I think it like two or three years a beautiful down there >> well I wasn't intending to last my It is now 7 o'clock, >> 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10th, uh, 2026.
I was going to say 19, something like Wow. I now call this meeting of the Channel Conservation Commission to order. My name is Carl Bishoff. I am the chair of the commission. We will be following published and posted agenda. This meeting is both in person and through Zoom. In the case of the Zoom not
working properly, we will continue the meeting in person only and this meeting is being broadcast and recorded by Chser Teledia and will be available on their website and on YouTube. And we do have a quorum here. Um the only change in the agenda or note if you're here for the
applicant for the New England Power Company, they are requesting a continuation. So don't stick around for that. Um and we have open session uh citizen concerns. So let's start with um our visitor here from CH Chsu Tele Media
and talk about the trail cam. So Pete Dues, good evening. >> So um I asked Pete, a member of Chsu Teledia if they would take um responsibility for the trail cam that we bought uh conservation commission bought
um and uh Pete was very happy to offer as he said white glove service. So, why don't you talk about what your what your services are? >> White glove service. Uh, so it's right up our alley. I said, you know, this is definitely on mission for CTM. Um, basically what I can offer is I'm happy
to be sort of the steward for the camera. I will CTM, I should say. We'll take ownership of it. Uh, or hold on to it, I should say. You guys paid for it. It's still Concom property, but we can keep it with all of our other camera gear. um I can make sure that it's charged, ready to go
anytime you guys need it. I also offered, you know, I don't know how you guys plan to use it, but if it's appealing to you, um you know, we're more than happy. This is the white glove service. I can be responsible for setting it up, keeping it charged, making sure it's connected to the It
sounds like it's a cell device. >> Yeah. So, this camera, it's interesting. It's It's the same one. So, I should mention that Jeff Boutton is one of our volunteers at Thanksgiving Forest and he's got his own trail cams. >> Sure. He recommended this model and this brand because that's what he's using and
it's got a cellular configuration and so he's pretty familiar with it. He's does this. By the way, as an advertisement, Thanksgiving Forest on YouTube. Look that up and you'll see Jeff's trail cams >> uh his trail videos and uh he's got Fisher and lots of deer. He just put one
out today or yesterday, I think. >> I'll have to talk to him. Yeah. But um but there is an account that goes with it and that was one of the issues is that David has a town account and it would be difficult in the firewall to use a town account with this I believe.
>> Yeah. And and you have a Gmail uh >> we deal with this kind of stuff for other departments uh at times because it yeah it's easy for us. We have a Gmail that we use for >> services that are difficult to sign up with the the gov email or that are tricky like this. Um and we are
technically on a different network. We're not actually we don't our computers are not hooked up to the town network directly. We go through the school network. So, um and we have our own firewall and all that. So, it's it's a little bit easier for us to deal with that stuff. Um and then just, you know, logistically, I I'd like to make it easy
on you guys. You're not camera AV people. You're you're concom. So, my my imagined uh SOP is you guys email us, email CTM or or myself specifically um and just say, "Hey, we need the camera set up at at this location. You know,
this is if you have some activity you're trying to monitor there, or if you just want to see some wildlife, maybe you've heard there's turtles nesting. Um, you know, I'd be more than happy to go out and actually set it up uh and make sure that everything's working and then I can facilitate getting you guys the footage.
uh whether it's to individual board members or if you wanted to have I mean I don't know if there's a desire for this sky's the limit. >> Yeah. I mean CTM could make a web page on our site where we show critters that have been seen. You know I just we're we're happy to collaborate and do
whatever we can for you. So >> yeah, >> beautiful. I I meant to bring it and give it to you tonight. Just got >> details, right? >> Busy busy. So all right. So, I'll get it from you at some point and uh CTM will hold on to it for you guys and just anytime you need it deployed or anything else, just reach out.
>> So, so Peter, you you actually physically set it up? >> Yeah, I'm happy to. >> Yeah. >> And I'm assuming you would know how to conceal it. Um >> yeah, you know, depending on what you're doing if you know >> Jeff's pretty good at that, by the way. >> I I I will talk to him. Um Yeah. And and you know, it's it's I view it as an
excuse to get me out of the office and into the woods once. >> I'll remember that. >> I have no shortage of ideas. I jumped at the chance to fly the drone uh because it's anytime we can get out in the field. It's it's it's good for us and good for the community. So, >> I will be in touch.
>> Yeah, please do. Please reach out. >> Anything else? >> That's good. >> Thanks, guys. >> Thank you, Peter. >> Okay. >> Uh next is the report of the planning board liaison. Chris Lavali is at the
civics academy which David and I just attended and we presented our conservation commission um uh ABC's the the the 10 you know the 10 conservation commission 101 and that went well was 15 minutes. >> They really grilled us though.
>> Yeah, they they grilled us. It was good. There's a good crowd there. Probably >> 20 people in the >> in the class. It's good. Yeah, it was good. >> But Chris is there. He's probably done by now, but um so um his comments that he sent to us were no new public
hearings. They are the continued hearing for the citizens petition to overturn the definition of the of family. This will likely be continued again since I have not heard from the petitioner. We will start discussing some of the next zoning updates we want to address in the
next fall town meeting, which includes discussing how we will approach the riverneck zoning conflicts, possible changes in the PIO formula. Sorry, I don't know what that is. If time permits, start discussing our approach for updating the contractor yard
definitions and then um also an update from the managed growth strategy forces on their agenda. So, that's the planning board's um update and um that's good. Any comments or questions? Not that I can answer, but
okay. Regulatory hearings. First one up tonight is um request for determination of applicability, town of Chelmsford, 40 Swain Road. Christine Clancy, Town of Chford, DPW, representing the applicant. And we do have a notice.
>> Good evening. There. And there is a Oh, so you have to pray. >> You have to read the notice. Yep. Can you read that, Chris? >> Yes, Mr. Chairman. Pursuant to the provisions of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, Mass General Laws, Chapter 131, Section 40, and the Chams Wetlands bylaw, chapter 187, the Chsson
Conservation Commission will conduct the public hearing here in room 204, the town offices at 50 Bilwicker Road on Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 to 7 p.m. Consider the request for determination of applicability filed by the town of Chsson Department of Public
Works on behalf of property owner town of Chsson for proposed work within riverfront area Scotty Hollowbrook and 100 foot buffers zone to bordering vegetated wetlands at 40 Swain Road further identified as assessor's parcel
map 11 block 4 lot five. parcel entails limited tree clearing and a test pit investigation at the capped chomps landfill. The purpose of the test pit investigation to is evaluate the extents of suspected landfill waste protruding
from a vegetated slope on the northwest side of the landfill adjacent to the Scotty Hall Brook. This work is required under the Massachusetts solid waste regulations 310 CMR 19.0000 0000 as part of the postclosure monitoring and
maintenance of the landfill cap. Mr. Chair, back to you. >> Thank you very much. Good evening, Christine. Can you tell us about the project? >> Good evening. Yes. So, thank you. That was a good summary, but just to add to this, so this is 40 Swain Road, which is a cap landfill. Um, it was capped. Um, I
think the exact date was 1990 final cap, but in the 90s, it's been capped. Um and as part of the um it being a cap landfill with Mass DP we are required to do annual inspections to make sure that we're in compliance so it remains a cap landfill. So every year there's a consultant that goes out they look at
the site um they do a postclosure landfill requirement report and what they look is the landfill cap integrity the site security erosion sediment controls. So we do get a report every year. A lot of these reports and findings fall outside the the wetland area which is why we haven't come before
you but we do get a report every year. A lot of times like sometimes it's like the we have to repair the the fence. Um there's been erosion or is erosion issues um on other parts of the the site. Um also like tree clearing because trees are not allowed to be on top of the cap itself. So if there's any tree
or woody vegetation. So we do this maintenance annually with the report um in this year's report. So in um in the in December, our um consultant went out and in their report they observed that we um they did their annual report and they observed that there's potentially
some I'm just going to read exactly what they they said right here was surficial waste um on the sorry I'm just going to mixing up where it is. said surficial waste uh and debris observed near the northwest corner of the western
landfill area adjacent to the Scotty Hollow Brook. So in the on this map right here where you see the proposed test pit locations, this is where um we need to do some further investigation and that is the request tonight. Um just to give another a little more background history, the solar panels you see that
was um that was those were installed in July 2021. Um it was approved in July 2018 through RDA. Um in looking at some of that documentation and then also the original cap documentation, the limits of that cap landfill are close to that area. So we have some documentation but
also we you know we we need to do more test bits to really identify the limits of where that cap was and to determine if it is surficial waste or if it is you know more requirements that are needed. Um we so as mentioned we do need to do this as part of the mass Massachusetts
solid waste regulations 310 CMR 19.0. Um this proposal is to do the test pitting any you know following these investigations would be under a separate filing whether you know we have to really just get through this phase. Um the proposed work includes first
installing erosion control and sediment controls along the downward slope of Scotty Hollow Brook. the test pits are within the 200 buffer. Um even within the 50 buffer zone. Um erosion control measures will include staked tail bales or andor straw waddles. Uh we will we
will have to do limited tree clearing just to get to get access to the site. Um with all the snow that we've received, we do need to get out there to really see exactly how we're going to stage the equipment. So that's something that we haven't done yet. Um but we will be doing and you know we're hopeful that we can approach it from the solar panel
side but we really have to look to see how we get access and you know there might be have to be some hand digging involved as well. Um we're proposing in this area up to 10 locations at test pitting. Um the the trees that we have to cut will be cut close to grade and
and removed. Stumps and root the root systems will be left in place to naturally decompose. Um, also I just wanted I noted that the trees any any trees cannot be on a cap. So that's something that will have potentially might be um following this investigation. Something we you know
look at doing down the road. The removal of the trees are just for the test pitting operations. Right now the test pits will be conducted up to a depth of 5t a total of 10 locations. The cover and the soil material will carefully be stripped and stockpiled next to the test pit area and the waste materials will be
excavated and stockpiled separately on a tarp. Um each test pit will be documented, GPS located um recorded. All those findings will go in a report back to mass DUP to figure out you know what the next steps are. If there are next steps, um, we will return the soil back
to the test pinning site just because we need to know what our we can't make this a excavation and disposal. That's a whole different project. This is going back in the the so in the in the um pit will compact to match existing grades. Any windb blown debris or trash will be
picked up and removed. Um and also we will have a gas meter on site just to monitor the four gases, oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and combustible gases. Um we look to perform this with in-house operations between storm water and highway. Um it depends
when we can get out there with the snow melt. You know, today was a great day for snow melt. Um we also need to have stable ground to get out there. So likely in the next 30 60 days is my is my goal. Um and I think this figure here just shows a good this this is the the
limits right here. There were a couple also photos attached to the um report and or the the application showing the photos the test pit area and also the photo showing the the surficial waste.
Um it's too early to I mean that's why we don't know the depth of this but it looks like there's some erosion and we just need to really identify where this where these limits of potentially the cap are or is it more of a sufficient way something that we need to
investigate it that's was a good picture that um documents the situation um I think and yeah and again inhouse so there's no um we have a consultant on board, but there's no um bring in a
construction company. We'll we'll be doing this with our staff. >> Any questions? >> David, have you been out there? >> I have not had a chance to get out there. I mean, like >> I'm hoping next I'm hoping soon. So, I I going to take a drive out there this
afternoon. I didn't have time because we've had we had a lot of melt, but I think it next week is probably We tried like it was this too much snow. >> Yeah. Do you have any other comments or >> um ju just that I mean this this actually is a very simple and straightforward uh project. Um yeah who
know who knows what might be the followup if anything comes out of it but but this but this this task itself just very very simple and straightforward. Um I I think you I think you've told me Christine that you're you're hoping to use, you know, the the least or or the
smallest um equipment as possible if if not hand dig uh the test pits. Um which which is certainly good for a number of reasons. Um, so the one one thing I did want to mention, um, and maybe you know
this already is that there is a a beaver dam out there with a fairly large empoundment. Uh, Carl and Bill, can you give me a rougher idea of where that's located in relation to >> it's it's just downstream of
>> downstream of of those test pits >> which is up. >> So yeah, >> picture. Yeah. >> So Okay. >> Oh, just near between the test pits and the bridge. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So, so the empower the empoundment is in in this area. >> Up that way. Yes. >> Yeah. If you pull it down a little more,
>> keep going. Keep going. Keep going. It's probably right about right about where your cursor is. It's probably right about there. >> That's that's where the dam is. Yeah. >> And And does does the empowerment extend all the way back this way, do you think? >> Hard to tell. >> Hard to tell now, but it was it was good
size. Mhm. So, you know, this this is outside the scope of this hearing, but certainly something that occurred to me, you know, the wheels were turning that those Beaver Dam impoundments can can cause an increase in in in the
groundwater elevation. And I don't know, I have no idea, you know, how how deep the landfill goes. But I mean, that might be something just to keep in mind, you know, over o over the course of, you know, this this whole comprehensive, you
know, issue. >> It's a fairly new beaver dam. It wasn't there a year ago. It was there in the last six months, I'd say. >> We do have a drone now at DPW, and so we've been monitoring um different areas looking for beaver dams. And so especially now with the snow melt, we'll definitely be going out there more often
and we have been looking in this area too just monitoring it. So that technology is helpful because now we can really look for the problems before they become a problem. >> There's also one just downstream of the bridge on the other side, but that's less that's less relevant here, I think. But
>> now now are are I I've been told um that monitoring wells were installed >> um >> monitoring are on the site the for the landfill. Yes. But not as part of that. I mean, not you mean in this particular test pitting area or? >> No. No. Well, I it would be great um if
if there were monitoring um wells in that area that that I assume would allow you to check, you know, if there's any rise in groundwater. >> We do have some on the site. I don't know the closest one, but that's something we can follow up on and maybe that when we go to do the test pits, we could check that um to check the
groundwater. >> That's a good point. So >> before you go over the bridge on the right, there's a there's a monitoring wall right there. >> I know there's some over also in the parking lot, too. So there's a there's at least a few. I just in this side, honestly, I have to kind of walk I mean
I I haven't I don't walk back there that often. We really just we go once a year. Um and then as needed, we we paved and where we stockpile our salt, that's where we the most activity is. Um, but we we can
we'll look at the look close as well. It's a good point. >> So, I think this can be a negative determination with condition. >> Let's see if the commission D Peter, do you have any questions? >> Uh, yeah. Hi. Hi, Christie. I'm curious. Um, and you may not know, I realize, but
the groundwater monitoring that's been done, has that shown any contamination that triggers any of the state MCP rules? That I mean, I realize you may not have that answer, but that's sort of my my first question.
>> Um, but I have a related question. The reason I ask that is I'm curious, is the goal of the test pitting to figure out if there's bulk waste or is the goal of the test pitting to figure out if there's any residual
soil contamination that might be washing down into the brook because this is the edge of like it's like the toe of the land. It's like the edge of the landfill. A bit of a I don't know if it's really a bank, but I was just curious what the goal of the test pit is. >> Sure. So we I mean the the the limits of
the landfill are fairly close to that test pitting. So really to delineate the limits of the um to really find the outer edge of that cap is where our goal is. If we if that doesn't align with our test pits, I guess you could say that yeah I guess then what is it is? So I guess we're trying to figure out what is
what is in that photo. Is it surficial and some spilling out from somewhere or is it actually a delineation of the cap? because it it's it looks like the delineation we have is close to that but it it extends a little toward >> is that the yellow line is the
approximate >> I think the delineation aligned up with maybe that interior test pitting more more towards the 100 foot buffer um and also that's all wooded vegetation so if it is a true cap that's a thing too is like the records that we have versus
this the filing that was done in 2018 for the solar panels that's all woody vegetation if that is truly the landfill We So we have actually a number of trees on the other side over on like it's like it's off of the the plan right now. So if you look at the plan on actually the other the other side
>> done >> like so over here the cap extends just past this limit. So we're actually having to remove some woody vegetation in this area as well. Um that was one of the fine things but it's outside any area. So, so that's the thing is that if it if it is a cap, then there's action
because we can't have woody vegetation on that on the cap. Um, if it's not, then what is it? And we need to figure out, I guess, so I guess this the test pitting this is the test test pits, but um we might have to do come I guess our
goal is that we can hopefully have some definitive answers by doing this this test pitting program, >> but the intention is a small test pit. Yeah. So we say within one to five feet because once you identify the cap it's basically to delineate the the cap and
if we cannot clearly define that and it's just halfhazardly located surficial waste then it's a question is yeah what's what's I guess it depends what we find but yeah the test pits we estimate to be no more than 5t deep potenti potentially only a foot
>> and and it's probably worth mentioning to the commission you're operating under a whole D landfill closure your permit. So there's another >> Yes. So there is program that you've got. >> Yeah. There's a separate notification. So we did submit a um corrective action plan to D and this is part of our
corrective action plan. So we are required to do this pursuant to the 310 CMR 19.018. So we are required by mass D. So this this um RGA was submitted to the the typical filing that we do to mass DP but
also the notification also went to the solid waste division. Yeah. And could you share that with with our agent perhaps the corrective action plan? And >> I can send that. Sure. >> I I know David has an interest and I do in that groundwater monitoring data, but maybe that's beyond the scope of today.
>> Yeah, I do have um >> curious. >> I also because we also do an annual it's actually in my bag, but we have the annual um closure uh the inspection too. So, we do have that too. Yeah, I can send that. >> And I agree. minor minor minor thing,
minor minor project, but it'd be nice to understand some of that data. Thank you. >> Thank you, Peter. Ally, you have anything? No. >> Chris, do you have good Mark? >> The uh just a quick question. That yellow line that illuminates a 50 foot buffer, is that approximately where the
uh uh membrane is? >> So, there is not a membrane here. It's more of a clay a clay cap. We don't really have a membrane, too. So, we don't know. So I actually think I want to say that the membrane aligns a little closer. It depends on what plan you're
looking. So what I looked at the solar panel. Um so we think it it's somewhere between the yellow and the green. >> Okay. >> When you you're talking when you talk membrane. Yeah. the membrane of the so I so the let's have a few plans from the
actual closure and then there was that I know the 2018 filing and when we're trying to line it up with these this information um it it is within this area I just it's hard to tell exactly if it's within the 100 foot or 50 foot somewhere around there and it is not I said it's
not a membrane it's um it's it's more of a clay cap >> okay so you think that you think there's a breach in the clay Is that what just >> I I don't want to say what it could be. It could be or did they was it was it undelineated
I guess. Yeah. Something some something or is it erosion? Because if you look at back at those pictures and I mean we came up with some theories at DPW is I mean only a couple years ago we had that huge beaver dam that pushed 12 million gallons through this area. So So I think
it has to do with erosion. That's my that was my first re reaction. But um we just want to check just to make sure and some of it could be surficial. There's illegal dumping. Someone could have dumped. I mean so we don't know yet. Um I I I'm leaning towards erosion. Um but
we we want to test pit just to to really define what we what this is. >> And and and Mark, if in landfills um they settle. So if it actually was part of a landfill, >> it could easily settle. >> No, five or 10 feet, right? And exposed junk, >> right? >> And the woody vegetation can compromise
a cap. That's why you cannot install woody vegetation on a landfill because it compromises the cap. So we have a whole bunch of woody vegetation that so maybe the cap was installed but then it was compromised through this forest essentially. >> Okay. Thank you, >> Bill. >> I'm fine, >> John.
>> I'm good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I I wonder if the I learning that there's clay there. I know the brook has this really strong copper look the water and as long as I've been going there it's which is only 10 years or 15 years
but I just wonder if that clay is running off of there. The water's running off through the clay which might give it the copper >> might just be the iron in the water too. That's what I was thinking. >> Just something that brook always caught my eye is like oh that's really
red copper looking. Interesting. Yeah. But okay. So, um, any questions? This is a public hearing. Do we have any questions from the public? Any further questions from the, uh, commission? Nope. Okay. >> I make a motion, Mr. Chairman, that we
close this public hearing. >> Motion from, uh, Chris to close the hearing. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Alli. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Peter, do you say I? >> Yes. I I'm sorry. >> Yep. >> Uh, so unanimous. And um we are closing
the year. Uh >> I make I now make a motion then that we approve this uh project with a negative determination. Uh uh David, what were you thinking for conditions? >> Um well so so be a negative two and a negative three. >> Okay. >> Um and this work is also a minor
activity pursuant to 310 CMR 10.022 B2G which which explicitly cites you know these kinds of projects you know test pits, monitor mills, what whatever. So, um, the the conditions I was thinking of was just,
you know, let let me know when the erosion control has been installed. Um, and then give give me 48 hours, uh, at least 48 hours advanced notice when the work is actually going to start. I mean, it can be the same notifications if that's how it works out. And then and
then yeah, as as as we were um as was mentioned a little while ago, just if if if I could get a copy of the the report that submitted to D on the findings, etc., etc., that would that would be >> that all sounds reasonable.
>> Okay. So, a motion from Chris. I have a second. >> Second. >> Second from Bill. All in favor? >> I I >> It's unanimous again. Thank you very much. Okay, we will sign that off. >> Thank you, Christine.
>> Can I see >> Christine? Before you go, I just want to thank you guys for all the work you've done up at Culus. I was up there today and yesterday, and the guys are moving all the rocks, burying them, and moving the fill out of there. So, we really appreciate everything you've done. >> Thank you. Yeah. So, Joe did mention you
were up there today, and I know we're still working on the path. So, we still have some work to do, but um we've had a quite a winter, so now hopefully we can No. do some work. >> I can't say enough good things about all the stuff you guys have done. >> That's awesome. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, the guys are great. >> Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Good. Thanks for saying that. Yeah. >> Okay. Next up, so that is uh the Okay, so now we have the notice of intent for the New England Power Company at 100 Ecuador Road. And as I understand it, we
have a request from the applicant >> to continue to our next meeting on March 24th. >> Correct. Okay. >> So, I can just give a quick status update. So, um I uh we we did receive the the peer review uh report from the
commission's consultant. I I did that. I did include that when I set out the agenda. Um I I have authorized um the applicant's representative to contact the peer reviewer directly to to to work
out, you know, the the you know, the issues raised in the comments. So, >> okay, great. Um, so I will take a motion to continue. >> Well, I move that we continue this hearing until our next meeting, which is
March 24th, 2026. >> Motion from Chris. Do I have a second? Second. >> Second from Alli. All in favor? >> I. Okay, it's unanimous. Thank you very much. We will see that applicant in two weeks. And uh next up on our agenda is
the commission is now looking for a representative to the community preservation committee and uh I was doing that for the last few years and I won't be doing that going forward. So um is there anyone interested? >> I will volunteer. Oh
>> you know you go right ahead. >> Go ahead. you like like why don't you go to an what's that auction where if you move your elbow or something there's a bid there >> I will draw >> how about how how about I start and you
take over at a time of your choosing >> in within within one or two years >> no no you >> six months no no >> all right so Peter's uh offering and Um, so if anyone uh anybody else, you know,
want to Nope. Okay. So, do we want to vote on that or just nod our heads? And >> I move then that Peter be our official concom representative to the community preservation committee. >> Second. >> Motion from Chris, second from Bill. All in favor?
>> I. Unanimous. All right. >> All right. >> Most of the time we do that when you're not here, Peter. >> Yeah. Usually >> there's there's there's >> usually it's the new person. Yeah, I know. I know. I have some reservations. It should be the new person.
>> All right. So, >> on that one, >> next up is uh a a request. Well, so speaking of that, so reorganization. So, I'd ask Chris if you want to take over this discussion. Uh we need to talk
about discuss a reorganization after this meeting. And the question is, do you want to do something now or >> I mean, we could do something at the end of the meeting tonight or we could just wait until our next meeting on the March 24th, but we got to pick a a new chairman and a new vice chairman. So, we
could uh you know, do something tonight or wait till next meeting. >> I I won't be here next meeting. >> No, I think do it tonight. I think Chris just >> let you know. >> If he wants to do it, I nominate Chris.
Second which job >> chair >> I I second >> anyone else. Uh >> I would just say effective the next meeting. >> Okay. >> So we hear a motion for Chris to be the
chair and a second from a motion from Bill and a second from Mark. All in favor? >> I >> I missing next. You know, you might have been at risk, uh, John, if you were missing at the next meeting. That's why I put that right out there right away. >> The next meeting for vice
>> chair, >> you might have been like, >> you know, I'm not good with electronics. >> TR will be the vice chair. >> Exactly. >> What do you don't think I could handle it? >> Do you want to wait? Do you want to do >> I know how to read. You
>> want to do the vice chair now? Why don't we do the vice chair? >> You're very close to those legal notices right there. I mean, you don't even have to put your glasses on. >> I put my Yeah. No, I do. Well, sort of. >> Actually, you got Yeah, you could actually Yeah. read off there, too. >> Yeah, I could. Yeah, that's a little >> Or you could have a a printed copy, too. Like,
>> I'm not going to be here. >> We'll be back, though. >> You got good eyes. >> Why don't we We want a motion for a nomination for the vice chair. >> Does anybody want to make a nomination now? You can wait till next meeting and John won't be here to vote.
>> I I'd like to nominate Ellie. You don't have to take it. You don't have to accept it. >> I'm going to lead you down the creek without a paddle. All right. >> Well, Peter was all over and the other >> I was going to nominate I nominate Peter Spawn for vice chair.
>> I I have a I have an idea. I have an idea. Chris, I can't speak for you, but this probably will not be a permanent forever assignment unless you're going to do this another 30 years. Chris, >> I certainly am not gonna be doing 30 years.
>> I I know I'm not. >> All right. So, >> well, I guess one I have a question about >> uh Chris, I have a question for you. >> Yes. >> Um Carl, you've done a lot of things as chair uh quietly and behind the scenes.
And I if you could comment I get the impression that the chair gets called upon outside of this meeting for you know special projects or an issue or >> civics academy. >> Yeah. So my thought is um Chris given
that you have a day job it'd be helpful to have a vice chair that could help share some of those duties. I mean a great example is you you have court in Cambridge. you're not going to be available to meet with somebody with to support Dave Coons. So, if I have that right, I just was going to suggest we
think about the fact that, you know, Chris having a day job may not may benefit from an active vice chair. >> Okay. >> Is that Do I have that? >> That's a good comment. >> And and Peter is active. No doubt about that.
>> He's very active. I would second that. He's very active. Well, well, I'd be happy to support you, but we don't want to leave Ally out of these assignments either. >> No, no, by all means, go. >> All right, then. I hear I'm going to say I hear a motion to have Chris uh to have
Chris have Peter as the vice chair. And I have a hear a motion. Somebody said Ally. Mark, you said Ally. >> I said Peter. >> And she said Peter. So why don't we say we are are you willing to accept it if if you get voted in or would
>> he looking at >> I agree with his point which is why I deferred to him because I also no >> offense. All right. So are you bowing out then? >> Yes. >> Okay. Then we have one one person and so we now have a we can vote on uh on the
mo motion that Ally made to make Peter the vice chair. >> I don't think there was a second. I'll second >> and second is from Chris. So the motion from Alli and the second from Chris. So all in favor >> I >> I >> Okay. All right. So uh Peter will be the
vice chair and uh and that's and that's as you said going at starting at the next meeting >> and and we'll help Ally figure out how to get more involved in this stuff. Oh, she's >> if you're willing if you're will. >> She's very municipally involved. >> That's for sure.
>> Highly involved here in the town. There's always opportunity uh for more stuff. Okay. >> And these uh and these changes are effective as of the next meeting. >> Yes. Or so >> actually as of as of tomorrow morning because I I gave my notice to Paul that
effective tomorrow. So >> tomorrow morning. All right. Very good. >> Transfer of all that authority and power. >> The reign of terror is over. >> Put that in the notes. Yeah. R E I G N. No. Right.
>> All right. Land management. Uh Peter, anything on uh Thanksgiving forest? >> Uh well, a little bit. Um Karen Walton, uh one of the the drivers behind the pollinator garden has an arrangement with a master gardener group to do some
sort of workshop and or actual maintenance at the pollinator garden at Thanksgiving forest. I don't have a lot of details, but um stay tuned. I she's So she's moving ahead. >> Nice. >> Um the dog leash signs are still there. >> Yep. >> And also at a cranberry bog and Warren
Pole. >> Warren Pole, too. Yeah. >> Where where' the other two end up? >> Remember? I think you >> I thought they were there. We might have put two. >> Oh, right. There's two. There's two. Yeah. >> Uh and uh along that whed uh the mink
have been active and the coyotes were active when the stream was frozen. And uh the wood ducks are in full color, so maybe Jeff's >> woodduck houses will get some customers along with his Fisher boxes. >> Nice. Nice. Good.
>> Alli, uh anything at Lime Quarry? >> Yes. Uh Mr. Bill Robbins and Michelle had come back from Florida. They did a quick walk through the Lime Quarry and reached out to me. Um there was a tree that was um blown down in one of the trails which was cleared. Someone did
some repair jobs on the interior section of the blue trail. So, thank you uh to whoever did that. And there was a sighting of a barred owl while they were out there. They did send photos. I think they might have CCD a couple people on it. Um
>> I saw the email, but I didn't I can't say >> Was I CCed on that? >> I I think so. If not, I can always reward it again. But yeah, they pictures of some owls and the repairs on the bridge. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. So, I'll I'll post the photos on the web page. >> Yeah.
>> Yes, David, you were copied. Yeah. >> From Michelle. Bill at comcast.net. So, yeah, >> that's Bill Robbins. Yeah. And and his wife, Michelle. Okay. Good. Good to hear you. Um Chris, >> I mean, um crooked spraying. I mean,
still a lot of ice and snow on the trails. Um a lot of a lot of snow melt going on. a lot of uh I mean the crooked spring road kind of from the hill down was just like a kind of a brook with a steady uh flow of water coming down. Uh
but that that's probably you know to be expected given the yeah >> the weather and everything like that. So yeah. >> Good. >> So we'll see. It's it's opening up fast I'm sure. I know when we talked about the um pee dues earlier with the trail cam at Crooked Spring, there's a couple
of good spots for um setting a trail cam up there for Beaver and um I' I've had some good uh good luck there in the past. Um there's a on the uh what would it be on the is it Charmont? Um the
street on the other side. >> Yeah. Not on the not on the sewer line trail, but on the other side. >> Yeah. There's some uh there's some uh activity over there besides the big the big huge dam which last I looked at
>> moccasin's up on the hill >> across the other side. >> No, this is on the other >> Yeah, moccasin's on that other side. >> This is kind of tucked up more. >> Yeah. Good. All right. >> Yeah. >> Mark, anything? >> Nothing much. Uh just like you said, it's starting to melt snow up there,
especially that fields get open. Yeah. It'll be gone soon. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. Good. Okay. >> Nothing new. >> Mr. Mr. uh Coolis, Mr. >> Coolis. Yeah. Um every weekend there's a group of people up at uh Culis removing
uh invasives, getting ready, getting piles ready so we can burn them in the better weather. Um they're there every every weekend. There's eight, seven, six, seven, eight people there. >> Awesome. >> Uh they were in the snowstorm one
Sunday. Um, and also like I said when Christine was here, the town's been up there uh last couple days burying rocks, taking stuff out of there, fixing the field back up, getting ready to when the
weather when it dries out, they'll bring some loom in and seed it by April. And uh there's a lot of things going on there. A lot of >> people excited about doing things up there. So >> it's good good to hear. So, so I think um I think it's we're coming up to the point where they're going to be able to
start installing the fence. >> Not yet. >> Not yet. >> Because we the work in the field, well, the guardrail more more than the fence. The go uh they want to get the work in the field, bring the loom in, grade it, and then work their way out. And they
have to do that little uh the pathway, the handicap pathway from the parking area. And as that's being done, then we'll get the guy there to put the guardrail up and defense. >> So, I mean, they're probably going to ask me. Um, so what what should I tell?
>> I will talk to Joe Ericson and kind of get a a date and I'll I'll I'll be in touch with you and give you an idea. >> A couple of weeks, though. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. You couldn't get around there now. The snow's >> still too deep. >> Still deep. >> Because they sort of indicated when we
met with them on site, oh, we can we couldn't. There's no way they could. >> Um, >> no. The snow is pretty deep and it's all muddy out there. >> Okay. So, so maybe what you could do, Bill, is just is just uh send Bill an email and CC me. Y I I mean Joe
an email and CC me on that. So, >> yeah, I'll keep you posted everything that's going on. >> Okay. Y great. >> Excuse me. And I assume we'll tell the fence guys or have, you know, to keep out of the 100 foot buffer or as much as they can. Well, this is the fence is delineating the 100 foot,
>> right? But I mean to when they install it, we'd like them on the far side, not the vernal pool side if they can. >> Oh, yeah. They're not going to be They're not having big equipment and all kinds of stuff. >> Driving those boats in, >> huh? I don't know how they're going to
do it. There's a lot of rocks out there. >> Uh >> so, are the stakes delineating the buffer zone still there? >> Yeah, I think so. >> Okay. So, so they'll be able to and and um you know, I told them that that you were going to be out there when they're doing it. >> Yeah. >> So,
>> yeah, I want to be there when they're doing it just so that we get things the way they wanted to. >> Yes. >> And we're going to change from where the rocks are in the parking lot right now. >> We're going to shift them back on one side a little bit, kind of square off the parking area. So, uh I went over that with Joe today, Joe Ericson.
>> Okay. >> So, >> good. >> I'll keep you posted on everything. >> Good. Thank you. >> Another call's going to be missing. >> John, how about >> Everything's good. >> Good. All right. >> How's the speed bumps? >> Uh, speed bumps is still there. The snowman's gone.
>> Snowman is gone. He's officially melted. >> All right. And uh that's it there. Agents report gap analysis update. >> Well, I was just going to um update on Warren Poll. >> Oh, right. Right. That's right. that um
we have finally gotten the uh CR comments back from the state um after more than a year. Um they did they they did uh you know have some comments you know for revisions. Um I have forwarded those to Dale at the land trust. He's
he's going to review those along with the trust and then get back to me on the com with the comments on the comments. >> Comments on the comments. Okay. All right. Good. Finally.
Finally. >> We're not over the bridge yet, but >> I I think I think we we're making progress. >> Okay. Good to hear. >> Albe it a little slow. >> And the gap analysis update is >> Yeah. So, we've we've we've gotten a couple of uh drafts uh from the
consultant. Um and we've we've had meetings, you know, the the committee that's working on this. We've had meetings um the la the last meeting um I I think I think we came up with you know the comments so that we can get the final
draft which which the consultant then will um forward uh for circulation. Um the the plan is um it then is to have a a tri board joint meeting you know board of health planning board
conservation commission to to to review you know the the recommendation the consultants recommendations. So um obviously you won't be here Carl but so um I'll certainly keep commission posted on that.
If I had to guess, I would say it probably be um I'm seeing the board of health meets on Monday. Mondays. >> It's once a month, I think. Right. >> Yeah. And I think it's on Mondays. Um I could be wrong about that. >> That sounds right. >> It if I had to guess, I'd say it would probably be on a night the board of
health meets, although that doesn't work out so well for for me, but but we'll play it by ear. We'll see how that goes. >> Okay. And um you've seen the model uh and you your comment to me was that it's pretty good. >> Yeah. But
>> yeah, I think it's it's again I think we made a lot of progress. Yeah. You know, I mean there I mean there's still certain details to work out that weren't a part of the scope. >> Okay. >> Um of the work, but I I think we're getting there definitely. >> Okay. taken a while, but um
>> yeah. >> Yeah. >> Wasn't quite the way I would have liked to see it all play out, but if we get to the end, I'm I'm I'll be happy and and it's a good outcome if it's Yeah, that'll be good. Peter, you have a comment? >> I was just curious that uh does the
model accommodate the water district in some fashion through probably I assume through board of health? >> Um yes. Uh not not formally. I mean it it it formally involves uh board of health.
>> Is there a way for us to get a copy of something before a meeting? >> Um yes. Yes. Definitely. But but I I I only want to forward that after we get back the latest revisions. Okay. >> From the consultant based on our last meeting.
>> Yeah. It would be good to have something >> Oh, absolutely. >> to review before. Absolutely. >> Okay. All right. >> Very good. Thanks. And last couple things here. meeting minutes. So, we have meeting minutes from January 13th and um we got a copy of those uh here.
We did get an email copy a while back um I think, >> right? Yes, we did. >> Yes. Y when I accidentally sent those out instead of the agenda. >> Oh, that's right. >> So, I think this is >> I'm going to abstain on this one because
I was a meeting I missed the uh the grandbaby s emergency emergency surgery, but all otherwise occupied. >> I was but the the grandbaby I'm having reports doing good. >> All good. >> Oh, good. >> That was a good almost two months ago
now. >> It was two months ago. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The grandbaby's three months old now. >> And she's doing well. >> Yeah, she's doing well. >> It's great to hear, Chris. Great to hear. >> All right. I will I don't see I did look at it once, so I don't think there was anything I picked up. I'll take a motion
to approve the meeting minutes of January 13th, 2026. >> Motion from Bill. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Second from Ally. All in favor? >> I >> I >> abstain. >> Abstain. Chris may. Nope. Otherwise,
unanimous. And if I may, my tonight is my last meeting as a member of the conservation commission for the town of Chumswood. and I feel very privileged to have been able to serve on this board since 2019 and to work with so many great people here on the commission in
the town like David and Christine and many others here in the town and the town town clerk's office town manager's office um DPW and um so it's been my pleasure and u also especially the volunteers in Chelmsford and um very
pleased with um how things are going and I really appreciate all the all the support. Thank you. >> So, uh I gather not everyone has seen the um the tribute to Carl in the current uh edition of the town manager
newsletter. So, I thought I'd just read that. Conservation Commission Chair Carl Bishoff has served on the commission since 2019 from the outset through attendance of professional educational conferences and workshops offered by the Massachusetts Association of
Conservation Commission's various state and municipal agencies and private nonprofit organizations. Carl devoted himself passionately and wholeheartedly to learning about the many diverse and varied facets of the civic and legal responsibilities conveyed to conservation commissions by the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and town of Chelmsford. He implemented the knowledge he gained from these events to quickly make substantive and meaningful contributions to the conservation commission's legal obligation to administer and enforce state and chford laws protecting wetlands. He also
demonstrated capable leadership in effectively reorganizing the commission stewardship and management of hundreds of acres of public land under its care and control, giving the same high priority to providing for both the enjoyment of the visitors to these properties and to the protection and
advance enhancement of the property's ecological attributes. Elected chair of the conservation commission in July 2024, Carl conducted public meetings with great skill, sometimes amid tense proceedings involved with controversial development projects. It should also be
noted that Carl has served as an elected Tommy representative since July 2021 and member of the conservation uh I'm sorry, the community preservation committee since July 2022, voting in both capacities to approve the purchases of several large parcels to be protected
forever as undeveloped open space. As Carl prepares to relocate from Chelsford this spring, he does so after years of dedicated service to the town. From his work on both the conservation commission and community preservation committee, Carl will leave a distinguished permanent legacy for the town of Chsford. Welld deserved.
>> Very good. >> Well deserved. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> I did not. He brought it. >> No, he did. >> Very nice, David. Thank you. It was really really well done. >> Well done. >> And and and Carl, I would I'd like to
just add um >> you wrote it. >> Very nice job in capturing what I think all of us were thinking. >> Yeah. Made it look easy. >> So >> I just wanted to add a few more things too. I mean Carl has done great work for us in conservation and community
preservation, but I know I've I've known Carl for probably close to 40 years and Carl was very active in the soccer association. I remember >> kids are long grown now. Our kids were young kids just running around kicking the soccer ball and you were act very active as a volunteer in that organization and you know for like it's
like 35 40 years it's been a long time >> always active in the community and that's the type of thing we love in Chelford and I encourage lots of the young people out there that might be listening to this broadcast you know I mean if you can get involved in a town board or committee or the soccer
literally whatever it is I mean it's it's you're a volunteer but it's it's well worth the time and effort when you look back on and what you've been able to do with the town. So again, thanks Carl for everything. >> Well said. >> The photo is AI though. I have to say that.
>> How many better than real life? >> How many filters are on that picture? >> I'll take a motion to adjurnn before I start to cry. >> I move we adjourn. >> Thank you. Motion from Chris. All in favor. All right. Thank you.