--------- Good afternoon and welcome to the financial oversight committee meeting at 3:30 and this is also a special town council meeting since we have more than so I'll call the meetings to order and then our first order of business is to elect a chair for the financial
oversight committee. Is there anyone interested? >> I would like to recommend again because of his strong leadership collaborative approach Mr. James Brick. >> Second I second that. for that.
>> I thought because Rich was sitting in the middle. >> He was all set to take over. >> Are you amendable for that? >> Uh, sure. >> You're such a good sport. >> Yay. >> Motion was made and second in it. All in
favor, please. Well, we're on Zoom, so it's a roll call. Uh, Jim. >> No. Okay. Um, >> roll call vote. >> He's asking you if you're voting. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Absolutely. >> Anna, >> yes.
>> And Russ. >> Yes. >> Okay. The motion passes. Thank you, Jim, for volunteering. >> Thanks, Jim. >> Be volunteer. I suppose I should also note that this year's financial oversight committee is Jim Brick, Kathy Hill, uh, Rich Cero,
Anna Jones, and Russ Denver on Zoom. And then our next order of business was to have the budget overview by our town manager. >> Hi Tom. >> Hey Connor. >> I gotta make it. >> Um, sure. >> Sorry for the interruption, but I'll
take notes for today. >> Uh, Jackie is actually >> Jackie. >> Jackie's here. >> Hi, Jack. God. Oh my god. >> I'm so relieved. >> The Easter Bunny came one more time. >> Keep the gifts under 50, Rich. All right. >> My money, Jackie.
Okay. >> Uh so obviously um an overview could be many things here. Uh talking about this particular budget. And um obviously you know a lot goes into this
and uh I want to again start by thanking all of our department heads and finance team and um town council and um know that a lot goes into a budget. Uh
everything can't be budgeted for um unfortunately, but we're all well aware that uh we can't do everything uh we want to do every year, but we do try to do everything we can do every year and not um
burden the taxpayers um as much as we can. Um, in that vein, we we uh tried to keep stick to our guns of um keeping a
healthy excess levy limit. Um, simply meaning we're we're not taxing all the way up to where we could tax um our residents. Um, this does a few things for us planning for the future and emergencies and it it keeps us in a good
um financial state healthy. Um, and we're we're we're trying we're really trying to follow our policies to the letter and this is one of those ones that really governs our thought process uh when we're moving all the beans
around in this entire process. So, um we we were were we were able to do that um with with pretty good success similar to last year. We had to eat into the levy a little bit about $400,000. Um not as much as of an impact as last
year as we uh found some additional growth uh in a prior year that um we did not anticipate. So, um, with that, um, we we're looking at a projected tax rate of around, uh,
$19.20. Um, >> Mr. Tom, are you on a certain page or something? >> Yeah. Can you please page? >> Yeah. Uh, I wasn't. I was really just, you know, having a time talking about our budget process, but now we're we're on page one.
>> Pretty good page to be on. So, >> uh, this is, you know, sort of the recap summary. um which shows our >> the excess levy capacity at one >> 1.6. >> Um and then you know the tax rate is the
next blue number down. Um again like in all years we're sort of estimating what we think valuations are going to go up based on historical data. um everything else.
I I don't I don't know in terms of um what you guys want to get into and can't answer that right now. Um but the recap itself um is simply a breakdown of
our expenses and revenue. Um, if you're running down the the list, um, our revenue, um, total revenues are looking about $99 million. Um,
995. Then you your our expenses the same thing. >> Yep. So, our combined budget this year went up 2.32% which if you look at um years
previous um is pretty remarkable. >> Um and again, >> it's not that we've cut out services to the community. We have just really honed in on spending. Um >> too, sorry.
Oh, >> the the um total general fund budget is is only up um about $1.8 million from 79135 last year to 80 million nearly 81 million this year. Um, and again, this
is why I always start off thanking our department heads, um, not just for helping us put together the budget, but budgeting appropriately and spending appropriately so that we are never getting these numbers out of control to
a point where uh, we can't handle what we're doing. Um, some some other sort of exciting things going down. I'm on page three now. Jamie, welcome. Uh, our capital plan raise and appropriate this year is, uh,
almost $2 million. Um, again, it's a function of policy in which we try to budget 3 to 5% of our operational budget to stick to stick with our capital needs, but also that's net of debt. And what in the last few years based on our
financial policies, thank you Kim, uh we've really done a nice job of um decreasing the general fund debt. Um >> Tom, as you speak, are we looking at column draft level one or level two? >> Sorry, this is level two, Rich. Thank y
point. Um the uh the new one this year is our ambulance subsidy. Um, we had previously, we've talked about this LA, we talked about ambulance and and fire a bunch last year and, uh, you
know, still a pretty young department and an even younger ambulance fund. And as we're sort of going through the growing pains of revenue and expenses, um, we're trying to get an actual portrayal of what is the fire budget and
what is the ambulance budget. Um there are uh our department right now and from a call percentage standpoint is like 2080 meaning 20% fire 80% ambulance and so we're trying to more accurate and
portray what's in the general fund and the ambulance fund. Um so this subsidy is the difference between last year's budget and the actual sort of budget. So this 400,000 fire budget last year, it's
still in the general fund and is going to subsidize the ambulance fund because we're we're actually separating the departments based on that 2080 percentage. And this is a worst case scenario number at this point. Um, as
you know, we can only budget what's in our bank account for the ambulance fund on May 30 when we whatever we take the vote. So, we have to and that's only 11 months of revenue. Uh, so
the closer we get to May 28th, this number will decrease and the ambulance fund budget will increase. So the levy number as it sits right now will increase as this number decreases. So the the 400,000 that we cut into the
levy will will more than likely just get better as we get towards vote time. Uh which is fun for Kim because I know she likes to make changes to this entire presentation. >> Tom, sorry. I know we talked about it last last year, but I'm still a little
confused. So this is a net ex this is an expense to the town >> correct the general fund >> which it last year it was in the fire budget >> and so actually it shouldn't have been because it was an ambulance expense >> but because the numbers have never
worked uh and the reason for this we've spoken about and I we got the actual numbers this year in the six years that we've had an ambulance fund we've build out $33 million and because of Medicare, we've only collected 12 million. So
there's a there's there's a big difference in what we've potentially could have collected and what we actually can collect. And so that has caused this disruption in I think everybody in 2019 when we created an
ambulance fund assumed that this account >> which it's doing in most towns >> but because of the demographic demographics of our community a lot of our ambulance rides are Medicare elderly. >> Okay. So, >> so is this a would this be a good
relatively permanent I mean maybe get smaller but generally a a permanent expense to the town running the ambulances. >> So I'm going to say optimistically no. And so what's going to happen here is as that as the
revenue balance goes up when this number comes down in the ambulance fund, we probably won't budget all the way up to that which will leave us a surplus in that account which will help us in subsequent years. So we we've sort of gathered all the data and writed the
ship and now we're sort of pointing in the right direction so that in subsequent years the ambulance fund will support the ambulance fund. >> At some point in the future we'll it will cease being an expense to the town. >> This particular line item will always
have the fire department and they'll support the actual number that the fire department supports and then the ambulance. And this again, this was always the thought. The the revenue just hasn't allowed it to happen yet. We keep getting better, but at least now we know
what that difference is cuz we broke it out uh the way that it always should have been broken out. >> And before we did this, and I don't want to belabor this item because >> uh labor away, Jim. The ambulance calls from the town were picked up by private
>> private ambulance uh vendors and what did the town then pay them or were they did they bill the patients? Uh >> yeah that that they would have just you would have paid the ambulance >> the net zero for us >> before we had an ambulance service. Yes.
>> Right. So is the is it our feeling then that our ambulance service is superior to what what we were providing our residents before we undertook to do this >> 1,000%. >> Yes. >> The the throwing all the money aside the service
to the community >> can't even be counted. >> And that's our justification for >> 100%. >> Can I can I just want to add something about um the ambulance fund? It's really I mean it's an accounting function really. The
the difference with this year is that we're actually looking at how much time people are spending in each department. Whether we were to keep it in this fund if we continue to do that and there's not enough revenue coming into the fund. there might be a possibility that it just makes sense to roll it back into
the general fund where you separate out your ambulance expenses, you separate out your fire expenses, but then all of your ambulance revenue just comes into the g general fund. What this is doing is it's just continuing to break it out fund, but to show us what that amount is
that's being funded by the general fund for >> regardless of where you put it in the accounting, it's basically an expense. >> Yes. >> Thank you. And I think that was we we've chatted about this a lot because the revenue is coming in and the expenses
are going out. We didn't even need an ambulance fund necessarily. We could have just put it in the general fund and the revenue would offset the expense at the same rate that it is. >> Yeah. No, I'm glad it's being identified. >> Well, we're we again we've been struggling. Obviously, it was nice last year to find out why the revenue wasn't
coming in that we projected it to come in for how many years. >> It was a revelation. Yeah. again. Well, I think it's just another Yes, it was a a big one. And so now we we sort of have even more of the picture. And again, >> didn't mean to stop you on that. >> That's okay. No, no, no. It It's one of those things that we've been working on
continuously for two years and we're trying to paint the picture correctly. Um, and again, like I said, that number, although not ideal, is is only going to get smaller as we march towards May 25th or whenever we take the the vote. So,
um, we >> Jim, can I ask a question on this? >> So, when an ambulance goes out for a call, there always seems to be a police vehicle that goes, and oftentimes there's also a fire truck that goes. So,
is that one call for for fire, one call for police and one call for the fire or for the ambulance or is it on their books just one call? >> They they would they would write that that would it be a call for everyone?
So, everybody that to do the data, right, everybody that showed up would would that would be in their log. So, so essentially, so if there's 200 police, you know, calls on in a week and there's 30 ambulance, so 30 of those 200
calls are identified for police calls and 30 for fire and 30 for ambulance. >> Not exclusively, but you can you can you can say that a lot of those would be with a police. >> I'm just asking data. That's all.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, no. I know I know what you're getting at. Does Can an ambulance show up without a cruiser? Of course. But a lot of times if an officer can get there first, there'll be an officer there. >> Yeah. So, how many how many calls did
the did the ambulance make last year? >> Of course he did. Four 3400. I'm going to have to look, Russ. I can get that for you. So, what I'm trying to get at is then if they went 3,400 calls and a police
vehicle went to all 3,400, >> then it makes let's say 10,000 police calls, it really is 6,600. >> Yeah. Again, I think there's too many variables there to know what that number is, certainly off the top of my head.
So, okay. Uh I'll have to look. There's really no >> the protocol the situation sort of demands the protocol it there's no sometimes one person does a traffic stop sometimes three show up I I don't right
I don't know what that breaks down to from a percentage standpoint >> and and so who develops the protocols >> police and fire and dispatch most likely will let them know what they think what apparatus should respond to any given
scene Okay, thank you. >> Yep. >> May I? >> Uh, yes. Go ahead, Rob. >> Um, so just a couple thoughts. Um, if our two ambulances are out and there's a call come in, aren't our fire department
still EMTs? And is that the reason sometimes the fire truck goes is because the ambulance isn't available immediately? If if that's the scenario, then probably, but >> because I haven't seen that >> there there would be uncountable
scenarios where an apparatus would leave either station. >> My my recommendation would be let's use this as a followup just to for next meeting just to clarify okay you know what the situation is and how what is the protocol for
>> and give you a chance to check with everyone and >> that was a secondary question. Anyways, my uh my main question had to do with the ambulance. It looks like now for two years in a row, we don't have lease. >> Yep. >> Which means that's something we need to expect going into next year because we
don't want to let our ambulances get too old because it takes over a year to actually get one, >> right? >> And so that would put the ambulance that need replacement at close to seven years old. Um, so is that something already I
I mean I I had thought that every we were just going to stay with a lease payment and basically you know what when we came to the end of this one you start the next one and you order it for the following year and that was just always built in. >> Um >> yeah, so we're we're set to start the
lease payments again in 28. >> So we're we're we're okay from a fleet standpoint. And I think some of the concern was just I I know Chief Morset had talked to me it the cost of repairs and if your ambulance gets too old, you're spending so much money on repairs
that you might as well just buy a new one, >> right? And and yes, so and I think >> know going forwards even with this number it's not it could go up another 200,000 based on a lease uh payment for an ambulance. So,
>> right. Uh, and and again, that will be something we'll have to work in. All the more reason to get this account sort of squared away. >> Then Medicaid will be paying more. >> Well, again, we'll >> be all set. >> We don't have the revised number for for this year from a revenue standpoint yet.
I I mean, >> yeah, >> I doubt it's going to go up 10%. Uh, but who knows, right? >> Let's talk to our senator. >> Uh, Tom, uh, I'd like to give you a chance to finish your summary. >> Okay. give the give the committee members a
chance to ask some questions if they have them. >> Okay. >> But go ahead and whatever you wanted to make sure you highlighted to us. Uh >> yeah. Um you know we we didn't um our our stabilization account is at its um
target and over and making enough sort of interest there where we didn't uh we don't have a general fund payment into that this year. uh oped we left um our our standard $100,000 um the capital sta
stabilization account uh there really isn't too much to that policy other than um we'd put money in it when we can uh that made $125,000 in interest last year or something. So uh we we haven't uh we haven't made a
contribution to that this year either. and then compensated absences. Um, another account, our our standard amount, 75,000. >> So, we didn't use any free cash from last year to bump up the OPED fund. >> Not as of yet.
>> Okay. Is that still something? >> Well, there there's Yeah, it always could be something. Um, we we typically we would probably would have made some free cash moves at this point, but we have not. Um >> cuz it's my recollection that's about
the only way we put any kind of substantial money into that fund. >> Yeah. And and luckily at this point the interest uh on the investments is putting a lot into that account uh as we speak. So that that's good too. Um >> sorry keep going.
>> Oh that's okay. Uh the the there is a free cash allocation in this capital plan. um uh a roadway project, specific roadway project. Uh park the rest of Parker Street from Furwood uh all the
way down to Metobrook Road, all of Metobrook Road and then uh Hampton Road from Parker to the town line. Um this was we had done Parker Street man I want to say during COVID or right around that
time. So, we want to continue that uh sort of hightra street uh down to the uh to mebrook which will fold right into Summer's Road which is being done by the state um this year,
hopefully this year. Um got our enterprise funds uh on there. Um pretty decent increase in water rates. I said I brought this up at the council the other night. Unfortunately, we we we
received uh pretty big increases from Springfield Water and Sewer uh more so on the water side. We got a revised letter on the sewer side a couple weeks ago. Um which could bring that number down a little bit. Um LCAT still going
strong. Nice job, Jamie. Um storm water rates have remained the same. uh our CPA um aotment um and then the the ambulance
uh budget down below. Um so again uh all that chapter 90 has been funded again at at the same level as last year which is $900,000 which is which is great considering we've been getting whatever
the 560 580 the last decade or two. Um, we have our cherry sheet offsets, assessments, uh, all that to a total expenses of $98 million, which gives us our our surplus, uh, excess levy of
almost 1.6 million. So, and hopefully, like I said, climbing. Uh, all these numbers obviously subject to change based on how the budget process goes at the state level. Um, again, I don't see any reason to think that there won't be anything but the
minor variations that they already are. And when one spot increases, the other spot the expense size increases as well. So, um, that that's basically the recap. Um, I know um I guess I'll pause.
>> Uh, Tom, just a technical question. There's a a 2027 draft 2027 government level one 202 level two. >> Could you just describe those three? >> Sure. Uh our draft is sort of
>> Yeah, you go ahead. You do it. I ask him. >> So the the draft level is basically um just my kind of quick overview based on percentages percentage increases for salaries um percentage increases for general
expenses both town and school. That was kind of an where we anticipated that we'd be level. >> So that's like before department heads or whatnot. >> Before the department heads. >> She she she's nice enough to wait till September to show me this. This is like a quick quick cut of whoa here's what
could be before you get all your input. >> Yes. And we actually I mean we have that projected out another five years on top of it as well. So um that's basically what that draft is. The level one is when all the departments submit their requests and the school submits their requests. Level two is after we meet
with all of the departments and Tom um makes decisions on, you know, what adjustments should be made at that point. And then level three is when financial oversight committee reviews it. And then level four is when town council approves it. >> So that that answer my question because
I was thinking is the draft, you know, the all the departments feeding that stuff to you. Then then I was thinking, well, why does something go up, you know, between the draft and the government level one? >> It makes sense to me now why it goes up because then you're getting the input
from everybody and then it's going down because it's now been reviewed. And you will see at the top if it's currently we're in the government um level for the state budget, but it'll change. It'll say Senate, it'll say House depending on where in our level in
our levels we are compared to where we are in their levels. >> I I will say just, you know, off the top of my head that 2.32% looks relatively reasonable. Um and I would commend you for working that through and getting it
down from 4.29 to 2.32. I have uh a couple of questions but I will open it up to the committee members if >> on page 15 there >> um says here the town manager level two
budget is going to be 80 million 967 clarified >> page 15 page 15 Yep. >> Saying it doesn't match a number somewhere else. >> Is that is that our is that our budget or is it 98 million our budget that we
just >> So that's the general fund budget. >> Okay. >> So then all the um enterprise funds and all that and then then you have the total. >> Thank you. Yeah,
>> Russ. >> Yeah. Um, it's really kind of a want to hear Tom's philosophy. I think I read in the reminded that the school budget is going to increase 3%. And the overall town, the overall
general government was going to go down 2.3% I think was the number. So what is the philosophy behind the schools going up, the town going down? And the corresponding question is two years ago when I was on this committee, I know
Kathy Hill was uh you know really honed in on the overall percentage that of the schools to the town budget was 70 something% and I'm wondering what it is proposed to be this year. Has it gone
up? Has it gone down? So Yeah. >> So, >> the the the pi graph will show you what that percentage is currently. >> Give some love to the pigraph. >> Okay.
>> Are you referring to the general fund expense or when you allocate everything from other accounts all together? Right. >> So, page 11 is that fund is is the breakdown of Yeah, but that's not net school spend.
>> Right. Right. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, when basically what this pie chart is looking at, it's looking at all of the departments in >> page 11 will be on. >> Where is the pie chart? >> Uh I guess page 11 of 52. 11 of 52.
>> It's after the organizational charts. >> Yeah, it's not further. Keep going. >> Oh, the other page 11. Yeah, there's another. >> It says it at the bottom. >> I gota keep going. >> Page one is page 18. What the heck?
>> You passed it. >> Yeah, there's multiple PDFs that get thrown into this from different areas. >> Um, so this is breaking it down by function and it's pulling the school out separately as its own department. So 47%
of the general fund budget is for the school. But the other the reason that this doesn't reflect net school spending is because health insurance and retirement um other insuranceances and then parts
of every single department are actually included in net school spending. So that number hasn't actually been calculated yet. That gets calculated around September. Um, I think
I could probably get an estimate of what that looks like >> or from last year's. >> I mean, last year's net school spending is in here. Um, >> so for our next meeting, maybe you could go back three years and see what his
looked like over the last three fiscal years. >> The net school spending specifically, Russ. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yep. >> And then also on page 33 and 34 of 52, you can see net school spending going back all the way to I think 2008.
>> 33. You said >> uh page 33 and 34 52. >> Show what that is as a percent of what our budget was. >> A percentage of what our budget was. So, I'm now in my 60s and I'm wearing
glasses, but even this is hard to see. >> 74. Russ, >> the question I was going to have was >> And what does that net school spending when you compare it to that the town spending for that year?
So we have it for general fund, but when you actually pull all that out stuff out for the schools as net school spending, what proportion is that to the to the towns? >> So that I have to calculate for you. >> We can get that fairly easily. Again,
all the data is there and you're talking about a $10 million, you know, based on our 30% spending above the net school spending requirement. We're adding another $10 million to the school budget. So,
>> well, I guess what I I I should say, and I don't want to speak for you, Russ, but it would be not necessarily net school spending, it would be the amount the town is spending in total. Um because the net school spending is less
than what we are actually spending. >> Yeah, it would be it'd basically be taking the school's budget plus whatever portion >> all the allocated allocated Y >> because if I look at this chart correctly, it looks it took a big
increase from 23 to 24 and a small smaller increase in 25. And if you could make an educated guess on what it was in 26 because you if you mentioned you
probably calculated that last September. >> Yeah. the the number has not is still not updated. >> Okay. >> Yeah. 25's number and 26's number won't be updated until after September. >> So, I guess I want to go back to my original question, Tom. Your philosophy
behind school department budget going up 3% and call it town spending going down. >> I guess I'm I'm questioning it. The way I'm looking at it, I don't see a negative sign. It looked like the town's budget was going up 2.32.
>> Correct. The the total the total budget >> going up 2.3. >> Oh, so you're talking about the town's portion of it. >> I think the town department budget is a little misleading because we did move the so many so many expenses out of the
fire department >> and into um the ambulance fund. So the the other thing to look at is coming down in the general fund. So if you look at debt, debts come down 23%. So all of
those things are affecting kind of our overall increase to the town. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Uh I was just going to and I know we want to allocate some time to figure our our schedule, etc. But uh the two
biggies that kind of sit here are inage other than the debt are insurance page one. Mr. Chair, >> I'm back on page two. >> Back to the recap. >> Love it. >> So, >> and and obviously the town debt going
down, that's the town debt, not the excluded exclusion debt. Uh but uh so the insurance went up 25.9 um and actually got adjusted upward after the level of government went. I
think we anticipated you were going to have challenges in this category. Could you just kind of generally say what those pressures were? Is it just a is a it's a healthy number? >> So the big one the big percentage is actually property and liability
insurance. Um, that was the additional cost of putting a $177 million building online. Um, so that in and of itself was like $120,000 increase to our insurance policy. That
that's outside that's not even the health insurance, which I'm sure you're trying to get to, but that one is the biggest one because uh to put a a building of that value online is costing us a lot of money this year. Um health
insurance again sort of advertised everywhere. Uh luckily for us um Scanic Valley uh has been doing a great job as a trust um trying to mitigate um the
increases across and we uh have also been uh budgeting sort of smartly to cushion ourselves from a health insurance fiscal cliff if you will. Um, and that's why you see a relatively uh
modest 5.6% increase to our budget, which was 11% increase uh to the town from the trust. Um so um again that's sort of we've had this conversation over the last couple years about um budgeting
a little more than what they've suggested knowing full well that at some point uh we were going to have to pay the piper uh to turn a phrase. So, um, that that was obviously a struggle. When
you look at how much money we spend on health health insurance, a 5% increase is a much bigger than number than a 25% increase in the line above, right? So, um, the percentages are are depending on what you're looking at, the percentage
or the increase, dollar amount. Um, you know, it tells a different story, but yeah, those were those are our those are the ones that when we start this thing in September, when Kim makes me look at the budget again in September, we're looking at our increases in these
things in particular because they are driving the budget. And and then finally um uh the school uh submitted a 6.24 uh you talked with them and got have it lowered in the the level two
to 3%. >> Yep. >> Um particular issues, things that had to be dealt with to between the school, you know, with the school department to have them be able to get to that 3%.
>> Uh yeah. um you know they had they were forced to make some decisions. Again I I can't necessarily make them for them but uh we did have more than a few talks. We started this conversation with them way back when with a 3% number. Uh and the
way that the budget shook out, it never moved. Um so that that wasn't a surprise um that that the 3% increase was all we were going to be able to afford. Um, so yeah, I think it will be unfortunate and when uh when and if the school comes in
to talk about their portion of the budget, I think you'll hear about some of those challenges and if if and when they have to uh move some positions around or uh I don't know the exact how it's all going to work at the end, but
uh yeah, certainly challenges for the school. Um their their their 6.2 two number might be a little inflated based on some um miscommunication between me and them in terms of level service. Um but
nonetheless uh still quite a bit less than they would have had to raise to to do what they did last year. >> Um questions any other questions on on the summary? >> Thank you very much.
>> So Jim, if I might. So what did what did Scantic Valley implement to bring their cost down on their plans? >> Uh they they they use some of their reserve. >> All right. And how much reserves have you used has Scantic Valley used over
the last three years? >> Uh we'd have to get that number for you. Kim might have it here. I >> It'll take me a few minutes, but I can't. >> All right. Did they Did they eliminate GLPS? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay.
>> DPS, >> have we through the chair, have we increased um any full-time employees? Um and we I mean either on the town side, on the school side, part-time employees. I know we had talked about uh possibly a
zoning enforcement officer or part-time one or anything. I was just wondering, I haven't gone through every single yet. Um, I was just wondering as an overview if there was any increases. >> No. Uh, at this point I have probably three and a half positions waiting to go
as soon as the budget can handle it, but it hasn't happened since I've been here. So, they're still there. >> The town the town planning board would endorse that >> endorse it or >> Okay. >> Endorse the part the part-time zoning enforcement officer.
>> I know. I got your vote, Russ. Thank you. >> We got ours too. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Tom, I noticed when I went through this at least four vacancies in the town side. Is that what you're saying? That depending on the passage of this budget, those four vacancies will be filled.
You saw vacancies. >> Four vacancies. Four vacancies on the town side >> like in in the individual departments. >> Yes. >> Oh, yeah. Those are positions that we're we're budgeting for that are just currently vacant.
So you you have three and a half additional positions you'd like >> that I would like to add to the operation because I think it's needed and based on conversations with the department heads that it could really help the operation. We just can't can't
we're not just adding a salary, >> right? We're we're we're potential for a full-time employee adding quite a bit of compensation that um we just it's hard to get under the number. >> Uh any other questions on the overview?
>> All right. Thank you, Tom. I'd like to move to to housekeeping. >> And uh so this timeline this year tracks very similar to last year. Yeah, >> I guess the first question would be uh
town counselors and you uh when do you want us to provide you with our recommendations? And I know I think last year we did it a week before the town council meeting. Uh which so last year it was like the sixth that we uh
provided you the or the fifth I guess we provided you the recommendations. All right. What What is the date that you're planning to uh what date makes sense for for for you? >> Yeah. So, at the council level, we'll
plan to hold the opening of the public hearing to discuss the budget on May 12th, Tuesday. >> So, anytime the week prior to that, I mean, depending on what time the committee needs to meet, whether that's Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday or something would be nice to
>> wrap it up. So, I know last year we um in order to do that, we actually put another meeting in to be able to to do that. So, let let's just go back this uh how does this meeting time and day work
for people? >> Uh I mean it generally works well for me. >> It does. >> It does not work for me. This is the first time I have to say that. >> It does not work >> any Wednesday at all. >> Any Wednesday. >> Okay.
Okay. Uh so what is any particular times or loans need to kind of go meeting by meeting or >> any other any other day of the week? Just not Wednesdays. >> Okay. Uh
what do Tuesdays look like? No, that's your meeting. Well, Thursdays, >> Thursdays are good for me. Thursday afternoons. >> Yeah, Thursdays. Uh,
>> Thursdays don't work for you. >> Just looking at So, that would mean our next one was the 17th. Uh, the 17th would work. 24th 16th. >> Oh, 16. Yeah, 16th doesn't work. Uh,
16th won't work for me, but I could probably >> Can you stagger it? Can we stagger different? >> I could probably make the every everything else uh on Thursday work. Yeah. So he's saying that um the 23rd and the
30th and the 7th. >> Yeah. So So if we did uh the 17th, excuse me, the So the 16th will not will not work for me. >> We'll find >> What if What if that week we did just the 17th and then went back to
Thursdays? >> 17 would work. >> That's a Friday. >> Yeah. Okay, I'm good. >> Yeah. Uh 3:30 still. >> Monday people at all. >> Mondays. >> Might as well are okay with me. >> I'm open. >> Me, too.
It's good. Just Wednesday was the taboo this year. >> Uh 3:30 would work for me on Mondays. Would you prefer that? Yeah. >> I can do that. >> The 13th, the 20th. >> Every other week is too many on the
Zoom. >> Say again. Mondays at five of every other >> every Monday. But >> what about if we did three >> three o' usually keep them to an hour? You going to do the same thing? >> Hour and a half. >> Uh I can't guarantee that. >> Usually hour and a half. Hour and a
half. >> I would like to for an hour and a half and then record possible. But why is that? >> No. No. No. No. No. I'm fine. I'm a couple. >> 3:00 Monday the 13th work. >> I'm good that. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. And then did we want to move to the 20 uh Thursday the 23rd? >> Oh, they're talking about one >> or did you want to stick with Mondays? >> If we could be >> Yeah, Monday's a >> So the 20th.
>> So that would be the 20th >> the holiday. >> I was going to say that's Patriots. >> What holiday is it? >> Holidays. >> Oh, look at them all. >> I say that on mine. So, >> so do we want to go back to Thursday or >> Well, why don't we one week at a time?
So, next week, what what day do we want to be? >> Next week would be the 13th, 3:00. >> No. >> Okay. >> That's after the holiday, right? >> No. >> 3:00. Okay. >> Do we know if >> that should be 3:30? >> Which one?
>> Let's just say >> I like three. >> I like three. >> You like three. >> Uh, is this room available? Uh Jamie >> a conflict at 3 >> asking >> just for next Monday. Could we do 3:30? I have a >> sure
>> on the 13th. >> And do I have time to post that? >> I got one. >> Barely. >> I know. >> So we're going to do 3 >> Monday the 13th. >> Okay. >> 3:30. Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Got it. And uh >> the >> and the 20th is when there's a school committee meeting. >> That's a holiday. >> A holiday. So we were gonna do >> that day. >> Say the 22nd. >> Thursday is the 23rd. Let's just go to the 21st that week if it's possible.
>> I I can't get here till till 4:00. That's my day at the hospital. >> Yeah. All right. How about How about Thursday? >> Thursday. I'm okay. Thursday. >> I'm good. Thursday. >> Thursday. >> 23rd. >> 23rd. At what time? >> Yeah, I could do that.
>> People prefer >> three >> three o'clock. >> Yep. >> So, April 23rd is 3:00. >> Yep. >> All right. And then on the 27th, uh we'll go back to uh >> Monday.
>> 3:00 on the 27th, Monday. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> We got a hard step because we got to be somewhere after that. Uh moving to >> is uh the fourth okay at 3:00.
>> So do I need to find um locations? Is that >> Jackie does it? >> Okay. All right. Once we settle it. Yeah. >> And you should May 4th. >> Yep. >> May. Uh, and then we're going to need to
either have that be our final one to be able to provide our recommendations to the town council. >> We're going to need a a separate to find a separate meeting time, a second meeting time. >> What if we tentatively put
>> Oh, yeah. Um, >> I would recommend that to >> put a second one that week >> if we need it. if we need it. >> Thursday the 7th. >> Thursday the 7th. Yep. >> Would that if we got you our information,
would would that still be okay for you, Connor? >> Oh, yeah. That's fine. As long as we have it by Friday, that's good. >> So, the seventh >> So, the 7th is also 3:00. >> Can be. Yep. >> Okay. Well, I may try this now. So,
April 13th is 3:30. April 23rd is 3. April 27th is three. May 4th is 3. May 7th is three if needed. >> Excellent. >> Yeah, I got to change some things around to do that.
>> Question about the 27th. Is that going to be an hour and a half or two hours? >> Cuz you have school committee. >> Yeah, I can do it without Zoom, but if you want to zoom, you just have to cut it. >> Like we just have to have a hard stop at 4:30. I think as long as no one
>> that's an added just in case you need it. So >> on which dayamth of >> 27th 27th >> so you need a hard stop at what time? >> 4:15 >> 4:50 okay >> 15 or 50
>> 15. >> Yeah cuz I pack it up. >> Got to pack it up more >> driving across town. >> Oh wait no there's no annex anymore. Wait the school committee is meeting here. We're good. Yeah, we're that that spot's demoed.
>> There's no school. >> So, we're good. >> Not thinking for stopped at 4 >> 27th. Is that what we're talking about? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> We can do >> Oh my gosh. No, they're actually meeting like >> See, it's warm for them.
>> Yeah. >> Thursday the 7th is difficult for me unless it we're later like 4:30. I'm I'll go as late as you watch him on that date. >> Well, we give you 15 minutes or >> so. Would we be able to do it at 4:30?
>> This is the This is the >> the possible >> the possible one. The >> needed attentive if necessary. >> If necessary, >> Jim. >> Um >> Brownstone at six. >> Yeah. Right. Site. >> I figure four to >> You could be late.
>> Well, yeah. And I probably won't be hopefully cuz if I do it at 4:00, our meeting is until >> 6:00, right? Okay. >> You want 4:30 on the 7th, Jim? >> Yeah, I have a I have something I have an appointment in the afternoon.
>> At 47th at 4:30. >> So May 7th is at 4:30. >> Yeah. And I'll send out a summary of these. >> Okay. In case I got them wrong. >> I can't read my calendar anymore. All right. >> Was there another?
>> Yeah. >> So, our next meeting, just to make sure, is uh coming up quickly, the 13th at 3:30 >> and uh what we would like to cover. Um I know last year I was kind of thinking to myself at the end case, we went over
town department budgets, went over budgets, and then we weren't actually talking about tax rate and all that stuff until till the end. But, uh, to a large degree, you kind of covered that today in the overview, um, and, uh, in the tax rate. So, I guess I would be
okay starting as we did last year with town budgets um, and then going from there. The only other thing I will say is we did not have to bring anyone else in, but we did wind up talking to the school committee,
>> right? Excuse me. And since it is such a large portion of the budget, uh we had actually talked to the school committee at our April 24th meeting last year, which was our fourth uh meeting. And do we want to we don't have to decide this.
We we can decide this on on uh Monday, but we should probably decide what meeting if we're convinced we're going to have them come in. Uh what what meeting we we want to invite them to. >> The 27th when they're already coming here. Huh? >> The 27th. >> Yeah, they're already coming here.
>> Yeah, but >> All right. >> That would work. Does that Does that make sense to folks? >> Mhm. >> Better than the week they're moving. >> Oh, yeah. They're going to Right. >> Okay. >> It's amazing.
Everything's moving. >> All right. And uh in terms of next meeting uh do you want to start with the town departments and then we can go from there? >> Um and I noticed that you know there
there's the there's the spreadsheet and then there's the other spreadsheet with the with the discussions in terms of the issues. So, um I think last year we we cut it off at a certain point, but why don't we just try to review the town departments and
let's see how far we can get and then we'll make a determination of what to put on for the for the next time. Does that make sense for now? >> Yeah. So, so we'll be starting on page 16 at our next meeting. >> Town departments page. >> Okay.
>> It's uh No. Yes. So though there's a there's a spreadsheet that starts on page 13. >> Okay. >> Uh but but the spreadsheet that probably is going to make more sense to us is the one that does start on page
13. The one that's the the one with >> page 16. We're going to start at page. Yeah. I can't even see that. So 74. >> Is that does that work for people? >> 16. We're going to start with that. Uh
yeah, I mean I won't I would call it this. I mean it immediately follows it immediately. >> The other thing is in the his packet that has all the historicals that's the real line item >> need to go there. >> Start here right
>> the one with all the comments >> other comments suggestions. >> So I want to make sure we leave enough time to you know really go through capital planning. Um, you know, I think that's really important. >> I can't. >> So, want to make sure we have sufficient
time and for the next meeting, could Tom or or Kim, I mean, let us know what those other three and a half positions are that you need >> or would like. >> Would like >> would like Yeah. >> Like, need. It's all the same. >> Yeah.
>> Sure. I think my stuff is going to be >> tough. >> And sorry Jim. Uh there was a net school spending question that we'll try to get some data on. Uh Scanic Valley. We'll do our best. I think we are dealing with percentages but we can extrapolate
>> I think with what you were asking. >> Um and then the uh sort of protocol ambulance, fire, police. So I have like one, two, three, four items. >> Got it. >> Thank you. >> Beautiful.
>> So we'll try to uh we'll go through the departments as far as we get. Then maybe we >> make sure and I'll check what we did last year uh that we allocate time for capital planning for the you know review of the reserves and uh and uh revolving
funds etc. It hadn't take taken a lot. I think the capital planning will take more than than the rest. >> Yeah. >> And and if the town council has actually financial policies in place like, you know, do you want to keep a certain
amount in reserve? Your stabilization fund should be X amount. >> Could you send them to me so I could be knowledgeable about them? >> We'll send them to everybody, Russ. >> Thank you. And the the text isn't necessarily in the budget presentation, but there's a
couple bar graphs towards the end of it that Kim put in there that kind of shows like what the amount that's in it versus what the policy amount said should be in it. >> Oh, great. >> Right. It is in there, but the the written policy itself is in I think we asked for it last year. It would be nice
to get the refresher >> from all of us because I'm not sure if I could find it >> again. >> Yeah. Well, Yep. There's there's a capital policy, too. and might as well give that to you as well if we're going to talk about capital stuff. >> All right. Very good.
>> And so we're going to wait till Jackie is going to determine where where we're meeting or is it always going to be here? >> I don't I know. >> Okay. >> If I can >> pull a few strings >> few strings for you.
>> And and Jackie, could I ask for a printed copy? >> Yeah. All right. Anything else? >> Well, let's have fun. >> Thank you for all the work that you have already done and all the people in the
town who have worked on it. So, thank you very much. I'll uh I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So, move. >> Second. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> All right. Then you got to close. Um
>> Oh, you're Well, you're exit. >> Hannah, >> yes. >> Richard, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> Jim, yes. >> All >> Yes. >> All right. It's a close to town. >> I do. Is there >> I would make a motion to close the town council meeting.
>> Second. >> Motion made and seconded by Ralph and Marilyn. Any further discussion? Uh Ralph? >> Yes. >> Marilyn? >> Yes. >> Kathy? >> Yes. >> Anna? >> Yes. And I am a yes. So we are returned 4:30. Part: 2
Sweet. All right. I will call to order the Wednesday, April 8th, 2026 Conservation Commission meeting at 6 PM. In attendance, Anthony Zampuchini, Elizabeth Stoton, Jason Gumpert, Thomas O'Brien, and Megan Logan. >> Approval of the minutes.
311 2026 open session minutes. >> We have a chance to read them. >> Yes. >> Any questions, changes? Motion to approve the 311 2026 conservation commission minutes. Second. >> All those in favor?
>> I passes. >> Approval of minutes 325 20226 open session minutes. >> Everyone had a chance to read those. >> Yep. >> On that make a motion to approve the 325 2026
Conservation Commission open session minutes. All >> in favor? I I >> passes. >> All right. I'll make a motion to uh take the notice of intent NOI 2026-01 out of order and put it first.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I Okay. So the notice of intent NOI 20226-01 notice of intent at zero Nelson Street assessors parcel ID 2C-45-299 for the construction of a single family home subject to the wetlands protection
act 310 CMR 10.0 No. And wetlands bylaws chapter 424 wetlands protection applicant Ted Bukowski 1307 Tinkham Road Massa 1095 continued from 11 2026. Go ahead
>> everyone again. Mike Petris engineering land solutions. >> I brought the larger scale plans. I don't know if you folks want them or the smaller scale. Um, yeah, you can give them to Alex. >> Yeah. >> And we'll we'll use them for the >> next
There's four copies there. >> Great. Thank you. And then say we're going to continue. >> Yeah, that if that's how you want to do it. >> Yeah. Um, so just so everybody knows, um, we did a site visit tonight and we received new information on Monday, which we've not had chance to go over as a commission yet. We haven't been to
read it yet. So, what all we're going to discuss for this property is erosion controls in place for now and then we're going to continue everything until the next meeting on the 22nd. Just so you're aware. >> Mhm. >> I think we wanted to talk about um putting erosion control measures in
place now before anything even starts just to prevent that whole hillside from kind of eroding down into um into the stream. >> Okay. >> We want to locate them. Can I? >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. >> So, I think at the top where the street
is like at the at the roadway. >> Mhm. >> And then um where is it? Where's the So, straw so straw waddles up here um at the roadway. between going down the property. >> Sure.
>> And then um like at the where the detention wall would be potentially straw waddles there. Is that what we're thinking? >> Or salt fence straw waddles. Yeah. Um >> Yep.
>> And then someone had mentioned an erosion blanket as well for the side. What do you guys think about that? Just to keep it just to keep it intact, >> especially over by this house here. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yep.
>> Does that make sense? >> Yeah. Um the erosion blanket I would just caution against. uh we could backfill it but I would ask the commission to consider straw waddles sensing and if we know
that there's a problem after a storm we will address it because to stabilize that bank when we're going to disturb it >> yeah I don't think it makes sense >> and because the erosion's really just in the center of that lot where it's picking up speed so you're going to you're going to stop us in the
impervious surface of the road >> stall it there and then with that lower, you know, waddles it that should, you know. >> Yeah. >> My opinion only. >> Yeah. And I mean, if the commission I can get you a plan with the existing
conditions marked up, we'll just indicate where we're going to put it as your discussion here. >> What do you guys think? >> Yeah, whatever. >> This fence the the top and the bottom, >> right?
Are we putting waddles behind that silence here on the street? What? >> Yeah. Is that just the sil fence or sil fence and waddles, guys? >> I can't. >> Both? >> Both. >> Wait, both places or just at the top?
>> I'd go. >> So, at the street and then where the retention wall is. >> Where is on the plan? Yeah. Just as a preventative measure. I would say the retention wall >> still fence and waddles. >> Yeah. I mean at the top.
>> Yeah. >> You know, once it's >> definitely on >> and the house is there. Well, right. This is just pre-construction for now while we're going through all this just to prevent any runoff from going eroding further while that it's not stable. >> Yeah. I mean, it's steep, but it's
>> I don't I would almost >> accessor put um a at the top. Mhm. >> Because you just want to slow it. >> Sure. >> Right. And a sil fence is going to dam it and then it's going to deflect it either right or left >> and then it's going to create erosion
>> at some other point. Um so maybe straw bales at the top and then sil fence and bales >> at the bottom where the retention or the retention wall is going to be. >> Mhm. Yeah. I was going to ask if we can maintain that line so at least it's permanent in in a sense and then we
could as you mentioned the hay bales or we could do straw waddles in that channel >> so as check dams to that would really slow it down because we can do multiple out of or we can do it however >> how far is that
from the closest point of the stream say from here to there >> I think it's 27 ft right the the wall to the point of the wetlands. >> Yeah. Uh 20 >> 28 28 >> I've got the plan here that if you guys want it for your
>> I wanted to pull it back. >> Okay. And I know last time we discussed I could give it to you just to consider more information. This is part of the package but I didn't bring it in print the retaining wall layout. If you guys want it to review,
you're more than welcome to have it. >> Oh, yeah. We mean we can we can take it to help for Okay. >> Alex, the distributor, do you want them to >> We can pass them out here now. >> Oh, okay. >> I mean, yeah. I mean, I'll cuz I'll need to read it. >> Yep. There's five of each, I think.
>> Okay. See how much >> right? Yeah. Yeah. Just to test the box. was a park. Okay. I think we can discuss the retaining the
next continue. >> So we can >> um I think we just need to agree on the on the um >> the erosion measure. >> Yep. The erosion measures 422.
>> So what do you do? make a motion to continue uh the erosion control measures to be installed by X date. >> Yeah. >> What do you think is it will do?
>> I believe so. We had >> Yep. He can definitely have a min. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> All right. All right, I'll make a motion we continue 710 NOI 2026-01
um to our next meeting. >> April 22nd, >> April 26 with >> 22nd. May second, >> April 22nd, excuse me, with the understanding that the erosion control measures as stated, hay bales across the street to to stop the runoff from the
impervious surface and then hay bales and waddles along the line of the to be built retention wall. >> Mhm. >> By Wednesday, April 15th. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? Bye. >> Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> Thanks. You >> all right? Request for certificate of compliance file 150-0459. Request for partial certificate of
compliance at 468 and 10 Happy Acres Lane Ces parcel ID 54-60-2A, 3A, 4 A, 5A. applicant Bedrock Financial LLC, PO Box 79, Visa, Masso 1038. >> Is this um
>> their limit of work is they're not actually done constructing. Um it went out there, but their limit of work is outside of any of our jurisdictions. So, they can apply for a certificate. >> Are these the are these the lots on the others? There's a Yeah, the the last
page of what I put together's got >> it's all probably out of order now because we went out of order. >> So, if I'm looking at this, it's >> which of the parcels? Oh, it's four. It's those four parcels that are outlined in blue. >> Where's the main road?
>> Um up at the top of the plan. >> The >> and then the yellow line's the wetland. So their limit of work is outside of the 100 foot buffer. >> So this if you go if you're walking in it's >> the left >> all to the left and that's all cuz the
wetland is on the other side right on the right. >> Yeah. The so the 100 foot buffer I have in yellow. >> I have it upside down. >> It's right on the left. >> Okay. Got it. Yep. >> So the Oh yeah, the you got it all lined in yellow. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Those ones are all out.
>> Sorry. Yep. >> I can make If anyone had anything else, I can make a motion to approve request for a partial certificate of compliance 150-459. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I
>> I >> All right. I'm at first. >> Yeah. Just so we don't forget, right? This this one >> copies >> you know countryside stores
>> after the countryside store there's a No, sorry. This is the >> We don't have the They didn't submit the plans with this. >> All right. So, this would be >> This would pond. >> It looks like hidden ponds. Yeah. >> And then >> Yeah, they submitted um
>> right here. >> Talk about it when we open the public here. >> Countryside stores right here. >> So, it comes down. This is the >> big church. Oh, >> that's a little bit That's further off. That's a Yeah, >> you signed both copies, right? >> Pass that. Oh, yeah. besides stores
right here. And then this is Hampton Road. It cuts over to Hampton just after Hampton Road on your left. Road that I cannot remember the name of. >> And they built this whole development down here as well. >> He's got it. Yeah, it's
>> just one on this. >> Yep. Just the one signature page. So we All right. Next item on the agenda. Request for determination applicability. RDA 2026-02. Request for determination of
applicability at 12 Hidden Ponds Drive. model mass owned assessor's parcel ID 23-77-6 for whether the area and activities are subject to jurisdiction under wetlands protection act and local wetlands bylaws
applicant global homes properties 38 Lewis Road Springfield maps 0118 >> thanks Jason >> one I say two >> a lot of ones >> there how are you >> okay Paul Smith representing the owners
of the lot there. >> Okay. Assume we've all had a a minute to look at the plan and have seen it. >> Yep. >> So, we've uh kept the house well outside the 100 foot buffer zone and proposing a work uh work limit line with silk fence
outside of the 50 as shown there. You know, c between the 50 and 100 in section crossing the lot there. Uh the lots on either side are both developed. We picked that work limit line kind of as a straight line between the >> work limit line next door of each of the
two lots kind of weird >> is the original delineation of the wetland still the markers still out there and the permanent limiter work markers still exist >> uh I didn't see any markers out there >> there's supposed to be permanent limit
mark I live in that neighborhood that's why I'm asking um he >> in originally or after we do this project. >> Well, originally they're supposed to still be there. There should be um >> I don't think they'd be on the left side of that street, though. >> No, they put them on every in every law. He had to. That was the condition for him to get the um
uh the partial uh certificates for everybody else. They should be there. I mean, they might be buried by now. >> Where did they establish the permanent limit at the 100t buffer line? >> No, >> it was different for each lot. Yeah, >> that I remember like that was the one
where we went from uh 50 to 25 ft >> in some of them. Yeah, we did on that side of the road though. I don't know if we did. >> I don't Yeah, on that side of the road. I can't remember, but I know on the pond side pond side plans we were given uh didn't show any work limit line. Just showed a wetland
line to be honest with you. The buffers. >> Okay. >> I had some plans m I had some plans emailed to me from the commission that didn't >> Oh, no. totally fine. I just they're supposed to be there. There was there the >> He uses the He used the white concrete columns is what he used for all the other lots. So maybe they're there
buried some places. >> Yeah, that could be in the brush there. It's pretty uh >> It's pretty gross. >> Last time I was there was like two feet snow. So >> Yep. >> I'm sure I wouldn't have unless I hit them with my shins. I wouldn't have found them. >> Would not have found them. Exactly. So for this next RDA, would we be required
to set a few along what we're proposing as the limited work line if it differs from that or >> if their permanent ones are not there now, they'd be to be installed construction. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's part of the overall um order of conditions on the entire development is that those permanent limit of work
markers have to be installed for all the lots. >> Okay. Is there a print a plan that shows those where they where the work limit line is on this lot? >> It should. It has to be uh >> No, it should in the original >> I mean it should exist in the original
um uh what do you call it? >> Um >> there's a work limit of line approved then why am I here? Quite honestly I'm asking for a work limit line. >> No the um >> if it's already been through a notice of intent why are we here again? Well, the
whole development was under notific. But there was an overall limit that was established for the neighborhood subdivision as a whole. Um, and it's been established. The neighborhood's been there now for 5 years. >> Yeah. This is a luck. >> Yeah. Um, >> last but one of the last. >> It is. No, it is the last one. Yep. Um,
but this we also have to make sure that wherever the house was going to be put on it was not passed or approaching and the wetlands change over time obviously. So just make sure that you know they're still they're still there. >> A closer spot here and it's the distinct
there walk down another step and you going to fall. It's that steep downs. >> Yeah, it is. It's a huge hill back there. >> Yeah. Is there is there work planned up to that proposed limit limited work line? Uh >> potentially with a lawn or a shed or
whatnot. You know, nothing at this minute, but we're going to have a lawn, of course. >> I mean, it's >> Yeah. So, I mean, everything >> it's outside the >> it's it's even beyond the 50ft buffer. Yes.
>> Yeah. Because that's where there, right? >> Yeah. >> Beyond the 50 foot. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm well outside the 50 foot all the way around. >> No, this is the 100. This is the 50. >> Yeah. The 50 is here. The 100's here. >> Yeah. 150. So, it's
>> it's sort of between them. >> So, the lawn would >> What's that? Sorry. >> Well, we're outside though. 50 for Yes. >> Yeah. The lawn would be >> couple of points. That causes one point. >> Like a portion of the lawn would be within the 100 foot buffer. Yeah.
>> But not in the 50 buffer. >> Um yeah. I mean is there any tree removal? Are there any native plants that are going to be removed within that 100 foot buffer? Um that up to that limit of work. >> There's any trees on that. >> I don't think there's many left. I brought the current aerial. This
>> was cleared way back when. >> Yeah, of course. >> Yeah. This is uh >> I just printed this today when I came in and uh I drew this up over the winter. honestly. So there's the there's the abutters fence there and then there's the big hill here and then there's this guy's shed >> the next neighbor shed. So I basically
kind of >> y >> in the winter through that but if there's a work limit line I already established that's >> closer to the wetlands that I'm proposing. I would like to use that. >> It would be back here someplace. I' not I'd have to go look at the original plans. It's back here sometime.
>> Yeah. I would like to put that on the plan and if we have the ability to use more land, we definitely >> you got theations like the the verbiage of the determinations. I thought it was on this application. >> Yeah, it's on that it's on the first page for the verb on
>> it's on page three. >> Yeah, I know that. Where's >> Where's the verbage? It should be on the application. >> So on the uh so they they checked off questions on the application, but there's a on this sheet there's the one that just I put the verbiage for the
determination that says that they're that the uh house is outside of the jurisdiction and that they're not going to be altering the area in a way that affects it. But it also gives you the ability to add any special conditions you feel are necessary.
any tree removal time? >> I I don't think so. I just I got the photo there. I don't believe >> so on here. This line is huge like here to go between the two houses. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It's mostly just rush at this point.
>> When I was there in the summer, it was going up over your head and then I was there in the winter. >> Yeah. This is all all of this has been cleared, >> right? There were trees. >> There were two trees planted here by the developer because every lot got two trees. So, I don't know if those will
end up staying or not. Those were required by the subdivision plans >> in the front in the >> Yeah, there's two that I don't know if they're still alive, but there are two maples that are there that are in the ground. >> Maybe. I thought, >> well, maybe not. >> There's another neighbor who removed his and they dumped them on that lot.
>> Okay. Like I said, there was a lot of snow there. Yeah, but there should be two that are um there that are when they were originally connected when the neighborhood was put in. That's actually part of the subdivision plan. They have to have two trees in the front yard. Sure. >> Um just so you know that they're there.
Um but then behind that, I don't think there's much. It's a lot of brush. >> Yeah, >> cuz they he he cleared all the lots when he um before anything was built. >> No one's been Has anyone else been there recently? >> I mean, I live on the next street. It's my neighborhood.
>> But I mean, welcome to drive up there. It's >> It's very open. >> Cuz the pond is on this side. The Cory's on this side over here. >> Okay. >> So, what do you think, Liz? You want to close the public hearing?
I >> think so. Unless you guys have more questions for um Any questions? >> Nope. I don't have any more. >> I'll make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Oh. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I just ask a question.
>> Yeah, of course. >> Um, can you come up and and come up and state your name and >> my name is Allison Ziegler. Um, and I just had a question about the Nelson Street plot. >> Okay. We're not We're actually discussing a trouble type of property.
Um, you'll have to wait until after we finish this public hearing and then we can answer your questions. >> Okay. Thank you. >> No problem. >> That public hearing got continued. >> It did get continued. Yeah. So, we can answer a question that you have that's not that's necessarily related, but we did close that public hearing because
it's continued to next. >> Yeah. So, she's got to present >> because we had um we had information that was given to us just on Monday that we haven't had a chance to review yet. So it's it's going to it's all continued till >> nothing. That's correct.
>> No, this is Hidden Ponds Drive. >> Nelson Street got continued to the next meeting. >> Meeting. >> You can, but if it's anything to do that's like going to affect the hearing, we can't answer you. Well, I just wanted to ask just because I have a copy of the notice of intent.
I'm happy to come back there if that's >> Well, can we let us just finish with hidden ponds first and we can Yeah. >> All right. >> I made a motion closing it over. Gotcha. >> Right. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? >> Okay. I'll make a motion to issue a negative3 determination with the following condition that the the land owner locates the limit of work boundaries. If they are cannot be located then to place new ones per the
original and you guys will get me a plan that I can take a look and where they are. Perfect. >> Yeah. And then just the um erosion controls during construction. Um and I think it's required by the town for the um the
>> maintain the erosion control line. >> Yeah. And the and the track pad during construction, >> right? >> So that the debris doesn't get into the road during construction. >> Erosion controls on a track pad. >> Yeah. Yep. Just because it also is a wetland, so we don't want stuff getting into the storm drain system.
>> Any storm drain system, not just this one. >> Uh certainly. So I'll add the tracking pad. >> Yep. >> On there. I'll uh I can check about the trees and and put that on the plan. That's not a big deal for me. And uh I can put the approve the work limit line
was in the past. Show those monuments. I can confirm if they're still there. >> Absolutely. >> Sure. They're still there. If he put them in after he cleared it then >> I'm sure if they were there this long the roads outside the workman lines. >> Oh, I don't either. >> We might involve
>> I'm listening to you. motion to issue a negative3 determination with um the following condition. Locate the permanent work line uh installed silk fence for erosion control. Um the the trees that
>> a tracking pad at the front of the property and the trees to be planted for the covenants >> there a uh still fence you prefer the waddles the the still fence combination both one or the other. I think the
regular silence is fine is fine on back. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I know. >> Sure. They didn't say that. >> I think they all >> So they um do we have to sign it, >> Alex?
>> Yes. Let's do that first real quick here. >> There's basically an approval. They can count their days. Is there an appeal period? >> Only if you want to appeal the decision. >> No, no, I if there was an appeal period. So, >> no, no, no. And then as as long as >> I get home, how did it go?
>> As long as everything is goes by the the building department, >> I'll certainly then >> update the plan. I'll put the S fence detail on there. I'll note the tracking pad and we get >> Yeah. And I'll update your open gov permit and uh and then see what I can find for old plans that this information
you've been emailing with her, I'm sure. was shoot it over to me. All right. All right. That's all. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> There should be a full subdivision plan. I think it's actually filed with my deed. The whole I can find it. If you can't find it, I can find
>> I've seen those files around. I'll uh >> I know we have >> I think you did it in sections. So, cuz there's a few different hidden ponds folders that are pretty big. So, >> because the first one was for the subdivision as a whole and then each house had to come with an NOI for each house.
How high are those monuments in the ground? Foot when you see them. Oh, >> they're bigger. They're bigger than a foot out. I mean, the ones in my yard are taller than a foot. >> Pretty big. I've seen them. >> Yeah, they're like a foot and a half, I think. >> The white concrete. >> Yep. I don't even know.
They got to be ground level or up to 6 to 12 in. >> I don't know. I just know that the ones in my yard are huge. we do a um site visit for that not for an RDA, right? >> And in this one, all their work is
outside of the buffer. So, >> just seemed very vague, >> right? It's cuz they're outside of the buffer, so they weren't like >> super >> bringing a whole bunch of foundational info. >> Yeah, that I know that area very well. >> Yeah,
>> there's a little bit of wet way in the back. Yeah, they're going nowhere near where the water is on that side of the >> We don't want What's her What was her name that lived across? You know, where would it drop down and the water would run? >> Oh, that's below um >> what's her name?
>> Detention Basin. I don't remember. That's right. The property right behind the detention based. She was like 90. She'd be 95 now. >> She was always out there waiting for us. >> Well, cuz the town has >> Oh, Mrs. Scanland or Mrs. uh >> the town has an easement. >> Um
>> right. It goes all the way on the border as you enter your part. I know >> and then we come over this way >> cuz there's like something back there that the town has to have access to. >> I know exactly what you're talking about. >> Yep. >> God. Every time El came before us, she we'd have a we'd have a message.
>> Yeah. She'd be out there in the rain. >> Yep. >> What is her name? >> Happy days. though. >> We upkeep the We up the basement. >> All right. Other business. >> See you on the 22nd.
>> Planning a community development department staff report. >> What do you got? >> 22nd. See you. >> I'll see you on the 22nd. >> See you on the 22nd. >> I will not I will not be in that meeting. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. Look for it. >> Close it. >> Ajournain a motion. I will entertain a
motion to adjourn at 6:30 6:31 p.m. >> So move second. Second. >> All those in favor? Hi. Hi.