meeting here at the town hall in Chertford and also by Zoom for anyone who had signed up ahead of time. Uh we are being recorded by Chford Teledia and uh the uh minutes or the the meeting is available on Chonesford's Tele Media's
uh YouTube channel and I want to take a chance to thank our Chford Teledia folks for their diligent efforts in keeping us recorded. Um David, shall we start with the open session? So just for a preview, we have an open
session and then one or two or three regulatory hearings and then we'll conclude as we usually do by talking about the agents report and land management. So I think first on the agenda, uh Desmond, do you want to um come up and tell us a little bit about what you're uh doing on the foot bridge
at Thanksgiving forest? It's um pretty informal. Just tell us what you uh what you've been up to. >> So Um, I'm Desmond Wetszel. I'm from Troop 81 and I'm a senior at Trump High School. This is my presentation.
Next slide. Um, so this is what we're this is what I'm going to be talking about during the presentation. Next slide, please. Um you can see before that was before we had started working on the bridge and
then after that was about two weeks ago we had finished. We did it in two days and it went greatly went pretty much right to plan. Next slide please. Um these are my uh volunteers who helped me do it. You can see we have the boards
off the bridge. >> Wow. >> Pretty nice. Next slide. Um the changes that we did to the original uh project is so we made the bridge wider than it was before and we also used TX wood on top rather than the
old wood and the TX wood is it's more flexible than the old wood. So we had to add like support to the side, extra support to the side because when you step on the side it was bending a lot. So we added extra support so it wouldn't bend. And we also decided not to add in
the original uh project plan, we said we were going to add like small railings on the side to like stop like a wheelchair if it was to go off, but we realized there's not going to be wheelchairs out there. And if there was to be like a bike rider who
went on it, it would actually be more of a danger to them because it would kind of like throw their wheel up and or stop their wheel or something and it it could it could like make them fall head over heel heels, which not be good. So, next slide, please.
Um, the new bridge will last longer because of the extra support and and the tracks put on top, which is plastic, not wood, so it won't rot. And then we increased the width. We didn't add the side railings because we thought it'd be
a danger for bikes. And we added more supports underneath than originally because it was also more flexible in the middle because the old wood, but it's not as strong as the old wood. So, we had lots of supports underneath. Next slide, please. Um, I respectfully
request conservation commission's approval of project completion. >> Great. Thank you. And thank you for doing the project. >> Was it >> Oh, sorry. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Um, no, no, you can. Do you have anything else to say or
>> uh Well, I just had a question, but do you want to do you have some more you'd like to show us? You can you can ask the question. I >> I was curious what uh when you reflect back on the job, what was the most interesting thing to you personally or something you learned or observed or had
fun with? What like how do you reflect back on that whole experience? >> Um well, I took like notes like during it, of course. >> Okay. I wasn't asking for, you know, too much, >> but um I'd say like probably like the most fun thing about it was like getting everybody out there because just a lot of people to see like a lot of my family
came out and helped as well. Like some of them like one of my uncles, he just moved to Florida. He was up here and he came down to help with the bridge. That was pretty nice to see him and other family and also a lot of people who helped me like scouts. It was nice to see them. >> Yeah. Great. Well, thank you. But but
you can see just from this presentation, it was very well done. >> You know, a lot of thought was put into it. Very a very good craftsmanship. So, it's good job. >> Any surprises? >> Um,
no, it went it went like really good according to plan. So, >> good. You must be you must be well liked because there's a lot of people out there helping you. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So,
I would like to uh request uh funding. So, the cost of the materials like the wood and everything was $578 and the value we already had a lot of wood donated to us. It was $411. And then remaining expenses was $166. And we
also had to get food for the workers and that was $142 for two days. And the value of the donated food was 57 and remaining expenses 85. 468.98 cents was already donated at 65% of the
cost. And I'm requesting $251.91 if possible my project. >> Dave, that fits our budget. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Just just need to vote a motion. >> I'll I'll entertain a motion. Well, are there any questions that I'll entertain
a motion to approve? >> I'd like to please. >> Do you have to make a similar presentation to people in the scouting organization as you did tonight? >> So, at first when I was like presenting this uh project to my uh troop for me
doing it, I I made I used the I used like a very similar presentation that I used like when I first presented it to the commission like um less than a year ago. And then also I don't it's not a presentation that I have to make but I have to go in front of the eagle board
and I have like this whole like workbook thing where I've been writing everything down in it and then I bring it to them and then they like they'll ask me questions like how it went problems and stuff like that and then they'll prove it or they won't approve it. So
>> what do you get out of this? Do you get another badge for that? No, I get this is this is the Well, >> I need a couple more merit badges. That's just those things. But what um towards what? >> Um this helps me get my Eagle Scout. >> Good.
>> Which? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You interested in some more conservation related merit badges. >> We'll help you find projects. >> Okay. So, I'll entertain a motion to approve of Desmond's request for funding support.
>> Second. Yes. >> So you'll so move I second. >> Uh any more discussion. All in favor? >> Just want to thank >> Oh yes, please. >> Thank you because you've done a lot of work and what a project someone else would have had it done. It would
wouldn't have gotten done in the time you got it to us. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good job. Good presentation. >> Excellent. >> Thank you for your approval and money. So >> So did we vote? >> No, we haven't voted yet. Oh, okay. Wait
a minute. It could still still get excited. Okay. All in favor of the motion. >> All right. Thank you, Desmond. Appreciate it. And thank your team members >> and other people who have supported you. >> So, Desmond, I'll need an invoice. >> Okay.
>> Um, for this um you know, if if you need more clarification on what the invoice should say, I I can I can get that for you. But that's, you know, that's what the accounting department needs to be able to, you know, >> so so think about getting that.
>> Okay. I'll email that to you as soon as possible. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for your time. >> Thank you. >> So, this is still the open session. David, do we you want to seek any public input or jump to the planning board?
>> Um, well, uh, Jackson Leech is on the agenda as well. Um but he ah yes but he's uh he's actually not going to be here. I I told him that you know um that there was there was really no need to be
here just to give an update. Um he he told me that uh he's in the process of acquiring materials um you know for for the project. That's where things stand right now. He did he did ask about fundraising. So, so the
commission did did vote um a $400 donation at this point. Um so that so that's on the table. Um you know, I can I can ask him um if if he is requesting more. Um but would the commission be
open to that if if he's requesting more? >> Peter, I think I think it is going to be more expensive. David, do these kids avail themselves of the town's sales tax exemption when they buy lumber? >> Uh, I hope so.
>> Well, they won't if they don't know what it is. >> True. But, um, >> we used to have them. Most of the kids bought stuff from Chelsea Lumber and they had our town's sales tax, so they saved what, five or six%. >> Yeah. So, I think I've been remiss in
not pointing that out to them. So, I will I I will definitely uh do that. Um if the materials if Desmond the materials he's already bought probably paid the sales tax. Um so, you know,
that that might not be paid. Um >> we did that. We bought the fencing for uh Redwing Farm. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. So, again, I apologize for not thinking of it this time. >> Does that leave Desmond short of whatever the number is, 12 bucks?
Um, well, I I I I No. Yeah, I think you will find it. >> I bought them into a handshake. >> Good job. Brilliant. >> Before you die,
>> you realize you're on TV. >> Now, that right there deserves the badge. >> Yeah. >> It's a state commerce. >> Thank you for that clarification, Dan. That was great. >> Okay.
>> Okay. So, I will I will convey that to Jackson. >> Good. Thank you. >> That the commission is open to uh you know donating more. >> Thank you. >> Kids. >> Okay. Uh any members of the public? We are in the open public forum part.
Anyone want to bring something to our attention not on the agenda? >> Nothing on Zoom. David? >> No. >> Okay. Okay. Report from our planning board liaison. Thank you, Chris. >> Good evening. Chris Lavali, chair of the
planning board. Uh since the last conservation meeting, we've had two planning board meetings, June 24th and July 8th. We've had no uh Lady Slipper Road uh or lane hearings. Um we have been working with the neighborhood uh
for the riverneck road reszoning uh process. We've started the 210 Boston Road area resoning neighborhood meetings as well. We've wrapped up the contractor yard preliminary discussion uh for that zoning.
We are working through the preliminary discussions for data center defining and zoning and also special permit review for 91 Kingsboro Road uh was started. Uh next week we have our meeting for the
planning board um in July. It is staggered with the conservation meeting weeks. Uh next week we will uh be hearing from Lady Slipper Project again. We will be wrapping up all of the preliminary discussion and neighborhood
meetings for our uh potential uh falltown meeting zoning. And we will start our public hearings in August uh for August 12th, two to three meetings for all of our um zoning uh amendments for town meeting in the fall. So that'll
probably be the two meetings in August for the public hearings which are going to be quite significant. I think we have seven potential articles going before town meeting in the fall. >> You've been busy. >> Yep. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> Yes, please.
>> Is there something about Lady Slipper that none of us know? I mean, this thing is becoming a big deal apparently. We keep we keep continuing. He's continuences. Does anybody know anything? I know this
is not a hearing, so >> yeah, we can't really talk about it. Um I don't know if you're uncomfortable saying anything. >> I actually don't know. >> I'll I'll just say that um I I think the delay um is largely due to uh an
extended title search on the property. That's my understanding. >> See anything more than that? >> Less of a problem. >> Good. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Chris. appreciate your work. All right, let's move into our regulatory hearings. Um, first up is a
continued notice of intent from uh applicant choice one Smith Street and um, uh, Mr. Rose. Yes. >> Yes. >> Welcome again. >> Thank you. Donald Rose from CHA on behalf of Choice and SCG. Um, I just
came to give you an update. We went through the uh zoning board and the 40B comprehensive permit was approved. Uh with that the storm water review was uh performed and completed. You got the letter that indicates that everything
was accepted other than a few conditions that are typical u for the project. So uh we're here in front of you to find out what else you would like to know. There were small changes to the plans uh added snow storage areas um just minor
details uh that they were asking to to be done um an offset for water line to a storm system. Nothing that was gerine to the the uh conservation part of the project itself. So
>> well appreci appreciate the update. >> Yep. Um, David, do you have any observations you'd like to uh >> just just a a couple of questions? Um, I I I don't think we need any additional information. I think the hearing can be closed. Um, but uh just a question on on
this sheet, Don. So, you see where I'm circling here? >> Yep. >> The the symbol. Um, is that is that a new tree? A proposed new tree or new shrub? >> It's a proposed new tree. So we don't have a defined landscape area. As we discussed in the last meeting, we're
open to a condition if of a 2:1 replacement within the conservation area if if that's which would you know because you don't have a defined one. Some towns require two to one some things like that. So if that's something that is of interest to replace more
trees along the periphery, we are definitely open to that. >> What what are what are these proposed ba trees based on? um just that's just >> just landscape. >> They're just a conceptual landscape plan. So what happens is we get the 40B
approval, they still need to do a final set that goes to the town. Um usually these projects, like I said, they get approved um especially if they are 40Bs and then they sit uh for a couple years for financing. And if you had I don't
know if you watched the uh ZBA hearing with David Hison in the first one, they talk about how the financing goes. They have to go before usually a mini round. They don't get approved in that first one. Then they go to the next one which is a half a year later. And it takes a little bit of time for all the financing
to come through. Usually two to three years and then we finalize the plans. And at that point, some regulations will change, not local regulations, but usually state regulations which may alter some things on the plans. And so we provide a final plan set, stamp plan
set for the building permit. And that's when you get your chance to review the plans themselves if there are conditions. So we that's when we update the plans for any conditions. So we show a conceptual landscape plan at this point. And then should we have a discussion back and forth um uh whatever
condition you put on there, we then define the landscape plan for construction itself. >> Okay. Okay. Thank Thank you. That that clarifies. Just the only other comment I make is I'll make is and we talked about this at the site visit was this area here where there's a um a proposed trash
recycling um area on a concrete pad. I'm I'm not entirely confident some of these trees are going to survive even though they're not they don't have an X on them so they're not actually shown as being removed uh is going to be removed
but again I think that can be handled with the condition as well uh in >> I think there really was one question of a tree we were trying to uh because it is a fill we were hoping to save a tree it's a little bit off of it several feet off of it but like you said if there is something that needs to be removed again
that condition would be of the number actually removed. So you know if we have to remove an additional tree then we replace it with two or something like that. Um we have no problem with that or making the condition of >> add an extra add an extra two trees. We
think this one's coming down. No problem with that itself. So >> okay so that was that was all the comments I had. I I think the hearing can be closed tonight. >> Go around the table. Uh, John, you want to start? Any questions? >> I I really don't have any questions. I
think they've done >> their homework. It's It's going to be built no matter what. That's my opinion. >> It's It's a little off topic, but when you look at all the different projects the Chance for Housing Authority and
their allies are working on in town, this is part of a much bigger good housing project. Not that that affects our decisions, but it's it's a good good project. Yes. >> Thank you, Bill. >> I'm fine. >> Okay, Mark. >> I have to recuse myself. >> Oh, right.
>> I'm going to butter up. >> A quiet of butter. >> Quiet. >> And David, you had a question. >> Who owns this project? >> Who owns the project? So, Choice does. So, >> and what is Choice? >> Choice >> Corporation. >> So, they're No, they're uh nonprofit
entity. Um David Hison did a really fantastic presentation at the ZBA hearing and they asked a lot of questions more than design stuff. It was about financing. So, and I'm going to do my best. I take it with a grain of salt.
I don't know specifically, but uh CHA, the Chancellor Housing Authority can only get so much money replace um these units. um when somebody like Choice comes in, they have the ability to go out for more funding and more avenues of
funding. And so that's why CHA transferred to Choice the pro the project and then Choice goes out and gets a lot more money instead of being limited to, >> you know, Choice owns the project when it's complete. They no it gets turned
over back to I mean they own they own the property but it's it's CHA itself chongs housing authority this is not the first project that we've done >> I understand I'm just trying choice is involved in a lot of projects I'm trying to understand who owns the properties
>> town each town where choice has built a project gets turned back to the town and the town owns it. No, no, this is a different different than most because choice doesn't always work with a housing authority. This is the housing
authority. So like Chumsford Woods, correct? Is operated by CHA, the Chumsford Housing Authority >> project is completed. >> Yep. >> Five years from now, can Choice sell it? >> Can Choice sell it? I I don't believe so. I think it falls under the
Chelmswood Housing Authority. So Choice turns it over to the Chelsea Housing Authority and now it's their property and they can do what they decide to do based on what the law has allowed them to do. >> Is that correct?
>> Again, I'd have you're going into weeks that I don't know. I I can find that information out from David Hison himself about the specifics of ownership itself. I >> that's more for my information than it has to do. So that's all I have. And you
we could also look at the ZBA um hearing on TV because David Hison gave a earlier presentation to the community preservation fund committee where I'm the Kongcom rep and the funding stuff they do is pretty complicated. >> Get citizen of the year for nothing.
>> Yeah, it's the work they're doing is it strikes me as a bit of a black magic. >> I'm just trying to understand the legalities and who's >> a good point. And I I got plenty of information >> and I apologize that I don't have the answer and uh if you had asked it ahead of time I you know I could get that
information back. >> Give it a call. >> Yeah, it's complicated. Thank you. >> Y >> thanks David. Good question. Ally questions. >> All right. So David, do we uh move to close the hearing next? Right. >> So I'll entertain a motion to close. >> Is this a hearing?
>> Yes. Notice intent hearing. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Move we close the hearing. >> It's a second. That means the next step was to what? >> Issue an order of conditions >> for this. >> Yeah. >> Have you got >> Did you Did you Maybe you missed that meeting. >> I think you missed the first one. I
think that was before you before I was appointed. >> Yeah. So, we went through the formal careful review. >> All right. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Just keep motion more often. >> I'm just waiting for the shoe to drop. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to close
the hearing. I won't do that then since I I wasn't there. Somebody else could. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. >> Any further discussion on closing the hearing? >> Vote. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed.
>> I abain. >> Abstain. And what abstension? >> And Mark I >> and two abstensions. Does that give us enough? >> Three to four. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Just barely. Chris is here. Yeah. >> You see, Ali, it was important that you were here.
>> Yeah. What are we going to do? >> Oh, boy. >> She can't leave until Chris comes off vacation. >> Okay. So, David, what else do we need to do here? >> Uh, so need to need to vote to issue an order of conditions. Uh my recommendation is a standard uh order of
conditions with with the one special condition is that I meet on site um with the site contractor prior to the start of work to review uh trees that are proposed to come down or will likely have to come down and then just put the
condition in there that all such trees will be replaced two to one. >> It already sounds good >> within the jurisdiction you're talking about. >> Yes. Yeah, within the juris. >> Yeah. I just want that. Yes. >> Well, that's important. Yeah, >> it is very important because there are other trees outside of that, >> right? Yes. >> Okay. So, I'll entertain a a motion that
we u authorize our agent to issue an order of conditions, standard conditions with uh one special condition that there be a meeting on site before construction to discuss the 2:1 replacement
requirement. >> Yes. um in the conservation commission's regulatory jurisdiction >> in the right in yeah so I'll entertain a motion to that effect >> move second >> second >> further discussion all in favor >> I
>> I project >> thank you >> okay next on the agenda um is this one continued David 21 and 23 7th Avenue Willis Drive >> uh yes they they have a requested a
continuance to July 28th. >> So I'll take a motion to continue this to when did they give a >> July 28th. >> Oh, I'm sorry you said that. So I'll entertain a motion from someone to continue this till July 28th. >> Seconds.
>> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> Bill made the motion. I made a second. He's quick. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Further discussion? >> No. All in favor? I >> I >> All right. Maybe maybe we'll go for
Chris's record. Huh. Um so the third and last regulatory hearing uh is also continued. David New England Power. Yeah, we got a request for continuence to July 28th on that one as well. >> Okay. And is there any comments that you want to make at this point?
>> Um I I I'll I'll just say that um I I'm I'm confident that they're making progress to address the peer reviewers comments. Um, so I I I expect um that there will they will all be resolved by the next meeting. So
we'll see. >> Okay. So I'll entertain a motion to continue uh this hearing. >> We continue. Do you have a date, sir? >> Uh July 28th. >> July 28th. >> I move we continue this hearing until July 28th. >> Thank you, David. Any seconds?
Second. Thank you, John. Uh, further discussion and all in favor of continuing. >> I >> I >> Okay. I feel guilty taking a paycheck. >> That's good. >> What's that? >> I feel guilty taking a paycheck. >> I thought we paid for this.
>> Okay. Uh, continual business. Um, David, is there anything that other than the agents report and the land management discussion, any continued business? And I guess we got a certificate of compliance. >> Uh, two certificates of compliance, actually. But >> you want to do land management discussion or
>> let's do let's do land management. Yeah. >> All right. Bill, we often start with all the activity at Culis. Do you mind? Uh, >> no. Um starting >> this weekend, they had another uh large uh work crew up there cleaning along the
uh the stone wall on the right field. They did a nice job, a lot of work. Um, last week Mark Gibbs donated an old tractor that we had spoken about before and uh, DPW along with Christopher's
Towing picked it up, brought it to the site. DPW placed it behind the fence where we talked about. And uh they also brought two uh iron uh steel farm tractor wheels that were on site when
they cleaned the site and the DPW's been storing them. They brought those back. Those are beautiful. If you haven't seen them, they're really nice. Uh unique wheels and they place those out there. >> How old are you think, Bill? Oh, those are real old. Those
>> 20s. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Overund years. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> You know, with the spikes, tires. >> Did you see them? >> They're really nice. >> Yeah. >> So, the the DPW, Joe Ericson, and and the guys, >> I mean, they brought all the equipment up there. They moved all that stuff for
us. They got it. Uh, they made it a big job, very simple. and uh Christopher Towing donated their time and their truck to bring Mark's tractor that he donated. So, it's really coming along
nice. Looks nice up there. Um the uh we're working the last thing we're working on right now is the uh interpretive sign. Getting that all done. We're getting pictures from the coolest family. uh few pictures and uh
also working with a couple of scouts on some potential projects down the road. So, it's coming uh looks really nice up there. So, thank you Mark for your tractor. >> Oh, it it looks great up there. >> Looks great. >> I know Kyle started a lot up there, but
when Kyle left you picked right up when him you and Joe did a lot of work up there. >> Yeah, the DPW did. >> Kyle went to Maine to get away from >> Yeah. Yeah. Bill, >> what's that? Carl went to Maine to get away from didn't skip a beat. >> And uh can I can I can I add something? >> Sure.
>> Um >> so I wanted to give a shout out to well you and in particular the coolest team. Um I understand that they have recently started working with one of our partners here Sbury Valley Trust on something
known as the weed warrior program. But it's basically u education on identifying and how you treat invasives that's offered by this weed warrior program that's administered by the Sbury Valley Trust and there's another organization. But this would be the
second uh citizens group that stepped forward to work with the experts at Sudbury Valley Trust on how to uh this is no herbicide. It's just hand pulling of the stuff before it gets big. So, I want to give a a shout out to the
coolest team for jumping in on that and attending their first >> uh I think they attended their first training session just this past week. >> Yeah. >> And I think David's uh >> Yes. Kristen O'Brien lined up. >> Yeah. Kristen O'Brien from SVT, Subbury Valley Trustees
>> belonging to Sunbury Valley. >> Yes. Um she she will be visiting the site. We're planning to do a site walk on Thursday, August 13th to uh start the process of developing an invasives management plan for the property.
Uh I mean it's not it's not going to be you know 15 pages but you know it's it's it's going to be mainly you know identifying the particular species on the site that need to be >> you know addressed >> right and and I count seven or eight
activities in town related to invasives besides when we put it into an order of conditions. We can talk about that another time but there's a fair amount of activity going on which is good because it's obviously a big problem. Yeah, I'm working with a couple of the private condominium associations on
their invasives. >> Yeah, thanks for mentioning that. You you mentioned that to me. >> Yeah. So, I I think there will be some filings in connection with those. >> Yeah, >> that'll be coming up at some point. >> Yeah, good stuff. Thank you. >> Um Mark, anything to add to land
management? >> Oh, nothing new down on uh uh Redwing. No, nothing new. Okay, David, you want a site? >> No, but last week on Facebook, somebody
asked if there was places that they could take wedding pictures at. Someone responded by saying Redwing Farm >> and Coulis. I don't know whether we require people
to at least ask the agents approval. >> Yes, >> we do. Yeah. So that should be commonly because because Warren P should be part of that too. I don't know if I suppose we could allow people to have weddings pictures anywhere but those three are
certainly the most nicest ones for that. >> Yeah. Just keep in mind, >> but they have to get your okay and then >> Well, Warren Pole would also have to get the trust okay under the conservation restriction, >> which has been >> Well, I know, but we're okay. >> We've we've informally agreed to.
>> So, we do. So, at least he sees every request because you get a pretty I know at at uh Redwing Farm there have been pretty big groups that have taken pictures there and so that's can be quite a few cars and it's just a little bit of logistics. I think it's a good
idea. >> It gives us some publicity. >> Yeah, they just contact me and I'll send them the paperwork typically. >> Good point. Thank you. Um Ally Lime Corey. >> Yes. Um over Fourth of July weekend, I received an email from Bill and his wife
um that a tree had fallen at the more or less the entrance when you bear to the left there and was blocking the trail. Um they did cut that up and move it. So, thank you to them for that. And I guess part of that there was also some misinformation Facebook post that it had
struck the kiosk and damaged it. I went out and checked that it's not in fact the case. There's no damage. So >> that kiosk is so old they were hoping it had. >> But other than that, I don't have anything else. Um but there's no damage and the tree was cleared and cut up. So
thank you to Bill and his wife for the >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um I have a couple things to share if you guys will humor me. I don't think you asked John about >> Oh, I missed John. I'm sorry. >> I don't miss you. >> The speed bumps are still there.
>> But you're But you're working on it, right, John? >> I'm not doing too good a job for my neighbors. >> You got a tractor. >> I need a bigger tractor. >> I can get one.
>> All right. Thank you. I'm sorry to overlook your input. Uh, okay. Uh, just to move things ahead, a couple quick things on, um, cranberry bog. I mentioned there were two community groups getting involved with,
uh, Sbury Valley Trust and the weed warrior. The um other group is a much smaller group and it's it's already met with Kristen O'Brien for the initial training and uh there'll be an announcement soon about a modest weed
pull they call it uh at the cranberry bog on August 22nd and the idea is to follow Subbury Valley Trust guidance to go after something small. So, the target will be a Japanese barberry along the entrance, which should be relatively
easy for a couple of volunteers. >> Mean by the parking lot? >> Yeah, parking lot towards the pond, but there's plenty of other invasives there and there's there's a desire to do more than just this one. So, we're hoping to build a program in town. Uh, I do want to say Subbury
Valley Trust view of their weed warrior program is that there's two a month of these major community engagement things. So, we've got one pre-built at Culis because there's a team there more than two a month. >> Can they help me get rid of my notweed at home?
>> They might. >> They might. Um, so I wanted to pass that on. And uh over at Thanksgiving Forest, uh our land steward Jeff has posted photographs of a bear. >> So there's a new new sighting on his
critter cams. >> Did Did he email those to me? >> No, I think they're on his YouTube channel. >> Oh, okay. >> I can ask him if you want to send them along. >> Well, there's there there's a link to his YouTube channel on our web page. So, >> and there was a I had a chance to attend
one of these master gardener sessions that we've talked about in the past, and it was pretty interesting. There were, I don't know, 30 people over a couple of hours from other towns coming in talking about gardening of native plants with Karen Walton and the rest of the crew there. So, it's pretty interesting to
see that people coming to Cherford to see something that's a little bit uh not unique, but >> special, >> cutting edge, I guess. Uh, and then over at Warren Paul, there's a lot of things going on. I did want to share, well, we have to talk about the Oxbow proposal.
That's the next one of the things on the agenda. >> Yeah. >> Do you want to start with that? >> Well, um, sure. I was first going to report on the loose strife beetle release and monitoring. >> Um, so, uh, some someone Adam Cole from Oxbow, uh, went out to the site on June
4th, um, to the first thing he did was to survey, um, the site to see if there were any, uh, existing beetles on the site. Um and he did find existing beetles. Um said he observes 16% of
clumps uh of purple blue stripe hosting feeding adults with some beetles observed mating. Uh we conclude there are both male and female beetles present and the site likely hosts a perennial population of purple loose stripe beetles. We did not observe any larae
during the survey, though many plants contained eggs that are presumed to be purple loose stripe beetle. Um f he also released some uh beetles out there that he he had ordered from a company in Montana. Five cartons of adult purple
loose stripe beetles were released containing 105 individuals each in areas that contained large quantities of purple loose stripe. All beetles were vigorous and healthy upon release following the supplier's instructions um that one uh carton should be emptied
in only one location. Um so he's he's provided a um a map here uh where um the um the the red stars are
the the per the per the the beetle um loose stripe sample points and the the yellow triangles are um where he released them. Um so and then and then he gives he he he
provides a table um of of a spreadsheet of the plan com clumps feeding damage uh adults observed um something I don't I don't quite
understand and I'm planning to ask him is you know if you look at the site certainly if you looked last year it looked like there was a lot of purple loose strife. It looks like it was not being eaten. So, I'm I'm just going to I'm going to ask him if he's if he's
somehow able to, you know, in some sense quantify, you know, a relationship between the number of beetles observed um and sort of the the visual damage. Um but anyway, >> Dave, will the beetles multiply on their
own? >> Um well, apparently so. Um uh they're they're out there right now. Um and uh who knows how long they've been there. I don't know if there's ever been an intentional release at Warren Pole.
Probably not. Um while it was privately owned. So the Beatles probably got there from other sites. And yeah, he's saying he's saying that there there there is there is a um a I think he said a pretty good population out there. So, so they
are um they are, you know, um continuing to exist. Whether whether or not the population will increase, that's a good question. You know, I'll I'll ask him for his um you know, opinion on that. >> Um he said, >> could I could I offer a question you
might ask him as well? >> I I guess and ask him if what I'm about to say makes any sense. So, that field was mowed for a long time. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> And the first year. >> Well, yeah. >> Yeah. In the first year or two that it was not mowed, I I observed a ton of Golden Rod and Joe Pie and I didn't
>> recall seeing that much loose drive. >> No, neither do I. >> About the third year in, and I might have my years mixed up a little bit. All of a sudden, in in, you know, late in season, it seemed like it was all loose strife. So, when loose strife colonizes or
recolonizes a field, it probably takes time for the the question is, am I correct? Does it take time for the beetles to develop enough of a population to make a difference? And how long does that take before you start seeing results? And of course, I
guess we just accelerated the growth of the Beatles by releasing them. So, what does that mean going forward? What sort of action would he recommend? >> Well, I think I think at this point it's going to be monitoring. Um the the contract includes monitoring next year, but I think going going back to the
mowing, I think that's a good question to ask him as well. you know, uh because I was only it's only I only noticed the big increase in the loose drive last year and this year and so yeah, does does the fact that it hasn't been mowed in the last five years does that have anything to do with it? Right. >> It's a good question.
>> Right. And and you might just remind him that that uh beetles were released on downstream is River Meadow Brook that Putinbrook comes in by the land trust Archer Metobrook property. And beetles were released by the concom
2014 >> before my years of my tenure. >> Yeah. >> And that watershed just you know quarter mile downstream is largely free of purple loose strife. I don't know about up by you John. >> Uh there's plenty of plenty of it around. >> So they're they're doing their thing on
parts of that watershed. So that what does that mean? You know what what's the next step? >> Uh what can we learn from this project? So >> yeah. Yeah. Thanks. >> Good question. So, so that's that report continuing
with invasive management at uh Warren Pole. So, we have a um a proposal for this year's uh treatment. Um commission members uh recall that the first round
was last year um and and focused um primarily on the um the trail the uh the field loop or or one branch of the field loop that that leads down from the parking lot, you know, on the
right side of the field. Um so that that the this proposal is to continue with that area um this this year. um with with with the herbicide. Um and so that's it's it's primarily um
bittersweet, Asian bittersweet um uh burning burning bush uh with with wisteria um and um a little a little bit of honeysuckle. Um but I mean they they're not going to just restrict the treatment
to those species. I mean they'll treat anything they see in that area. So, um, the, uh, the requested funding is $4,500, which certainly is, you know, certainly have the budget to support that. I think
it's a good cost, >> right? Are there any questions on the plan? >> I I have one that maybe is more something to think about. Um, so when we did it the first time last fall, there
was a great team of our, well, David, are you still calling yourselves the Splinter Group, there was a good team of our trusty trail maintenance team paired up with with the herbicide licensed herbicide applicator who also provided expertise. >> Yeah. >> On identifying plants because most of us
are not 100% sure. >> And I assume that's really what we're proposing here. Again, the question though is in the uh proposal that you put together and thank you for that you and Oxbow. >> It talks about Oxbow doing some cutting
and pruning as well. So I assume that our plan is like last year we >> did a team of volunteers. >> Yes. >> With guidance from the expert. >> So I same plan. >> Yes. So I will need some some assistance in uh organizing uh that team.
>> Yeah. And I I I do want to share I I think he he wouldn't mind. Uh Steve Miat, our land steward I've been chatting with about this and he's ready to go to be kind of the the point man in helping organize the the field team >> and coordinate that with uh the Oxbow
people. >> Oh, okay. and and Steve has um >> um done a lot of work lately and and Steve and Allies, I should say, mowing and trimming and whatnot, but very very vested >> in in the invasive part of this project.
So, it's great to have that focal point. >> Yeah. And and and another component of invasives management at Warren Pole, which which Steve um has been leading uh and is continuing to lead, is the removal of the trees of heaven. um which
you know some some of them are really too large to be u treated with herbicide. So he's uh he's he's he's taking uh he's doing that part of it. Um you know doing you know taking a chainsaw and actually cutting them. So that's that's a big help.
>> Yeah. And there's actually an important point in the invasive world. And I had this chat, email chat with Steve this afternoon and we realize both of us are we think we can identify Tree of Heaven, but of course you've got lookalikes, Black Walnut and and others. And so, you know, that's why we need the expertise
because we don't want to just go wild cutting things that we think are the right plant. And so I I appreciate that. And and same with the coolest work, you know, the expertise, bringing that expertise into town is an important part of this because it's I've learned it's not that easy. Carl was pretty good at
it, but and you are, but the rest of us are learning. So, I appreciate all that. Thank you. So, what do we need to do? A vote. Any further discussion on approving of the $4,500? So, I'll take a motion to approve or authorize our agent
to procure oxbow for the fall invasive work. >> Not to exceed 45 >> not to exceed 4500. >> I so moved. And is there that was a you you so moved and that second >> second
>> and okay further discussion all in favor >> I >> I >> Okay beetles right >> th >> this is the uh >> cutting the >> cut >> yeah the limited herbicide >> pain the project >> cutting pain
>> you okay I think >> yeah no we already approved the beetles correct >> yeah beetles are they're doing their They're doing their thing, >> correct? >> That was like 5,000 or something. >> No, was it that much? >> Uh, that was 3500. >> Oh, all right. >> Yeah. >> Inflation. >> Yeah.
>> Hey guys, >> the the the land trust owns a piece of land >> and I'm not sure where it is >> where the bluebirds were too, but they 15 years ago they put
beetles to attack purple blue stripe out in their field. Oh, well that's the project I was referring to. >> Is that where is that? >> That's Well, my understanding is the conservation commission was engaged. I don't know if
there were two projects or not. >> This one we were not. This one they did. >> Maybe there were two projects >> and they and they just told us about it. Becky Warren was I just wanted to know how successful it was. That's all. >> Well, I think this was like 10 or 15 years ago. Yeah, I think that I I believe maybe let me let me reach out to
the land trust our land trust friends and ask for detail. But my understanding of what they did was this Archer Metobrook which is basically where Putnhambrook from Warren Paul discharges. >> That probably is where >> and and that's basically my backyard. I can see a quarter of a mile up and down
that water. >> I know where it is because I just like to know how successful it was. >> Well, if if that's where it was, I just wasn't there. It was somewhere else. It probably was there. Okay, good. >> Yeah, we somewhere that. Thank you. >> Okay. >> I'll I'll look at the uh conservation
comm commission records for the project the commission works. There's there's there's a big file on the computer about that. So that's easy for me to look up. >> Okay. Well, why don't you and I work on that? But I think it's important to keep track of it's a it's a very good thing. >> Okay. >> I got a couple questions.
>> Yeah, please. >> Uh David, uh Swain Pond, there was a question on the water level up there. Did you hear from anybody on that? >> No. No. Um, I haven't. Um, but I'll ask again. >> Okay. It might be storm water or
>> is this still a problem, Billy? You know, >> I don't know. I Somebody may have taken a board out or something. >> Is the water level still low? >> I'm not sure. Yeah. I'm not sure if you can ask >> if you can ask somebody storm water or
>> um And the other thing was Freeman Lake got treated. >> Yes. Yeah. >> When do we find out some kind of a report as far as how that worked out? >> Well, we we we have the field notes that I got a few days after the treatment, but that really doesn't say much of
anything. It'll it'll be the end of the year report. Um, you know, they'll they'll be doing uh at least one more a survey uh this season and then and then will give us those results by in the report by the end of the year. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> I got some input from one of the fellas live up in the lake there, Bob Mcini. >> Yeah. >> And he took his boat out and he this electric powered boat went all the way down to uh >> Stony Brook. >> Yeah. >> He said it was all clean. >> Really? >> He said he hasn't been doing a to do that in years.
>> Really? >> He's more than happy. >> He want to know if there's any more treatments coming this year. >> Uh not that I know of. Um, so but you know, I'll verify that. But
Court Courtney sent me a couple of emails of people letting her know they were very happy. >> Yeah. >> Very happy with the results. >> No, they they just attacked one species or they did they spray herbicide for more than one.
>> Um, I think it was it was primarily one species. Um, let me >> Did they do the proellicore finally? >> Uh, no. No, this was I think primarily Daquat, but let me let me give give me just a couple minutes here. Um,
>> while he's looking, Mark, the other half of that is what happens to the native stuff that the fish rely on. >> So, the idea is the the herbicide is targeted to the bad stuff, but it I don't know how selective it really is. So that's the back that's the follow-up
study part is what's really happening like >> you know the weeds being the first half but the second half is you know is there food for the critters >> in the chemicals that they use and going to use is that on the website for the uh or is it for DPW?
>> Um it should have it should have been posted on the town's website. Um but let's see if let's see if it's in the field notes. Um, >> and and you know, Mark, the other thing too is, uh, our DPW lead, Courtney,
who's come before us a number of times, is also doing similar project work on our other big pond, >> our pond. >> Yeah. They're going to have to come before us to change that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So um
it just says a treatment was conducted for the control of target nuisance/invasive plant growth of liquid contact herbicide was applied using a treatment boat equipped with a calibrated service injection system. So it doesn't it doesn't say the the
herbicide that was um applied. Um, I think maybe I'll make a well I will make a request that that be included in um in in future field notes. But here's the uh here's the um annual work plan.
Did the fellow that you chatted with >> when he said that it was clear of weeds, was he comparing it to a similar trip he had made previously this year, >> previous years? >> Previous years. >> He lives right on the >> So, how do we know that it just didn't
grow as fast this year? And that's all he's seeing. >> He seemed happy that it was done the way >> he was happy either way. He fairly knowledgeable of Freeman Lake. I think >> just listen to it for all his life. Right. >> So he was basically I'm curious. He's
saying like every year at that time it would be >> Yeah. >> He's sort of comparing it to that. >> He's mentioned it. >> Interesting. >> At this time prior he would be able to take his boat out because Louise would have caught the uh prop electric motor. what I'm just thinking through and again
I know just a little about it not a lot but you know it takes you know it takes a while for the targeted plants to die it's not instant you know like >> well be I'm just relaying what he said >> yeah so I'm just curious because you you'd think there'd be all kinds of dead
stuff lying on the bottom if it happened that quickly >> but maybe it worked n naturally and we don't need to continue the program >> yeah that's what happened >> so So here's here's the treatment area that they depicted in the annual work
plan that they submitted prior to the treatment and uh saying with >> Daquat >> Daquat >> um and let me just go up to the table. Well, again, they don't they don't seem
to be connecting a a particular chemical to a particular species. Um, so I I think u this is this is good. I think I'm going to make some suggestions for modifications
uh next year in their um annual work plan and in their field notes so that we can get a more specific understanding of exactly what they did and how they did it. So, >> okay.
And um so I guess we have we wrapped up on land management bill. You anyone else have a land management >> chat? >> Uh so David, we need a certificate of compliance and meeting minutes.
>> So yeah, a couple of certificates of compliance. Um uh they they've submitted um all of the proper documentation. I've done site visits. So, uh, I recommend is issuance,
um, of the COC's and this is, uh, now part of my campaign to, uh, you know, try and get >> lock next to is that the new house on the corner >> unlock? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, that's one of them. >> Okay. >> Um, the other the other is an addition
at 163 Old Westford Road. Um, it's it's become a lot easier for me now that the building department has a a policy of having me sign off on either certificates of occupancy or certificates of completion. So, that
gives me a lot more leverage with with uh applicants and property owners to uh apply for the certificate of compliance. Uh, again, I'm not I'm not going to withhold a uh a CO if the grass isn't growing, but you know, at least at least
they can get a partial certificate of compliance and, you know, make sure that there are no major outstanding issues. So, I I I think this is really starting to work out. >> Okay, any questions? I'll entertain a motion to authorize
David to issue the uh >> and you you can do both in a single in a >> both at the same time. All right. So, somebody make a motion for me. I guess I'm not supposed to. >> So, move. >> Close enough. Uh any seconds? >> Second.
>> Okay. All in favor of approving both of the certificates of compliance? I >> I >> All right. And there's um two two no two more action items because I'm going to add one at the end that's very short. Uh meeting minutes, right,
Vivian? May 12th. Would you all like a moment to look at these if you had a chance to see them? >> Questions, comments? So, take a motion to approve of the minutes as written. >> So, move. >> Second.
>> Second. >> Uh, all in favor? >> I >> Good. And one last thing. Um, Ally, >> yes. >> Sorry, I'll let you finish writing. >> Thank you. >> And best wishes. >> Thank you.
>> Your next chapter. >> Thank you very much. It's been a pleasure. >> Are you going to be working with the town still? >> Yes, I'll still be in the town clerk's office. So, we'll still see. You still get to swear us in. >> Yes. >> All right. Well, thank you for your effort here. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Appreciate the fact that you went to a
bunch of training and >> you know, tried to figure out what it is that we do. >> So, thank you for that. >> And take your new name plate as a momentto. >> Oh, figures. Huh. >> Lovely partying gifts. >> Carl got a pen and a plaque. I All right. That's
>> pretty want to go watch too. Well, if you're offering, >> hey, you could use to join another board in in Worcester. >> Yeah, I have to. Yeah, >> that's one of your qualifications. I got experience and I have my own name. >> Use it use it uh on your desk downstairs. Although maybe you already have one.
>> I'll swap it out. That's fine. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Anything else? Shall we adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. Thank you, Charles Teleia. Thank you,
guests. And thank you, Commissioner and Vivian. Thanks again.