All right. Uh, thank you for everyone coming in to u our meeting for conservation. Um, first on the agenda is public comment on any agenda items. Anybody in the public wish to address any of the topics on the agenda? Mr. Chairman,
state your name for the record, please. Alan Russo. Hey, and I brought some handouts for you. There's one in there just corrected. We're not going to accept it because of a typo.
Thank you. Okay. Uh go ahead. So road also the sludge landfill with the property of 500 Milk Road. Following my comments relative to Ger sludge landfill enforcement board which is on the agenda
tonight. First, thank you for keeping the sludge land enforcement order open and for continuing to monitor the situation. On August 1st, I emailed you a mass March 10th wastewater facility inspection form that was completed by
Dan Kurpa, section chief for wastewater management at Mass Eyep Zero. The inspection form indicates that the facility is not in compliance and lists a number of specific comments relative to operations
and maintenance which I included in my email. Thirdly, on August 4th, I understand that Judy Schmidz, uh, section chief for wetlands at mast0 followed up verbally with agent and anite relative to his email requesting
guidance on the government sludge landfill enforcement order. And fourthly, I hope this information will be helpful to you on the enforcement order and in preventing wetland contamination event in the
future. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody else have any other public comment or any agenda topic? Yes, Mr. Chairman. I know I'm speaking scared me there.
Steve Rockwood, 310 Pearl Street, Gardener. I took a wander down the nature trail and noted just a couple of things. The
the entrance to the nature trail on the cemetery side is wide enough to take two ballards as opposed to the one that we were thinking of. It It's just so wide you can drive around if you put one in.
Uh, a second thing is as I was walking up that first sort of incline down on the lake side, looks like they planted about half a dozen trees and strung them up and this
and that. So, it looks like all but one are now former trees and that needs to be dealt with. The folks who put them in were paid to put in trees and take care of them. If they're already dead, that's a problem.
Thank you for your time. Thank you. Anybody else public comment on any agenda item? Well, through the chair, Eric Storm, Garden Fish, and Gun Club. Um, I don't really have any I didn't have any public comment until I actually saw the map on
the screen. Um, that map is inaccurate. The Beagle Club road does not exist on our property. The road to the left is a solar field road that goes up to the solar field. That Beagle Club road does not exist on our property. So, we just want to clarify that for the record.
Is that so is that Solar Road? Bele Club Road. The Solar Club The Beagle Club Road doesn't exist. Beagle Club Road is towards the dam. The Solar Field Road is just the access driveway for the Solar Field. There it's not even named. It's on a street or anything. Okay. Yep. I think we'll try to figure out how to make that correction. But
check on mass. Oh, that's just a default on national. So that's just an accuracy on the Yeah, maybe check on mass GIS just to see if it's the same as just making comment. Thank you so much. Y All right, let's get going on the meeting minutes. Justin's been working
really hard to catch us up and I appreciate it. Some of these go back to 2024. Um just so we're aware, we continue conversation with city council and uh other members of economic development on a minute meeting taker. We're still pursuing that. Um so let's
just um go right down the line here um on who can vote for what too. So I think the only one that I think it's just our side of the table except for the March 24th, 2025 that Brian can vote as well. So, let's start with the oldest one first,
just to make it easy. The 2024. Yeah. Would someone like to make a motion to approve the meeting minutes of October 28, 2024? I'll make the motion. Someone to second that motion. I'll second it. All in favor? I. Then we'll go to the um
3:24 U meeting minutes. Would someone like to make a motion to approve the March 24 2025 meeting minutes? I'll I'll make that motion. Some like to second that motion. I'll second. All in favor? Thank you. And then the last is the um someone like
to make a motion to approve the meeting minutes of August 11th, 2025. I'll make that motion. Someone to second that motion. I'll second it. All in favor? I think there's approved on all three. Thank you for catching up
on those and that bring us to the end, right? Yep. We're all completed to the current timeline. So, took us long enough, so we're caught up. Great. Uh, next on the agenda are the enforcement orders. The first one being
the selection landfill. Justin, what do you have for an update on that? So, um, as Mr. Russo previously stated, um, there was a phone call that I paired between myself and the wetland section
office. Um DP is is as the regulator they are somewhat limited and what types of feedback they can give so far as the suggestions when it comes to
um what to do with remedying the sludge landfill. Um they did preface that you know some of the professionals that are working with the city such as contractors, consultants, those are the
those are the ones that should be making a lot of the proactive decisions and and idea making for remedying situations such as what occurred at the landfill.
Um As far as the commission's involvement with the enforcement order, um they do agree that it is probably good to keep it open for the time being as a
device to both monitor it closely and to also allow for the parties associated to act quickly in the event that something happens. Again, obviously no one is hoping for another
deposition event to occur, but this time that's that's what the commission should probably do. Let's just keep it open. All right. Well, we're going to, like you said, we'll continue to monitor the situation and and make sure what's up there for
rosary controls stay maintained, judging by your agents before what they are. I know you and I have talked about some other means that we could do if that does start to fail. Um but right now it's keep an eye on it and continue communication, you know, with the state as well.
We're lucky we have an Yeah, the problem now is if we do get rain and it's heavy enough, it won't it won't infiltrate. It'll just run. Let's keep it on the on the open enforcement order with now that you know the limited engagement we've we've
gotten from the state. But um let's just push this out to October 27th and maybe u by then we'll have better resolution. Make that motion. So like to uh second that motion to continue so October 27, 2025. I'll make that motion. Second motion.
All in favor? All right. Uh just for the record, the 36 Nicole Terrace is going to continue talk uh October 27th. Same thing with 282 Brookside Drive 1027. And there's further notes in the agency report.
Under hearings, um the request for interpretation of acceptability, the Gardener Conservation Commission hold a joint public hearing under MGL chapter 131 section 40 of the wetlands protection act. The city of Gardener Weather's protection of women's notice for determination of applicability filed
by Rosaro Paving Corporation on behalf of the uh Garden Fishing Gun Club. The proposed proclamation repay and expansion of a parking lot set to take place at 538 Clark Street Gardener Mass. It's map H32-4-9.
A portion of the work will be set uh will set to occur within the buffers zone of a boring of a bank ordering uh on land underwater. Somebody here to represent the gun club or the pavement company. Uh yes sir. Uh through the chair Eric
Storm, president Fish. [Music] Thanks Eric on the hot seat. That's okay. Just kind of talk about the project and I'm looking at your RDA paperwork. Okay. If I may, can I use screen as a
Yeah. Makes it easy. Yeah. So, essentially what's uh all the paving is done. All the paving is complete here already. Um this is all paved and it kind of ends to at this point here. Um
and then it went blank and you broke it. Most of the paving continues. Our our goal is to uh actually just reclaim what's currently here. Um this particular area kind of runs along Clark Street and contain kind of buffers the
the woods here. We're going to take some of the reclaimed material and fill in here as right now it's a gigantic puddle area right in front of the dumpster. quite frankly becomes a skating rink uh come winter time. And the only additional piece that we're going to add is basically at the end of this pavement
there'll be a driveway sized piece portion that runs to the end of the building just to create a um again same thing. Water kind of accumulates there runoff from the roof and we just like to kind of keep that so the plows can plow nothing but snow as opposed to all the
gravel that they're currently plowing onto the the back. So, uh, that's essentially in a nutshell. They go they'll take and and also reline once we're done. They'll do the handcap spots and and some additional lining there. Ultimately, that's the scope of the project. So, so that's already retired.
Yes. Yeah. They're going to reclaim all this and then they'll basically repave exactly as it sits right there other than the additional piece that just runs along the back of a It's literally a driver with it might be 20 ft maybe. Yep. It might be 60 ft long, something like
that. So for those of you that went out there, I've been there over the years. Yeah. Any questions? You guys good with everything? I don't know. Yeah. Just just for the record, this is about 65 ft depending on where the you mentioned the bank, but that's that's
essentially the spot right here. Just for the record. Is that you had mentioned the Beagle Club Road. I don't know why it's over there, but is that close? I don't remember the exact not the Beagle Club. I know that's what he's saying. The Beagle Club Road actually is that close. It actually runs down. It kind of runs opposite. But when you Their
parking lot literally abuts their their pond, this one. But yeah. Is that where the footprint of the solar road is though? No, the solar field road is actually here. That's that one. This is I don't even know where that comes from, but this is actually the solar field. Yeah, that that may refer to solar field.
Yeah, I think it's just a misnomer for that thing. But yeah, if we go on the mass map, it's Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's okay. Oh, yeah. There's this little field. Anybody have any questions? Yeah.
Any comments from the from the field visit? No. I mean, a lot of the grading is projected to be pretty similar. And if anything um the way that it'll be regraded, it's going to be um a
trajectory that's not if anything it's going to be an improvement versus versus direct sheeting of what it could potentially already be doing in its existing conditions. And I can speak to that as well. So the pavement, so currently Clark Street is almost the highest elevation, kind of runs in and then slopes away from the
club towards the center of the driveway. Right now it's whether it was done intentionally or not. I think over time it's just settled itself. But it's literally when you park against the curb stop, your front tires are literally at the swale. My idea is to actually pull that out just a little bit so you don't
have this river of ice that runs through. You know that freezes and whatever. So just bring that out as far as they can. It can't be too far anyway. But it'll be the exact same idea, right? To take and drain the water this way. That way we'll install a gate here that that will once the paving's done. And
that where that gate is, it's literally like a kind of a slope from the building out. Might just level that out just enough to get the gate level. So it's not, you know, not kind of driving in on a slope, but it's it's minor by comparison. I mean, they'll one swipe with the grater, they'll be done type of
thing. So all right. Anybody in the audience have any questions? And you want this to be done? Yeah. Well, as soon as possible. I mean, obviously, you know, I mean, we're we're going to be battling. Lazaro is a busy company. Um, and they had expressed interest in doing this a little earlier.
Um, that may may or may not have kicked us into a spot. So, the asphalt plants closed in early November. We'd love to get it done prior to because I also have some fence work that needs to be done on top of that and obviously snow and so much fun. So, as soon as a decision was rendered, that'd be great. We appreciate
it. We can certainly let Laro know and we can get back on their docket. All right. Would someone like to make a motion to close the hearing? I'll make that motion. Somebody like to second that motion. I second. All in favor? I I'm going I mean I think it's pretty
basic. I think it's a negative three. As long as everybody is is fair with that. And does our agent have any comments um outside of that? No. Right. I'll make a motion. Go ahead for a motion for a negative
predetermination. Negative predetermination won't affect the resource area. Somebody second that motion. I'll second it. All in favor? I opposed. No. So is approved. So we'll sign this paperwork. How fast do you need to get it all together?
I can probably issued by tomorrow. First half of tomorrow. Excellent. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thanks for your help. I know it's a process. Oh, no. Got to play by the rules. We're fine
with that. Appreciate it. Thanks for help. While we're signing that, we're going to keep moving in the interest of time. The next one is a notice of intent. Um, I'll read through it. The garden conservation commission will hold a joint public hearing under MGL chapter 131 section 40
the wland protection act and city of gardener wetlands protection ordinance under nose intent followed by a com on behalf of Massachusetts department of conservation recreation known as DCR for proposed drainage improvement and resurfacing project located at Dun State
Park located at 289 Pearl Street gardener it's mapped W27-16-2 portions of proposed work are set to occur within the buffer zone inland bank bordering vegetation underwater. Um Justin, I understand that the applicant has requested a continuence to 98
meeting. Yes. Some like to make a motion to approve the continuence request to 98 2020. I'll make that motion. I like to second that motion. All in favor? I do want to send both of these. Yes. Oh, one
sign on too. Uh, under old business, it's 170 Mil Street. It's a continued discussion. Um, DP 160658. I'll read through it again. The Garden Conservation Commission will hold a
joint joint public hearing under MGL chapter 131 section 40 in the wetlands protection act and city gardener wetlands protection ordinance and a notice of intent followed by Mark Thomas Moitz for the construction of a contractor building and associated site improvements located at 170 mil street gardener. The project is located within
the riverfront area. This is a continuence from September 25th, 2023 and it has been requested to continue to 920 uh 9825. Moving down the list, new business nature trail. What? Oh, yeah. Sorry.
Yeah, sorry. Nature trail. What's the okay to the nature trail? Um, other than we need to do something about the front of that entrance. Other than that, I don't have too much. I did go and check to see if there was
retainage as the commission asked and I reviewed the final pay and I believe there was a 5% retainage for the for the contractor. Yeah. Um for um I do believe the retaining was also
released as the document as well. All right. So, anybody on the commission, anyone that our commission approved the release of retainments for the nature trails? No. Okay. I'll get that address. I'll I'll send an email out to um to Jason,
economic development, kind of looking for an update on that and see what the process was to release that retainage and also to find out what we're doing with the entrance of that trail. It's been continued continually discussed that something needs to occur on the front of it. I know that Justin did go
to time bond or fussing with time bond. I do discuss with um time bond like we discussed at the last meeting um about about why the ballard wasn't in the initial design but um I did also ask um
the director to reach out to um the DPW and talk about um sorry talk about what you know could potentially be done in light of the open half.
No, I'm still waiting on some force on that kind of it needs I mean we need to have something that still allows access for emergency and and maintenance. So that definitely needs to be discussed but we need to figure it out. I had a conversation with the city
engineer and he said if if we could buy one he said I we could mean they could install one that goes in the ground over. Yeah. Right. Well, the conservation commission probably shouldn't be paying for Well, no. I'm within with their money
that they kept that 5%. Well, that 5% needs to take care of the trees that are dead, too. Yeah. Well, what's what's one of those barrels worth? About $1,000 a piece installed. Huh? They're about I'd pay about $1,000 a piece installed. You only need two or three, right?
Yeah. I know there's cheaper ones, but just that's not the going rate. Put a rock up there to tell them. Well, the problem again with the rocks is if they need to get out there for an emergency, they can't get through. Push it to one side.
Yeah. I'm going to send an email to Jason Broad trees. Um, so those trees that were planted, were they put there to replace something that was cut down or they um a little bit of both. They're always on there to kind of kind of hold that
banking up and growth and Okay. So, they're needed for a purpose, not just a not that a sex is not right, but I know you're going agree. Yeah. Now, do we have to replace them? What was there? Can we come up with something else that is more
doesn't require the water that they require? They're just I mean, they're just oaks. Yeah, I forget what species of oak they were, but they want some of the ground cover. Well, the problem is you wanted some shade as well. So, I don't know. Let's
take a look at what's there. Can you just check and see what those trees are now? What they're planted as? Yeah. Yeah. No sense putting them back in. They're going to Yeah. But we're also in a major drought. Even if they water them once a once a week, it's it's still not enough. Yeah. So they could get pushed back and say we're in, you know, a drought and
with the m if they wanted them in the m with the maintenance they we own them per contract, what can they do? Yeah, that's why I'm saying if we want something differently. I mean, maybe Brian and Dave could pick out some more water tolerant type in that area. I don't I don't know. I mean, pitch pine.
I know. It's like drought tolerant trees we have around here. They don't make great shade. No, I know. But they'll grow. Yeah. I mean, oaks are pretty pretty hard tolerant. Yeah. Yeah. Take a look and see what they are
just to make sure. I mean, how many out of the oaks? I think it's three or four. They're all I mean, but they're all very very brown. There's there's not an ounce of green left on any of the foliage.
Um, there was six. Yeah. As far as the river birches, there's there's two to four of those as well. Those ones, I think, are in a state of slight dormcancy. I mean, they're
definitely they're there's definitely not a lot of green foliage on them. I mean, they're hanging on. How about the bark, though? Did you check under the bark? Is there any green left at all? I I didn't get close enough to check underneath the bark, but I can do that the next time I go out there. Okay. Take
some pictures. Let us know. Yeah. All right. I'll send an email over to um to Jason on those. Yep. I'll copy the commission. Uh probably Culbert failure. I'm I'm still waiting on the correspondence back from Time Bond's
efforts um on them reaching out or helping us reach out to National Grid on that. So, can you send another email just copy the commission on on those correspondents? Are they sort of the uh the
National Grid's standard uh consultant or or they work for you. Time bonds the city's consultant. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Have you been out there? Is it getting worse? There's no hardly any water going
through there. Come spring it'll be Yeah, I know. But I mean Thursday it was probably six. Yeah. Yeah. All right. And then the agents report. Anybody have any questions on the agents report?
Justin, do you want to buzz through or anything in particular? Some of these we already hit, but let me see if there's anything. Um, I did take a look at the Keys conservation area um for B160 0673.
um just to do a quick corrosion control check and to see how the work was going. Everything seems to be very smooth um considering the timeline that we've been dealing with. Um and um
as far as upcoming projects for the um for the chemical pond use property that came to us um for help of the permitting I we were able to determine um the permit packet that was best suited for
their project. Um I threw together an RDA packet with um extensive documentation and instructions for them to fill out. just waiting for um the application and correspondence um to get them through the process and see the
project move on the best way possible. But other than that um I don't really have anything super new. um uh NACC. Yeah.
Which we know that NACC is coming up. So once we get the classes, we'll send it out and have a a vote of how many people are planning to attend so we can make sure that we allocate those funds. Um hopefully we get a good turnout. We got some new people and hopefully um I
know Brian, you probably gone to that over the years. Yeah. Yeah. Been in probably three or four years, but yeah. What what's uh we're still waiting on correspondence from NACC. I think the date's out there though. Yeah, soon. It's a Saturday in October. Yeah, but I'll Okay.
Yeah, but as soon as I get the official letter for registration and stuff like that, I'll Yeah, but it's good to get an early head or interest depending on, you know, who wants to go. So,
just saw the date here. How long? Yeah, we'll give you It's in the second half of October, I think. Yeah. [Music] I'm looking at the flyer in it. October 25th. There you go. You're right. 25th
quarter. All right. Anything else on a new business professional development? We talked to MACC. Any update on your stuff? Uh my next class is until um after our next meeting, but it'll be the last
class for the delination. Um it'll be soils of New England. So I'll be going in all about the different ones that are particular. hydrology in our particular facet of the field. So,
yeah, I'm getting excited, but we're still a couple weeks out. Got it. Good job. Keep it up. Uh, upcoming meetings are September 8th and September 22nd. Just remember, if you do get those emails from Justin
confirming headcount, just try to do your best to respond as soon as possible. I know the next couple weeks it's going to be a little crazy, but let's try to maintain a form. Anything else? Anybody from the commission? No.
Someone like to make a motion to end tonight's hearing? I'll make that motion. Someone second that motion. All in favor? I. Thank you.