WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=g6FzMEssvwo

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: g6FzMEssvwo):
- 00:00:01: Citizen Concerns: Master Gardeners Request For Pollinator Garden
- 00:05:46: Approval For Pollinator Garden & Reporting Discussion
- 00:08:58: Planning Board Liaison Report: Zoning Changes Discussion
- 00:12:30: Sullivan Request for Determination of Applicability Overview
- 00:18:10: Public Hearing Closed & Negative Determination Motion
- 00:19:16: Kulis Notice of Intent - Continuation Request Approval
- 00:20:49: New England Power Company Continuance Requests Approved
- 00:24:50: Rean Notice of Intent - Continuance Request Approved
- 00:26:28: Follow Up Tri-Board Joint Meeting On Gap Analysis
- 00:34:00: Discussion About Town Drinking Water Concerns
- 00:42:35: Continual Business & Land Management Discussion
- 00:43:25: Blowdown Removal, Coolis Farm Updates & Interpretive Sign
- 00:50:08: Review of Vernal Pool & Update on Warren Paul
- 01:00:31: Discussion About Cranberry Bog Issues & Wildlife
- 01:01:51: Crooked Spring's Tree Study & Scenic Roads Protection
- 01:04:18: DPW Lime Quarry Rock Placement Debate Begins
- 01:08:34: Budget Review & CPA Funds Discussion
- 01:12:33: Motion to Approve March 24th Meeting Minutes


Part: 1

1
00:00:01.839 --> 00:00:18.880
The uh first items that we deal with on our agenda is under open session citizen concerns. We have Karen Walton as an application of Massachusetts master gardener association for designation of Thanksgiving pollinator garden as a

2
00:00:18.880 --> 00:00:36.800
project garden for their north region. Let's Karen to give us a report. Welcome >> Walton, 33 Jennet Road, right across from the forest. I'm here to ask permission from the board to allow the master gardeners of Massachusetts to um

3
00:00:36.800 --> 00:00:51.120
volunteer at the pollinator garden. Um it's the only garden I know of of the 56 gardens that the master gardeners have mass Massachusetts master gardeners have. And

4
00:00:51.120 --> 00:01:08.960
this is like the only purposeful garden that is attracting you know my friend um rarities and uh veagans to chfit. It would be a real learning opportunity for the gardeners, the new and the um

5
00:01:08.960 --> 00:01:24.320
experienced gardeners to see a garden that's purposeful and also um learn about the biodiversity and the state of sustainability and also to see Robin's work. I Robin is creating a talami

6
00:01:24.320 --> 00:01:41.280
um like garden to the right and then the western nursery native garden is is right in the front. Um, so it's a real opportunity for everybody. They're very, very excited about um, having this as one of their project gardens. They have

7
00:01:41.280 --> 00:01:59.040
56. This would be number 57. >> Well, thanks Karen. Sounds like a great opportunity. We appreciate all your hard work. >> Yeah, it's a lot of fun. It's a lot of fun. Everybody's very, very interested. I was in at um, UMass at B school for nine hours with 100 year old specimens.

8
00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:14.400
So, I really saw >> don't mean the members, >> but I really saw up close and personal the bee I'm trying to attract. And there she is. It's the golden American bee.

9
00:02:14.400 --> 00:02:30.879
>> It's It's 100 years old. This I had it right there in a piece of clay. >> So So does anybody um you know involved in this? Do they have any expertise like to do surveys of you know the insects that are attracted? Is that something they could do and then give us like a

10
00:02:30.879 --> 00:02:45.280
regular report or >> Well, that's Robin and I and I'm going to B school >> to do this um how to capture them, how to ana, you know, anal analyze them >> and see and do the three views and then

11
00:02:45.280 --> 00:03:03.599
send it to I natural or um Dr. Gajier. He's very open to and and the garden's also on the B project, Dr. Gija's project. Uh my garden and the other garden that you put in is on the bee project and in June it will be a tour of

12
00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:21.760
uh 30 people coming to see a bee garden. It would be really great to know exactly, you know, how how much benefit this is given to the pollinators, >> you know, >> and I learned at my bee school that if you're on the border of a forest, you

13
00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:38.159
have the opportunity to attract these endangered bees because bees lives on the top of canopies, too. Um, you know, this is >> Yes, this is what I'm learning at B at B school. But uh >> is this just bees that you're trying to

14
00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:53.040
in your pollinator garden? >> Yes. >> No other species, just two species of bees. >> Yes. But we have lots and lots of bees coming to the garden. And Jeff Jeff has bluebirds now. We have bluebirds, families of bluebirds that we just

15
00:03:53.040 --> 00:04:08.400
>> pollinators aren't exclusively for bees, right? Pollinator plants are not exclusively for bees. >> They get other critters, don't they? Well, the 36 plants I have, there's six pollen and

16
00:04:08.400 --> 00:04:26.080
six nectar and they bloom from March to November. And there specifically verdus loves these plants. Vegan loves these plants. Other bees would like, you know, other plants, but specifically Dr. Gia

17
00:04:26.080 --> 00:04:41.840
said these are the 12 plant the 36 plants. Well, the 12 plants that would attract the two verdous and veagans, but we we have lots of I I haven't seen a butterfly there, but bees, there's so

18
00:04:41.840 --> 00:04:59.440
many bees. >> You know, I I think the commission oxbow associates whom this commission works with quite a bit on different projects. They have an expert on staff who can identify bees um including like special specialist bees. So I I I I would

19
00:04:59.440 --> 00:05:14.720
suggest the commission think seriously about hiring, you know, Oxbow to go out from time to time and survey for the bees >> because they will be here this summer. I know they will. I if they're not there now, the queens are the queens are there. The queens are out right now.

20
00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:30.320
>> Okay. uh foraging and uh when I told you mass at my bee school the this the experts I said my garden borders they said you're it bought because they're doing a lot of logging the logging piece of the bees and how they're up in the

21
00:05:30.320 --> 00:05:46.400
canopies in the logging areas I don't know not quite understanding of it but um they were just thrilled that it was in a forest area >> right David any recommendations >> um well I think you need a signature Right. >> Yes. Of permission.

22
00:05:46.400 --> 00:06:03.360
>> Yeah. I recommend the commission sign it. >> Yeah. >> Great. All right. We have our recommendation. Someone want to make a motion. >> So move by Dave McGlin. Second by >> second. >> Alli in a second. >> Thank you. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> Thank you. >> Unanimous. So it's really going to

23
00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:20.560
benefit those master gardeners. It's not all about roses anymore or neat gardens. These are about messy gardens and purposeful gardens. >> Nice. I think Dave asked you a question that I didn't hear the answer to. >> So about the reporting it would >> Yeah. Will the association ask you to submit an annual report or anything?

24
00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:36.479
>> Do you know? >> I know they they'll give me >> because they probably want to see what you're doing, right? I would think. >> Um so I put it on what's called SUG and uh I sent it to to Peter that >> if you do I'd like to see it. How why don't we leave it like that? I'd like to

25
00:06:36.479 --> 00:06:51.919
if you're required No. If they ask you to submit an annual report, I'd like to see >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Probably for funding it, they would ask me for >> especially if the report could include the species that were observed. That would be >> Exactly. Exactly. And master gardens are

26
00:06:51.919 --> 00:07:07.440
not used to this. This is uh really scientific stuff we're doing. We're not we're not pruning. look at doing some real >> but yeah and into and to Dave's point I mean I think we we're interested in kind of hearing how things go and yeah >> you know you know lessons learned and

27
00:07:07.440 --> 00:07:23.440
that type of thing so it'd be great to have you come back at a later date Sure >> on the agenda or come in in the open session just give us an update of what's going on too Robin loves to do that >> loves making those poweroints >> Mr. Chairman, are you willing to sign the approval? >> Sure.

28
00:07:23.440 --> 00:07:40.240
>> Uh, I should warn you before you sign it, I put myself down as point of contact. >> Okay. >> To save you all all the phone calls that we're going to get. >> They're all It all goes to you, Peter. >> We appreciate that, Peter. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> So, we signed this. Here it goes back

29
00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:56.400
down. Thanks again, Karen. >> Oh, thank you. The county garden. That's going to be a very that's a that's a a groundbreaking thing. The chumps. >> Well, keep us posted on that as well. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Cher already has a couple talamy gardens. >> They do?

30
00:07:56.400 --> 00:08:10.879
>> Yeah, there's one in my yard. >> Oh, >> you can find it on the It's certified. Yeah. >> Well, it's right next to conservation land. >> She's restored some blueberries. >> No idea, >> right?

31
00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:27.120
>> Right. I I call it eco restoration is kind of a big general term. >> Put it back. >> The master gardeners are going to learn this. It's more of a learning opportunity just ready to take them out around to see all the boxes learning. >> And if I could put a fine point, the

32
00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:42.399
reason I am so happy that you're doing this. Um Karen said something really important. You said that this is really not how master gardeners traditionally think, the the ecology part. And this is a big shift that is happening in the

33
00:08:42.399 --> 00:08:58.720
world and you're you're driving it and Charles's on the map and helping. >> So it's pollinators and feeding people that domestic the paradigm shift is going. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good luck in BC.

34
00:08:58.720 --> 00:09:16.080
>> Yeah. Okay. Please do. All right. So moving back to our agenda, we have the report, our kind of standing report from our planning board leaison to the conservation commission, Mr. Chris Lavali. >> Good evening, Chris Levali, chair of the planning board. Um, so I think the last

35
00:09:16.080 --> 00:09:32.640
time I was here with you, I mentioned that the uh lighting bylaw passed a town meeting. Uh on the second night of town meeting, we passed all of the other uh zoning articles that we proposed except for the bed and breakfast one. Um this

36
00:09:32.640 --> 00:09:47.440
week we have our uh next planning board meeting. It's been a while since we've had one, but we will be doing our initial hearing on nine Lady Slipper Lane. We will be doing uh the same update you guys have on the gap analysis

37
00:09:47.440 --> 00:10:04.959
and we'll be continuing to uh discuss the possible zoning changes for the next town meeting. This week we're going to be focusing on contractor yard definitions and addressing the riverneck road um area zoning conflicts. So that's

38
00:10:04.959 --> 00:10:18.800
what's on our >> You said zoning conflicts. >> Yep. >> Can youident are there identifiable areas now? >> Yes. So, um, back in 2022, we worked with NEMCOG to identify, uh, areas of

39
00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:35.760
town that have, uh, significant zoning conflicts. Um, Kate's Corner was one where we started. Middle Sex area, Middle Sex Street area was another, Riverneck was another, and there are a whole bunch around town. >> Whereabouts on Riverneck? Do you know >> the entire stretch of Riverneck? >> Whole stretch. Okay.

40
00:10:35.760 --> 00:10:52.720
>> Yeah. So essentially it's mostly zoned IIA but there are residential houses on the ground there. Um so IA next to residential or residential in IIA or commercial areas is what we're looking

41
00:10:52.720 --> 00:11:08.720
at. >> Any other questions, comments for Chris? >> What would you like to see on RiverCat Road? >> That's what we're going to talk about. Um we've started uh drafting something. So, a subcommittee got together uh to do

42
00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:25.279
a a straw man proposal. We're going to talk about that at the this week's planning board. Um this is the process that we're following for all of these areas. So, we're going to come up with a draft, discuss it as a board, uh do an informal neighborhood meeting where we

43
00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:42.320
invite all of the the property owners that are impacted to come in, discuss the proposal. Um we may make adjustments, we may change things, we may expand or contract the area that we're looking at. And then what we'll do is we'll open a formal public hearing uh

44
00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:59.120
where we'll get the the formal um notification to a butters and go through that whole process. Once we finalize that, then we'll go to town meeting. Okay. >> And that's the process we followed for Kate's Corner, Middle Sex Street Mills that went to town meeting this past time. And then that's what we're doing

45
00:11:59.120 --> 00:12:14.720
now for Riverneck. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Anybody else? Any questions for Chris? >> Good. Thanks for the update, Chris. >> All right. And this being the open session, um if anybody else has something they want to um come up and

46
00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:30.560
talk to us about that's not on tonight's agenda, just come on up to the podium, give us your name and address, and we can entertain that now. Okay. Very good. Okay. Uh we're now moving into our regulatory hearings part of the meeting.

47
00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:46.480
And the first item we have up is a request for determination of applicability um from Kevin Sullivan, 7 Buckman Drive. Kevin Sullivan's the applicant. We have a legal notice here. Um so first

48
00:12:46.480 --> 00:13:01.200
thing we'll do is we'll have the legal notice right into the record and then we'll have a a presentation from the applicant to get a quick overview. Um Mr. Vice Chair. Yes. Pursuant to the provisions of the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, MGL131,

49
00:13:01.200 --> 00:13:18.399
section 40, and the Chumsford Wetlands bylaw, chapter 187. The Chumsford Conservation Commission will conduct a public hearing in room 204 at the Chumsford Town Offices, 50 Bill Ricker Road on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 7

50
00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:33.920
p.m. to consider a request for determination of applicability filed by Kevin Sullivan on behalf of property owners Timothy and Aaron Sullivan for proposed work in 100 ft buffer zone to bordering vegetated

51
00:13:33.920 --> 00:13:49.839
wetlands at 7 Buckman Drive identified in assessor's map 62 block 280 lot 5. The project entails construction of an 18 by 24 addition of 432

52
00:13:49.839 --> 00:14:08.639
square feet. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair. And now we'll have the applicant come up and give us an overview of of what they would like to do. >> How you doing? Um, so yeah, just uh >> sorry, just for the record, just again your name and address. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Kevin Sullivan uh out of

53
00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:26.480
two Cody Drive, Palum, New Hampshire. >> Thanks. Thank you, Michelle. >> Yep. Um, so I'm the contractor uh to build this with my cousin and they're just uh requesting to build a new bedroom off the left side of the house and just requesting uh No, everything's

54
00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:41.600
kind of within the setbacks of the wetlands and everything. So, >> all right. Well, let's just see if the commissioners have any questions or comments for you. If we could start, John, lead us off if you could. Is this 31.6?

55
00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:57.360
Is that I don't see uh it's not in the no build zone, right? 50 foot no build. >> Where's that e? >> Uh no, no, I I can answer that. >> Okay. Yeah, >> we should have Dave answer.

56
00:14:57.360 --> 00:15:13.120
>> So you you see you see the wetland line here. It was actually taken from the town assessor's GIS wetland database later. >> Oh, all right. Okay. Um and and actually the wetlands are actually farther away. Um I I I went out there with the

57
00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:29.440
property owner and measured the the distance from uh this I think it was yeah was this corner to the wetlands. Uh the wetlands are actually on the other see this is a fence that runs more or less along the property line. the the the wetlands are actually a good 10 to

58
00:15:29.440 --> 00:15:46.720
12 feet beyond um the fence and and I measured 56 feet from this corner to to the um the fence. So the wetlands are probably you know 60 65 70t away.

59
00:15:46.720 --> 00:16:01.680
>> I'm I'm good. John, >> I'm good. I'm good. Good. Bill, is it a flat grade, David? Are they need some fence or anything? >> It's it's flat. It's in lawn. You've got you've got the pool in between the addition and the wetlands.

60
00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:18.079
>> We're also um going to be building it on helical peers rather than digging over. >> So, that was something I didn't quite understand, Kevin. So, so I mean he helical piles, helical peers don't generally require any excavation. >> No. >> Um but the building department isn't

61
00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:33.759
going to require like a 4ft frost wall here. Well, they go down as far as they need to. They go down until they hit the proper um soil resistance. So, they can go down anywhere from 5T, 7 feet, 15 ft. >> All depends on how deep they have to go to hit that proper soil resistance.

62
00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:49.279
>> That's fine with the building department. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Looks fine to me. >> All right. Good. And I guess I'll jump over to Mr. Coons, our agent, quickly here. David, any issues, problems you spotted at all? >> No. This is this is a negative

63
00:16:49.279 --> 00:17:06.480
determination. I don't even see I don't see even see any conditions. I mean there's no excavation because it's unhealical piles. It's it's it's in lawn. It's flat. You've got this big pool in between um the the work and the wetlands. I mean it couldn't it couldn't

64
00:17:06.480 --> 00:17:22.480
be simpler. >> All right. Great good. Well that's good. Good. Jumping along. Mark, anything else? I mean it's >> No, no. I I'm I was baffled when I saw it. I didn't there's no delineations here of wetlands or anything like that. So I didn't know what was going on. >> That's what I questioned.

65
00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:39.440
>> Yeah, but David said it's fine. It's fine with me. >> Well, or ordinarily I would say we we we need the delineation and no one believes in consistency more than I do. But they say the wetlands are actually farther away. And again, given given all the other extenduating circumstances here, I

66
00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:56.000
think this is fine. >> Okay. >> Good. Dave, >> no questions. >> Good. Alex, >> Peter, anything? >> Uh, no comments. I drove by the site and there's some big, beautiful trees in the backyard. So, we always like trees near the edge of wetlands, but

67
00:17:56.000 --> 00:18:10.960
>> good call. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Peter. Good. >> Uh, this is a public hearing, so if anybody from the public has any questions or comments for the applicant, just, uh, you know, raise your hand, come on up to the podium, and, um, we'll get those on the record if somebody for the public wants to ask some questions.

68
00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:29.280
If not, that's fine. All right. Uh, commissioners, any further questions or comments before we entertain a motion to close the public hearing? Nothing. Good. Okay. I guess if we could have a motion to close the public hearing now. >> So,

69
00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:45.600
>> all right. I guess bill on the motion second for Ally. Any discussion before we close the public hearing? >> Um, all those in favor of closing the public hearing say I. I. >> Any opposed? None. So, the public hearing is closed. Now, we're ready to take some action. And we heard the

70
00:18:45.600 --> 00:19:01.039
recommendation from our agent suggesting a negative determination. Negative is actually a a good thing for the applicant. So, it would be a negative determination with no special conditions, right? Negative three, >> right? No conditions. >> No conditions. All right. That's recommendation. >> So, move.

71
00:19:01.039 --> 00:19:16.160
>> So, moved by Dave McGlaclin, seconded by >> Second. >> Second by Peter on the second. Any discussion? No discussion. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Unanimous. Mr. Sullivan, you're all set. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Uh, any paperwork you can get from our office?

72
00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:43.120
>> I'll get that to you shortly. >> All right, that was our first hearing of the evening. >> Thank you folks for coming. Thank you. >> Uh, next on tonight's agenda under hearings, regulatory hearings. >> Yeah,

73
00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:59.600
>> we have the notice of intent. This was a continuation from our April 14th, 2026 meeting. Donna Kulis, the applicant, uh, nine lady slipper lane. Um and um Mr. Coolins, uh I understand I think there's

74
00:19:59.600 --> 00:20:15.760
a request for continuence >> to May 26th. >> To May 26th. Okay. So, um if I could have a motion then to continue to our uh the meeting of May 26th. That would be uh good. >> So moved. >> Now I move second. >> Seconded. Um all those in favor? I

75
00:20:15.760 --> 00:20:31.600
>> I Any oppose? Unanimous. All right. Good. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. Some of the attachments that came this week for this project were planning board questions, not conservation questions. And I think we ought to make sure that when somebody

76
00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:49.039
goes to all the effort that they get their questions to the right groups. >> That's that's good. David, any idea? Um Oh, we have a >> There's one there was one long one long letter. >> Um and a lot of them were really planning issues, >> but maybe we just make sure they get circled over to the right people.

77
00:20:49.039 --> 00:21:06.080
>> Yes. I I they actually addressed to the planning board, but then Becky in the office just out of courtesy gave me. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. Good. >> Conservation Commission also got one which I believe I forwarded or I will shortly got another one today.

78
00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:29.640
>> Good. >> So, uh yeah, >> good. Thanks for clarifying. I have uh to the negative three determination of sign here. So, let me just take a moment. All right down.

79
00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:58.000
All right. Next up on tonight's agenda is another notice of intent uh that was continued from our January 27th, 2026 meeting. New England Power Company um was the applicant the address 100 Ecuador road

80
00:21:58.000 --> 00:22:12.480
and uh again Mr. Cool was happening with that same thing. >> Yeah, we received uh today request for uh another continuence to May 26th. >> This is what the third or fourth. >> Yeah, easily. >> Do they give us a reason?

81
00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:29.120
Uh well, they um I can just give a quick update. They're they're trying to work out some storm water uh issues that our peer reviewer has identified and they're they're pretty basic, >> you know, um that that things they need

82
00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:45.080
they need they really need to comply with. >> I hate like heck to dismiss them and then make them refile. >> Um yeah, I mean, you know, they are working on it. Um, >> you might suggest that that can happen.

83
00:22:45.360 --> 00:23:02.159
>> I I think they understand. >> Good. >> Um, so, uh, hopefully you can get some more of a an update from them for the next meeting. >> That'd be good. Yeah. Good. Appreciate that. Uh, motion then to continue to our next meeting of, uh, May 26th.

84
00:23:02.159 --> 00:23:17.280
>> So, move. >> Moved by Dave. >> Second. >> Second by Mark. All those in favor? I any opposed? Unanimous. All right, rolling along here. >> Okay. Again, another notice of intent

85
00:23:17.280 --> 00:23:32.640
filed by the New England Power Company. This was continued from the April 14th, 2026 meeting. This was uh related to some transmission line rights of way. Uh again, Dave, what's going on with that one? >> So, the the the peer review is just

86
00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:48.880
getting underway right now. >> Okay. So they they have requested a uh a continuence to the next meeting. Uh it's it's a big project. Um hope hopefully I mean the commission likes you know like peer reviews and revised plans you

87
00:23:48.880 --> 00:24:04.799
know a week in advance of the meeting or you know the Wednesday before the meeting. Hope hopefully we'll have we'll have it by then but I'm not sure we will. >> How many miles in Chelson does this entail roughly? >> Five miles. Yeah. >> 4.8.

88
00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:19.039
>> Yeah. >> 4.8. >> It was a It was a 300page notice. >> Yeah. >> So, uh, and there's a lot of issues that need to be looked at. So, you know, I think the applicant is willing to be very patient on this as long as it's,

89
00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:35.919
you know, making steady progress, which it is. >> Okay. All right. Then another motion again to continue to our May 26th meeting, please. >> So, move. >> Moved by Dave. Seconded. Second. >> Seconded by John. All those in favor?

90
00:24:35.919 --> 00:24:50.720
>> I >> I. Any opposed? None. Unanimous. All right. Very good. And now moving on to our last regulatory hearing. This was a notice of intent continued from April 28th, 2026.

91
00:24:50.720 --> 00:25:08.480
Um Alexandria and James Rean. Um 21 and 23 7th Avenue Willis Drive right ofway. And we had the firm of Howard Stein Hudson representing the applicant. And I have here on the agenda that the applicant has requested a continuence to

92
00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:24.960
May 26th. >> Yes. That request prior to posting. So >> Okay. All right. So if we have a motion then to uh continue to May 26th. So >> Ally on the motion second by >> me >> by Dave McLaclin.

93
00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:41.520
All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Unanimous. All right. That's going to make seven hearings on the 26th because they have filings. >> Oh, most of them are not. Do you mean these? >> Yeah. Three new filings that are >> they'll be continued. At least the power companies will.

94
00:25:41.520 --> 00:25:57.279
>> Quite possibly. Yeah. Yeah. >> But we might have we might have a busy night. We might have a busy night. A long busy night. >> David, does the DPW have a say or participate in the seventh a hearing? Uh

95
00:25:57.279 --> 00:26:12.480
>> do they do they say something about the project? >> Uh yes, there there actually is an MOA that was signed uh that that they drafted >> with with the applicant. >> With the applicant. Yeah. And I can I can certainly provide you a copy. >> No, no. I just want to make sure because

96
00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:28.000
a lot of junk goes on Willis Drive. I know >> particularly when they're going to be building and I want to make sure that the road stays open. >> That's a fair point. There's going to be a lot of equipment there. Relatively mod. It's a narrow passage.

97
00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:46.320
>> All right, moving on the agenda. So, we finished up regulatory hearings at a really fast pace this evening because they all got continued. >> We'll pay for it next meeting. >> Yeah, I know. But uh we move into our discussion phase and that was a followup to our May 5th 2026

98
00:26:46.320 --> 00:27:03.520
tri board joint meeting on gap analysis and we had several of the conservation commissions were present for that meeting. We had our agent of course was present. We had Peter was present. We had David McGlaclin and Mark Gibbs and myself were there as well. And we had

99
00:27:03.520 --> 00:27:18.640
members of the planning board and we had the town engineer and we had um who else was there? >> Board of Health. >> Board Oh, board of health. Can't forget board of health. >> Can't forget them. >> No, they ran the meeting. >> They ran the meeting actually. Yeah, we were they really kind of kind of like we were the guests. They're guests, so to speak.

100
00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:34.799
>> Community development. Evan was there. >> Evan Bolansky from community development. Yeah. And if some members of the public, you know, were there listening in too as well. So, it was uh uh but maybe does someone want to sum it up? Maybe. David, you want to give us a summary to everybody on the meeting?

101
00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:51.520
>> Sure. Um I I thought it went very well actually. Uh we reviewed the the draft. Um not sure what you call it. Uh the the draft, I guess, SOP. >> I don't think it had reached that stage yet. >> Yeah, it was it it was it was a draft,

102
00:27:51.520 --> 00:28:07.840
but I I I think I like the draft and I think that was the the consensus certainly that it's certainly a good start. I was I was really uh encouraged to hear the board of health saying, you know, give us your comments. You know, this is only a draft. You know, give us

103
00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:24.799
your comments. Um and I certain I certainly uh you know, ma made some uh during the meeting and uh I I think the way to proceed is, you know, member commission members, give me your comments and I'll forward them on to uh the health department.

104
00:28:24.799 --> 00:28:39.200
>> Yeah. No, it was good. I mean, it was good. I mean the thing I guess the problem that was identified as we all experienced in some of the hearings we had the last few years was there you know the applicants in front of the planning board and they're kind of presenting kind of one version of the

105
00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:56.240
project obviously tilted towards their concerns and but then coming here in front of us and dealing with our environmental focus but sometimes kind of the in the technical presentations didn't always line up consistently. uh and you kind of hear sometimes hear

106
00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:11.760
one thing being said at one meeting and then uh you know a week later something another version of the quote truth being presented. So there were gaps and then there was overlapping jurisdiction. So we certainly had room for improvement in the process and the idea of having the

107
00:29:11.760 --> 00:29:27.679
different boards communicate and talk better and more often was good thing. So the um sort of the core of the applicants or or the consultants um approach is that is that the town that both the applicant you know for the

108
00:29:27.679 --> 00:29:42.880
project the project proponent and the town will have their own LSPs and that in in in the beginning the LSPs will get together you know for presumably before any applications been filed before any town boards two LSPs will get together

109
00:29:42.880 --> 00:29:57.679
to look at you know the site characteristics physics, you know, the history of maybe any contamination on the site and hopefully reach an agreement on whether a hydrogeeological study or a geohhydro study is required.

110
00:29:57.679 --> 00:30:14.480
>> Um and and it's really should be the first the first thing to do. >> Exactly. >> Before any permitting starts. >> Exactly. you get the licensed site professionals working together, have somebody that's representing the town >> deal, the only and we don't want to be basically surprised as we were. That's

111
00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:28.799
right. Not to point fingers at any specific projects, but >> you know, to have like surprises come up two or three meetings into the process that oh yeah, there's um you know, all this um you know, pollution, the site's got issues, etc., you know, we want to

112
00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:46.399
know that early. Well, and and the site that shall remain nameless, we wouldn't even known there were any issues except that Peter saw monitoring wells. >> Yeah, exactly. Peter, you came in and and you pounced on that. >> Yeah. >> Given your background and >> and you you said, "Why are they there?

113
00:30:46.399 --> 00:31:03.200
What's going on?" And they were like, "Oh, you know." >> Oh, we didn't tell you about those. >> None of the other boards saw it either. >> No. >> Right. And the applicant didn't had >> mention I'm not so I'm not so sure this kind of thing would have addressed that. Well, well, well, I think it would have

114
00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:18.799
theoretically because the LSPs will get together and and review all of the, you know, the site information in particular. Is there a release tracking number on this? >> Remember, LSPs all feed from the same trial. >> Well, that's true, but but just if I

115
00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:34.960
could add to what what our chairman and David Good summary. Um, I'll give some comments because uh there are a few little loopholes in I think that would create heartburn. And to David's point,

116
00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:51.039
um, part of the procedure says that the L, our LSP is supposed to look at whether the site under development has one of these release tracking numbers is in the official has waste system of the state. And of course, as

117
00:31:51.039 --> 00:32:07.519
we know, groundwater travels between sites. So it turns out a second part of the document directs these LSPs to consider abudding property releases. So to me that you just we just want I would think the town would want to tighten that up. So I'll I'll offer those

118
00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:25.679
comments. And then one other quick thing I thought if I could add that I thought the commission that that everyone ought to think about. Um my primary comment that I made the other night was uh so the way the process works is the board of health and the LSPs do their thing

119
00:32:25.679 --> 00:32:41.279
>> which is >> the hydro geo study or whatever whatever the scope is. They agree on a scope with the board of health and then they do the work and then they come to us and my suggestion was

120
00:32:41.279 --> 00:32:57.760
wouldn't it be nice to ask us and for that matter the planning board if we have any particular concerns >> of course it would at the beginning that was what that seemed obvious the other night >> right >> so that was our that was what I would

121
00:32:57.760 --> 00:33:12.720
you know you guys can think about whether you want that But uh and then the last thing I'll say is what became clear to me in the last couple years because I was the new guy back when this first came up. Um you know we have a legal obligation to protect groundwater,

122
00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:28.240
drinking water, prevent pollution, you know, but we don't have any, as David would say, performance standards, and the real teeth is with the board of health and the planning board. So my logic and what I like about this thing is the the the idea is that other town

123
00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:43.519
boards that have the legal authority take a look at everything. So by the time it comes to us, unless we have some questions, it ought to make our life a lot easier. We are relying completely on on the other town entities. And it was

124
00:33:43.519 --> 00:34:00.480
kind of that way before, except that, you know, the data wasn't always in front of us. And so we'd ask, "What the heck's going on with this contamination?" and we weren't sure whether, you know, that's our issue or somebody else's. So, this should help define that, >> make it a little bit simpler. >> And did David Mlan, I think Mark talked

125
00:34:00.480 --> 00:34:15.839
about the two of you guys talked about the water districts being so important in this process, too, because ultimately, I mean, it's, you know, our town drinking water. Our objective is to protect that town drinking water. So, we got to make sure these guys are involved early in in in this scope is really

126
00:34:15.839 --> 00:34:32.159
important to make sure we've got the bases covered. So, No. >> So, uh, so send me your comments, >> you know, >> for for for revisions and all. >> I was disappointed in the meeting. I I thought more work had more pre-work had

127
00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:47.200
been done. >> To me, the objective of the one of the objectives of the meeting is to try to make the process for the the applicant as simple and as straightforward as

128
00:34:47.200 --> 00:35:02.720
possible on the one hand. on the other hand make sure all the bases are touched and border health has a set of criteria planning board has a set of criteria

129
00:35:02.720 --> 00:35:19.599
conservation has a set of criteria I think the water department has a set of criteria but that wasn't and they're not they're not all the same >> no >> but there is a similarity across all four of them the the hard thing is going to to try to identif identify what that

130
00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:35.839
similarity is so that that work is only done once but recognize that the applicant's going to have to do some unique work for each of us because we're going to conservation is going to want some information that board of health couldn't care less about

131
00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:52.480
>> that that's why it's really important really important from the very beginning that that each board um lets the town's LSP know what they think the scope of the hydro geo study should be and you know different aspects that should be looked at. >> That also means we see some information

132
00:35:52.480 --> 00:36:07.200
earlier >> Yeah. >> than we normally do. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So my concern is that we get the that the project gets so big it becomes more overwhelming

133
00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:24.000
that we don't let that happen. The idea is to try to expedite it and to have everyone talking about the same set of data. >> Yeah. >> Right. the the flip side, I agree with you, David, but the flip side I would suggest we think about if a site is contaminated,

134
00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:40.400
it is a complicated process to figure out what you do, whether you develop it carefully or whether you clean it up before you develop it. And that's what all this the state rags are for. >> You don't want to get along. You're right, Peter. But take Boston Road as an

135
00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:57.119
example. When you identify where Bill Rick or >> by 3 3M across from 3M >> yeah yeah yeah >> that's a great example because that stuff came up then all of a sudden >> planning board had a new set of issues I

136
00:36:57.119 --> 00:37:12.000
suspect conservation commission certainly had a new set of issues I never heard what the board of health had to say about that project and I never heard what the water department I don't think I maybe I did I can't remember

137
00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:29.839
>> they they wait the water weighed in But there's a that Boston Road's a good example of how we should try to build something that makes it more efficient and pro and does the right work. Boston Road is a good example, I think, of what

138
00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:46.800
we're trying to address. I I agree. But when a developer comes to us and has chosen to ignore contamination on the site, that's not on us to make their process simpler. It's on them to figure it out. It's it's on us to make to flag it

139
00:37:46.800 --> 00:38:03.680
>> without solving it. >> How is the LSP going to know to identify stuff if we don't give them the ask the questions? >> Well, it should it it should be a couple of ways that first of all, the applicant should be giving the town's LSP

140
00:38:03.680 --> 00:38:20.320
information, all the information they have. the the the LSP should do some of his own his or her own research to corroborate that. Yeah. And then and then as I say, give the the give the the other, you know, the town agencies, the town boards the opportunity to weigh in

141
00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:35.680
as well. >> Is it fair to say that in this case the applicant didn't know what Peter determined >> uh in Boston Road? >> Do you think he did know? No record. >> Well, I think I'd rather not I'd rather not comment publicly, but it's it was a

142
00:38:35.680 --> 00:38:52.240
matter of public record. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> See, my my concern is that stuff gets uncovered through the process. Not a concern, but needs to be addressed properly. That stuff gets uncovered in the process that maybe the applicant didn't know about.

143
00:38:52.240 --> 00:39:07.040
>> No, that wasn't the case here. >> Okay. Okay. >> But but it can be. It can be. >> It could be that. And and and we've got to help that situation, >> right? There's there's where we should help the applicant if you legitimately didn't know. Although what is the what's

144
00:39:07.040 --> 00:39:24.320
the form that they require when you build a house >> that they call them 21E? >> Yeah, it's the same it's the same kind of thing. >> Yeah. So the way that the way the plan is written right now, the answer to your question depends is going to fall to the town's LSP.

145
00:39:24.320 --> 00:39:41.599
Let me put a finer point on that. the way the LSPs look at these sites. If if there was evidence of former commercial activity, dry cleaners, industrial activities, a plating shop was next to 270 at one point. Um, uh,

146
00:39:41.599 --> 00:39:57.359
fill material was brought in, which we now know often has contamination above the standard. That's what the LSP's job, the town's LSP to work with the applicants to think about all that. that and if it turns out it's just a piece of open farmland that just sat there and there was no history then you probably

147
00:39:57.359 --> 00:40:12.640
don't do anything but if there's any suggestion there could be contamination the LSP the process is to sample but but I think one Dave I think one of the primary motivations for setting up this new process is for the benefit of the

148
00:40:12.640 --> 00:40:28.640
applicant so the applicant knows what's going to be expected of them knows knows the permitting process they're going to have to go through and what issues are going to be raised. >> Has Has anybody thought about what it's going to cost the town to put an LSP on

149
00:40:28.640 --> 00:40:45.200
the payroll? >> No, I don't think so. >> Somebody ought to leave. I'm not saying we don't do it, don't get me wrong, but somebody ought to ask that question. >> Well, but but see, the applicant will fund it, you know, through chap chapter 44, section 53G.

150
00:40:45.200 --> 00:41:02.160
>> We don't want to get into I understand that, David. However, if one of the things we're all trying to do, and in the case of conservation, I'm trying to do is to encourage reasonable and wellthoughtout economic development that

151
00:41:02.160 --> 00:41:18.079
doesn't screw up conservation. That's what I'm trying to do. >> And and and so the applicant may not have the same objective that I do, right? And that's where you're going to have the problem. But

152
00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:34.319
to hire an LSP to do all that work's going to add, I think, a significant on a big project, not not little ones, a significant amount of money to the budget >> that he is going to have to fund and therefore it will affect economic

153
00:41:34.319 --> 00:41:49.359
development. >> Yeah. >> Now, good or bad, >> I mean, it's hard to argue that having good clean water is less important than economic development. I understand. >> Kind of an evil necessity, isn't it? >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. So, I don't I don't know how much on say on this particular

154
00:41:49.359 --> 00:42:05.040
bill Ricker Road site. I don't know how much the the applicant paid his LSP um for the work, but you know, it was it was probably close to 50 grand at least that they also paid for the town's >> LSP, you know. >> So, what's the next step? We're going to

155
00:42:05.040 --> 00:42:21.040
see a new draft. Is that the next step? We're going to comment, right? >> Comment. You're in a comment period right now. >> Yes. Send me your comments. I'll forward them to uh Donna and how >> and then yeah, presumably there'll be another draft. >> And is there a due date for those comments? >> Uh I I I I'm sure there is. I don't

156
00:42:21.040 --> 00:42:36.720
know. That's the question for Donna. Yes. Yes. And I'll let you know. >> I'll let you know. >> Good. All right. >> So, we'll you continue to follow this one. Yeah. >> Fingers crossed. >> And and if I can just Can I make a I want to make an editorial comment. I

157
00:42:36.720 --> 00:42:52.319
like what they did. I mean we can have these discussions and there might be different opinions and there could be a flaw in it but from my point of view uh the different town boards are paying a lot of attention to aquaer protection. So that in itself Chris

158
00:42:52.319 --> 00:43:08.560
>> I would agree with that in compar giant step forward >> you know so I I feel good about where the town's at. We're going to have to hammer out the details or board of health will have to figure it out. >> Good. Well, on on that note, let's move on then.

159
00:43:08.560 --> 00:43:25.200
Uh, continual business. Anything we want to talk about, David? >> No. >> No. Okay, good. Now, on to land management. Land management. Let's just do um kind of go down the commissioners and see what we have under land management. John, anything you want to highlight? >> Nope. I

160
00:43:25.200 --> 00:43:42.160
uh I did the other day see a gentleman removing all the blowdown and on 27 uh in front of the sign >> and I I had my thing on and

161
00:43:42.160 --> 00:43:58.000
I couldn't get out and help or whatever, but he was out in the rain, you know, doing it and did a beautiful job, >> right? >> Cuz it looked pretty sharp. >> You don't know who he was. Obviously he was from >> No, but you don't know his name. >> No, I Well, you're not going to stop in number on 27.

162
00:43:58.000 --> 00:44:12.880
>> That's too bad. >> You know, >> he should he should get some credit. >> I'm giving credit to what I saw and it looked fantastic. >> Good. >> Very good. >> Thanks. All right. Now, Bill, um, you know, it went out yesterday at Coois. I

163
00:44:12.880 --> 00:44:29.440
That is really coming along so well. >> Yep. Um, the, uh, fence went up last week. of the guardrail went up last week. Uh the DPW pitched in and uh helped dig the holes for the fence uh which was really

164
00:44:29.440 --> 00:44:47.040
appreciated by the fence company and uh did a nice job out there. The fence looks good, the guardrail looks great. the town came in right after that was completed and and uh uh leveled out the area for the handicap

165
00:44:47.040 --> 00:45:04.640
parking and completed that. Put the handicap signs up. Um and then they brought in some grindings and did the whole parking lot with grindings and and uh rolled that out with a roller. And they also added some hot top uh at the

166
00:45:04.640 --> 00:45:20.720
entrance where people are kind of cutting the corner and going up in the grass. So they made it so it's more of a natural uh turn. So uh really looking good out there. Uh cost dropped off a uh lawnmower the other day and they brought

167
00:45:20.720 --> 00:45:34.960
over from Sunny Meadow a little shed type roof that's going to go over the lawnmower to protect it. So uh and it actually they've been out there uh uh cut cutting the grass already. >> Good. >> So and the new grass is coming in pretty

168
00:45:34.960 --> 00:45:52.400
good. Um it looks great. Uh, I want to jump ahead a little bit. We saved some money on a couple things out there and I would like to do one more thing out there to kind of finish it off. Uh, an interpretive sign that

169
00:45:52.400 --> 00:46:09.200
explains what the what it was the coolest found >> the history and why >> the history. Yeah. And uh uh the DBW's been helping me with that and they found a a sign. It's around $15,600 for it's poly so it won't rot. And uh

170
00:46:09.200 --> 00:46:25.359
we've got somebody that's interested in >> go by the kiosk somewhere >> uh between the parking and the kiosk. Yep. Right along the the handicap walkway. And we've got somebody that's interested in helping do all the uh graphic for us for that. So >> is there going to be a history on it?

171
00:46:25.359 --> 00:46:40.240
>> Yeah. >> So then someone will give you that? >> Yeah, we've got pictures and uh uh all the narrative. Have you guys thought about an official opening? >> At some point we Yeah. Yeah. We've get We've got a picnic table coming in uh I

172
00:46:40.240 --> 00:46:55.680
would say two weeks or less we'll have the handicap picnic table. So I think the sign will kind of really finish it off. If you haven't been out there really looks nice. The town went way over and above what you know they what they normally do for

173
00:46:55.680 --> 00:47:12.079
>> W is doing a fine job. >> Pardon me. >> A great job. >> They're doing a fine job for us. Yes, they do a great job. Um, but they uh the some volunteers planted some flowers under the sign. The town came right in the next day, put back mulch around that

174
00:47:12.079 --> 00:47:29.200
around the sign. They they uh between the stone wall and the road. It was all rip wrapped. It would looked kind of nasty. They cleaned all that out. They brought loom in. They seated that. So, that's really looking nice. So, it's really if you haven't been out there and

175
00:47:29.200 --> 00:47:44.560
I'll I'll I'm out there every day. So, you can see a big uptick in people using the site, >> right, >> that haven't been there before. They see the they see the sign up now and they feel comfortable going in because the big trucks aren't in there like they were. So, people are coming in, they

176
00:47:44.560 --> 00:48:00.079
love it. Nothing but good uh things. But Chris, even though we're not doing anything across the other side of the road, are we responsible for that land? When they say >> cool is a conservation reservation, does

177
00:48:00.079 --> 00:48:15.359
that include the land between 495 and Pine Hill? >> Yeah, that Caroline Pal's got a lease on that for hay in it. >> I understand. But are we responsible for it? >> Yes. Yes. The commission. We have to keep an eye on whatever she I'm sure she's going to do a great job,

178
00:48:15.359 --> 00:48:33.680
>> but we got to and and we may even think of other uses for it at some point in the future >> down the road. We don't want to >> The thing with the hay, it takes years to develop a good hay crop. >> I understand. >> So, we don't want to I'm just saying if it's our responsibility, let's not

179
00:48:33.680 --> 00:48:49.359
forget about it. >> No, no, no, no. She's doing a good job. She I think she was happy last year with >> She if she goes out of the hay business. Absolutely. >> Yeah. >> But when you put the amount of money that you're putting into that time, >> don't get me Hey, guys. I'm not suggesting we stop doing it.

180
00:48:49.359 --> 00:49:04.640
>> No. No. >> All right. Okay. I'm just saying you're the custodian. We got to keep an eye on it. That's all. >> I'm a little farmer. >> Condos, Dave. >> No, thank you. >> But you and you know what? It's it's it's nice. You pull I mean, I pulled in yesterday. It's it's parking lot. You

181
00:49:04.640 --> 00:49:20.720
see it and you know you and you can't miss across the street with a hayfield. I mean, it's it's right in front of you. It's and and it's all part of the vista. It's it adds to the beauty really. >> Yeah. >> And it's just the whole site's awesome is is >> So, I if you haven't been out there in a little while, I mean, get out there

182
00:49:20.720 --> 00:49:36.160
right away. It's it's really an amazing property. >> So, I would like to get some money for that sign so I can order that and get that going. That's kind of finish it off. >> That sounds a reasonable price and it's a good idea. >> Yeah. People go there. They don't know what

183
00:49:36.160 --> 00:49:51.200
>> somebody verify the history. Right. Right. So, >> so Bill, make a motion. >> Uh, >> not to exceed >> not to exceed $1,600 for a uh interpretive sign for Culis Farm. >> So, I think we should hire an LSP to

184
00:49:51.200 --> 00:50:08.079
check the spelling. >> We're beyond that. >> The dates >> and and another one to review the LSP. >> The exact dates. >> The exact dates. >> Exactly. >> Motion by Dave McGlaughlin. Do we have a second by Ally? Second Ally. Any further discussion on the uh Interpretive sign.

185
00:50:08.079 --> 00:50:25.280
>> The interpretive sign. None. All those at Bay Ry. >> Thank you. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you. >> What year did the coolestes first own the property? >> I don't know. >> I mean, that's that's part of it. >> That should go on the side. >> That's part of it. That's going to be part of it. >> I was told 1930. >> Oh, I was I was for some reason.

186
00:50:25.280 --> 00:50:41.520
>> And you you know that before 495 was there, they owned across 495 >> all the way because there's a piece across the street that's part of this reservation, right? They own >> and they own >> all the way into Hitch and Post. >> Yeah, Hitchen Post. There's a lot of land involved >> over the years.

187
00:50:41.520 --> 00:50:57.920
>> Yeah. >> So, >> I think that'll finish the place off. Nice. >> What else you got built? >> Yes. >> Um, oh, uh, >> the vernal pool, right? >> Well, David, I was going to let David talk about that. Yeah. >> Yes. So, it's been confirmed, you know, verified by an expert that there is in

188
00:50:57.920 --> 00:51:13.839
fact a vernal pool >> on the property. Um there's one obligate amphi amphibian species and one obligate uh invertebrate species. So that's uh finally good to settle this question. >> Do we file a report with the state?

189
00:51:13.839 --> 00:51:29.200
>> Uh the consultant is going to do that. Oxbow is going to submit the the vernal pool. >> Let's get that on our web page. >> Yeah, >> because I don't think and maybe if there's an inventory of vernal pools, we could Oh, no. Maybe we don't want to do that. We don't want people showing up

190
00:51:29.200 --> 00:51:46.000
there through it. Yeah, there is an inventory on the mass and the town GIS, >> right? Yes. Um, now it's the state is a little bit slow once once the forms are submitted. It could easily take six months to a year, but at least it eventually will be added to the state's

191
00:51:46.000 --> 00:52:02.640
database of registered vernal pools. So, yeah, that's um that was good to finally get >> also speak to the cost, David. We >> Oh, yeah. So, so the last meeting, recall the commission um approved $3,000. It actually came in at half that the good

192
00:52:02.640 --> 00:52:17.920
>> price is 1500 >> for the this vernal pool certification. >> So like that Dave they came in be uh ahead of schedule and half the cost. It's my type of contractor >> project manager >> project good project managing. Yes

193
00:52:17.920 --> 00:52:34.960
>> do by making that >> that can be done too. >> Well that's good news David. Thanks. >> Yeah. Excellent. All right. So anything else? Uh, let's see. This coolest farm update. Um, all right. Warren, who's got Warren

194
00:52:34.960 --> 00:52:50.960
Paul? All right, Peter. Uh, a lot of activity since our last meeting. Uh, a couple of us, uh, met out at the site what, two weeks ago. So, David, myself, our site steward, Steve, my aunt, who's been working there forever,

195
00:52:50.960 --> 00:53:08.240
>> and Dave Sperry joined us, who has also been working there forever. Right. Um, so you know, Steve continues to keep an eye on the place. He he cut the grass in the last two weeks and removed a fallen tree or is about to,

196
00:53:08.240 --> 00:53:22.559
uh, has made a couple of recommendations of work that had been started earlier. Uh, there's still some brush lying around from the invasive work and a couple of other suggestions, but it was a good good sitewalk and a good discussion with our agent. And I think

197
00:53:22.559 --> 00:53:38.640
the idea is to freshen up the short management plan that Carl started for all of our major reservations. Just kind of outlines what what's going to be done. Um there's some other things going on. There's the CR

198
00:53:38.640 --> 00:53:55.440
question and there's um the planting plan and the beetle release coming up and there's a few other odds and ends at at or a poll. If you want to get into it, we we could. Uh and then Thanksgiving Forest, you heard about our site steward there, Jeff, uh did the the

199
00:53:55.440 --> 00:54:12.079
you know, spring cleanup and he now has uh critter boxes, fishers, owls, and ducks. >> Nice. >> And um >> he sent me a a detailed update on that, which I will soon as I can post to the website, >> the web page. >> How many fishes have been spotted out

200
00:54:12.079 --> 00:54:26.960
there? >> Well, >> does anyone anyone try to take an inventory? Yeah, there's only been one that uh you know Jeff spray painted with a white X so he could identify whether it came back or not. No, we we don't know. There was u the way it worked,

201
00:54:26.960 --> 00:54:43.280
David, is that uh Jeff and he did some homework on this. He baited the new box to attract fishers and he's got good video over the winter of we don't know how many a fisher or two checking out

202
00:54:43.280 --> 00:55:00.480
the box. Uh but since he but the protocols remove the bait during mating season. The bait's only there to let him know, you know, to find it. And he said there's no been no activity since he removed the bait. Um my understanding,

203
00:55:00.480 --> 00:55:18.240
and this is just chat GPT understanding, I have no knowledge really, but that fishers have a very wide territory and they are very territorial. So my sense is there could only be one there there likely there is probably

204
00:55:18.240 --> 00:55:34.480
only one >> female. >> So you don't expect you don't think we'll get a lot of them. >> No, it's not going to be like No, it doesn't. >> That's my understanding. Now we all could learn some more about >> I'm just concerned because fishers are kind can be kind of mean. >> Hey, sure. >> And people are going to be walking dogs

205
00:55:34.480 --> 00:55:50.079
and I wouldn't want a fisher to attack a dog. >> Yeah, I know that there are some questions there. Uh, and then the rest of Thanksgiving forest you heard about tonight. The the ecological restoration is a is a pretty big deal actually. >> I just hope it has some legs and

206
00:55:50.079 --> 00:56:06.839
continue. You know, we're going to do it five years from now. >> Well, yeah. And I think that's a good model. I mean, it's the same as Kulus, right? You've got a couple of folks that live nearby have taken a personal interest. Same of all our sites really. Um

207
00:56:06.880 --> 00:56:24.880
and then uh cranberry bog is I guess assigned to me and I don't really have a report on that. I've heard no issues. >> Uh >> anything come to your desk. >> Um get get um just have gotten a couple calls from

208
00:56:24.880 --> 00:56:39.359
>> about what >> a concerned person. Um so uh she just wants to make sure that the lady slippers out there are protected. from any kind of work. >> Oh, there there should be a ton of lady slippers in Crooked Spring. Has anybody

209
00:56:39.359 --> 00:56:54.799
seen any this spring over the years? They had yellow actually had yellow ones. >> Crooked Spring. >> Yeah, >> that on the like the back slope kind of >> the back on the slope. Yeah, up near Grand. >> Yeah, I know where you're talking about. Um I was out there the other day, but I

210
00:56:54.799 --> 00:57:10.960
didn't go on that side of the pond. I'll have to check that out. That's a fair point because people see them, they they think they can dig them up and take them home, right? >> Yeah. So, I know Peter, would you be interested in uh going out there with Iva so she can show you where the lady

211
00:57:10.960 --> 00:57:28.480
slippers are located? >> Sure. >> You can have a date with Iva. >> Sure. They're protected. And >> Sure. But but what what do we want to do as a commission? Do we want to put a fence around them? >> No, I don't think that's necessary. It's just like, you know, with with routine trail maintenance or for whatever reason

212
00:57:28.480 --> 00:57:44.240
a heavy vehicle has to be out there. Just make sure that you know you know where they're located and that the area is given a a wide birth. >> Sure. There there's some there's some at Russell Mill um literally on the bike path by the pool. >> So, okay.

213
00:57:44.240 --> 00:58:01.839
>> I mean, they're around on the cranberry. Is is there many any overtures from Kyle to counsel about projects or anything? Do we know what's going on with >> I know they don't know, but do we know?

214
00:58:01.839 --> 00:58:18.880
>> Um, you know, to to the extent I'm a I'm able to, you know, give it time and keep up with it. But yeah, they're they're doing something with their dam down there. And I I guess it's been a little bit in fits and starts. wanted them to rebuild it, but then the state says,

215
00:58:18.880 --> 00:58:35.599
"No, we don't want dams." >> Well, >> and the trouble is, if that dam comes down, we have to know what it does upstream in Chelsea. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. It it it may be coincidental, Dave, but um Carl and I had been invited to the uh Chelmsford,

216
00:58:35.599 --> 00:58:51.599
I'm sorry, Carlile Conservation Commission subcommittee for the BOG and good >> went to one or two Zoom calls might even been during the post pandemic, but um we haven't been invited back and I hope it's not because

217
00:58:51.599 --> 00:59:08.880
>> I hope it's not because I recommended as they design their dam they consider the hydraology ology of Chumsford, not just Carlile. So maybe that was too big a stretch. Maybe that's more our job. >> I Yeah, as you allude to Dave, I I I think there's internal disagreement in

218
00:59:08.880 --> 00:59:25.760
Carlile about, you know, what sort of data they should gather, what what should be the scope and extent of their review of whatever it is they think they want to do. So, >> they would have been cheaper off paying 20 grand a year to Mark Duffy to keep the cranberry bar going than what

219
00:59:25.760 --> 00:59:42.079
they're doing now. >> True, true. Um, so, um, you know, I guess we'll see what happens. >> Well, what is interesting is they they've embarked on a echo restoration project of the bog that includes herbicides on some of the invasives,

220
00:59:42.079 --> 00:59:57.359
>> but to make it >> to make it a cranberry bar. >> No. To try to revert to whatever the natural state was. Which I'm not sure how you do that, John. When you build a cranberry box, don't shore. >> Gravel. >> They did it down. >> They build them with Pete sand. Pete

221
00:59:57.359 --> 01:00:13.040
sand. And when they let them go, it looks terrible. >> Yeah. So I >> It It looks terrible. There's one virtually off my lawn >> and now it's full of purple loose stripe

222
01:00:13.040 --> 01:00:31.119
>> and maples and trees falling down >> and stuff. Purple loose strip is pretty. >> Look. >> Pretty what? >> It's a pretty flower. >> It is. >> Okay. >> It makes good dark honey, too. >> Dave, do we know where?

223
01:00:31.119 --> 01:00:48.079
>> But you don't like it on your property. >> The wildlife refuge in Chford is going in Carlile because they bought land. Do we know where in Ch. Is it going to be on the Granbury block? >> Uh, good question. I'll see if I can find out. They bought five acres to move the

224
01:00:48.079 --> 01:01:05.040
wildlife refuge. >> I don't know when I I think they've closed the property. >> Oh, the the wild rehabilitator new house. >> Oh. Oh, okay. >> Maybe. >> Maybe. >> But I don't know where in Carl they're going. >> Uh neither do I. See if I can find out.

225
01:01:05.040 --> 01:01:21.359
Um I I'm sure that >> there's certainly plenty of beavers out there. They could she could help. She could take care of the beavers, right? I'm sure that there are people who are unhappy that she left Shelford, but that's close. >> That's close. >> I don't think you think so. >> I mean, it was a tough on the neighborhood.

226
01:01:21.359 --> 01:01:36.160
>> Yeah, >> they really should have be in a place like Carl. >> Yeah. Well, the hope was that she could find, you know, another place in Chumsford. >> You're not going to find five acres in Chumsford that's anything less than 250,000 an acre, right?

227
01:01:36.160 --> 01:01:51.359
>> Any other land management issues? Well, so I don't I don't think we got the the update on the Crooked Spring. >> Crooked Spring. Yeah, Peter. >> Oh, yeah. Um, so last week, I think last week, I had a pleasure to work with our couple of our

228
01:01:51.359 --> 01:02:07.280
DPW engineers and we picked a consultant uh for uh the townf funded tree and invasive management study, it's called, >> and it's uh we got seven good proposals

229
01:02:07.280 --> 01:02:24.480
in response to a scope of work that that uh tree committee and DPW put out. and we chose what we thought was the best firm. >> This is what's the work statement >> the the still to be determined? >> No, it it it's nailed down and I can

230
01:02:24.480 --> 01:02:39.599
email it to you, but uh it's basically to inventory the trees and map out invasives that are threatening the trees >> in the whole town.

231
01:02:39.599 --> 01:02:54.160
>> No. along 26 miles of what are designated as scenic roads and Crooked Spring Reservation we threw in. >> Right. So, there'll be a tree expert out giving us some advice on steps the town

232
01:02:54.160 --> 01:03:12.079
can take to try to protect our trees in their own right, but also protect them from invasives that might affect the tree. So, we're not going to worry about >> all invasives. There's too many. >> Right. bittersweet and >> and and you're gonna kind of keep working with these folks, right?

233
01:03:12.079 --> 01:03:26.960
>> Yeah. Good. >> Yeah. >> You'll forward us copy of the report. >> I will. It it'll be fall. And and what's interesting, I just want to share this with this is what I wanted to share with the commission. Um we put in the scope of work a couple of community well a couple of the briefings

234
01:03:26.960 --> 01:03:44.559
to this group and planning board, but also some public meetings on best practices for managing invasives. To learn or to teach? >> To teach. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> And without going into details, I count

235
01:03:44.559 --> 01:04:02.480
about this is about the seventh invasive project in the last two or three years. Good >> that I count. And that's, you know, in the town master plan to try to do something about invasives. So my hope is that we could use this contract and these public meetings in the fall and

236
01:04:02.480 --> 01:04:18.559
briefings of planning board and us to well develop a team some sort of invasive team and that would consist of volunteers that want to do work as well as some sort of technical expertise um and do more.

237
01:04:18.559 --> 01:04:35.920
>> Great. Replicate it in other places throughout town. >> Yeah. And I I do have a meeting uh later this week with a couple of volunteers that came forward to I'm not sure if you were involved uh that were interested in doing something related to invasives. And so, you know, a lowbudget thing is

238
01:04:35.920 --> 01:04:51.839
to do sometimes do a garlic mustard pull. This is the time of year when you can get rid of that stuff with a couple volunteers. Um there's also um I think we want to bring Oxbow in to take a fresh look at Warren Pole and that invasive removal and that's a project

239
01:04:51.839 --> 01:05:07.280
Dave Sperry and Steve Mayot worked on last year. >> Well, it's really a continuation. >> Yeah, continuation. So that that's more like cutting um cutting of invasives and then the herbicide applicator comes along afterwards and paints them. You know,

240
01:05:07.280 --> 01:05:23.839
there's all kinds of things that a stronger volunteer program can do, but I think it's built on, you know, the good work the town has been doing on these five or six existing projects. So, I think I think I feel we can say the town has an invasive management

241
01:05:23.839 --> 01:05:39.520
program. It's just not really written down and codified. And, you know, we can So, I'm hopeful to use the next couple months to >> the collective week in town can can kick it up a notch. Great. Good. >> David, anything more in lane management

242
01:05:39.520 --> 01:05:54.880
you can think of? >> Oh, >> yeah. Bill >> Lime Quarry, there was a question about the rocks in the parking lot. >> Yeah. Can we open that up? >> It's Yeah, the the DPW asked me they they may have a little bit of time to if

243
01:05:54.880 --> 01:06:11.440
we want the rocks moved or we want to leave them or we want to jockey stuff around. >> How you going to prevent the trucks from stopping in there for lunch? >> They they won't stop in there. >> They did for years. That's why we put them there. >> Uh, that's what they >> Yeah, that's why they went up there in the first place >> to prevent people hanging around in that

244
01:06:11.440 --> 01:06:27.200
parking lot. >> If they put the rocks in there, correct, trucks ain't going to be able to pull in there. >> I don't, you know, it's whatever you guys want. >> Gets a lot of use at lunchtime by residents or citizens. There's a lot of

245
01:06:27.200 --> 01:06:43.119
cars. There's always a lot of cars. >> People go take a walk at lunchtime. I wouldn't want to use up the parking lot with commercial vehicles at lunchtime. >> So, just leave it the way it is or you >> I don't know. Somebody's looking at it. >> Well, it came up at one of our meetings

246
01:06:43.119 --> 01:06:58.000
a few weeks ago. >> Oh, they had some card. >> Somebody hit somebody hit the rocks >> right over the rocks. >> Vote on. >> That's not our fault. >> Well, pretty ugly. >> I think it could be opened up. >> So, >> I'm against it without even knowing what

247
01:06:58.000 --> 01:07:14.559
you do. It It's moving a couple rocks. >> I know that, John. I'm against the idea of having commercial vehicles in that parking lot. I >> I don't think the commercial vehicles are going to pull in there. >> They did for 25 years. >> I never saw one in there in my life. >> Well, you weren't interested in

248
01:07:14.559 --> 01:07:31.680
conservation back then. >> Well, we would had you on the committee. >> I've been interested all my life. But what I'm saying is >> I've never I think it could be done correctly where >> Well, can you show me a plan that

249
01:07:31.680 --> 01:07:47.359
>> looks like maybe Yeah, let's kind of come up with a plan. Maybe we can get >> Dave and Bill a couple guys out there to take a look. >> Make sure it looks okay. >> This is your Joe Ericson look at it. >> Hey, have Joe Ericson, right? >> No, Joe's the one who do it.

250
01:07:47.359 --> 01:08:03.200
>> Yeah, I know. Have him look at it. Hey, hey, I can move these rocks and make a nice entrance for cars. Car size rocks. I think it would look better. >> It looks fine the way it is. >> I think it looks like >> I like it the way it is. >> I think it looks like crap.

251
01:08:03.200 --> 01:08:18.719
>> I'm glad I brought it up. >> Good. >> I think it looks like crap. >> This young lady, >> negotiate between us, >> right? >> I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Good move. >> All right. All right. Why don't we take

252
01:08:18.719 --> 01:08:34.640
a look at it? >> Let's take a look at it. >> Take a look at it. >> Let's do a little more investigation. >> I trust his consultant. >> Judgement. >> I consult. >> Can we all meet there for lunch with our vehicles and block up the parking lot? >> Yeah. Just don't bring any big, you know, >> it's it's

253
01:08:34.640 --> 01:08:48.799
a 10-minute job. >> All right. Take a look at it. We can talk about it next time. >> Yeah. We we can continue this discussion. >> All right. That's it. >> All right. Any more? >> You had to bring it up, didn't you? I I like >> could have just done it. >> Chris. >> Yeah, Dave.

254
01:08:48.799 --> 01:09:05.279
>> Do we ever look at our budget? >> Do you know how much money we've spent versus our budget? >> Uh, yes. >> David says yes. >> But does the committee >> Well, haven't read. >> It's been a while. I mean, I know it's been a while, Dave. >> Only because we're spending a lot of

255
01:09:05.279 --> 01:09:21.440
money and I just have no idea. I don't even know what this how big our budget is other than Dave. I mean, put Dave's salary to the side. I mean, it's the other stuff that we spend. talking about the annual appropriation budget. >> Yeah, we don't really spend your budget, but >> um so I I I keep close track of it. Then

256
01:09:21.440 --> 01:09:37.359
we also have the land maintenance fund which tip into from time to time. >> Do we have to use it up by the end of the fiscal year or lose it? >> Uh the annual appropriation budget. Yes. >> So you make sure we don't lose it, right? >> That's right. >> We don't want to lose. No. No. But I mean to point I mean we should we should

257
01:09:37.359 --> 01:09:52.719
probably take a look at it on an annual basis. >> I don't know how much money we put into Coolis. I I'm sure it's well worth it because everyone says it's beautiful. >> Well, but a lot of that was CPA money. >> CPA paid for the >> But we're still spending it. >> Yeah. >> Right.

258
01:09:52.719 --> 01:10:08.960
>> I mean, that's the source, but we spent it. >> Mhm. >> You can't count DPW money. >> That's free. >> Oh, free. >> Yeah. >> Free money. >> They'll volunteer that day. >> I believe I believe >> Keep telling yourself that, Mark. I

259
01:10:08.960 --> 01:10:25.120
believe if if we have a $10,000 bud budget to do something and it was our idea to hire an outside vendor and DPW says I can do it and they do it. They get the 10 grand. Is >> that right?

260
01:10:25.120 --> 01:10:41.280
>> Well, maybe in theory, but there's no, as far as I know, there's no administrative way to transfer that kind of money between departments. >> There is. >> What's that? >> I think there is. >> Never heard of it. >> Glad you're back there. All right, that's it. >> Here we go. Debits and credits.

261
01:10:41.280 --> 01:10:56.800
>> I I mean, we're spending town money. We should be cautious. >> I I I think you brought a good job. I think you got I think we should have looked at it. You know, it's been a while, I think, since we talked about as commission members. >> And and I I get the regular reports from

262
01:10:56.800 --> 01:11:13.840
accounting. I I don't get them for the CPA funds, and I I I I get I would like to get those. So, see what I can do. >> Yeah, I think we should put it on an agenda item. Maybe not the uh the meeting of the 26th, but maybe a meeting that's >> once a quarter. We don't need to look at

263
01:11:13.840 --> 01:11:30.719
them every meeting. >> No. >> Yeah. And Dave, if I could add to what you're saying, my my thought is it would be great at some point down the road for us to advise the town on a reasonable budget

264
01:11:30.719 --> 01:11:46.640
for open space operation and maintenance because right now there's a lot of volunteers. Sometimes DPW spends money, sometimes we do, sometimes CPA does. uh tree committee gets grants that are sort of related to to natural resources. It'd

265
01:11:46.640 --> 01:12:01.920
be kind of fun, I would think, or interesting to the town to have all that in some sort of package so that when we're all gone, there's a long-term survival of funding. >> Sounds gives us uh

266
01:12:01.920 --> 01:12:17.760
>> It sounds very ominous, Peter. >> That gives us some time, right? >> Yes. >> Well, it wasn't. The annual appropriation for the land management part of the budget was was in was was increased by 50%. Right. Last year it went from $10,000 which it had been for

267
01:12:17.760 --> 01:12:33.600
you know h all of history before that >> it went to 15,000 last year. >> Holy I remember it was 500. >> Yeah. Yeah. But remember the rate of inflation was been about%. >> No it's because we started to do something. I I think I think a big

268
01:12:33.600 --> 01:12:48.159
motivation for that increase was there was all sorts of people asking us to take down trees >> y >> on conservation land right next to their property >> some money right >> yeah yeah that now there wasn't so much of that this year and when we bought um pulis

269
01:12:48.159 --> 01:13:07.360
>> uh when we bought >> Paul when we bought Warren Paul increased our land management budget oh Okay. All right. Very good. Anything else we want to talk about before we adjourn for the evening?

270
01:13:07.360 --> 01:13:26.560
>> Um, minutes one from March. >> Minutes. Minutes. Minutes. Got some minutes here. Oh, we have some minutes. March 24th minutes. Let's just pull those out and take a look. This is tardy that night.

271
01:13:26.560 --> 01:13:45.360
>> Look at that. This is a It was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Gary. >> We might have been talking tractor talk or something, you know. >> Oh, but we didn't have John Switzer. >> Maybe we were talking tractor. >> I think I was having that night.

272
01:13:45.360 --> 01:14:08.480
>> You were in I wasn't at this one. >> I don't think. Nope. >> Do we keep tapes of our minutes for seven years? >> The tapes? I don't think so. >> There's no audio tapes. It's just what uh teleia does, >> right?

273
01:14:08.480 --> 01:14:23.840
>> Did they keep our record of our meetings for seven years? >> They probably keep it longer. >> Yeah. >> Well, they don't have to keep them longer than seven. >> They probably keep them forever. That would be my guess. I don't know. >> That may be dangerous. >> It's a big >> I'll make a motion to approve the

274
01:14:23.840 --> 01:14:40.080
meetings of March 24th >> 26. >> Okay. Motion by Mark to approve. >> Second. >> Seconded by Peter. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. Any opposed? >> None. Unanimous. >> Abstain. >> Oh, and we have one abstension. Of

275
01:14:40.080 --> 01:14:56.080
course, Mclofflin. He wasn't he wasn't here yet. >> All right. So, now we're ready for a motion to adjurnn. So move >> moved by Dave. >> Second. >> Seconded by Bill. All those in favor? I. Any oppos? Unanimous. >> Thank you very much, ladies and

276
01:14:56.080 --> 01:14:59.880
gentlemen. Have a good evening.