes I 5 to zero. Thank
you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you Mr. Dbor. Thank you. >> Thank you all chief. Thank you Lieutenant. >> Have a good night. >> Um the next item on the agenda is the FY 2027 budget review. This is the first um
department that we're looking at. 2026 annual town meeting articles review and vote for the department of natural resources. The FY2027 operating and capital budget review. And then we'll have uh three separate uh articles for
for consideration for town meeting. Capital article review and vote on dredging. Capital bond project article article review and vote on the bulkhead replacement at Barnhill Landing. Capital bond project article review and vote for the bulkhead and ramp replacement at
Writers Cove. So we have our finance director Carrie Mazero and the director of natural resources Greg Burman for a presentation. >> Carrie, you going first? >> Mr. Chair. Yep. Um, so tonight, like the chair said, um, we'll be going over the
FY2027 proposed budget for natural resources, which is presented at, um, 2.5 million, uh, an increase of 4.92% or $117,724
over the current fiscal year budget. The natural resources department is comprised of five divisions and three committees that have a budget line. Health and natural resources, conservation, harbor master, coastal resources, shellfish, south coast harbor
plan committee, shellfish advisory committee and waterways advisory committee and pleasant bay management assessment. The health division budget for 2027 is presented at 652,000. The conservation division is presented
at 441,000. The Pleasant Bay management assessment includes a budget of 69,000. The Harborm division is presented at 923,000. The coastal resources division is
presented at 157,000. The shellfish division for FY27 is presented at 265,000. And the three three committees, South Coast Harbor Plan Committee, Shellfish Advisory Committee, and Waterways Advisory Committee are all level funded
with a budget of $1,000 for FY2027. There are several um capital requests that are between 10 and 250,000. The requests are 50,000 for storm water management, 10,000 for conservation
lands management, navigation aids for $20,000, Mitchell River bridge maintenance for $45,000, and a request for $50,000 for the rehab of the harbor master office at this contingent on the vote uh for the CPC
because this was submitted to the uh community preservation committee and they vote on February 2nd. Um there is $50,000 for jack knife beach improvements, $10,000 for townlanding infrastructure improvements
and $60,000 for household hazardous waste collections and of course the three different separate potential warrant articles for 2027. Uh like Dean had mentioned, 400,000 for dredging, which is an annual um article
at town meeting. Um, and then there is $2 million for bulkhead replacement at Barnhill Landing. This would be a debt author authorization and a ballot question as well as 3.5 million for a bulkhead and ramp replacement at Ryder's
Cove. This is also a debt authorization and ballot question. Both of those do require two3irds vote at town meeting. and I am accompanied by Greg Burman, our natural resources director, to uh go
over a presentation with you. I'll pass it over to him. >> Okay. Thank you, Carrie. >> You're welcome. >> Great. Thank you, Carrie. So, my intention is just to to briefly go through and cover the differences between last year and this year. We'll
get into operating into capital and then the uh warrant articles at the end. So, as Carrie mentioned, um, our ask in fiscal year 27 is just over 2.5, which is an increase of just under 5%,
natural resources being about 3% of the overall town budget. Uh, most of that increase is staffing costs, mostly contractual wage and step increases for our 16 full-time and uh, part-time intermittent stipened and
seasonal employees. Um if you're looking at the difference, you know, some of these like the negatives, um our previous coastal resource director was a much higher step than our current employee. That's why we actually went down in that case. Uh
harbor master, we did increase some hours for assistant orers due to increased traffic at the fish pier, which we have documentation for and is listed in clear gov if you look in the uh specific uh note section in there. uh shellfish
went up slightly due to uh seasonal increases. Coastal resources did it well, but it's kind of overshadowed by the negative. And then for expenses, the the things versus the people in coastal resources, we went up slightly. Most of that is
continuing education. Uh Katherine Ricks is a professional engineer. We'd like to keep her that way. conservation. We'd like the increase for shark bleed kits, which were not previously included for North Beach. Harbor Master is very little difference, but that's mostly
because we're reallocating certain funds. We're reducing the trap dock and moving that over into Fish Pier for maintenance just due to previous year's expenditures. For health, we have a slight increase in professional services for a well replacement. And then Shellfish actually had a reduction due
to uh fuel expenditures over the past couple of years. for the departmental but non-division budgets. Uh as Carrie mentioned, there's no change in any of the committee support at a thousand and a slight increase to the Pleasant Bay management which is part of the four town
agreement. Um so we have the opportunity to go into the digital budget book. Uh before I do that, I'll just kind of go into the capital requests and then if you like, we can deep dive in any specific thing in the digital budget book if you like.
So that the jack knife beach improvements. This is to implement some of the um items in the master plan um also which can be used for a match for a grant that we plan to apply for in this current CCM round for the implementation
of the living shoreline at Jack Knife. uh town landing infrastructure and conversation land maintenance. These are kind of standing items that happen every year. Uh happy to get into what those are used for. You know, town landing infrastructure improvements,
those are for the things that don't rise to the level of needing a wolf withdrawal or a separate article. Mitchell River bridge maintenance. Again, that's an annual request meant to keep a relatively large capital kitty,
if you will, in case something big breaks because it doesn't happen often, but that bridge is very expensive to maintain and bring people into repair. Navigation aids is another standing request at 20,000. Uh something new this
year is the exterior rehab of the harbor master office at Oakville Boatyard. Uh we did put in an additional request at CPT CPC to supplement this. The idea is to get um a designer on board to kind of
bring back the way it should look working with the historical commission and at the same time you know this first step is to go through the uh uh stairs and decking and then for the second ass which would go to CPC next year would be
the full exterior refit. So we were coming forward with stairs and decking anyway. We want to do it the right way to make it match any kind of historical design uh that we can incorporate into the structure. Storm water is another annual ask. Uh something new you may not
have seen in capital before is household hazardous waste collections. Uh many years ago that was really in the operating budget and then last year and a little bit of the year before uh it was supported by ARPA funds that came through Barnstable County. uh those have dried up so we're putting it at a
capital request that you know hopefully won't see as many overruns and we can this is one where we don't know how much it's going to cost until after the hazardous waste collection so there's a lot of uncertainty it has gone up significantly over the years through the
Barnstable County contract but it's certainly better than having those chemicals in our environment and in our water supply >> Jeff Greg I just just just go down the just a little bit. I thought we had I could be wrong, but I thought we had some kind of a grant for Jack Knife
Beach improvements. Did we not have? >> We do. We We have, I believe, uh uh one or even two CPC articles for Jack Knife, but in order to meet the match requirements and some of the uh those are a little bit older CPC requests and
expenses have gone up over time. So this is to this is to do our to to fund our our our our piece of the match if you will to to get >> think >> even apply for grant funds. Yeah, we have to have these set aside >> or or >> it's much better to have them in hand.
You can say that you're planning to apply for them, but if we can say that we have them, so much the better. and you know showing that it has been brought forth at an upcoming town meeting. Usually, you know, u grant funding agencies are receptive to
that >> storm water management. Anything there um with respect to the dyke or the the the gate there at all or I don't mean to get us a stray here, but where where are
we with with that and what would we use these funds for the storm water management fund? >> Sure. So storm water management uh a lot of that actually goes to the mutment program uh to keep dog waste out of the storm water. >> Gotcha. >> Uh other portions are to bring us up to
compliance with our MS4 program >> and uh that has not been insignificant the last couple of years. We're kind of getting back on track now. Uh but it it's a substantial amount of work uh documenting outfalls, potential um uh
sources of pollution that could get into the storm water surface water systems. U but you were talking about the tide gate over at Morris Island. >> So that was uh previously funded um in uh I'm trying to remember I think it was
a couple of fiscal years. It was 25,000 one fiscal year and then another 100,000. We were using the 25 to try to get MVP grant for the full amount. Yeah. >> We did not get it. So we came back um last year to get the full amount. We have a contract in place with
Sustainable Coastal Solutions. Uh first step was having a structural engineer go out and make sure that the culvert itself wasn't going to fall apart in the next year or two. uh they've given us three to five years before we need to do some kind of substantial repair to it.
So during this time, you know, we're having sustainable look at all the things we're going to do in that grant which was um should it be a culvert, should it be a bridge, should it be a tie gate, should it be what size should it be? >> Is this something that you know harbor
master is going to go out during certain events? And if so, what are the triggers for actually putting those gates down? Should it be blocking water before the tide comes in? There. There's a lot of things that we're looking at with it. And then trying to incorporate that into really the Morris Island road stretch
right there that's fairly lowlying to see if there's any improvements we can do without making things worse for adjacent private properties. >> Sorry, I got a couple follow-ups. Anything on the herring herring run over in Still Water on Ryder's Cove? Any any culverts planned there or any >> Yep. Yep. Certainly planned. So, that's
one of the excuse me, six projects that are partially funded by the NRCS program working with the Cape Cod Conservation District. Um, so that one is I'm trying to think this this one has a
contract with PAR. Um, that is looking at a redesign of that. Um, it has gone slower than we wanted to. uh initial costs came in significantly higher than we thought we would when we went through the RFP. Uh that said, you
know, the partners within the project uh specifically uh division of marine fisheries started taking on some of the work themselves. They actually wrote the fish passage report >> in order to reduce the cost. So I I think we're getting back within the budget that NRCS was going to cover. Um,
but yes, we're still at the design permit phase, which is unfortunate, but we are going quickly because there is some funds that's going that are going to expire. So, construction, you know, we we have a stop time for that that we're very much aware of.
>> And I apologize in advance, but do we do we spend the $45,000 in the maintenance of the bridge every single year or or or we building up a kitty when it really really breaks? >> The second. Yeah. So, it's not that much spent every year. It's just one of these
years it could potentially be hundreds of thousands. So that's what we're kind of building against. >> Shireen, >> thanks Dean. Uh Greg on the town landing infrastructure improvements. That's a annual 10,000 ask. Is that >> correct? And so, uh, that's where you go
out and you look to see that. I mean, the CR question was asked, you know, we looked at, you know, why wasn't this inspected on the, uh, Barnhill project, but you are out there looking at needs and assessing um, just give me a scenario.
>> Absolutely. So, it it's not going to replace a bulkhead, but what it can do is uh one of the examples um um I blanked on the name of one of the landings uh a landing over at Goose Pond >> um
>> Goose Pond Land. >> Yep. Yep. So, we uh uh observed surface runoff in that area. So, we worked with DPW. Um they provided the uh labor and equipment and we provided the construction materials through the the
town landing infrastructure uh program and we're able to put in a few trench drains. That's not the only place we've done that in town with surface water. It's a way to try to break up that water before it comes down and gets over the edge which can scour the coastal bank
and bring you know nutrients into areas especially you know not Goose Pond but some of the other ones that have shellfish in the area to try to reduce that. >> Thanks. >> Sure. >> Okay. Did you want to go into Go ahead. >> I'm sorry. So at at this point I could
kind of deep dive in the digital budget book or I could move on to kind of a um uh large water infrastructure projects and three articles if you like. >> Before you get into the articles, I don't know if the board wants to go into the digital budget book. I I just had a
couple of questions regarding the memo, but what would you like to do next? What do you want to go into the articles? >> I think the articles are VIP. >> Yeah. I mean this first part of it isformational to us. We're not taking any votes on your um on your operating or capital budgets tonight. The only
votes would be on the articles in the cover memo. It's from uh Jill and Carrie. So, but I think probably it's better addressed to you. The health division budget. Um it says um there is um an increase for professional
consulting expenses for a well replacement. What well is that? Uh so this is actually a groundwater sampling well. It's not to you know bring water to the public. Okay. It's purely for uh uh testing
>> you know not not even for PAS but for a variety of okay >> potential environmental concerns. >> The the Pleasant Bay management assessment I assume that is set by the steering committee or whatever it's called of Pleasant Bay of which we're a
part of. Is what what is the basis? Is there a formula they use to assess to the >> There's actually a a contract gets put in place with the coordinator and that has built-in escalation over the term of
that contract. >> Okay. And um the last question I had on the herring award and there is a stipend I would imagine that's rather small but do you know what it is off hand or carry? Do you know what it is? >> It's either 1,00 or 1,500. I think we
raised it to 1500 last year. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. That's all I had. Why don't we proceed to the unless there's any com public comment on the operating or capital budgets, we'll go to the articles that you have proposed. There are three.
>> Sure. >> Okay. So, um, it's actually my intention, um, to have DNR staff bring all five of these kind of major waterfront infrastructure projects onto
the town web page as separate projects. Right now, we have our 90 bridge, but the rest will be coming well before town meeting, and we're going to have timelines, budget, funding sources, all those sorts of things on there, kind of in the same vein as 90 Bridge.
Uh so these are are really the five big ones uh coming up and in this slide you may not be able to read everything. I'll try to cover some of it. On the left hand side of this slide is where money comes from where our primary funding sources are. Over on the right side are
some of the outside funding sources that we've been able to identify and bring to the town to defay those costs. So that first bullet over on the left where it says uh annual town meeting article 21 2017, we often call that the uh
waterfront bond or the original waterfront bond. Right now there's about uh 2.2 million left in there. Uh that's not yet accounting for the contract with ACK for the walkway that I brought forward u I
think just earlier this month. Then the special town meeting article one in 2024. That was the 4 million article specifically for 90 bridge. That 2017 article was for a variety of projects including all five of the ones below.
Then we have a waterways user fee revolving fund. Right now there's about 1.4 million left in that fund. And I I do want to just say how useful this fund has been over time. Um specifically the for three of these
projects, the Little Mill Pond Pier, Ryder's Cove, and Barnhill. We've used this to instigate these projects instead of having to wait for town meeting that we could do design and permitting and then bring you know decent estimates to annual town meeting for these overall
larger projects. Uh and then you know the the highlighted number you know over $4.5 million in funding sources brought almost entirely for 90 bridge but there was some for Little Mil Pond Pier 2. You know your
town staff will be looking for similar funding sources for these other projects once we wrap up 90 bridge. Speaking of 90 bridge, this is kind of the same format I've presented uh over the last couple of years. You know, there not to get too far into the
numbers right now, but I did want to mention, you know, in last year's numbers, um we're about 2 million less than we thought it was going to cost as far as town funds. A slight reduction in overall cost, but the the share coming from town has gone down mostly due to
the grants that the town has received in the last couple of years. And just a quick update on 90 bridge progress. You know, the the bulkhead's been installed. The peers um are under construction. The pilings are in place.
And uh if you look over on the left side, that concrete sill where that crane is located, that's actually where the boat house is going to rest. We're finishing up uh the decking, and then the boat house has gone through the canal, which I'm sure everyone in town
knows by now. Uh it's in New Bedford getting its final prep and we'll be coming back to Cadam hopefully late February, potentially early March depending on weather and we can get started on the last phase of the project >> with the Mil Pond piece.
>> Can I I I just for a second um I I just want to it's kind of off topic but it is about 90 bridge. I get a phone call from the chair of the shellfish advisory committee who thinks that we should do a welcoming uh celebration when uh when 90 br uh when the uh when when the building
comes through stage harbor and I think we should plan for that. >> Okay, great idea. >> Thank you. Thank you Sean. >> Oh certainly we'll we'll get in touch with u uh Shauna for our communications and plan. We've had some initial conversations about that, but nothing's
been formalized yet. But we are getting closer. It's catching up to us. And you know, 90 Bridge isn't one of the three articles, but I did want to bring up the overall major waterfront projects at the same time as these articles. Just letting people know, you know, that money is being spent on some of these
other things and where it's coming from. Little Mill Pond Pier. This is one that in last annual town meeting 500,000 was uh approved uh through the uh community preservation act funds. So I don't think anyone really questions the need that
this pier is too low. Um and um the pilings themselves have seen significant deterioration. So this is uh what we're doing right now is the design and permit phase. Several design options have been brought to the waterway water related committees and so we're doing some final
tweaking on the final design going through permitting. Um we're actually going to raise a portion of the uh asphalt parking area because we can't just raise the pier. We need to raise the way to get to the pier. We have been able to identify some funding again from
NRCS incorporating that into a storm water project to defay the cost of that you know increase in resilience for sea level rise kind of a win-win where we're doing uh storm water and sea level rise uh resilience at the same time mostly
funded for by NRCS which is even better. uh the Fishpier walkway which is what I brought before uh this select board fairly recently. Uh this is intended to be sourced from the 2017 the original waterfront bond and uh ACK has been
awarded the contract. I think it's this Friday we're having a kickoff meeting and you know we want to get moving on this quickly. hopefully middle of April, definitely by the middle of May, it should be finished in order to make sure that it's not going to impact operations
at the Fish Pier. So, our last two, uh, Barnhill, this is one um that has seen significant deterioration. Um, some of it has to do with the type of metal that was used many years ago. Uh, but all of these
projects were listed in 2017, right? And so I mean for 10 years the town has been intending to do these projects. Other things may have risen to the surface kind of ahead of the line. Uh and in fact Barnhill we had intended to bring that to a town meeting after we came for
writers but the assessment we did by GEI kind of rose it uh jumped it ahead of the line if you will. So we we really need to get this addressed. This is one that another great thing about the wolf is that kind of not immediate but very
rapid source of money that we're able to identify funds to do that temporary repair. So for a while we had to close that entire red area of the uh wararf. Since we did the repair we were able to open up an area so at least one truck at
a time can do offloading and loading in that area. Uh right now we have it listed as a $2 million project. We're still working with the engineer to get the exact number, making sure we have enough contingency. Um, I'm still a little worried that 20% may not be
enough contingency because we've seen projects go fairly high. So, we may be tweaking that number a little higher just to make sure that we don't have to come back to town meeting and delay the project further and not have the bulkhead uh feasible. So, I'm I'm happy to kind of finish off with writers. We
could stop this one if you like. >> Well, the question is about Barn Hill. So, You're you're going to be asking uh tonight for a vote to place the article and recommend the article on the warrant as uh uh you also looking for a ballot question vote tonight as well.
>> Yes, if the board's comfortable with that. >> Okay. Um so I'll open it for comment and we did have a question during the public comment period public announcement period relative to how we got here. So if you want to address that too. Jeeoff. >> Just a couple questions. Thank you. Uh
Dean, um the type of metal that we did use, when did you know how long ago did we put that bulkhead in? And I know it's steel, but was it bad steel? Is it better steel than that steel? And let's let's make sure we don't make the same mistake again. Number one. Number two, um this is going to sound stupid, but is
are there any other types of materials we could use other than steel? Because steel and salt water don't mix. >> Yeah, absolutely. So, these are going to have to be ballpark numbers. Can we go from memory now? I believe some of the bulkhead was replaced in the 80s. That
steel was not as high a quality. I can't tell you the exact type it was. Uh but you know, honestly, the original steel is degraded also, so it's all kind of falling apart at the same time. We probably wouldn't have been able to extend the life of one spot versus
another. And we have been replacing uh most of these bulkheads and installing new bulkheads with FRP. So that that plastic style reinforced um um and if you look at 90 bridge uh that that's an FRP material so that doesn't degrade the
way metal does. >> Is that what you're going to be proposing for for this? >> Very likely. Yes. Yeah. I'd be very surprised if we didn't wind up with FRP and we're we're looking at that at Little Pond Pier as well. >> So is it safe to say I want the voters to know that this is a big item. This is
a critical item in my mind and you guys have raised it up to be the number one priority along the waterfront and I would agree but um so that particular structure has been in place we think for 45 or 50 years since the 80s. >> I may have to def I think we I think we
want to know because it's not as though you know that's a long time for steel to to to sit in salt water. I'll tell you right now plus plus we have a high tides are higher there. I mean, I can tell you right now, tides are high at Ryder's Cove. It it overflows that cap lock all the time. Not all the time, but high
course tide. There's there's salt water in the parking lot there, and that entire structure is underwater. So, anyway, any other material we would use, I would love to hear about it, and I think we ought to invest in it. Um, I guess those are my comments, but I'm This is a huge priority for the town.
Huge priority. >> Yeah, I I totally hear you and agree. We we are looking at FRP. In addition to that, we with with any of our waterfront infrastructure projects, we look to resilience. So adapting to sea level rise, we want to make sure that we're
not just looking for current, we're looking for the future. And you know, we can't go too high at once, but we want to make sure whatever we do is adaptable, that we can increment higher as time passes. >> Corey and then Stuart. >> Thank you. So, Greg, I just want to make sure we're putting the right picture out
there because some of these projects we've had on our radar for for years. This is not like last year like, oh, this really is bad. Like, we have been intending to do these projects and unfortunately certain things kind of jump the line and you know, grant opportunities come up and whatever
happens that kind of shuffle that around. But, we've had full intention of doing this. When was the last assessment on our projects to make sure things are still in the right queue or if there's anything that needs to be more prioritized? When was that la last done?
So, that is looked at by the waterways advisory committee on a fairly regular basis. Um, our coastal resilience director brings all the projects to them on a monthly basis and, you know, goes through town staff's idea of what should
be first, listens to what they have to say about what their thoughts of priority are. And, you know, some of this, like the assessment at Barnhill, that was fairly clear and um, unanimous, if you will, that it it, you know, jumped the line of several of the
others. Um there's some other projects that certain members of committees want on the list ahead of others and you know it it doesn't rise to the level of the entire committee thinking that at the time. So we we are hearing um a lot of
this is trying to get through this if you will backlog. I mean even in 2017 I think it was called a backlog of these projects and you know we we have a fairly rapid aggressive timeline to get through them now. Um but you know once
we get through these we'll be able to get on a more regular maintenance schedule instead of having so many projects at once. >> Okay. And also too we I think it's important to recognize that I mean these projects are not inexpensive. There's a high dollar price items, but we have
been extremely fortunate with grants. Extremely fortunate. Seapport economic grants. I don't I've lost count of, you know, the over the years. We have been very lucky and very fortunate to get the funding we've we've received. So, and and I would assume we would continue to
put ourselves out there to to gain those opportunities. So, >> absolutely, we've expressed our gratitude to all those granting agencies. >> Great. It sounds like the the the assessment process is continuous. It's a continuous assessment process. Uh
Jason Holm, our harbor master, you wanted to say something and then I'm going to turn to Stuart. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh yes, I just wanted to to try to help clear up some of the questions that was brought up on this project, but speak to the general overall town landings in general. uh some changes over the past year, year
and a half uh that's gone to to try to prevent things like this from happening is that uh Katherine Ricks has developed as Greg alluded to basically a spreadsheet that outlines all the town landings and all the projects and their statuses. Uh the three of us sat down probably six months ago and went through
and listed every single town landing project and where we're at with this u every meeting between the working waterfront advisory committee and the waterways advisory committee that is updated and brought to them um for their input and for their awareness as well. Um and I think as a result that's
helping us as a department overall plan for these things a little bit ahead of time. with Barnhill in particular, that bulkhead to the south uh from my memory was not coated whenever it was put in. That was put in at a different time frame and so it deteriorated quicker than the the front-facing bulkhead which
was older. Uh coincidentally, they both have deteriorated basically at the same rate. So whenever we got the results back from GI, obviously it looks bad. Didn't know the extent until we got that back. And as soon as we did get those results back, that's what jumped that priority. So, as as Greg alluded to,
these have been on the books since 2017, just in different priority orders. And as soon as we got that, that's what predicated that jump in status. So, um appreciate the work that Greg and Catherine's done. I think they've done a lot to help kind of get these in a concise uh and transparent u format for
the public to be able to look at and to see what is next on the town's agenda as far as improving our waterway access. >> Thank you, Jason. Stuart, you have your hand up. >> Yes. Thank you, Dean. Um the just to get back to I think Jeff's
question uh about the the age um though the Barnhill, Ryder's Cove, Little Mill Pond were all done in the 81, 82, and 83. So they're uh they're old uh through the CFIP grant program uh in conjunction
with the state. So um you know 45 years for a relatively uh you know unprotected during installation um uh to negate um electrolysis is is
actually pretty good pretty good amount of years I think we got our money's worth um and yes uh you know these priorities as to which project goes first second and third you know frequently change on on the conditions
that are assessed at the time or the other priorities. Uh so, um I'm glad we're going to be addressing uh these two very needed projects. I would caution uh I heard earlier that uh
you were considering the Little Mill Pond Pier. Um, obviously it is old and uh timber and um my recollection is it's uh you know it's pretty well deteriorated. Um it's in a fairly stable
environment. Um but you talked about raising did I hear you talk about raising the pier? >> Yeah, I don't have the plans in front of me right now and they have been fully designed but there would be a a slight increase. We're not talking five feet.
We're probably talking one to two feet. So, you know, I I can recall some some pitched arguments and battles over uh over raising and uh uh or not raising some of these structures that we've
replaced over the past uh eight or 10 years. And one thing to keep in mind I think is very important um is you know every inch you raise these structures is another inch or 6 in or
whatever um that fishermen and people who work around the waterfront have to throw their gear up out of their boats. Um sometimes there's, you know, we have Davids, we have shelves that we can we
can use to uh help mitigate that. But um raising uh working, we'll call it working water frontiers and structures and bulkheads is not always the best practice because
it just makes uh these um these structures more difficult to work out of. Uh so you know when we were replacing the bulkhead at the south jog at the fish beer that was that was a long tenuous back and forth uh amongst
staff um I was advocating not raising it to uh the level that uh some were proposing uh and we kind of compromised on um something in between because it just made it far more difficult for fishermen to to work out of the
structure if we're so when we look at sea level rise obviously a real thing. Um we often and I know you do uh Jason and and Greg look at that these structures may have to um be able to go underwater and that's just
a part of uh a part of the price of doing business on the water and um um so something to think about. Um the I wanted to get back because I I kind of missed um my opportunity earlier, but
the bridge uh maintenance for $45,000. Um and yes, um I think you're still continuing with this that we kind of put money into this bridge account in order to uh address any major failures uh down
the road. Um, now the bridge isn't that old, so hopefully we don't have that. But, uh, when there is a failure, it tends to be extremely expensive with this new bridge. Um, and I'm talking about, uh, the hydraulics and the
electric motors primarily. Um, so do you know or what kind of um maintenance is planned for the 45,000 or and I noticed the original ask was
maybe 75 and it was reduced to 45. Uh what aren't we doing now that we should be doing uh with that reduction? >> Thanks Stuart. This is Jason. Um, so part of that was that we have the Breen mechanic hired on staff now that can
handle uh some of the maintenance that was farmed out before. Um, we recently had a bridge inspection to where uh Jackson was able to accompany the inspecting company and go through uh which components needed uh routine maintenance, which ones needed uh
annual, quarterly, etc. and we're currently putting together a plan for this coming year as far as what items are in need of uh of maintenance and which ones that we need to start planning for for the future. So, that's kind of where we're at right now is actually fortunate timing to be able to
have them accompanying those because, as you know, there's there's not an off-the-shelf expert that you can just call that specializes in that particular bridge. Um it kind of takes a uh you know, some experience in farming out individual uh competencies there. So, >> yeah. Great. No, thank you. And I that's
um um and we're still building up that account in case there's some catastrophic uh failure. Is that the theory? >> Correct. We we have reduced it from the higher amount, but you know that there's still more going in than going out by
far. >> Yeah. Okay, great. No, that's u that's that's good news. and um tell Jackson good luck with the six volumes and two totefuls of uh manuals that go with that bridge. Um
the the town landing uh monies I obviously I know what that is. That's $10,000 now. That's a fairly I mean that's been recurring for well over a decade. Um and I
wholeheartedly support it. Um, but I question is is there any thought about melding that into the operating budget or or is is uh is this just going to keep reoccurring in the capital because we
don't put it in the operating? So that that's another one kind of a little bit similar to the bridge where there may not be a lot of damage to landings in a given year, but when a storm hits, you know, it's nice to have a little bit of a buildup. So the the
10K a year, I think this year we spent maybe four to 6,000 out of that account. I don't think as much has been spent in some previous years. Uh but there is still a lot of improvements that can be done at the
town landings and you know that that's what we're looking for. Our harbor master coastal resilience director and myself have really taken an eye of the landings and and see what we can uh beef up. >> Yeah. And and I um just just to be just
to be clear, I don't question the amount, you know, the $10,000 need. I I frankly think it's probably not enough. Um, but I'm just wondering is is it more appropriate to put those reoccurring costs in the operating budget or is
there some other theory? >> Uh, so Stuart, this is Carrie. Uh, >> okay. >> Putting it into the operating budget, if it's unspent, it would just uh close out at the end of the year. And um, putting it into the capital, it we can roll over
the funds year after year. So, if there's if we use if it's a $10,000 request and we use $6,000, then the $4,000 we can carry forward. If it was put into the operating budget, we can't carry over the additional $4,000. Does that make sense?
>> It does. And and that's fine. I guess that's just where it'll live because of just what you said. And um >> yeah, >> I know that some I know that sometimes, you know, other agencies getting get uh are uncomfortable with reoccurring costs
in uh that are not in the operating. But I get it. I get it. >> I mean, the >> if we didn't need more than uh if we needed additional funds, so there's $10,000 each year put into a capital
request. If we have 10,000 one year, 10,000 another, then we have 20,000. If we have something that comes forward that's, you know, more money than we have it available, if we put it into the operating budget and we don't put $20,000 in there, we wouldn't have it available,
>> right? And the rationale in my mind too is that storm damage is so intermittent that, you know, one year you come out pretty clean, another year you're going to have twice the damage. So having a a bank like this is >> the theory. And the and the waterways user fund kind
of serves the same purpose in that it's a I mean it's been a helpful fund. >> Yes, that's correct. >> That that's good. I took a tremendous amount of grief over that. So, I just wanted to to make sure you liked it. Um
and the $50,000 in storm water management. Um I I heard some of what you were saying but it was kind of broken up. Uh is there any have you ever given that any thought as to whether that is a more
appropriate activity and expense under DPW or uh are you comfortable with it here? It seems like this uh in other communities doesn't exist in in a natural resource or harbor master budget. that exists in a DPW type
budget. >> Yeah, some other communities do have DPW kind of leading their MS4, but um uh DPW director Rob Valley and myself have have kind of divvied it up a bit that he deals with the infrastructure and on the
ground and I deal with the environmental reporting aspect of it. So a big chunk of the MS4 is this analysis, reporting and inspection work that you know it just just considering the uh educational
outreach, the reduction of dog waste and leaf litter into our water bodies. I think that's kind of where that fell into the natural resource wheelhouse. Other towns do put it in DPW, but it seems to be working pretty well for us.
the um given some of the bad news we're getting from the the state on dredging uh funds being maybe not as readily available, if at all. Um is the is the $400,000
um enough uh to address our dredging needs? Um I know you have funds in the d existing in the dredging account, but is this going to be sufficient? I always get nervous that we're we're not uh we're going to be caught short and we're
going to have boats around all over the place. >> So, I'm I'm happy to cover that now, but I don't know if you want to keep each article separate, but whatever. >> Well, it doesn't doesn't matter to me. It was brought up early earlier in the conversation. So, it doesn't matter.
>> Stuart, this is the dredging is one of the the three articles, capital articles. So uh maybe we should maybe we should comp complete we can defer the defer the votes until the end of the three presentations but maybe we should complete the discussion of Barnhill.
Um there's if there's no more comment from the board. >> Well I'm I'm not actually finished with I didn't get an opportunity at the beginning of the uh presentation. He asked for questions. I had a couple >> you're talking about the operating budget Stuart. >> Yes sir.
>> Go ahead. Proceed. So, um, one of the challenges, uh, Greg, and I'm kind of preaching to a lot of people realize this, but a lot the challenges to seasonal employees is that we uh, at
least in the natural resource arena, pay them wolf wolffully inadequate. Um and um I I want I'd like to know whether this budget is going to begin to uh
correct uh that problem. >> So that there has been an increase in some of our seasonal salaries. Um probably the most glaring one was our town landing officer. Um it was very difficult to recruit and maintain new
town landing officers. So, that did increase. Uh, some of our shellfish did increase and there was kind of an across the board for our seasonals that came up. Um, I'm trying to think if there's anything specific. I mean, we can
>> some of our other groups haven't had as hard a time recruiting. I mean, I think a lot of that has to do with the good reputation that not to u but the the harbor master has, you know, done pretty well with seasonals
over the years and maintaining the ones they have. Um, that's not saying that, you know, everybody isn't worth more than they're making, but it's uh um it's got to be competitive with with adjacent communities.
>> Hi, Stuart. It's Carrie again. Um, so all of the seasonal salaries have been increased and um, since I've been here, they all get an increase annually. Um, and they get the same percentage as everybody else as a cola. So this year
it was 2%. Um, and there were several other um, seasonal employees that were increased based on the information that we received last year. Um, so like Greg said, the town landing officer was increased. Um there was a couple of
shellfish um uh divisions that were increased but everybody was increased substant some were increased substantially to get the qualified help that we need and for people to apply for the positions. So I
hope that answers the question. >> Uh yeah, and I'm I appreciate that. I think that um and and I mentioned this in a conversation I had with Jill several months ago that uh in in kind of preliminary talks on the budget that the
seasonal wage scale uh for seasonal employees in general but I'm more in tune with the natural resource end are woefully inadequate and 2% is simply you
know taking advantage of people who uh have worked for years um in these positions and uh I I I think we can do a lot better. It is a it's a it's a minuscule amount of money
compared to a $60 million budget, but it's a huge benefit. We typically try to hire local uh local citizens within these these ranks, which I think helps with the public relation aspect of of
the job. Um, and I can tell you that um, we are not com we are not comparable at all like we weren't for Lighthouse speech uh, when we had that discussion earlier this year uh, earlier uh, this past summer um, with with communities
not that maybe neighbor our communities but that are like communities in the environment that they're expected to work and operate in. And um so uh while I while I recognize uh that they they
get a annual increase like everyone else um that isn't at all in the ballpark of what I am thinking and um I think we can do better. We when we when we hired the community service officers, they
immediately started at um at five $6 more an hour than people who had worked in the natural resource department for uh several decades. You know, that doesn't send a very good message. Um and
I think we can do better. So, I I' I'd appreciate if we could uh take a second look at that and and look at other communities that maybe aren't right next door, but do a similar job and that they're out there. They're just not in
the immediate vicinity. Thank you. >> Is that it, Ste? >> One last thing. Um the Pleasant I think you asked Dean uh the Pleasant Bay management um line item
>> is is gone up uh if I'm reading this wrong you just let me know uh nearly 10%. Is that is that simply due to a contractual uh obligation in this
increase each year? >> You know St. I may have to get back to you on that. I think that's more than just the contractor. I think that may have to do with the watershed permit for Pleasant Bay. I think they're doing some additional analysis, but I don't have
that in front of me right now. >> Yeah, that's fine. That's fine. Um I'm I'm uh I would have sent you an email earlier, but I'm too far away. the um and regarding that contract for the Pleasant Bay Alliance, it seems as
though we've had the same consultants for almost the entire uh longevity of that of of this Pleasant Bay Alliance. And I'm wondering what the process is to solicit, you know, uh competitive uh
bids for that. Is that an RFP? I'm I'm not even sure that the town of Chadam is respons we contribute financially but I don't think we actually do that. I think it's some other maybe it's the Pleasant Alliance itself but um is it an RFP or
uh I don't know what the process is. >> It it is an RFP and it's run through the town of Chadam. So natural resource takes the lead on the procurement with input from the pleasantbased steering committee. >> I got you. Okay. Um All right. All right. Well, those are my questions at
the moment for the operating. Thank you. >> Thank you, Stuart. So, why don't we complete the discussion if there is any left on the bulkhead for bulkhead replacement for Barnhill Landing? And if there isn't any, we'll go on to Why don't you do the dredging article next and then the writers go?
>> Sure thing. >> Then we'll take votes. >> Uh, next. Coastal resource dredging. This is a $400,000 warrant article used through Town Levy. Over on the right hand side, you can see the last dredging we did in town was over at Mil Creek.
This was back in May of 2025. Uh we were able to kind of pierce that lobe of sand, allowing additional flushing through there. The next uh projected dredging is planned for Anyia's Cove over on the left hand side there. It's
the Mooring Basin adjacent to Turn Island. Um town staff has uh put a contract out and I believe uh the contractor RBO has already removed 20 of those moorings that were going to be in the way of the dredging. We anticipate
having our dredge permit hopefully by the end of this week or early next week at which point uh Barnstable County is anticipated to come in in February and uh start this dredging placement predominantly on Turn Island uh right
over there. And you know, if they have time or we have uh time of year restrictions that aren't affecting us, uh if they can hit a little bit more of Mil Creek on the way back, uh we wouldn't mind that either. So, when we're talking about the overall funding,
you know, right now, ballpark, I I should have this as a number for you, but I think it's right around a million sitting in the capital account for dredging. You know, we haven't had that dredge permit. That's why it's been hard to spend the money. Uh, in addition to that, we have had good luck with the
state dredge grants. With the one for Mil Creek, that was half of that funding paid for by the state. And we do still have half of the funding for Ant Lady's Cove paid for by the state. So, as far as we know, those might be the last ones coming.
>> Um, so right now, we're still anticipating a 400k request. you know, if if the state starts ramping up their dredge program or if dredging needs increase or if there's just so many
uncertainties with that, not the least of which is the Bar County dredge program has kind of a sliding scale for increased rates over the next few years. So, we need to incorporate that especially if we're paying the full bill ourselves. So this is the annual article that we've
had for a number of years and this amount. Shireen >> um just as a note and this is for the select board is uh um at the Mass Municipal Association Lieutenant Governor was uh with the select board association for a lunchon and I did uh
appeal to to them about the dredging. We talked about our waterways or our infrastructure. She had said that you know in their bigger budget they were looking to carve out some more infrastructure money and I wanted to reiterate that you know we've had so
many crant grants to build our our waterfront infrastructure and the fact that if we don't have dredging you know we've built something where people can't come to. So we just sort of honed it in a little as a group to just drive that point home. I don't know where it's
going to go, but she's heard us and our letters. She, you know, the the state has received our letters, the letters from the county and whatnot. It's really an important program that cannot go away. >> Thank you for that report. Um, any questions or comments on dredging? I
thought I saw someone who wanted to speak. There he is. Brian >> Brian Phillips, 374 Road. I said a question from the last time we're talking about judging. Um, what effects does dredging have on the local, you know, ecosystems or, you know, shellfish
or, you know, critters, crabs, whatever, seaweed that's down there. Thanks. >> Sure. So, um, as part of our 10-year permit, which it's called that because it's supposed to last for 10 years, it's not supposed to take that long to get
it. We we do cover most if not all the potential ecological um vulnerabilities of these species. So if it's near eelgrass, you can't do it. If it's near a piping clover during the wrong time of
year, we call it time of year restriction or a toy. You know, we have a lot of restrictions on when those toys are. There's toys for horseshoe crabs, for clovers, there's a new one for red knots. So part of it is avoidance is not
doing the dredging at a time when that particular species is there. Same thing for winter flounder. Um we'll have exclusionary silk curtains to make sure that we winter flounder aren't impacted by any inwater work. Um but that's part of the permitting process to to make
sure that all those are accounted for. >> Stuart. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you Dean. Um, Greg, um, thank you for your presentation. It's it's, uh, I think it's really informative. The one thing I I wanted to ask and maybe you had
touched on it, but the area uh, permit almost hate to ask, but the area permit for Chattam Harour uh, running from, you know, the area of Ministers Point South towards uh, sort uh, towards Holloway Street. Um,
do do we have a status on that? Um, has that been has that still being pursued? >> You mean for the the polygon of potential dredging? >> Yeah. Um, you know, we have dredging obviously that you guys are working on
now for Aunt Lydia's Cove and the uh the entrance channel. Um, but we also had a permitting initiative um for uh out to the north inlet and in the eventuality that we had uh that the pier became
inaccessible, we would be able to uh do some dredging uh out in that area. I know that that effort had started and I I kind of I just didn't know where it ended up. >> Yep. Um so that that is part of this 10-year permit. Uh we have zones of
potential dredging. So they're fairly large polygons really on either side of Turn Island and going all the way up to the North Cut. Um and it's not that trying to convince the agencies that we're not planning to dredge that entire polygon at one time has been
interesting. Uh but we just need to dredge a channel going through and that's I think we're finally there. We should be getting it within the next week or two. Uh but that that is the intention to be able to allow, you know, a zone of dredging instead of just in this one very narrow band.
>> Yeah. No, that that that's great news. I'm I'm glad you pointed that out. Um and you're right. the the the toys or the time of year restrictions are going to be the death nail of our harbors if uh if if we can't uh get through some of the bureaucracy
because the permitting process has become um right up there with ridiculous on trying to get these uh projects um even started. Thank you. >> Okay. Um why don't we proceed to the writer's cove bulkhead and ramp
replacement. Very good >> article. >> So, last slide, last article. Um, let me just try one thing real quick. There we go. So, this is uh Writer's Cove. This is one that's been on our radar for a
long time, since 2017. It's been on uh my radar since I've been here. It's one that we've been very careful with the timing of that. We've been trying to integrate it to have it happen at the right time. This is one where we wouldn't have this and Barnhill happen the same year at the same place. Um, so
over on the left is a conceptual design. Um, it's been taken I think it's been taken to at least the waterways has been taken to the waterways committees for preliminary. It's not finalized yet. We're still going through permitting. Um, this is an area that, you know, we
we do some preventative maintenance and repair. Like over there is a kind of ground down cement area with rebar that we fix on an annual basis. Uh over on the right. That's one of the portions of the bulkhead that got a hole. We saw a
depression. Um this time we actually had DPW come out, excavate out, found the hole. We were able to plug it, fill it, fill it with gravel. So all these we're not doing major complete repairs because we do anticipate doing a full replacement within the next couple of
years. Um so this is one that you know we've been talking about for a long time. It it you know needs to move to the next step. It's not at the level of Barn Hill, but as you can see it has you know not just maintenance needs. These are going to be replacement
reconstruction needs. This is one where it's replacement of the bulkhead. the alignment to floats, looking at the ramp access, uh potentially uh changing or adding a uh a bathroom to the area and
some other site improvements. So, you know, this this is one where we still have more design work to do, but at least the uh rough u estimate has been provided by an engineer. Uh we just got that actually this afternoon. So this is
a a decent number to bring forward to town meeting. >> Anything from the board? >> Well, just a comment. I I I mean it's desperately needed. Um I I I appreciate the fact that you guys have prioritized Barn Hill over, you know, riders, although um Ryers is an incredibly busy
um town landing. Um does the bulkhead stop at the Riders Cove Boatyard as just the our public area um that that we're going to rehab when we do the project? And then when do you anticipate doing the project? a year hence or two years hence.
>> So the the property line is at that boatyard. Um >> I don't think town staff have had conversations, but I I think the engineer has reached out to the adjacent property owners. >> It's probably a good idea to touch the same time.
>> You know, this is one that even if we increase the height of the bulkhead, if they don't, we're not going to get that sea level protection and storm protection. >> Correct. Uh yes, there's uh the plans to have discussions with Allan uh at the adjoining property owner. Uh also some
of the conceptual design to this uh is that there there is a design to where they can account for coastal resilience and raising it without doing it initially um having to do with how they they do the cap log. So Stuart kind of alluded to earlier some of the concerns
uh of the waterfront users may be the height uh of getting it up. So, there is an option that they've initially presented to us that would allow it to stay at a lower level with the option to add to the height as it goes along. So, even if the neighbor didn't do it at that time, if he did do a bulkhead in
the future, we could try to match those heights uh with a post construction minor altercation that would be able to tie into both. >> Yeah, that that's a good point, Jo. Uh Jason, I meant to bring that up for Little Mil Pond too that we we ensured with the engineer that anything we do
for the uh pier system, you know, we're not going as high as we can go right away. It would be something that could increment over time. >> Are you guys talking about replacing floats? Are you doing anything with the ramp? >> Yes. Yeah. So I it's looking at potentially well replacing the floats,
realignment, and then I I believe there is at least a realignment of the ramp and looking at overall traffic flow to see if there's any improvements that can be made. >> Thank you, Greg >> Stuart. >> Yes, thank you, Dean. Um,
this is a one of those projects that uh was deferred because of other projects priorities. Um, I'm I'm curious if there's I don't know how much changes have been made, but the bulkhead is going to be of FRP material.
there's not a lot of freeboard there, so you don't need the uh steel or timber. Um so that's that's an advantage. But the float and the rip wrap between uh or
adjacent to the um boat ramp that does that rip wrap in your design plans, does that stay or does that uh go and be replaced by this FRP material? Do you know where he's talking about
specifically, Jason? >> Yeah. I mean, I in general, we're not going to use rip wrap unless we really have to for some reason, but >> Oh. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, that that would be replaced by bulkhead material, you know. Rip wrap has that
waves. Yeah. >> Yeah. Good. Good. because it really makes it kind of hazardous for people to try to get their boats on the trailers who are trying to uh you know trying to navigate during higher higher tides. So getting rid of that rip wrap I think is
is really important. You talked about realigning uh the boat ramp. Um, does that include um making the single vehicle parking uh spaces that
are along the west side of the um of the of the parking area up against the MCI property? Does that include making those deeper so we can we can make that flow better? actually that that aspect has
already been permitted. So over by MCI we are going to deepen not all of them because it runs into the conservancy district but at least I think about half at least five of them uh are going to be made deeper as part of you know not even
as part of this project that could be happening I I want to say after the uh boats get removed from storage >> this spring. Yeah. >> Okay, great. That's good news. The uh as you know the people use, you know,
larger vehicles these days and they stick out into the parking lot and make the traffic flow there kind of challenging. So, anything we can do to improve a a hugely overcrowded area with a limited space would be helpful. the floats that are there still floats
planned along the western side of what will be the uh the new boat ramp? >> Yes. And um on the west side of those proposed floats um
is there the last plan that I recall those floats went out and then there was a slight uh turn to the uh to the north um which would allow uh boat owners to use that
inside the western or shoreline side of those floats uh for you know accessing their their boats. >> Yeah, that that is something that we've been talking about in design meetings. I think the one thing we're we're trying
to encourage that use everywhere um that has water at low tide. That's the only uh uh thing that we're running up against. Yeah, you of course you and you're well aware the uh that beach area there is becoming, you know, is just falling into
the water and becoming a problem for people to put their dingies up there. And so any any places we can put or or accommodate people's uh tenders to reach their boats is is just hugely helpful and reduces the problems that we have on
the shoreline. Um thank you Greg. >> Sure thing. >> Okay, any more questions from the board? see any from the public. So, let's take these articles. They're being proposed to us for a vote to place them on the warrant for the annual town meeting in May and um to recommend them. The first
we'll take up is the dredging article in the amount of 400,000. This comes from tax levy um that we will be using. So, um I guess I'll offer a a motion to place that on the warrant. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I'll call the role
on that. Miss Miss Davis >> I >> Mr. Dyken >> I >> Mr. Matters >> I >> Mr. Smith >> I >> and the chair votes I I'll offer a motion to recommend that to town meeting >> second >> moved and seconded I'll call the role Miss Davis >> I
>> Mr. Dyen I >> Mr. Morris I >> Mr. Smith >> I. >> And the chair votes I. The next uh article is the bulkhead replacement at Barnhill Landing. This is for $2 million. Um this would be a debt
authorization. We'll take a separate vote on the ballot question if this passes. Um so I'll move to place this on the warrant for the annual town meeting in May. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> I. >> Mr. Dykin. >> Hi.
>> Mr. Matters. >> Hi. Mr. Smith >> I >> chair votes I I I move to recommend to town meeting >> second moved and seconded Miss Davis >> I >> Mr. Dykins >> I >> Mr. Matis >> I >> Mr. Smith >> I.
>> And the chair votes I. Now there's a ballot question. Uh it requires a twothirds vote at town meeting and then uh because it's a borrowing. This would be ballot question number two. What's ballot question number one? That's the election. >> That's the seal project. >> The seal project. Ballot question number
two. This would be the dead authorization. That would require a simple majority vote at uh at the town election. I move to place this question on the ballot. >> Second. Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. Hi, >> Mr. Dyken. Hi, >> Mr. Meadows. Hi, >> Mr. Smith. >> I
>> and the chair votes I >> The final uh article is the bulkhead and ramp replacement at Writers Cove. Similarly, this is a borrowing in the amount of $3.5 million. Um that would require a two-thirds vote at town meeting. I move to place this on the
warrant. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dyken. >> Hi. >> Mr. Meadows. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> Hi. And the chair votes I. I move to recommend this to town meeting. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Miss Davis.
>> I. >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Matters. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. >> This would be ballot question number three for the dead authorization. Uh again, this would require a simple majority vote uh at uh the town
election. I move to place this uh question on the ballot. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> I. >> Mr. Dyken. I >> Mr. Meadows. >> Hi, >> Mr. Smith. >> I >> and the chair votes I. That completes this agenda item. Thank you very much,
Greg. >> Thank you, Carrie. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jason. Uh, and uh, >> okay, we'll go on to the next item. >> Yeah, this is um, airport tree removal. clarification on specifics of the
project, impact of the removal of trees, including methods, wildlife surveys, contractor monitoring, and mitigation plans. This is a citizen agenda item request by um Miss De Halt that was made on December 2nd, 2025, also by Michael
Thompson on the same date. And it was joined in as a select board agenda item request by our clerk, Steuart Smith on the same date. And under our rules, um, an agenda item request made by a board member has to be placed, um, unless
there are mitigating circumstances. I want to just, um, speak to, uh, how this is going to be handled. Um, this is an agenda item request by two residents. It's been joined in by board member Smith and um as posted it is limited to
the subject of the tree removal project and safety issu is issues that are associated therewith. All comments are to be focused on that subject. This is not an opportunity for a wide ranging discussion of praise or
criticism of the airport, the airport commission or airport operations. The airport commission and in my understanding has identified this project as a safety measure and it has been approved according to my understanding and reading of the materials with some conditions by the
Chattam Conservation Commission, the Massachusetts Department of Environ Environmental Management and the Cape Cod Commission. And recently the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency um has uh declined to um uh
accept a well it it ruled against a challenge under the so-called fail failsafe provisions of their rules. Um so it would appear that all requisite approvals are in place but we we will hear more about that I I guess. Um I am
the protocol for tonight is I am first going to um refer to board member Smith uh for any introductory comments and then I will um ask Miss Holt to to speak and I think
she's speaking on behalf of the friends of trees and then Dr. Thompson. Then we'll have um is Terry Wh? Okay. Then we will turn to the airport commission. And I understand the airport commission's attorney and its consultants are here
for response. And I don't know if the chair of the finance committee is on, but since the finance committee um secured the funding for this, if he wishes to speak, he can as well. Then we will turn to the public for public comment. Uh under our rules, public
comment is limited to three minutes per person. Um, and there may be um, comments at any time or questions at any time from members of the select board. I do want to acknowledge that board members have received multiple emails
mostly coming from pilots as I read them. Uh, many non non-CADM residents in support of the project. This is not a public hearing, so I'm not going to read them. Nor are they nor will they be part of the record of this meeting.
Uh after public comment, we will come back to the select board for any consideration of action if any that the board might wish to take. So first I'm going to turn to Stuart Smith. Um Stuart, I'll turn to you if you have any intro opening comments you'd like to
make. >> Yeah, thank you Dean. Appreciate it. And um you know I've been liaison uh now uh since I was elected in May and um uh this is one of those subjects that um
can be very very uh difficult um as you know I'm a supporter of the airport um in it in its historic role um um uh but I I think that um the neighbors have some legitimate concern concerns
regarding the trees uh and other safety um issues. Um so I'm going to wait until I hear from uh the proponents of this and um I may have some uh comments at at
at the closure. I uh I joined this citizens request just to help move the process along and I appreciate Dean you uh you you uh bringing it forward. >> Thank you Dee. I'm going to call on you. I know you submitted um a writt
statement that will be part of the record as well. >> Yeah, Dee Hold um speaking for our friends of trees. >> You might want to move the mic down a little bit. Thank you. >> Better. Um I'll be brief. It's been a long
evening already, but thank you for including this item on the agenda today. I want to express Friends of Trees concerns regarding proposed cutting and pruning of trees in the woodlands around the airport. But let me be clear, Friends of Trees is solely interested in tree work and making such efforts to do
the least damage of and tree removal as possible, respect wildlife habitat, and comply with Chadam's tree protection bylaw adopted at annual town meeting in 2024. Separately, other members of the public seeking review of the airport
commission's plans have concerns beyond the fate of the trees on the affected acreage. Regardless of the merits of such concerns, they are not the focus of Friends of Trees. We are a nonprofit and we're committed to our mission to plant, care for, and advocate for trees. In
addition, we attempt to educate the public of the value of trees. Whether the acreage is six or 60, our our same concerns apply. We posed several questions about the project during the previous select board meeting and they are included in your packet.
One important question, who will monitor the contractor to ensure no unintended confirm that the contractor is aware of and abides by the tree protection bylaw? In addition, another question. If the airport commission does not intend to
act on the plan to remove tree for tree removal in the additional 60 acres, I've been told why is it that it's stated in the vegetation plan. I'm just questioning why is that so if there is no intent to execute that uh that part
of the plan? Also, I've uh I've tried to find a copy of the contract awarded to the contractor for the vegetation removal work. It should clearly define the scope of work and specifications as to all manner of the work acreage, herbicides, pesticides, the count of the
tree loss, monitoring, mitigation and so on. A copy it seems should be available somewhere but I was not able to find one. One more point about tree removal. Although this is not a direct concern of friends of trees, as you know, trees remove impurities from storm water as it
percolates to the aquifer. Woodlands provide a very important service in that regard. I believe the airport to be at least partially in zone two recharge area for the wells. I believe it's the Indian hill wells. Anyway, friends of trees concerned about the project would
be the same whether it's on airport property or any other townowned land. Tree protection bylaw applies to all town owned trees. Trees on our streets, in our parks, and woodlands. The tree warden has the authority to approve and monitor the work of any such project.
The bylaw specifically addresses woodland trees. I've included in your packet the full bylaw section 254. And for your convenience, I quoted those sections that apply specifically to woodland trees in the supplemental statement. The intent of this section is
not to prohibit tree removal. Rather, it requires that the wood that the work in the woodland trees be done with utmost care, that the contractor makes every effort to preserve as many trees as possible and uses best man pra best management practices. Causes no
permanent damage to the wooded area and replaces what is lost. Basically minimize and mitigate. I mentioned during a previous select board meeting, Chadam has already lost hundreds of acres of trees of woodlands due to housing, water treatment plants,
pump stations, and so on with more to come. Chadam should protect and preserve every acre of woodland it possibly can. So on behalf of Friends of Trees, I appreciate your willingness to address this matter directly and to seek answers to our questions and concerns. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Deei. Um we will when um after Dr. Thompson presents will give the airport commission an opportunity to respond to your questions. I expect they had seen your present your written comments as well and then if you have any back and forth we can do that. Dr.
Thompson and we have a slide presentation that you have pres prepared. Sorry, I like my own equipment. All right. Uh, my name is Mike Thompson. Um, and as Stu, as Stuart Smith said, this is a
difficult topic. I'm not going to be too technical. We will have to be a little bit. Uh, Miss Holt has told you all about trees, but now I want to tell you about what I believe is the disingenuous rationale for Chadam Airport
Commission's nonsensical tree cutting plans and airport expansion. That is why they're cutting down the trees. Oops. Sorry. What's happen? Oh, here we go. Whoops. I'm sorry.
Okay. So, despite claims to the contrary, the planned tree removal is not primarily to maintain safe and efficient operations at the airport. The original visual
approach surface shown on the 1958 map has been modified now by the FAA. This surface has been moved back 200 ft to start at the runway threshold. And this has the effect of raising it by 10 ft
and reduces the need for tree pruning. So the airport plans the airport has wanted to create brand new instrument approaches for several years. Recently the airport plans to create brand new approach surfaces. Oh, recently the
airport commission disingenuously claims to have ex existed new approach existed. I'm sorry. The airport plans to create brand new approach surfaces which the airport commission disingenuously
claims to have existed since whenever. However, there's no physical evidence that such an approach surfaces have ever existed. Markings on the runway show visual landings only. There is no record of it
in either the airport layout plan or any prior FAA document. Planes making approaches with circling are required to land visually. that's maintained by the FAA and there's nothing in FAA grant asurances or FAA
advisories which says that these new approach surfaces must be provided. These new surfaces have bad safety consequences. They allow planes to fly straight in from 10 miles away without and without a
control tower. The FAA states that this increases the risk of midair collision. They allow landings in poorer visibility, for example, less than one mile but greater than three quarters of a mile,
which leads to much larger 49 acre RPZs, which would contain 70 homes in West Chadam. Also, these new surfaces could allow L what are called LPV vertical guidance.
This has been actively promoted and actually approval sought from the FAA by the airport commission. However, LPV typically has a runway length of at least 3,200 ft, not the
3,000 ft that's available at Chadam. It also allows visibility less than 3/4 of a mile, which leads to enormous 79 acre RPZs. It also requires 600 ft runway safety
areas for all aircraft which would literally require burying ocean state job lot in 20 ft of sand. That gives you some idea of the requirements that the
FAA imposes on on LPV. So the also the proposed uh it is these proposed new approach surfaces that require extensive tree removal. The proposed brand new approach surface
it's called a surface 4 now require a cleared path that's 150 ft wider than the present visual approach surface. In addition, the new surface 4
starts at ground level 200 feet away from the runway threshold. This lowers it 10 ft from this the new visual approach surface which necessitates a minimum a minimum of two acres of
additional tree removal at each end of the runway to accommodate that extra 150 ft. It also requires removing all the trees around Ocean State job lot because of that lower approach surface.
This is the map of trees at the airport provided by the airport like two years ago for the for the annual general meeting. Then the purple line shows the airport boundary. The red rectangle shows the 500 footwide
complete tree clearance FAA standard for the new approach surface and also for the 500 for the greater than 500 jet operations that now occur each year. This leads to clear cutting the so this
also leads to clear cutting the whole vernal pool area. The vernal pool is up top left marked on the on the picture there. And that whole area most much of the discussion at KNCOM was about the
damage the the clear cutting that would occur in that area. It also requires expanding the airport onto neighboring property at the northern end to accommodate that tree cutting. So don't
be fooled by claims of only seven acres of tree removal, which I gather is what being touted at the moment. That would only be a first installment with much more to follow. The runway safety areas are cleared
areas at both ends of the runway in case aircraft undersshoot or overshoot the runway. So the these two pictures uh the one on the left shows the retaining wall that
was built in 2009 as required by the Cape Cod Commission for smaller planes. That is the the the uh traditional um uh piston engine jet planes.
But the jets now require a a a runway safety area that is 60 ft longer than this wall was built for. So you can see on the right hand side in the picture there the the uh this retaining this
runway sa uh runway safety area now would have to extend over the wall. It's just impossible to create that. It was amazing that this was done in 2009. It's now totally impossible.
So, Chadam airport is allowed to have up to 2500 passenger years passengers a year as a member of the national plan of integrated airport systems.
Both Chadam and Hyannas are NPIA airports. Although federal regulations show that NPAS airports must be separated by at least 30 miles. Hyana's airport is only 15 miles away
with a control tower and two 5,000 ft runways is much safer for pilots and passengers, especially in poor visibility. So why spend millions of dollars on unrealistic destructive plans at Chadam
when most citizens consider Hyenas the logical destination for charter jets and I'm only remember in this presentation I'm really talk addressing the issue of plans for encouraging charter jets. I am
not um castigating the what we call the traditional airport. The mass EPA has been reviewing the airport's plans and it issued a decision two weeks ago. First of all, MEEP argues
the proponents i.e. The airport's actual intent is to upgrade airport approaches from visual to non-precision that is instrument approaches which is what I've been arguing too. However, they they
went on to say however in what I regard as a tactical move to avoid probable rejection of the plan of the airport's plans. The uh EPA carried on by saying the proponent,
namely the airport, clarified in supplemental information that this is no longer proposed as the airport now wishes to simply clear vegetation from its its existing 1958 approaches to
comply with FAA part 77, which I said earlier has been raised 10 ft. Well, this could be great news for the trees and for us, but since the airport has not been honest up to this point, I
must ask you, the select board, to make rulings which completely halt the plans now and in the future, albeit with review, by requiring a permanent halt to all proposed tree cutting and a
permanent restriction on all proposals. Now in conclusion, the F the FAA is very clear that the town as sponsor shall not give up its rights, powers and authority to own and operate the airport and
operate the airport for safe operations and I emphasize soft safe operations. Hence, in order to safeguard the safety of its citizens, the town has the authority and the moral and legal
responsibility to act to ensure safe operations and respect the will of its citizens. This is allowed and it's not optional since FAA safety standards cannot be met
at Chadam airport and any waiverss of them by the FAA which have been requested by the airport commission would only reduce safety. Why does any of the proposed expensive and destructive tree removal make sense?
The potential benefits such as instrument landings cannot be used for either recreational or charter jet flights because for example it would lead to over 100 families in enormous RPZs.
Hence, for all the reasons stated, but despite the airport's possibly changed plans, you the select board should rule an immediate termination on all three cutting at or around the airport and on
any move to implement expensive, destructive, nonsensical plans by what I believe is a rogue airport commission p and primarily for the benefit of jet aircraft contrary to the safety and the
will of the citizens as expressed now at two town meetings. Thank you for your attention. >> Thank you, Mike. Uh and um after the airport commission response to yours and De's comments, um I'll give you both
since you are both sponsors of this agenda item an opportunity to engage in back and forth on that. So, I'm going to now turn to the airport commission. I guess since Terry will not here, we'll
call on Huntley Harrison, the chair of the airport commission. And I don't know, Huntley, do you want to respond directly yourself? Do you want I know you had um have have with you your legal counsel as well as your consultant or consultants
plural on this matter. try to address the questions concerns that have been raised. >> I'll Yeah, I'll I'll explain that in a minute. Let me get myself set. >> Um, I thought I would start off and give
the commission's point of view on this project. Um and then afterwards I would like our consultants to address some of the uh things that were said by the previous two speakers if that's okay.
>> Sure. I think listening to the last speaker, I think the focus was lost on what this project is all about. This project is focused solely
on clearing what is necessary to maintain the airport's existing visual approach and instrument approach procedures. There are two of them, a GPS approach and an NDB approach, which both require
circling to land. And this is per the FAA and MASDOT. By maintaining the airport's existing approach surfaces, it will increase safety for pilots, passengers, and those on the ground.
So, let's talk about safety procedures. I'd like to just provide a couple of examples for context. Why do we dredge the harbor? Well, I think the first thing you might say is for safety and access. We keep it safe for Boers. We don't let
it fill in until it is un unusable. And we don't move the channel, or at least we try not to. Why does a town in Mastod plow the roads for safety and access?
Why does Eversource trim trees for safety so we all have access to electricity? Why does the town in Masdat trim trees on the side of roads? So that the breakdown lane is accessible
and for safety. So it comes back to the airport. Why is the airport commission trim trees on and off the airport? Very simply, for safety and access. We keep it safe for pilots and their passengers and for people in the
community. We do not displace the runway thresholds because it will make the airport less safe. It will shorten usable runway and the FAA and MASDOT do not recommend it.
The trees on and off the airport under the approach paths have grown over the past few years and it is time to remove these obstructions so they are no longer a threat to public safety. I have a response to Dr. Thompson,
but I think I'll let our consultants handle that when the time comes. Unfortunately, Dr. Thompson focused more more on approaches that may not happen than on the trees in this particular project.
As for Miss Holt's questions, I have already answered them in the newspaper. However, please allow me to review the area for selective removal of trees is 6.99 acres, not 60. I know she acknowledged that
she and I agreed for the 2023 town meeting that all work would be done during the winter months when the ground is hard, trees are dormant, and it will be least intrusive to animal habitat. Yes, there will be a number of trees
removed within the jurisdictional areas and they will be selectively removed. See the order of conditions on that. And also the airport commission has said that there will be a donation of $70 per
tree for each tree removed and that will go into the tree fund. Measures will be taken to protect wildlife habitat. That's in the vegetation management plan. On-site monitoring of the work will take place that was order that listed in the order
of conditions. So why the tree removal? This was one of her questions. The airport is committed to maintaining safe and efficient aircraft operations now and into the future. The obstruction removal project is designed to ensure
the continued safety of flight approaches, maximizing protection for pilots, passengers, and I'll repeat, the people in the surrounding community. The initiative aligns with the airport's responsibilities under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90 and fulfills its
contractual obligation under Federal Aviation Administration FAA grant assurances and also Town Chapter 100. The project also supports compliance with federal safety standards to the
greatest extent practicable. This project has nothing to do with adding new hangers, which was a question that came up. Absolutely nothing. And what alternatives have been considered, if any? The environmental assessment lays out the alternatives
considered and the selection of the preferred alternative in chapters four and five. Simply, obstructions in airport approach services are in direct conflict with maximizing safety. The airport commission is committed to the operation
of a safe airport. As I've said many times, simply it's all about safety. To close, it is interesting that all of the concerned neighbors who want to have a safer airport have not offered anything that would make the airport
safer in the eyes of the FAA or MASDOT. In fact, all they have done over the last several years is stonewall the project and cause numerous delays. This project was supposed to get underway a year ago by conflating aviation issues
with environmental issues. They succeeded in causing a cost overrun of $29,000. Lloyd, >> none of this is supportive. >> Um, no, >> none of this is supported supportive of the airport and has made
the airport less safe as a result. I know this because I've flown in over these trees myself and I can say it's not very pleasant. Thank you. Now, I would like to have uh
I would like to have Mr. Karen from Gail Associates uh speak to some of the issues that Dr. Thompson brought up. I think it's important that we address them. >> Mr. Karen. >> Hello. Good evening everybody. Um yeah,
if it's okay, I can address some of the questions uh from Dr. Thompson's slides. Um, I don't want to go be too lengthy here, but I I'll just see if I can quickly jump through some of these. Um, I I do note on slide two that he talks
about there being just a visual approach surface. But I do want to point out that as uh Chairman Harrison uh was mentioning, the airport does have two approaches. It does have a visual approach and it does have a non a published non-precision instrument approach. That's the runway type four.
that's in the form of the NDB and the ARNAV. That's you can find that by going on airNAV and typing in Chattam to see that the FAA does have non-precision published approaches. Um the those those non-precision approaches are discussed
in the 2003 master plan. I went back and did a little research to see when they were first discussed um or not first discussed but how far back I could find uh when they did come up. So in 2003, the airport master plan, specifically chapter 5, states, and I quote, "Both
runway ends at Chadam currently support non-precision instrument circling approaches." Um, so there's discussion on them, like I said, from 2003. Uh the FAA has even put in writing and this information was provided to the
conservation commission when we were working through the permitting for this project confirming that the runway type 4 is in fact the existing approach surface uh which is consistent with the airport's non-directional beacon and GPS published non-precision approaches.
Uh let's see here. Just jumping ahead. Um so again, yeah, those aren't brand new approach surfaces. Those are existing. Um there's some discussion on one of the slides on the colorful slide that mentioned that we would need to clearcut
the vernal pool. Um, having gone through a rather lengthy and arduous permitting process with the conservation commission, I can assure everyone on this call that the conservation commission simply isn't going to order the airport commission in order of conditions to clear cut a vernal pool.
Um, that's that's just ridiculous. um burying Ocean State job lot in 20 ft of sand. I I'm not sure that that's germanine to the existing tree clearing project uh that has gone you know significant scrutiny through the Cape Cod Commission Conservation Commission
and MEPA. Certainly, if we if the airport was looking to expand the runway and Berry Ocean State job lot and 20 ft of sand to do so, there would be a process to get before multiple agencies uh as well as boards and commissions within the town to permit something of
that magnitude. Um, if you go and look at the airport's capital improvement program, there's no discussion or mention of clear cutting vernal pools. There's no mention uh or discussion of expanding the runway, expanding the runway safety areas or expanding uh the
runway length into Ocean State job lot. Uh I think I'll pause there for a minute unless there's any questions uh of me on my response at this point in time. >> I I'd like to just ask um because this was raised by both Dr. Tom said and and
Miss Hold the the difference between the 6.9 acres and the 60 acres that are in the Could you explain I mean you >> Yeah, >> because you heard them >> like an answer. >> We we do have that. So, um
technically speaking, it's actually 6.58 acres. Um, and if I could, I'd like to just bring on Adrien Dunk from GZA just to explain the overarching vegetation management plan and what that means and what that looks like for an airport. Um,
because in an ideal world, yes, the airport would have the ability to clear all airspace surrounding the airport. Um, but obviously they don't have the property rights, they don't own the land, etc., etc. But I see Adrian jumped on, so I'll pause for a minute and uh give her opportunity to educate
everybody on this. >> Is this your environmental consultant? Okay. >> Yes, it is. >> Please proceed. >> Thank you. >> Yes. Thanks. I'm Adrienne Dunc from GZA and I prepared the vegetation management plan. Um the state mass DOT, Mass D, and
other state agencies developed the protocol for airports to prepare vegetation management plans. um actually starting around 1993 through 1999 and it's codified through several
large environmental impact reports and these plans look at an airport's whole airspace. So we look at the approach surfaces as well as the transitional surfaces and look at current and potential um areas for airspace
penetrations by trees and other vegetation. um and that's where this larger number comes from um of 60 acres. We're looking at a much larger area where there could be penetrations and then we're also looking at the actual ground topography
and at that imaginary surface of the transition surface or the approach surface. So when reading the vegetation management plan, some of those areas are quite tall. So we take an integrative
vegetation management approach which means that the airport strives to develop compatible vegetation in a in zonations around the airport. So some of those cutting areas are 80 feet tall.
Trees taller than 80 feet could be cut in the future once easements or navigation easements, property rights are obtained. It does not mean they'll be clearcut. It does not mean 60 acres will be clearcut. It means that areas will be
watched and should there be penetrations, those selective trees will be removed while the rest of the forest which is maybe 60 ft tall can be left intact. So, it's a way to balance safety
at the airport with protection of natural areas. Um, as I said, Mass D as well as the natural heritage endangered species program, Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, um, and other resource protection
agencies were involved through the MEPA process in developing this integrated vegetation management approach that is used at general aviation airports across the Commonwealth and was applied here at Chadam. So 6 acres or 6 and 12 acres is
proposed now also in areas of zonation. So selective cutting some areas as discussed with the conservation commission will be left with trees that are below the allowable height. Shrubs and other compatible vegetation will be
allowed to grow. Um and then other areas in the future should easements be obtained. There may be selective cutting as necessary and as legally permitted. So that's the difference in the numbers. >> Thank you.
Huntley, any anything else from >> um I don't know. Uh I think if they if Adrian and Matt stay on as questions come up from the public, they perhaps can weigh in. I I've uh had said my
piece and uh thank you very much for your time. >> I want to ask a question. I I know the airport commission council is on. This is the special council that the selective board approved a few years ago. >> We don't have our own town council, but uh in the um staff memo that was
prepared by Mr. Whan um and you said it yourself that this is either required or compatible with state law as well as the grant asurances. I just would like to get a little um further elucidation from
Mr. Um, >> who's >> Yeah, he's here. >> If he would so we can >> he'll come up >> have a fuller understanding of that. >> Sure. Um, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, for the record, Mina McCarius from Anderson and Creger outside council to the
airport commission. Um, there's not a whole lot more to add to what Huntley and others have said. Um the ex the plan has gone through all of the required state approvals it needs to um and the tree cutting is to support
existing u operations. It the um some of the comments made earlier about expansion of operations. Any expansion of the airport would most likely require a similar environmental analysis to occur. that doesn't happen uh lightly or
overnight. And the FAA does require mitigation of potential hazards within the RPZ. This is uh what that is what is this what this is designed to do. Um this issue has come up before in past context about the applicability of the
tree bylaw. the uh discussion at town meeting a few years ago that I was president at for those of you who were similar point that this is not an expansion of existing facilities in any way. It is meeting the obligations given
to the federal government to do um what's in the airport's power following reasonable permitting pathways as it has here um to mitigate potential harm. um the FAA and the state sometimes do, you
know, certainly do allow incomplete compliance with that at times, but that doesn't mean that where the opportunity presents itself that um the airport has a lesser obligation to to do this again having gone through all of the environmental review process.
>> So, and we I should have mentioned at the beginning we we we have received some email or emails um on the other side uh suggesting that as I read them this is not required by the grant asurances
is do you want to comment on on that point? >> Yeah, the grant assurances do not um say you must cut x number of trees. Uh they don't say you must uh maintain you know exactly x perimeter. What they do is say that you will maintain a safe and
efficient operating space at the airport. And the um FAA in its reviews, the MASTA in its reviews as I understand has made it clear that this would be consistent with that with doing that um and that where an airport
has uh potential hazards in its RPZ, it should take reasonable measures to address them. Um that sometimes is not feasible for a variety of of reasons. If there is simply a structure that cannot be removed, um a uh land that is not
within the control of the airport that uh where that is not possible or easements cannot be acquired. Uh but where an airport has the ability to do it, FAA will um generally be looking for that in its inspections. Um so the grand
asurances may be broader. And so I I think this idea that because the grand assurances don't require it, it h does not have to be done. Uh does don't explicitly talk about a particular thing, it doesn't have to be done isn't valid. And I I would just say that the
airport has on um virtually every occasion where the grand assurances have come up and made points about the grant assurances, it's been backed up by mass FAA. There is no daylight to my mind as a practicing airport attorney or between what the FAA, MASDOT and this particular
airport commission believe the grand asurances um what is required of them for the grand assurances for this commission. >> Thank you. Okay. Before I open it up to public comment, I want to ask Dee Holt and Dr. Thompson if you have any
comments or questions following what you just heard. So De go with you first. Yeah. Yeah. Just um a couple of things. Um the bylaw, the shade tree bylaw does
not prohibit removal of trees in the um in a woodland. Our concern is how it's done more than perhaps what is done. And then uh you know, so basically minimize and mitigate. And so there's a monitor who
can assure everyone that uh the work that was contracted for is what is being done and if there are any unintended consequences that they are swiftly addressed. And speaking of mitigation, $70 a tree, I don't know where they got that number,
but uh a small two-inch caliper tree is going to cost two or three times that. And then you have to pay you have you've got the cost of planting and watering the tree for two or three years. So u oh and another question with regard to that is what do they mean by tree? Are they
considering they're only going to count trees over five inch caliber? Um 3-inch caliber. So without knowing that I guess knowing where the $70 came from is sort of a mystery to me. One last thing again,
Friends of Trees is only concerned about the fate of the trees and and the mitigation for those trees. >> Hanley, who wants to respond to u try to answer De's questions? >> I think to answer her question, either I
believe Adrien perhaps might want to weigh in on that or maybe Matt, I see you. She did back on. >> Miss Dunc did the V vegetation plan, so maybe she should respond first. Is that correct? Sure. This information was decided and is
codified in the order of conditions as issued by the Chattam Conservation Commission under the Cadam Wetlands bylaw. So the $70 was debated with the Conservation Commission during public hearings. Um, it was decided based on
looking at engineering cost estimates, RS means and other cost estimating tools in the Commonwealth. Um, and the ability to purchase trees at this number at a wholesale dollar value, not a nursery cost.
Um there is an environmental monitor as well as an a resident engineer serving in a clerk of the works capacity um to document work address non-compliance and otherwise document compliance with the
order of conditions as well as other permits and requirements for construction and trees were defined in the permitting. um and other documents using the Army Corps standard for trees which
is 3 in DBH. >> Um I think I read in and I wanted you to confirm this if it's correct. You um the commission is required to report annually to the conservation commission. You are you required to submit reports
to the conservation commission on this project? >> There will be reports um for invasive species monitoring uh following the tree removal for you'll have to forgive me two or three growing
seasons. Um that is also in the order of conditions but I don't I don't recall if it's two or three growing seasons. >> Okay. >> With reports submitted annually. >> Uh Mr. Karen, did you have any addition? Thank you. Anything additional to respond to uh questions, concerns
expressed by Miss Hold? I'd actually like to add something real quick if you don't mind that. Um, this is Marco Tariano. I'm also with Gail Associates. >> Who's speaking? >> Who's speaking now? >> Uh, my name is Marco Tatariano. I'm also with Gail Associates. >> Okay.
>> I just I just wanted to address um the uh Miss Holt's question about the uh sort of methods uh per the conservation permit in the areas that are closest to the vernal pool uh will be done by cleared by hand and all trees will be uh
brought out. um and nothing will be felled in the vernal pool. Um so there was consideration to what methods were used around those sensitive areas. I just wanted to add that. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Um all right. Um so Dr. Thompson, your
turn if you have anything you would would like to have responded to or addressed. I have uh two questions primarily for Huntley here. Uh one being that uh he continues to argue that the this
nonprecision approach existed. Um I put up a number of arguments why it does not exist. I'm aware of what what's published the circling and so on. Uh I don't want to get into technical stuff, but it's not in the ALP that the the air
airport layout plan that was published there. It's very clearly states that it's only there's only a visual runway here. Um so but we can argue that probably indefinitely. Um the other
issue is the Meeper um discussion uh said that um the airport plans were no longer proposed. And I'd like to know what what the hell that means. You can tell us.
>> Huntley, would you like to respond or one of your consultants? >> Yeah, if Huntley, if you want, I can uh take that one. >> Yeah. Do you want to take that? >> Sure. Yep. Go ahead. >> Yeah. So, um, for those of you who've been following along with the airport
commission for quite some time, you'll recall back during, uh, starting in 2018, there was discussion that the airport commission wanted to pursue what they call an LPV approach, which is that straightin instrument approach into the
airport, which currently does not exist. Um so as part of this process um or part of the master plan process once the airport started discussing an LPV there was a lot of interest in that from the public and the airport commission backed
off the pursuit of that LPV approach which in addition to the existing surface required a cleared 30 to1 surface. So, working with FAA flight procedures, um, we asked them, you know, could they possibly get an LPB approach
in on just a clear 20 to one and FAA flight procedures said that that would be something that they would have to fly, something that they would have to evaluate. They aren't sure if that is something that could be done at Chadam Municipal Airport. So, there is no more LPV approach. So, when we say that the
airport um, you know, stopped pursuing a certain approach, that's what we mean. That LPV approach is no longer being pursued by the airport commission. However, FAA flight procedures, who are the ones that are responsible for publishing approaches at airports, could
potentially implement an LPV approach at Chadam if they deem it to be safe and reasonable and something that can be implemented at the airport. It's not the airport commission. It's not Gail Associates. It's not mass DOT. It's not something that we can get together and say, "Hey, we want an LPV approach.
Publish one for us." uh FAA flight procedures would have to take that on and review and evaluate the safety around something like that. >> Thank you. Huntley, did you want to >> No, I just question. >> Mike, you had Mike, you Mike
>> Mike, did you have have a com follow up on that and then we'll get to your other question. >> Th this there's something going on here because the MEEP LPV was nothing to do with Meepa. I was asking the question is
what would have been cancelled in what um what what plans airport plans were no longer proposed that led me to to stop their pursuit of of this and come up
with a decision that said it was okay. That was so what what Matt Cannon just said does not address that issue as far as I'm concerned. give Mr. Karen a chance to respond to that and then we'll take your first question. >> I'll go back to the show.
>> Yeah. So, um >> so Tori Kim I believe is her name for me but that that's the exact conversation that we had with her. That same explanation discussing the LPB approach from the master plan how that has sort of transpired over time. there was
required surfaces that the airport was was needing to clear that 30 to1 surface >> which required a lot more clearing over properties over a great hill. So >> that that what I'm explaining then is the exact conversation that we had with the MEPA office and
>> um yeah I'll just leave it at that. >> That one >> um Huntley, do you want to respond to Mike Thompson's first question? We're not ready yet for public comment. Uh Jerry, >> no. He was he was asking me about the the approaches that the two approaches
we have. He says there's no evidence for it. And I was just telling him if he looks at the approach plates for the airport that the FAA publishes, they're there. Both approaches are there. They've been there for a long time. So I don't know.
I think he's confused. I don't I don't has nothing to do with anything. So Okay. Sorry, I wish I could answer you better, but I can't. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, >> thank you all. >> I think the um chair of the finance committee which funded this in part is
on. I said earlier if he wanted to speak, he could. Um, there he is, Steven Daniel. I'll give you a chance to speak and then we'll open it to public comment. >> Thank you, Dean. I will uh be brief. Sorry, let me get aligned here. Uh, and
as requested, we'll stick to the uh discussion around the 6 point roughly 6.5 acres not getting in the weeds around uh approach services and 60 acres and burying buildings.
Uh I guess I'm trying to understand ultimately what we're trying to achieve here tonight. Uh I guess by background I will remind folks that the finance committee voted 9 to0 to
um support the article uh regarding this what we think is the critical safety uh maintenance project. If I'm not mistaken I think the board the select board at the time similarly voted unanimously to support the article.
Um, as I further understand it, uh, all local, regional, state, and federal approvals have been received for the undertaking. As you note, uh, funding has been secured
uh, in part through um, some of our efforts on the finance committee. Uh, and I guess my question is for to the select board, is there jurisdiction? Do you is there the means given that all these approvals have been granted um and the law seems
to have been fully followed the process seems to have been fully followed kind of what next? What are we what are we ultimately reaching for here tonight? >> Well, let me respond. I'm doubtful that this board has any authority to direct
the and instruct the um airport commission to do this project or not do this project. I think the most this board could do would be to do nothing um endorse the project
or um urge or recommend that it not be undertaken or that it be undertaken with certain conditions. Uh the reason this is before us is because uh a member of this board uh in addition to a couple of
citizens asked some questions or raised some concerns and I I feel well certainly I'm obligated under our rules to put it on our agenda um at the request of a fellow board member and um it's certainly our responsibility to
listen to u community concerns and questions and that's why it's before us tonight. It's um >> all right and fully respect and appreciate that. >> It's largely largely informational, but if there is interest on the board to consider doing something that that will
follow the public comment session, we'll take it back to the board. I hope that's responsive to your question, Steve. >> Yeah, I think generally again I just sort of underscore that, you know, our unanimous the finance committee's unanimous support for this this project. Um >> and and you are correct that that um the
select board as I recall um vote voted unanimously to support that article at town meeting. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Very good. I just want to weigh in on that one. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. I'm going to open it up to public comment. I know we have various people online. The first person I
noticed online was Mr. KB and then I'm going to try to go back and forth. And I think Mr. Stall had his hand up first in the audience. I don't know who KB is, but Mr. >> Bow or Bow. >> Yeah. Hi. >> State your name, please.
>> Apologies. Can you get uh My name is Kenneth Bow. Uh I'm a a homeowner in Cadam and I'm also a tenant at the Cadam airport. Um I appreciate everyone taking the time to to hear my comment on this. I I you know, I have two small kids. Um,
we spend a lot of time uh teaching them how to ride bikes safely and we love the bike path. You know, I notice on the bike path, similar to to what Chairman Harrison said, you know, the the trees come up to the edge of the bike path and then they're cleared and the bike path is clear and and my two small children love riding on the bike path as do I.
It's the same as as the roads and as you said the the harbors and and I just I I noticed that it's the same people that kind of raise objections every time something has to do with the airport. And I don't recall hearing objections to the clearing of the trees on the bike path or on Main Street. Um, and you
know, I I don't fly a jet. I'm not a charter operator. I fly, you know, if you picture a a station wagon with a propeller, that that's what I'm flying. And I can tell you that, you know, if if my station wagon with a propeller hits a a tree when I'm landing, that could be
really dangerous to me, to my children, um, and to the people around. It doesn't matter whether you're a a jet, which you know, I don't think there's a lot of jets that can even land on 3,000 feet, but in my case, it's a small little plane, um, the type that, you know, people say they like, but if a small little plane hits a tree branch, that's
a problem. Same way if one of my children on the bike path, uh, hits a tree branch, that's a problem, or a car on Main Street. So, um, I think the the the last speaker, Mr. Daniel, if I'm not mistaken, you know, said that this had already been approved by a bunch of experts and boards and state, local, um,
and federal authorities. I would just ask that the, uh, the select board, um, continue to, to respect the the work that has already been approved, um, and allow it to continue so that we can maintain the Chattam Airport in a safe way, the similar um, fashion as we do, the the roads and waterways and and all
the other components that make our town what it is. Uh, thank you very much. >> Thank you, U, Jerry St. And I'm going to ask everyone, as I said earlier, try to keep your comments within three minutes if possible. I would just like to uh Jerry Stall,
West Chadam. I would just like to um clarify what I feel is the issue here because there's been a lot of talk about um you know how safety like apple pie is
a perfect thing. It's not about safety. I don't think it's about approaches, airport approaches. And I've had this feeling since, like Matt Cannon said, some people have been following this for a few years since the um master plan came out. I'm one of
those people who's followed it. The only one who I think who I feel I've gotten clear answers when any of this business is Matt Cannon. Incidentally, uh the airport commission never gives clear answers. I I've watched almost all their
meetings for the last several years. Um and how did I find and the approach issue has been an important one. As you know, I'm opposed to having a lot more jets uh flying and these bigger
airplanes flying into Chadam. And I think that that would be promoted by introducing new approaches at the airport. I felt that's part of the master plan that they're going for. Ever since the master plan back several years
ago, the airport has been trying to go for more big jets coming in, more charters, and by by getting um these new approaches. And my understanding had been that the FAA told the AC they had
to cut down a bunch of trees before the FAA would approve new approaches. And that's why I think they've been trying to cut down all these trees, although they never say that, of course. Um and and so I think that if we allow
them now to cut down the six acres, then they'll go on like the other accountant, the other uh consultant said, they really do are looking at 60 acres of trees, not clear cutting, but cutting some.
Once they get started with this first six acres, now next year they'll want to do more and then the following year more. That's their plan. and then they'll get the FAA approval for these new approaches and we'll have a lot more charter jets coming in because now we're
a hub for charters. This NPAS status which got pushed in um without much discussion at the uh as part of the master plan opens us up for being a charter hub. No longer this nice little
amateur pilots uh hangout. Um and and so the issue is these approaches and I thought they were still going for these new approaches but suddenly I heard when when there was um an issue
before Meepa whether they should investigate what was going on there. They decided not to investigate because suddenly somehow somebody told them, "Oh, the airport commission's not looking for new approaches anymore."
Now, if the airport commission changed its whole plan, why why wasn't that ever voted on at an airport commission meeting? I don't think it was. When was this decision made? Matt Cannon just explained it to
us. It was some backdoor FAA thing that and it was never announced to the public. It only became clear through some lawyer connections to get rid of an investigation of what the uh airport
commission was doing and that's why I'm opposed to what they're doing. >> Thank you. Um Huntley, this is public comment right now. I want to >> No, I don't I'm gonna just stick with I'm going to stick with the public comment. There's H is that Mr.
Fessendon? Is that you? >> That is me. That is me. I'm getting the camera going here everybody. Uh so heartfened and chatam I don't want to take a lot of time here um because I think uh everyone wants to go home but
uh I do want to speak out uh rather strongly in favor of the tree clearing which has been vetted by multiple agencies over multiple years as we all know and I'd just like to quickly sum up my understanding of what is happening
here and I think it's very important that we focus focus on what we're trying to accomplish and that is we're seeking to uh trim trees on 6.5 acres only and those 6.5 acres uh I'm trying to show a
map of the airport here but it's simply at the end of the runways the green and the yellow that's all we're talking about not 60 acres and uh I think we've heard tonight that we're going to have no new approaches we're going to have no
uh airport expans expansion. And uh the other thing we heard tonight which was so interesting to me is the town is spending lots and lots of money through the natural resources department on all manner of maintenance of
bulkheads of docks of bridges. We know the town spends money on roads. We know that uh they trim trees off the sides of roads as does Eversource. And this project at the airport is
dimminimous in comparison to all of that. And the last thing I'd like to do, and I know people won't really be able to see it, but I'd like to show this picture of the Cadam airport back in about 1960. And if you look at it, you can see that the trees are the size of
bushes back then. So basically, there's been very little trimming ever since about 1960 when this picture was taken. And as you can see, the trees have grown way high. And that's what uh we're trying to accomplish is to trim them up
uh to make safe approaches to maintain the existing approaches uh and no more. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. Derek, >> please identify yourself. >> Good evening. I'm Katie Waters from uh
out on Forest Beach Road. Wow. First of all, um it's great to see so many show up uh for such a critical matter, especially as experiencing such a fierce storm and it being very late as well. I think a shout out goes to
Eversource who kept us all powered up, safe, and warm because of the precautions they took by trimming trees this fall. The proactive steps resulted in no power outages throughout all of Chadam. So, speaking of which, quite
frankly, why are we here? Why are we discussing something so that has been scrutinized for almost three years, most importantly approved by the Cape Cod Conservation Commission,
the Cadam Conservation Commission, the Mass Department of Environmental Protection, the Aeronautical Branch of the Mass Department of Transportation, and the governing federal agency, the FAA. A group of concerned citizens claim they
want to increase safety at the Chattam airport. Yet they are introduc introducing compromising delay tactics and calculate and circulating misinformation that is creating the exact opposite of what they
propose to stand for safety. To say that cutting down trees shorter provides more airspace for a bigger airplane to come in doesn't work that way. We all know it's based on a runway's length and we
all know that the Chattam runway has no place to lengthen and that is not what this agenda is for right now. This article is about 6 and a half acres trimming those trees. So, my credentials coming here this evening is that of a little girl who grew up in Chattam, who
actively participated in the conservation classes of our elementary school, who went on to major in biology, and is very familiar with the ecological efforts here on Cape Cod. Growing up back in the 60s on the Oyster Pond, I never imagined becoming a pilot, an
airline captain with over 20,000 hours of flight time. That achievement is not mine alone, but it's reflective of the FAA safety regula regulations designed, imposed, and responsively implemented at
the airports all across the United States. Chattam is a very special place. I think we can all agree on that. But it's not so special that it can remove itself from state and f federal mandates.
To stall safety measures after such scrutiny and the approval of the governing bodies is not an option. It's negligent. It puts lives into jeopardy. Mine
those who live and work in West Chadam. seasonal residents and summer visitors that contribute so much to our economy and everyone in this room. Why would the town of Chadam take on
that liability? And why would any member of the select board knowingly oppose such critical safety measure? Thank you for your time. >> Thank you, Kathy. Is there anyone else online?
Okay, sir, you're next. >> Good evening to the select board. Thank you for this opportunity to just speak. My name is Dana Quinn. I'm a I own a an airplane at the airport, too. And um
very similar to uh Katie who just spoke, I have a very similar background. I moved here because there's an airport at Chadam. Why? Who cares about an airport? Somebody with 33,000 hours of flying and
27 years in the US military does. And I'll tell you why. That that's not to try and impress anybody. It's just to tell you how important it is to have excuse me to have tree cutting here because
>> I'm sorry. There's no no points of order from the audience. Can only come from the board. If you have a question, I'll I would address your question after the gentleman speaks. >> No, we'll let him we'll let him speak first. >> We'll let him speak first.
>> Thank Thank you, Mr. Chairman. What what I'm trying to point out here is I have offered many many times when all this skirmish started coming up years and years ago and there there were um accusations out there about the airport
and things like that. I spend a lot of time there. I would think if they were trying to expand the airport, I would know about it. I have an airplane there. That's not my point. My point is I offered all the people Excuse me. All
the people that are talking about the airport being unsafe, uh, we shouldn't cut trees, I have offered on numerous occasions to take them up in my airplane at my cost and show them what it is that we're so
concerned about. If any of the select board members would like to come up and fly into Cadam at night where you can't see these trees, they're not lit up like a flag pole at the town hall. I take a chance every time I come in
with my wife on board and my kids on board that I'm not going to drag a a wheel into a branch. That would be very very bad. We're just trimming trees and trying to make it safer for
everybody and that includes the people on the ground. This is not a selfish request. So, I just want to thank you for your uh for your time here and I will yield to that lady um who who has some kind of a problem with who it is
that's speaking up here now. Thank you. Um, I'll entertain your question, Carol, but you need to be at a microphone or have someone speak for you. Can the question wait until these other
gentlemen, they've been in line before you raise your voice. We'll let them let them speak first and then we'll >> I'll ask the question for her. She's having trouble moving. >> Okay. question is from Carol Bliss, West Chad
Chadam. Uh her question is in to speak here, do you have to be a Cadam resident to speak at this? >> No, you do not. No, you do not. We were advised by by town council some years ago that we had to let anybody speak and
that's that's our practice. So, thank you, Mr. Critis. Good evening. Thank you. I'll make this really brief. Um, full-time Chattam resident. Uh, I'm also a member of the airport commission. Um, I love this
town. Um, grew up here as a three-year-old in the summers and now full-time resident. I love the natural beauty. Uh, use the bike trail all the time. My family does. My wife does to go to work. I love trees. Um, I don't want
to cut them unless there's absolutely necessary. Um, and I'll go at lengths to keep them. As a matter of fact, I have uh outdoor fig trees that my grandfather brought over from Italy um that require a lot of
maintenance to keep up. Um, they're almost like a uh well, they're a lot of work to keep up. This said, something has been bothering me and keeping me up at night. Um, the question I have is who is responsible if there's an accident at
the airport? Um, and the and it's determined that the trees are a factor. Is it the airport commission? Is it the town due to chapter 100, the town bylaw? Is it the obstructors or obstructions to
the process which causing delays? I I don't know the answer to this and I don't think I want to explore this v experience. Um what I do know is the airport commission has been pursuing this for three years. Um and also one thing
also I know is that uh it's been said that Chadam has had uh existing uh instrument approaches ever since I learned to fly in 2003. And remember that every instrument approach at this level ends with a visual landing. So you can call this a
visual airport at that point but it starts as a v instrument approach. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. You're next, sir. >> Uh, thank you. Uh, my name is Ian Day. Uh, I'm a pilot. I keep an airplane at Chattam Airport. Uh, I'm a resident of Brewster, but we do also own property at
86 Melody Lane in Chattam. Um, over the years since I started flying in and out of Chattam, it was about 2015 when I when I first started flying uh at the airport. I've been flying for 36 years. Um, I currently wide body jet
captain for an international cargo company. But flying small airplanes is my passion. And in the last 10 years, I don't know the exact number, but those trees are a lot closer to my airplane when I'm landing than they were when I
first started flying here. Again, there's been a lot of disinformation sown about clear cutting six acres or clear cutting 60 acres. They're not clear cutting anything. They're individually going after trees that are in the safe area, the safety
zones above the airspace. This has been permitted. It's been talked about for years and it's just another example of certain individuals going after the airport for anything they can get. It started with the sky
divers and now it's about the approaches which have existed. I can show you the approach plates on my telephone right now if you'd like to see them, but they've been around for a very, very long time. And in fact, Chadam has one of the last NDB approaches in the country. Most of the rest of them have all been
gone away and been replaced with these GPS approaches. I'm sure there are certain individuals here that still use the AAA road atlas instead of the GPS that their car comes equipped with now or their telephone. But please, it's been permitted. It's been talked about. Let's just get it
done. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. You're next. >> Hi, my name is Austin Pereira. I am a Cape Cod resident and I keep one of the planes at the Chattam Airport. Um, one of the first things I actually want to
comment on is the question of whether someone is a resident in Chadam if they're speaking on this. If you argue that you care about safety, you can't say that it should matter where you live because the trees, the
dangers, or any obstruction, they don't care where you live. If that is your route of travel or that is your means of travel and you care about safety, then it shouldn't matter where your house is as long as you are still using that as a route to get home at night. And that's
why for me it's important. Um, I'm an endidonist. I have no commercial interest in aviation, but I love the Chattam airport. I love it precisely because it's small, because it has a community of great people I've gotten to know, and we like it as a place to hang
out. This is not something that for us, there's no gain to expanding the airport. We want it to be small. We want it to be safe. It's not about new approaches. These are affecting visual approaches. And you can argue it all you
want. All it takes is a simple flight in a little plane like mine, which was built in 1968, to fly over and see how dangerously close those trees are now to a simple ordinary landing. It's not about major jets coming in, which you can also tell
just by having a sandwich at hanger B. For us, watching a jet come in is a big occasion. We ask where it came from, whose is that? How did it get here? This isn't about an airport trying to pass a conspiracy theory to expand into something it's not. It's about trying to
maintain the airport in the way that it's always been maintained. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Members of the board and uh participants, good evening. My name is Kyle Tajin. I'm a year-round Chadam resident and I also uh rent a hanger
here and fly a small Cessna aircraft from our airport. Um learned to fly here 30 years ago and uh actually first came to Chadam in 1984, my first duty station in the Coast Guard. Um there's been a lot uh of information of course talked
about this evening and um what I'd like to convey to you is being able to see clearly and not obstructions when we're flying. Not only accounts when we're in the air, but when we're on the ground, an aircraft that's
waiting to take off, when you want to see uh a plane that's coming in, you need a clear line of sight. As these trees grow, obviously that blocks. So, uh if we don't take care of this now,
when are we going to take care of it? Because the trees will continue to grow. That process won't stop. And this is maintenance as folks have talked about whether it's our harbor, whether it's our bypass or roadways, we prevent uh accidents by doing
preventative maintenance. This is no more uh than that. I would urge you folks uh as a board to support this project uh and and allow it to go forward with with your support. And I would I would tell you uh that I
believe that this is really good public policy in terms of maintaining the trees. My background, I've spent my entire life in public safety, 30 years with the Coast Guard, retiring from the Coast Guard Reserve in 2017,
and I concurrently had a uh 30-year career uh as a police officer. and the last six years I was the emergency management director and the chief of police in the town of Truro. So I'm I'm wellversed in public safety policy. This
is good policy for our town and I would I would urge you to support it. Thank you. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Lara Slifka. Uh some of you guys might recognize me. I was the assistant conservation agent here in Chadam many years ago and I fought for many t trees
to protect. I'm also a pilot and I'm not fighting for these trees to protect them. Um, like everybody else has said, when we come in, we want to make sure we have a very clear view and coming in on a smooth angle. And as these trees
continue to grow, they get closer to our airplanes as a safety measure. Not all it is is a safety measure. It's important to get these clear trees cut. Additionally, I'm I'm disappointed to say this. I'm disappointed that the selectmen continue
to allow citizens to speak without any background and give false information about things that they don't know anything about. They might know some stuff because they've done research on it, but plain and simply approaches. He
doesn't have any reason to talk about it, but you guys continue to let him talk about it at the town meeting. He writes it in the newspaper. And I don't think it's fair because he's being able to change people's opinions based on what's not true. Someone like
Mike Karen, he speaks the truth. That's it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. I would just point out that under the ruling of the Supreme Judicial Court, this board has to allow anybody to say anything they want. They can be and they can be as nasty as they want or as kind as they want. I can't stop them.
And much to my personal disappointment, we have to allow people from anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world to stand at that podium and speak to us. So that's what we're doing. Thank you, >> Mr. H. Hello, I'm uh Renee Hos and resident of uh Cadam and uh and and
pilot at Chattam Airport and uh uh number of pilots have spoken about the importance and it it is a personal thing and in a way they've experienced it personally. I know that uh Mr. Day has many times offered in meetings for
members of the public to come and fly with him and witness the same thing. he's never gotten any uh any response, you know, from that and that tells you a little something. So, I'm here to ask you to reject the comments and the opinions expressed by Mike Thompson.
Um, he has made it known that he believes that an airport in Chadam is really not appropriate for the town of Chadam. And uh so his comments and analysis, they're more born of sewing seeds of discontent with the airport commission rather than a desire to
improve safety as he claims. Uh in order to be brief, I'll just the the presentation that he made is, you know, is full of mis uh misinformation, but it would take hours to go and actually try to rebut all of them in,
you know, in public. So to be I'll just cite one example of a statement which is misleading and hurtful to the airport and and thereby the entire Chattam community. Uh one of his slides uh Mike Thompson states that according to the FAA a straight in approach to landing in
Chadam without a control tower might increase the chance of a mid-air collision. Now that is very seriously misleading on many on so many levels. First, the tree cutting proposal supports every kind of landing approach,
day and night, any kind of weather conditions. It improves the safety for all aircraft, big or small, doesn't impact on the number of large aircraft that will land here in Chadam. Second, the subject of straight in approaches is not really relevant to our discussion
because we are not proposing any particular type of approach. Um this project it's the project of tree cutting at six and a half acres. It's entirely independent of any requirements to enable new instrument approaches
which may be considered in the future but have not been you know uh actively discussed or pursued and you know the uh you know the subject of of straighten approach is not really
relevant to this. We're talking about a small project to clear six and a half acres and that's what was requested. Um the project is entirely independent of any requirements to enable new instrument approaches and primarily
serves the small air aircraft that represent well over 95% of the traffic at the airport. And third, his comment somehow ignores the reality that actually straight in approaches have been studied by the International Civil
Aviation Organization, ICAO, and they've been found to be 25 times safer than the circling approach now used in Chadam using basically World War II technology. Why doesn't he mention this? If he's
supposedly interested in safety, he would be going 100% for an approach which is much much more safe. We're not anywhere near there yet, but he just cites where some somewhere he heard that the
FAA said this would increase midair collisions, which is absurd. So >> he should me, you know, the comments show that his intention is really to harm the airport and the airport commission really without any regard to
the safety of those in the community or in the air. The sad truth is that Thompson has never been able to come up with any cra credible aviation expert to back up his damaging opinions.
The reason is very simple, namely that these opinions make no sense to anyone with some aviation knowledge and with an unbiased uh viewpoint. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Brian, are you going to wrap
this up? No. No. >> You're going to No, I'm not going to allow any more comment. Dr. Thompson. No more comments. >> There are two people that are lined up to speak. M Mr. Phillips, you're on. >> All right. Brian Phillips. Uh I'm on the
airport commission. Um no one is more concerned about, you know, preserving wildlife um habitats and uh you know, little critters and birds than I am. Um but this is something that has to be done. These trees have to get cut down.
Um I don't know if Dee is not really paying attention right now, but I'm the one that brought the arborist uh to the tree warden meeting to make sure they didn't cut those trees down in the park. So, I mean, talk is cheap. I I back it up, you know, preserving wildlife and that whatnot. And this is something that has to get done. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Miss Lan. >> Hello, Lafran. Great Hill. I didn't come with any plan to say anything this evening, but I feel compelled to get up here having spent three years on the airport commission and devoted my life
to learning about the FAA and learning about the restrictions and being there as we went through skydiving and watching and going to master plan meetings beforehand. So, I'm not uneducated even though I'm not a pilot. I'd like just quickly not to say
anything about trees. I did take up um an offer to go up in a plane. Maybe nobody else did, but um I did make that that um approach. I had a newsletter that I started to inform the the people
in my neighborhood about was going on and was severely castigated by the airport commission by not being a team player. I thought I was doing my my civic duty. That's in the past. But what I'd like to
speak to tonight is something you said Shireen almost a decade ago is that the airport commission needs to work with the people who are affected by the planes and that as I've watched that relationship deteriorate from where it
was 10 years ago when I was on the airport commission. I would hope that the vitriol that I heard from nearly every single pilot against those of us who were underneath those planes as they come in
in the dark and don't know where they're going. I would hope that that could be left in the past so that we could make a move forward. And as for Mr. Karen from Gail, I wish I could come across the um quote
I have from you where I asked if there were over 500 pilots plans coming in, what would happen because that is the base for um a DG2 airport which we don't have. And he said to make the master plan would have to be reopened.
I haven't seen any of that in any of the um uh CIT what are the um plans for plans going forward for uh for capital capital improvement plan. So where do we go from
here? As I sit here and listen to this is just trees. My worry is yeah this is just trees but I have been misled by the airport commission before. I've been misled by the FAA. I've been misled by Burlington
where the district offices. So there is a huge trust issue that we don't believe what what you are doing in the air or what you say you are doing and that isn't just one-sided.
So stays I would implore you to speak to the airport commission to pull together what we tried to do years ago which was create um the FAA approved community
airport coalition. They actually have a book on how airports work with communities. We brought this to the airport commission and was summarily dismissed. The pilots are not going anywhere. The airport isn't going anywhere. I'm not
going anywhere. So, we need to make this to work going forward and not in the way that I heard this evening because I brought my dedication and my integrity to my place on the airport
commission years ago. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Proud. >> Hi, my name is Harriet Prout and I'm not a pilot. rarely been in a plane and I'm just speaking for everyone in
Cadam who isn't here tonight. I spoke at two of the town meetings and there was a vote. There was a vote on this particular issue of the trees and it was overwhelming. The citizens of this town said no. They said no to the money and
they said no to the trees. And now I don't know understand how a financial off the the chair of the finance committee can say to find money that we voted down to now pay for the trees. I
think it should go back to the town to a town meeting again. I don't think you should override the voices of all the people that spoke at the town meeting and it should go back there and make them to the decision. People don't want
these pilots to be in harm. They want the airport master plan to change. They have talked in that master plan, they're talking about advancing the airport, adding adding hangers, changing this,
changing that, 60 acres of trees. That's all in the master plan. They may say it's not what they're doing. It's in their plan. Just ask them to do another plan. Just ask them to do that. will vote on it at the town meeting and they'll get their trees trimmed. Thank
you very much. >> Thank you. Okay, I'm gonna wrap. What do you have, Mr. Thompson? Dr. >> I'll give you two seconds and then we're closing it down. >> I agree with all you pilots that have
spoken. Nowhere in my talk was did I say that we should not trim the trees on the visual flight paths. I was talking about plans to enhance the airport with new approaches for the charter jets. So of
course we have to trim the trees on the existing visual flight paths. There's a bylaw to that effect. So most of you was were arguing the right thing, but it's inappropriate for this particular discussion. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dr. Thompson. Okay, I'm going
to bring it back to the board now for any conversation or discussion you might want to have. And Stuart, this was your request. I don't know if you want to say anything at this time of entertaining comments from any member of the board.
>> Sure. Uh, thank you, Dean. Um, thank you for indulging the conversation. I know it's been a long evening. Um, I think this this conversation kind of is indicative of the problem of uh at
least historically of the airport commission being able to effectively communicate um its intentions. Uh I we we've we've appointed several new members to the airport commission.
Um I think that that will bring you know some some newer light to the conversation. Um uh I agree that um with Mr. Thompson that uh you know the trees uh are less of an issue. Um and I can
see that uh trees have to be trimmed. I get it. I'm not, you know, um I think the analogy to dredging is ridiculous, but uh I'll save that for another night. Um the the uh so where do we go from
here? I my understanding is we won't be taking a vote on this issue. It's uh um I think that uh and you've heard me say before that it's in it's incumbent upon the select board to take a leadership role in some of these more you know
controversial issues. This is a controversial issue that has been going on for over since skydiving um and uh is doesn't appear to be
coming to any satisfactory conclusion. Um I was intrigued with some of the the pilots conversations tonight. I I I was I you know I agreed with them uh on on some of the uh concerns of these small planes pilots. Uh I certainly want
wouldn't want to be trimming trees with the uh with the wheels on my aircraft coming into uh Chattam Airport. However, that's not the issue. The issue here is and after eight or nine months,
it is clear to me that the groundwork is being laid and has been being laid for uh expansion of the operations at the airport. And I don't mean a runway leng lengthening. I mean allowing larger jet
aircraft with uh whether it be charter or other type of commercial activity into Chattam airport. That is something that this community I don't think would accept and uh that needs to be flushed
out. We're not going to do that tonight. Um but that issue needs to be flushed out completely. Um, you know, I I I think Mr. Karen's uh comments were were um were very helpful. Um, I' I've heard
him speak before and um he seems to bring some uh reason to the discussion. Um so I I I won't uh drag this on any further but um I think it's very clear that um uh the you know not all members
of the commission because some are new and you know I think they all mean well um but this com this this failed communication to the concerned neighbors and to the community is not doing them any good. It's not doing the airport any
good and it's not doing the pilots that use the airport uh any good. So, um and I do believe in the future we're going to have to take a leadership role and uh resolve uh most of the issues that surround the airport which go beyond uh
the tree trimming. Thanks, Dean. >> Thank you, Stuart. Any comments right here, Jeff? Jeff? >> Yeah, thank you. Uh thanks to everybody that spoke this evening. Uh appreciate all the comments. Um I uh I've been around a while. Um folks, I want you to know that we can we can trim trees by
right. We have a bylaw number 100 that says by right we can trim trees around this airport. So um that's been on the books forever. Um I just want to make sure and I I'm in favor of trimming the trees. I think it's a no-brainer. It's a safe it is a safety issue. It's an absolute no-brainer. Um we have the
ability to do that by right. Um number one. Number two, our airport commission, our conservation commission, the Cape Cod Commission, Mass D, MEEPA, Mass Dot, the FAA, and our own bylaw say it's okay
to do this. Our pilots here this evening say it's okay to do this. I just want to make sure, and I'm in favor of doing it, I just want to make sure it's done right. I would like the the monitor, if you will, and this is addressing your issues, Dee, to to really think carefully about trimming and topping
versus removing. And no matter what zone you're in, that the map that Gail has out here that has yellow and green on it, I I really think we need to be very careful about how we go about our work. If a tree is 80 feet tall, we're gonna rip it out or we're gonna top it.
uh that the the the slide that Hart showed that you know the the the the low the low low growth pines if you will scrub pines have now grown. So we got to take care of them and by right we we should it's the right thing to do. Um
downstream I think we need to think more more deeply about the overall relationship with the with the airport and the town their issues. I appreciated what Stuart had to say and I also appreciated what the folks here had, you know, brought forward. Um, some very articulate spo folks here speaking. But
what's in front of me tonight and I guess we're not going to take a vote, but where we do take a vote, I would definitely support the trimming of trees and the topping of trees and only removing trees when you absolutely have to. Um, and I think we need to get the right arborist and get a good monitor
and really pay attention to to our native trees. Um, I'm a tree hugger. Um, but we need to do this smartly and and safely and we need to do it. Um, you know, we have I've been around a while. We have talked about this
10 times since it's a ad nauseium. It's time to act. We have permissions to act. We can give ourselves permission to act. If I were to vote, I would say go ahead, but let's do it smartly. Let's do it
with sensitivity. And I keep saying top and trim versus remove. >> Thank you, >> Shireen. I think uh Jeff you said it very eloquently and I will not repeat um because it is late but I did want to say that I think you know um having the
friends of trees come and and express concerns for what they see uh and getting answers to the question oversight is important um and a less invasive way to to call if that's a
better word um some of the higher trees is is really important important. Um I just wanted to address I know that um u Miss Lafkrina had brought up um my position on community advocacy. I I
still believe that there you know we see and Stuart has made a point about this is there's a community of distrust in uh around the airport and you know over the course of the years I I've seen people just dig their heels in on both sides
and not really be able to to come to any sort of agreement or understanding um you know for a number of years and it's just you know I I don't see as many outspoken folks in the room as we used to, but I know that they're still out
there. And I just want to say that, you know, an advocacy group is not a bad thing to have put together uh as a community um sort of le, you know, like another sense of community that that um can speak to the commission. But something like that comes along, it
can't be just completely criticizing folks. it it does have to come with value and and it could only do that if it was advocacy on both sides. I don't know if that would ever happen. Um but you know that was where I was coming
from in the past. So again it's um I support the I support this project. Um, I think, you know, safety is a really important, uh, the pilots did, uh, give us a better sense and understanding of what they're dealing with when they're flying into Chadam and flying out of
Chattam. So, uh, um, I just hope that we can get this project done and done in a way that is is good for everybody and good for the trees. >> Thank you, Corey. Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's been a very long night, everyone, hasn't it? Um
the tree issues I have no problem with. We need to address them. It's a safety issue. Um that's crystal clear. No objections. Um but we've all been around long enough. I think there's a broader questions out there. There's more engagement this this board needs to take
care of. there's broader trust issues, information, misinformation, you name it, that's still out there that we need to be get we need to kind of round up and figure out how to work through it because um we don't need to have, you know, multi-hour meetings on single issues every time something comes before
us. We need to have a little bit more clear plan uh how to engage uh how to how the airport commission should communicate with the neighbors, how the board should communicate with citizens. collectively we could make a better process um because there's a lot of um a
lot of people that feel very strongly about the airport and there's a lot of people that are putting information that is factual and there's people that are putting information out that u may have some flaws and then we need to figure out how to uh correct that. So um but tonight's tonight's position and
discussions about the trees and I appears we're not taking any motion. So, um, for the record, I don't have any objection to it and hopefully we can move this forward. Thank you. Uh, well, I mean, I supported the article that went to town meeting um and I was
disappointed that it was defeated uh because to me it is a safety project and um I I always come down on the side of safety, safety first and I appreciate that and respect the the
vote of town meeting. Uh you can interpret it however you want. Whether it was a denial of the substantive content or whether it was a denial of the funding could probably argue it both ways, but um I am concerned about
liability to the town if there is a injury um as a result of not doing anything with the trees. Um, and I take considerable comfort in in the u position of our own conservation
commission which decision was reviewed by the Mass Department of Environmental Protection and they issued a superseding um order of conditions. Um, at the same time,
I do share the concerns that have been voiced uh tonight about citizen engagement. And I I personally would think it would be a decent and and constructive idea if
there were some sort of um citizen advisory commission or committee uh that um the airport commission could work with on various issues, not just this one.
Um, I'm concerned also that the town needs to fulfill its legal obligations uh pursuant to our grant asurances and everything that flows from that. So, I continue to support the project. I personally don't think we need to take
any action tonight on this. Uh, I would encourage the airport commission as it proceeds with this project to continue to have conversation with the friends of trees. Um I think some of the suggestions that Mr. Dykins and Miss Davis made are worth
um pursuing. Um I I think this project could be undertaken in a very um responsible and thoughtful manner. So with that, unless someone has a motion they want to put forward, as I said earlier, we could do nothing. We could
support it. we could encourage the commission not to do it uh or something in between, but I personally think um we've had a very thorough discussion of this. Uh I don't think we've had a discussion on an airport issue in in
several years like this. Uh and it is almost 10:00. So I'll ask if any board member has anything further to say. >> If not, >> I just think it was apparent that the board, you know, was very much in support of the the project. the entire
board. I I well we can speak for ourselves, but I I think so. Okay. All right. With that, I'm going to ask for a final motion for the evening. >> Motion to adjurnn, Mr. Chairman. >> Second. >> It's been moved and seconded. I will call the role. Miss Davis.
>> I. >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Meadows. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. We are adjourned at 9:59 p.m.