All right. Thank you, Herlin. I almost forgot. All right. Calling to order the Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 meeting of the Linenburgg Conservation Commission in accordance with the requirements of the open meeting law. Please be advised that this
meeting is being audio video recorded. The agenda list all topics which may be discussed at the meeting and those reasonably anticipated by the chair. Votes may be taken from these discussions. Not all items may be discussed and other items may be raised to the extent permitted by open meeting law. Please be advised that the town of
Lunenburgg utilizes the Zoom platform as host for its hybrid and remote meetings that the Zoom platform utilizes AI technology known as AI companion to create auto audio transcriptions of meetings to aid in the subsequent preparation of meeting minutes and that the AI companion is activated
immediately upon launching the Zoom application. You are hereby notified that notified that this AI technology may capture audio prior to the start of the meeting and or following the conclusion of the meeting. >> Okay. Is there a roll call? Mike Larouche
>> present. >> Andrea Bernard >> here. >> Teddy Dette >> here. >> Richard Bers >> here. >> And I am here. And Mary Wilson is running late.
Okay. Um, we don't have any appointments tonight. Uh, for announcements, the only thing we have is the minutes of the previous meetings. Did everyone get a chance to look at the minutes from May 6, 2026?
>> I'd make a motion to approve the minutes. >> Okay. Thank you, Teddy. >> Second. >> All right. I'm going to give Andrea the second. Was that Andrea? Was that you? >> Yes. >> Okay. Teddy with the motion. Andrea with
the second. Roll call vote. Mike LaRouche. >> I. >> Andrea Bernett. >> I. >> Teddy Det. >> I. >> Richard Bur. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. Um, I did watch the
meeting. I have to fill out this Mullen form. Okay. Um, all right. Moving on to Oh, Mike. >> Yes. >> Do you want to give a quick update on
the pollinator habitat? I missed the the meeting on Sunday. >> Yes, it was uh an amazing event. Uh we didn't get, you know, many people. However, the people who did show were very dedicated and it was a wonderful
day. Um and we saw a lot of butterflies and um other pollinators. Uh we started many seeds uh for different native plants. Um
there was a lot of organizing and things, you know, putting the spiggots on the water bladders so we're sort of ready to go for the new season. And um it was just a wonderful time. We took a
group picture. Um I'm assuming it's going to be available for those to see. And um it was it was just great to get everybody together and uh you know, old
friends and um and very excited about the new season uh that has begun. And um the habitat's excited to get their new addition in the shed. Uh they'll be
filling it up uh slowly but surely, but uh certainly um they've been pretty well packed in the small shed in the lower part of the habitat. And um all in all, it was a wonderful day. Everybody was happy. There was a
lot of good food. Um, and uh, I can't say enough about the pollinator habitat. It's a jewel of Lunenburgg, and I'm so glad to be a part of it as part of the conservation commission. And uh, we did
get the um um the materials to replace the roof section in the upper shed. And we got a wonderful donation from um um from the assessor's office. You know, when you go to coffee and you ask who
has uh a partial role of anything and people raise their hands, I'm not the only one. And uh Brian Lefon was so gracious to uh donate some felt paper so we can uh cuz we didn't need a lot but
you know to buy a huge roll would mean would have meant that we would have had um extra uh to uh and to sit around for someone's shed or garage. So, I was glad that I was able to uh take a used
portion away from someone who was glad to donate it to us. So, we're in Yes. So, that's it. >> Thank you so much, Mike. Uh I'm sad that I missed it on Sunday, but I have some family stuff, but thank you so much for
that update. I'm really excited that we're back in pollinator habitat update season. >> Yay. Okay, Mary, you have your hand up. >> Uh, yes, Madam Chair. I just wanted to let you know I joined the meeting. Sorry about being late.
>> Very happy to have you. Thank you. All right. Um, I also want to say that we have um Brad Coons on the meeting. Is it Do you prefer Brad or Bradley?
if you're able to answer. Um Brad is interested in joining the commission, so he's going to sit on on a meeting. Um so I don't know if he wants to say anything, but if not, that's fine, too. But we do have somebody who's interested
in joining the commission on the meeting. Okay. So, moving on to public hearings. Um all hearings are pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 is amended in the town of Lenberg's protection and municipal
bylaws. Uh up first we have 60 cross road a request for an amended order of conditions by 60 cross street realy trust for the construction of additional storm water improvements. Do we have the
applicant or their representative? >> Uh yes ma'am. We have Chris Anderson with Hanning Engineering. >> Okay. Welcome. >> Um, am I able to share my screen? I can pull up the the site plan. Uh, >> yes.
>> Uh, let me make sure that you >> All right, you should be good. >> So, can everybody see my screen? >> Uh, it's starting. We're almost there, it looks like. >> There we go. >> All right. Uh just for the record again, uh Chris Anderson with Hanningan Engineering. Um here for tonight for an
amendment to an order of conditions at 60 Cross Road. Uh this project was originally approved by the commission back in October of 24 under D file number 2081327. Um at that time, uh we um were
permitting for the construction of a new building addition as well as a new driveway uh with storm water improvements along the edge of that. um as part of the um continued development of the property. Uh since that time um
the land owner for full disclosure has additional land uh throughout the area um that he was looking to develop and decided to develop an additional lot which threw us over the threshold for planning board storm water permit. um as
such uh we had to incorporate additional storm water controls in the development in Mass in order to provide compliance with that um process. So um as part of the general permitting process with that we had to incorporate additional storm water improvements on this property
itself. Um, I will say that we did receive uh planning board approval for the stormwater permit as well as approval from the town's peer uh review engineer, Graves Engineering, as well. Um,
improvements to this lot um are limited to exclusively the addition of a new infiltration basin along the side of the existing uh line area. Uh in order to construct this there will be about 3 to 4 feet of fill placed around um the
limit of the um infiltration basin and it will utilize primarily the existing topography to create our quote unquote basin. So the uh earthwork is just limited to exclusively the installation of the burm as well as the emergency spillway and outlet features as well. Uh
this basin will accommodate up to the 100red-year storm event. Um and it'll capture effectively the entire backyard area of the site as well as portions of the um rear portions of the building. Uh and this helps provide compli compliance with the overall storm water management
uh process. Um the work is almost exclusively located within the existing lawn areas. Uh there will be some clearing along the periphery in order to install the uh burm. Um and the area will be surrounded by an additional line of uh shaw waddle and sil fence uh for
erosion mitigation during construction. Uh once everything is said and done uh the site will or the area will be loned and seated uh for permanent stabilization. Uh with that being said, if there's any questions from the commission, I'll be more happy to answer them.
Okay, thank you so much. Um, do we have any questions for members of the commission? >> It does not seem like we do. Do we have any questions or comments from members of the public?
Mary, you have your hand up. >> Yeah, thank thank you, Madam Chair. Um, so Chris, could you just and I know you just went over this, but it's just not intuitive to me how the storm water basin drains the entire backyard just
based off of the contours and whatnot. Could you just play that through me just for a little bit? Sorry if I'm being dense. >> No, no, no worries. Uh so the the existing topography in the rear portion of the site generally flows in a this direction towards the wetland area. Um
uh there's a ridge that's just off the page here. So everything kind of pitches into this valley and ultimately drains into this area. Uh so just by putting in this basin BM which is right here, we can capture that before it gets to the wetland. mitigation.
>> That's That's the part I was missing was the BM because just the way it looked and you know I think I I I looked away. I >> worked until about 7 tonight. So I'm frantically trying to eat dinner while you were going through this. I think I blinked at the wrong time. Um so yeah.
Okay. So the burm is actually going to reflect also water back into the catchment basin. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Mary. Okay. Do we have any other comments or
questions from members of the commission or members of the public? Okay. It does not seem like we do. I think are we looking for um a motion to approve the request for an amended order of conditions?
>> So moved. >> Second. Okay, roll call vote. Uh, Mike Larouche, >> I. >> Andrea Bernard, >> I. >> Eddie Ducet, >> I. >> Richard Bers, >> hi. >> Mary Wilson, >> I.
>> And I for myself. All right. Thank you so much. >> Great. Thank you very much. Have a good night. >> You too. >> Okay. Um, pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended in the town of Lunenburgg wetlands protection and
municipal bylaws, a notice of intent by unit for at 9:34 Mass A for the construction of a new substation and replacement of utility poles. Um, I did see we have Ting Chang from the engineering firm on the call.
>> Good evening. Uh, can you hear me? >> I can. >> Thank you. Um, may I allow us to uh request the permissions to share my screen? >> Yes, please do. >> Um, you should have permission. >> Is it not letting you?
>> It's not letting me. >> Well, >> okay. Can you hear? Can you see? >> Yeah, but that's I can see you. >> Like you can see me. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Let's see. Oh, here we go.
>> How about now? Start sharing. >> There it is. Okay. >> All right. >> Thank you. Um, >> let me go back here. So, well, thank you for having me today. I want to also with
uh with me today is Nathan Sherwood, uh, principal electrical engineer from Unitel with us. Um, in case anyone's have any questions, he's happy to answer. Um, >> so, want to go over a quick history of what
the the sites is. The site is located at 934's U Mass A. I'm going zoom in a little bit. There is a existing substation there now. It was built in 1947. Um currently it is needs to be Unitel is
looking at to be updated and also expand. Um the site itself um it's about six acres a little bit just shy of it but majority of them are uh encompass of wetlands and buffer. The wetland is all
over on the western portions and on the eastern portion as well and then within that all buffer area. So what we are proposing is we would like to propose is to reduce um
some of the existing abandoned existing um substation area here. It will expand about 38,000 square feet of new substation. So the
when it's said and done, this is the footprint of the new substation area. It is with the new designs. Um we will be removing the existing asphalt payments that currently is there right
now to reduce the impervious area. Um the new substation itself would similar to the previous one will be gravel based. Um so it will percolate through. We are proposing a this entire things
will be enclosed um by 8 foot high chaining fence with a foot of bar wire on top. So for safety purpose from a storm water standpoint this project is classified under is a
limited project under a uh CMR 10 533D under MA uh mass wetland protection act and in addition to it it's also classified as a redevelopment project as we are reducing the imp total impervious
areas on site. Um the only impervious areas that we're proposing right now is this 21 by 29 ft of control buildings and also some foundations um for the equipment itself. So all
those are up a little bit higher than the ground. These are all considered as a clean water clean runoff. So we're proposing um area drains on corners um and under drain connected and
discharge out. Um most of the water will will flow out through the gravel base. Um this is more of an emergencies as we don't want to flood the elevation at all. Uh don't want to flood the substations. So with that say I mean the
substation itself will be impacting quite a bit of wetland as the existing site is full of at pretty extensive wetland itself. We're looking at the what you're looking at is the green area
is what's permanent impacted wetlands area. It's about a little bit over 31,000 square ft. What's in pink is a temporary uh impact that due to gradings, due to the pole replacement along this corridor
um that will have um it will put it back in place when it's done. We did um provide some replicated area. There's two option I would like to present to to the board. Um one is to replicate about
34,000 square feet of area within the current buffer zone. There is um this will meet the criteria of one one ratio. Um however that this will require uh removing
the all the mature tree in the area to create this wetland. Um the other options that we thought that we want I want to bring up to the attention is there is a formal uh abandoned uh substation currently on
site there. Now it's only about it's about 16700 square ft that we can remove the abandoned equipments and remove the chling fence and create this area. This is since this has already been clear so
we can create this use this as a replication area instead of removing all the mature tree on the bottoms. Um with that I want to mention that before the constructions we will put down obviously we're going to put down the
erosion control measure uh for silence and also straw water uh prior to that once the this substation is built it would then and activated we're going to be abandon this existing one um in
addition to the wetlands uh disturbance We will be disturbing some of the um 30 foot uh non-disturbed buffer zones andif no no bill zones and 50 ft non-disturbed buffer zones. So, we're requesting a waiver from the local bylaw um to allow
us to um build this project. Um with that, I'm happy to answer any question that you may have. >> Okay. Uh thank you so much. Um, I'm glad
to see the addition of the well the the proposal to move the to do a replication at where that former substation was because I like how that's like at the very bottom of a slope, too. Like it's a really good spot for a wetland replication. I see Mike has his
hand up. >> Yes. Thank you, Miss uh Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Ting, Miss Chang. >> Yes. >> You mentioned abandoning the once the
new substation is built and active. Um, what you don't just abandon the the old system, do you does that get removed or something? >> Um, the the equipment itself will get removed and it get connected. As you see
there is also there's a transmission lines along to the west and also to the south. So these are the these will be connect backs to this new substation. Currently it's connected to the existing station.
>> I like your suggestion about using the abandoned uh station as uh your mitigation area. >> That would do two things. get rid of some very old uh equipment and also
provide something uh that the commission would love to see and plus we don't have to have so many trees cut down. >> Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Okay, do we have any other
questions or comment? Oh, Richard, you have your hand up. You had your hand up, right, Richard? >> Yeah, I'm still mute. Okay. >> Yeah. The the former substation that you were offering to remove, that's not near the wetland buffer, is it? Cuz it looks like it's about 10 or 12 feet higher
than the new station you're putting in. Is that correct? >> It is a little bit higher. It is to the side. Uh it is not connected, unfortunately. But it that area has been clear. Um the topo itself I want to say is a little bit misleading because they
fly it. This framed area within the chaining fence this whole area is flat but there is storm water coming down from the hill into this area. >> Okay. >> So if we dig it down um that will make a good location for it as they will be
able to collect some runoff into it as well. >> Okay. But it wouldn't be connected to the existing wetland would it? We're not correct. You're correct. >> All right. And I I mean, I myself, if we're
getting rid of just under an acre of wetland, I'd like to see an acre of replication area rather than a small area in an upland that we're making a pocket that may or may not become a wetland and is not attached to the
existing wetland. I mean the trees will come back and they'll just come back as wetland species rather than facultative or upland species that are there. Now looking at it, I mean it's the the the
elevation there in that area would lead itself it looks like very well into making a replication area. So that that would be uh my two cents my comment for now. Madam Chair, >> thank you, Richard.
Um Teddy, you have your hand up. >> Thank you. Um yeah, so I was going to echo um Richard's comments and I was going to ask what area of wetland area is proposed to be impacted here
and how much replication area is there? So what you're looking at the green is the wetland permanent impact area. Um it's about 30,000 square feet which there's two option that we're we're
presenting on the table. One is to avoid massive of cutting of the existing mature tree. We're going to replace it in this locations and the other option we're showing previously was in this location here that is within the buffer zone. Um that
will require cutting down all the mature tree in this area um which we could replicate. It's about 34,000 ft that we're showing here. >> Okay. Thank you. That's all. >> You're welcome.
>> I want to just type in and say I thought we were looking at still doing both. I was hoping that we would also be looking at removing that in addition to this, looking at removing the former substation and using that
as a replication area in addition to this. Um, Mary, you have your hand up. >> When you started talking, I just took a bite. >> Sorry. >> Bad timing. >> Take your time.
>> That's okay. Yeah. So, I'm aligned I'm aligned with um Commissioner Burch on this as well. Um yeah, and of course, if we could get the abandoned substation as additional wetland, I I'd be happy with that. I I
don't care about the trees coming down and impact to the mature trees, but they will come back and they will come back as wetland species, >> and that's fine. Um, one question though I I had, well, maybe I have a couple questions. So, This is a uh distribution substation. Is
that correct? >> That is correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. And um this appears to be a significant expansion which you know sort of implies growth and whatnot. But is this based on 10y year, 5year, 15, 25
year plan u forecast? Uh I'm just wondering if you're going to come back again in 10 years and have to like double it again. And I know you can't predict the future, but I'm just wondering what your plans are around. >> Sure. No, it's a great question. Uh, no, I would say this is more I mean, we're
talking 50 60 year time frame. Um, and if you look the the actual substation, the the steel and electrical equipment is shown in black. >> And there are there are some there's some grayed out equipment kind of a
light gray color. So that is that is future equipment. We're not putting that in now. >> Expansion opportunity >> this >> expansion without without expanding the site, right? So that's just, you know, if if the load in the area grows to the point where we need to add that
basically a second transformer and do additional circuits, then we'll do that. But we don't have to touch the site. So it's already designed for it. So this this site will last a very long time as is.
Okay. And um if we permitted this work uh when do you anticipate starting construction? >> Uh we are hoping to start um I'll call it this winter. I mean it could be January, February. Just depends on the
permitting schedule and you know material lead times. >> Okay. Very good. um as a as a resident and somebody who's actually uh plugged into that, I'm uh I'm very interested in seeing the the upgrades and modernization. So, thank you for that.
>> Welcome. Thank you. Yeah, this this will be quite an upgrade and it should positively impact reliability in the town. So, that's the goal. >> Very good. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Mary. Um Richard, you have
your hand up. Yeah, a couple other comments on the replication area. I noticed um that you have American elm and green ash, >> which I don't know if I would recommend the the green ash given that the emerald
ash bore is now um entrenched here in Massachusetts. And the elms too aren't generally long lived with um Dutch elm disease. even even um resistant variety elms still circum in a short period of
time. >> So we we come up our wetland scientists to prepare the this plans it's basic based on the New England wetland planting um obviously if the green ash it's not favorable with the commission
with the board. I mean, I'm sure there's other um vegetation or tree that we can replace with that is native as well. >> Yep. And I noticed you said you were working on this in January and February. Uh when were you going to be doing the
wetland replication? >> Um the goal is if we would move forward, we would like to do the replication area first. Um since there are some wetlands um will be impacting we would like to use some of
the soil there obviously minus the area that have invasive species that's going to off be transport offsite. So we would like to prep that area first and depend on the timing if the when we're done with the soil preps and the excavation
of the area if the timing is favor for planting we will otherwise we'll wait for the planting season next planting season for it. >> Okay thank you >> thank you Richard. Uh Mike you have your hand up. Yes, Madam Chair. I heard about
the starting potential starting time, but I didn't get an end date. Uh, how long will this project take? We start in January. >> Yeah, it'll generally take about four to six months of construction. So,
yeah. So, depending when we start, we would like to get it online by June. So, >> okay. Thank you. You're welcome. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Yep.
>> Do we have any other comments or questions from members of the commission? >> All right. Do we have any comments or questions from members of the public? All right. So we don't have a D file number on this is my understanding
as of right now. Um so we cannot vote um on this tonight. So we will have to continue. Um so
I would like to see both replication areas. Speaking for myself, um I'd like to see that former substation removed. Does anybody else from the commission have any comments or otherwise or four?
>> I agree with you, Madam Chair. >> Uh yeah, I think Teddy, Richard, >> I agree. >> Okay. Thank you, Mary. >> And I as well. >> Thank you, Mike. Okay. So, um
I know on your plan I I didn't realize that you were saying either or maybe um I know we have both on the plan. >> Would we be willing to keep both on the plan? >> Um I think we can probably do something
similar to that. Yes. Um we'll definitely able to remove the materials from the formal stations. Um and I think we can probably commit to wetlands restoration in their areas too.
>> Okay. I think we as a commission we would very much like to see that um for the next >> yeah we would need to go in and do in that locations um we would need to go in and do testing as well. >> Okay.
>> Mhm. >> Okay. Um, so for right now we have to continue to the next meeting >> because there's no D number. Oh, right. You have your hand up. >> Yeah. Had her presented any comments?
>> Oh, yeah. Her I have to remember to ask you if you have comments. Her I'm so sorry. Her do you have anything you would like to add to this or questions? >> No questions. I met Tang on site. Um we
discussed um just compaction staging and all the other options that were available for the site. Um it's a utility site for unitel so their work is pretty standard. Um I was under the impression that she
wanted the replication to be that of that substation and null out the original plan. But given the amount of square footage um of permanent encroachment into the wetlands, I think it's appropriate to have both settings. I'm pretty sure she has to talk to her
client in order to get this approved, >> but I think it would be um it would be in good standing for them to actually um move forward with both areas. >> Yeah, I don't have a problem doing both. I think it does move sides.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Hill. And thank you Nathan. Okay. So, um, do we have any other questions or comments before I put forward a motion to continue >> or ask for a motion to continue?
>> Okay. >> Um, Madam Chair. >> Yes. just um maybe when the and this may have already been said but just to clarify expectations uh when the um applicant comes back uh having some alternate um wetland uh tree species I
think would be advisable. >> Oh yeah, thank you Mary. >> Sure. >> Okay. Yeah. Um, and do we have any suggestions or would you or will they just would you'd rather just meet with your wetland scientist and see?
>> Yeah, I would. Um, if you know if you have a pre prefer tree type species, uh, I we're happy to take into considerations, >> Richard, do you have any suggestions? >> Uh, you know, the wetland scientist has been out there. I haven't been out in
this exact spot. I mean they should be planting back from a pallet of what is in the area. >> Okay. >> Good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So I think I'm looking for a
motion to continue. Uh do we I think we'll probably have a D number by June 3rd for our June 3rd meeting. >> I hope so. >> Yeah. >> All right. Do I have a motion to continue to June 3rd 2026?
>> Richard, >> I was also going to comment if the wetland scientist is going to be reviewing the tree species if they could review the density as well so that the density matches. >> Uh it it does look a little on the light side for um what I remember the plant
material and the density out in that area. >> Well, we'll have a I will have a discussion with him on that. I know that he have went through it based on the recommendation of the New England um
handbooks on per acre type of um between zone one and zone two. Um just >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It should just match with the conditions that are currently on site,
not necessarily just a a blanket template for Massachusetts. I will have him I will have him to um take a look at that and see how is that comparable to our current proposal. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Okay. Thank you, Rich. All right. Motion to continue. Do I have a motion to continue? I know you you did it, but let's do it again. Daddy motion to continue to choose to change June 3rd. >> Second. >> Thank you. Roll call vote. Mike Lar
>> I. Andrea Bernap, >> hi >> Teddy Det. >> Hi >> Richard Burch. >> Hi >> Mary Wilson. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. Okay. We will see you June 3rd, 2026. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you so much.
>> Okay. Moving on to continued public hearings. Um, pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended in the town of Lunenburgg wetlands protection and municipal bylaws, we have a notice of intent by
Daniel and Rachel Brackett for a common driveway at 860 New Towns and Road. I did see that um Ryan Proctor put in a note that he would like to continue to the June 3rd 20 26 meeting.
>> So moved. Okay. >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Roll call vote. Um, Mike Larouche. >> I. >> Andrea Bernat. >> I. >> Teddy Det. >> I. >> Richard Bers. >> Hi. >> Mary Wilson.
>> Hi. >> And I for myself. All right. Um, up next, pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended and the town of Lunenberg wetlands protection and municipal bylaws, the notice of intent by Mike Pataski for the construction of a single family home with a garage at
922 Flatill Road. Do we have the applicant or representative on the call? >> Yes, here James Benos. >> Okay. All right. Um do you would have anything that you would like to share?
>> So uh >> sorry James Venasa um actually worked with the applicant. Uh Larry Green the engineer had something come up today and asked me to to step in and uh just attend the meeting. He I believe he sent over the the latest revisions yesterday.
Do you have those or do you need me to put those up? >> Um can you put them up? I looked in the um I was looking in open gov before the meeting to see if there's anything. I
didn't think I saw anything >> new on this one. >> Yeah, Mike Paskki was has been out. He was the one that's been uploading, but they said that they he thought that he emailed it over to the board. >> So, I in an email from from Larry.
>> Yeah. But >> I don't um yeah, you can just share with us and then if um Herllin did receive it, she can add it into open gov. But uh we don't it has to see it when it gets into open gov. >> Okay.
>> Did you receive anything? >> Yes. So um Larry emailed me today and said that the client was going to upload it, but I never saw it. So I uploaded it myself to OpenGV before the end of the day. >> Oh, wait. Also, if I just refresh, maybe
it's there. >> So, if you change the options to newest, there should be something. Um, the most recent update was from me. >> There it is. >> Under attack. >> Yeah. So, you uploaded it like an hour
after I looked. >> Okay. >> All right. Okay. Yeah. But I'm gonna You can share your screen and give us the the overview. >> So, can can you see my screen now? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. And so I believe to what Larry said, Larry told me was that
uh I believe as far as the plan, the scope of work and everything has already been discussed and and he's already went through all of that. Um I think the only thing that was left outstanding was the riverfront impact table that was added to the plan I guess was requested the
last at the last hearing. >> So that was that was added in there. um really between you know uh 0 to 100 there's about 311 uh square feet of lawn that's been added um 100 to 200 um there's about 2,000
less square feet of of lawn and about 1,200 square f feet more of of of building. Um obviously from before and now everything would be treated all the runoff all the effluent everything is all treated and and you know put back
obviously into the ground through infiltrators or stone. Um so you have the infiltrator that is in the front area here that square and then along the driveway there's a stone going around the driveway to infiltrate the driveway
going back in. So slight slight increase of building area, a little bit less lawn, but I think still still an overall improvement from from what it is what it is today. Um I'm sure he already told you, but we we already received everything from ZBA. I think we have
building permit and everything. So it's it's gone through all the other boards. I think that at this point it's kind of been vetted out and this is the last this is our last stop. So, I'll leave it at that and see if there's any other qu any questions from from the board. >> All right. Yeah. Can you keep scrolling
over to those calculations again? >> Yeah. >> Just so I can >> Yeah, absolutely. >> Look at them. Thank you. Okay. So, existing condition in the 0 to 100. >> Yeah. >> All right. Yep. I was reading it backwards and wait. So, proposed wait.
So existing condition is showing less lawn than there would be proposed. >> Is it? >> Go ahead. >> Um the house is moving back though toward the river,
right? >> I believe so. Yes. >> How is there >> Well, the existing home is being de is obviously being demoed from >> Okay. But the the home is is larger and
it's moving closer to the water. Although it's and can you um >> back to this. So you know it is moving back. It's that you know the building and building driveway has more square footage obviously existing building and
driveway was 960 proposed is 2141. existing proposed broken proposed building and driveway. >> Okay. Do we have any questions for members of the commission while I make my brain work? No.
Okay. >> Madam Chair, I do have one question or yes, I think it's one. So, on the drawing, if you could zoom back out on the drawing. Um seemed like there uh you were showing uh trees along the perimeter of the um
property. >> Yeah. >> Are those going to be in are you going to be planting those or is that showing the trees that were removed? >> Um you know what if Bob Corey is on the line as well? He would actually know a
little bit better than I would if you can can Bob see at the at the last meeting they had proposed planting trees right there. >> Um >> I I am I am here also. >> I don't know if you can hear me. >> Yep. Yes.
>> Um yeah. Yes. So there was four trees. If you're looking at it from the street side looking down at the house on the left hand side there was going to be four new trees planted. There was six that were taken down and four new trees on the left hand side. had a sycamore,
two apples, and a flowering tree. And on the right hand side of the lot would be some abberites. And then also probably up along the front, you know, walkway, there'll probably be a a planter or something, you know, maybe, you know, something along those type lines, you
know what I mean? >> So those those four trees are are to be planted. >> Yes, correct. >> And is there a schedule that shows what the tree varietals will be? What what the what going to be? >> What you just said is that on the
drawing somewhere. >> Uh I'm not sure that it's on the drawing, but I know we did discuss it at the last meeting also and it was it was explained that that's what those were going to be. >> It is. It is on the drawing. >> It is on the plan. Proposed apple tree. Yeah. Magnolia apple tree.
>> Okay. Yeah. >> Okay. No more questions, Madam Chair. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Um, do you have any other questions for members of the commission?
Do you have any questions or comments from members of the public? Okay. Um, I said I'd be looking for I mean this is we've received what we asked for at the last meeting. So looking for a motion to approve.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. Mike LaRouche. >> I. >> Andrea Bernett. >> I. >> Teddy Ducet. >> I. >> Richard Bers. Hi, >> Mary Wilson.
>> Hi. >> And I for myself. >> Thank you, board. >> All right. Thank you so much. Have a great night. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> No, you're going to have because Apple treat.
>> Okay. Um, up next we have a pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended in the town of Lunenberg wetlands protection and municipal bylaws. Um, a notice of intent by the town of Lunenburgg
conservation commission for the construction of an ADA parking and reconstruction of an existing hiking trail at 1625 Mass A. I know that we have the applicants here.
Um, is Harland, you have your hand up. >> Hi. Um, Greg Roy requested a continuence for June 30th or 3, not 30th. I apologize. >> All right. Do I have a motion to continue? >> Oh, Madame Chair. >> Yes. >> I will not be here June 3rd.
>> Oh, okay. We definitely want you. >> Yeah, I I think I'm I'm kind of a key participant. What's what's the math meeting? >> It's going to be 6:17 probably if my math is mathing. >> Yeah, I would like to recommend uh or
request a u a continuence to the 17th of June. >> Okay. Um Harlin, can we just update Greg? He'll probably be here anyway. I'm shocked that there's no one to listen right here tonight. Um yeah, can we just
ask I let her let Greg know that we'd like Mary to be there. So, we'll continue to June 17th. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Motion to continue to June 17th. Do I have a motion?
>> All right. That's Teddy. >> Is there a second? >> That's Mike. >> All right. Um, roll call vote. Mike LaRouche. >> I. >> Andrea Bernap. Hi. >> Eddie Ducet. >> I. Richard Bers.
>> I >> Mary Wilson >> I >> and I for myself. Okay, that is June 17th 2026. Um the next one was continued.
Uh so up next we have pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended in the town of Lunenburgg wetland's protection of municipal bylaws uh a request for determination of applicability by Bradford Kennedy for the reconstruction of a retaining wall
at 17 Crocker A. I do see that we have the applicant on the on the call. >> Yes. >> Hello. Okay. Are you representing? Are you going to speak for yourself? >> Yes.
>> Okay, great. Okay. Um, so I know we continued the last meeting, right? Because I don't think you were able to make it the last meeting. Um, do we have Hold on. I have the notes here.
I believe maybe I don't where did my notes go and where we left off it was being filed as an RDA and then do we have should I share the plan? Yes, I do have I they're part of the um
uh stuff that I filed with um the conseration Yeah, the conservation commission. Um I do have the plot plan I can show you. I'm not sure I know how to do that, but we'll try.
>> Um let me see what's in attachments here. >> Yeah, >> let's see. I know we have some stuff. Let's see. Site plan. Yeah. >> Yep. And I see you uploaded some a photograph. >> I put in a a bunch of photographs.
>> Okay, let's start. Let me start with the site plan. >> Okay, I'm going to share my screen. Okay. So, let me just flip it
to the right. I guess it doesn't want to do it. All right. So, this is the existing house. And where is Here's the lake. So this is Lake Wham.
Um this is the wall right here. >> Yes. >> And is it this right here? Is it 90 >> ft? Yeah. Okay. >> And the other the other section is 99
ft. >> Okay. And it's it's staying in the exact um footprint. >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Um do we have any questions for members
of the commission? >> Um Madam Chair, >> yes. Uh are any uh trees or other types of habitat uh being disturbed um on a permanent basis for this? >> Yeah, in the gap that you see between
the two sections of wall, there's a tree right in the middle there that I've left and I don't plan on taking it down or impacting that. >> Okay. U >> and the rest of the trees. So there's no other trees
even coming near what we're doing. And um we're not moving trees. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mary. Uh do we have any other questions for members of the commission?
>> Do we have any questions? Oh >> yeah. I als I also um after talking with uh the administrator I had my contractor quote to put in uh uh erosion control at
the 50 foot level which is the blue line. >> Okay, perfect. Thank you. >> Um Harlin, you have your hand up. Sure. I just wanted to reiterate to the commission that this was um brought
forth because I just wasn't sure um if it should be filed under a CAD or an RDA. We agreed it wasn't in the RDA because of the earth removal that happens when um taking down the wall in the 100 foot buffer.
It it's really tricky with this one because a lot of the walls seems to be out of the 100 foot buffer and it's just like a little bit of a corner on some cinder blocks that seem to be inside the 100 foot. I did speak to um Mr. Kennedy when he came into the office and I asked
if for some mitigation we can put some erosion controls up. Um and I think this is the best suitable outcome for this would be some erosion control as a condition to a negative determination for u Mr. Kennedy.
>> Awesome. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Um do you have any other questions for members of the commission? >> And do we have any questions or comments from members of the public? Do I have members of the public? I don't. Okay. Uh, I think I'd be looking for I know I'm looking for a
negative determination. Motion for a negative determination. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. Roll call vote. Mike LaRouche. >> I. >> Andrea Bernap. >> I. >> Teddy Ducet. >> I.
>> Richard Bers. >> I. >> Mary Wilson. >> I. >> And I for myself. >> Okay. Okay. So, that is a motion for a negative determination, which means that you can move forward. >> All right. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you so much. >> Mhm. >> Right. Have a great night. >> All right. Thanks, Brad. >> Yeah. We'll see you uh later, I'm sure. >> All right. Okay. Um, and then
pursuant to MGL chapter 131 section 40 as amended in the town of Lunenburgg wetlands protection and municipal bylaws, we have a notice of intent by Benjamin Builders at 56 Ruth Street. Um, I'm going to guess that Greg asked to have this one continued. Her
>> correct. >> Okay. And did he ask for 63? >> Yes, he did. >> Okay. Can I have a motion to continue to June 3rd, 2026? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All right. A roll call vote. Teddy Det
>> I. >> Andrea Bernard. >> I. >> Mike. >> I. >> Richard Bers. >> I. >> Mary Wilson. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. Okay. Continue to June 3rd.
Um, all right. Moving on to administrative determinations. We do not I mean we do have amended order of conditions, but that was earlier. Uh no extension request permits. Um we have a certificate of compliance at 12 Johnson
Street. Let me can you um let me pull up my notes again so I can have the notes that Harland sent up. Okay. Meeting. I love the meeting
materials, Harlin. They're awesome. Um, only I can open it. Download. Open. Okay. So, for 12 Johnson Street, we have uh notes from Herland. The
project was permitted in 2017 is now for sale. Existing house attached garage, driveway, and rear deck remain within the previously permitted footprint. Proposed addition and relocated shed shown on the site plan appear to have been constructed as approved with no observable encroachment into the 100t buffer zone beyond what was authorized.
No evidence of erosion, sedimentation, or unauthorized clearing was observed within the buffer zone or near the water line. Um, is there anything that else that you would like to add to that, Harland? >> Oh, sorry. I don't know why I raised my
hand. That was a mistake. Um, just general consensus. So, I I've noticed a few old um not so old orders that are outstanding and I think that I in my previous line of work, I've always developed a system to notify people that
order or conditions are valid for 3 years. Please notify us if you are going beyond this timeline to apply for an extension. and if your work is completed, please reach out to us for a certificate of compliance. So, I've actually put that in some some sort of
notification that goes out after my um initial inspection for erosion control so that folks can understand and we can kind of try to alleviate all these folks who are coming through with not so old orders but sort of old orders that
should really have been remediated a while ago. >> Yeah. Okay, >> that was just a small digression, but >> No, I think that's great. I know it'd be nice to not have stuff outstanding. For sure. Um Mary, you have your hand up.
>> Yeah, I just wanted to say how um awesome it is to have somebody in the office who's actually taken steps to proactively a avoid uh constant um problems and bottlenecks and whatnot. I really appreciate that. Thank you, Hurling.
>> Thank you, Mary. We're very happy to have you, Carolyn. Very happy. Okay. Um Okay. So, uh do we have any questions about the certificate of compliance for 12
Johnson Street or maybe motions? >> Motion to approve. >> Okay. Second. >> Second. All right. Um, roll call vote. Teddy Det. >> I. >> Andrea Bernap. >> Hi. >> Mike Larouche.
>> I. >> Richard Bers. >> Hi. >> Mary Wilson. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. All right. Um, we have no notices of project change. Uh, we do have a conservation administrative
determination at 30 Sunset Lane. Um and on the meeting notes, Harland has indicated two small pine trees approximately 3 to 6 in in diameter appear dead and the larger oak tree approximately 12 in in diameter exhibit significant deterioration at the base
including visible route cavity formation and evidence of wildlife activity con consistent with advanced decline. Um, did you have a recommendation for plantings? Wait, where are they?
>> Are they in the 30foot or >> Yes, these are in the 30 foot. So, they will be replanting as per our schedule. Um but these were the folks that were out here that were on the agenda also last um meeting where they started replanting the I think it was eight
trees already on the other side. They also own Yeah. So they also own 30 Sunset Lane as well. So we I will be working with them and for the 12 in they have to plant two trees and then one to one for the smaller trees.
>> Okay. Um All right. Do we have any questions for members of the commission? Okay. Do we have a motion? We approve conservation administrative determinations right?
>> Uh yeah, it's like a ratification, I believe. Yeah, Madam Chair, I would uh motion to approve. >> Okay. >> Second. >> All right. Uh roll call vote. Teddy Det. >> I. >> Andrea Bernat.
>> I. >> Mike Larouche. >> I. >> Richard Burch. >> I. >> Mary Wilson. >> I. >> And I for myself. Um up to enforcement. Uh, I don't believe that we have any
updates that we want to talk about on the meeting. Mary, you have your hand up. >> Well, it's not about enforcements. Um, Madam Chair, it's about the previous um topic administrative determination. >> Oh, yes. And and if I could uh through you or uh
you know address ask uh Rich and and Mike and some other people that have been on the commission longer than me. I I thought once upon a time we did not have to approve administrative determinations. Is that is that true or was I just so
new before we lost our office staff that I I can't remember? >> Uh no. We have to vote as a commission to ratify her decision. >> Okay. Ratify. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Thank you, Mary. >> Okay. Um, so as far as the violations, I
don't So, we don't have any updates for 314 Highland Street. Do you have you talked to them, Herlin, at all? >> I sent them an email, but I'm not sure how techsavvy they are. So, I'm just going to um uh send them Sorry. I am just going to give them a call.
>> Okay. >> Um and see, but I did raise my hand um because 1168 Massav there was a sidewalk that was performed and they are coming forth to the commission. I am hoping on June 3rd to discuss the plans for that
site. Um >> Okay. And then 715 Reservoir Road did approve the changes to the tree plantings as um requested by the commission. They just asked for an extension. Um I think during the last
meeting, Commissioner Burch asked for a 30-day remediation um turnover and they have ordered the trees, but it wherever they're ordering them from takes 3 weeks to get here. So, they were asking if they can get an extension into that, and I said I would
bring it forth in front of the commission to make sure. Um, I don't know if the commission is amicable or open to um extending or giving them a 60-day extension instead of the 30 days to finish this out. >> Okay. So, it'd be 60 days from the last meeting.
>> Correct. >> Okay. Um, I would be amendable to that, but I uh am just one person. I don't do we have any other comments or looks like Teddy is a thumbs up.
>> Um yeah adding a 30 days to it. >> Okay. All right. So it seems like we are in agreement that another 30 days. Um and then you can just follow up with them. Her >> I will. Thank you so much. >> Okay. All right. Thank you for that.
>> Madam Chair, do we have to vote on that? >> Oh, do we need to vote on that? I don't know. >> We can That was a decision of the commission, so we should >> Okay. Um All right. Do I have a motion?
>> All right. Don't jump at once. Can I have a second? >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Here we go. >> We're on delay here. >> Okay. You say I'm gonna Richard with the motion. Mike with the second. Roll call vote. Teddy Det
>> I. Andrea Bernard. >> Hi, >> Mike Larouche. >> I >> Richard Bur. >> Hi, >> Mary Wilson. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. Okay. Um, we do not under new business
have anything under old business. Um, I I don't even want to say the budget word. Um, we don't have anything. Do we have Oh, Harlin, you have your hand up. >> I am meeting with our finance director
Friday to go over our budget and I will hopefully be proposing um or presenting uh actuals for the accounts that we currently have and then a fiscal year 27 budget so that we can move that forward
before the end of June. >> Okay. So during the before the next fiscal year. Awesome. Yes. >> Okay. Did you say you're meeting with her on Friday or him? Is it her her? Right. >> It's a her. Yeah. On Friday. >> Okay. You're both on Friday.
>> Sometimes we work. So I say it's like incognito where sometimes we're in the office. It's just, you know, nature of the beast. Sometimes you have to come in. >> Oh, I get it. Yeah. Okay. Well, that will be exciting to have a budget. um or have I know we I guess we don't
really have a budget but there's there's things there's funds we just don't know what they are um okay we don't have any encroachment issues feel like we haven't had an encroachment issue for a long time um >> madam chair >> oh uh oh okay
>> well um just just so you know I the way the encroachments were as far as I'm aware that the the way the encroachments were working is the the chair prior to me being chair. Bub peas had uh a whole list of encroachments that he had uh
broken down into batches. And so we had gotten to almost the end of the second batch of encroachments. He was dealing with them uh batch by batch because there were so many. Um okay. and we had gotten to the end of the second one and
I and I think may have just dropped pursuing it uh due to office bandwidth. Um I don't think we ever well I know while I was chair we never got to the third batch and I don't happen to know where those files reside. Uh
>> that doesn't mean that they don't exist, right? That there aren't encroachments. It's just I think due to the turmoil of the office we we lost track of um of those pursuing that. >> Okay. Yeah. I was going to say because it feels like when I first came on the
commission there was a lot of what we were doing was encouragement at that time and it felt weird that there just was none again. Um but okay Harlin you have your hand up. >> Yeah. So I can add this to the list of things to get resolved. I can actually ask Bob who frequently stops by the
office to see where I think he did mention this to me sometime and said he met with legal and letters went out. So I do have some sort of memory of this but I can definitely add it to the list of things so that we can discuss it and maybe we can kind of pick up where we left off.
>> That would be amazing. >> Thank you Her and thank you for Mary for um bringing that to our attention. Okay. >> Pleasure. >> Hollis Road residents. Um I don't even
do we have a >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Do we have a um custodial lease yet from legal? Isn't that what we've been working on
for or are we not there yet? Are we still thinking about >> So Harlin has her hand up. I know the town manager um has ideas uh and there needs to be talks with
legal. Uh they've been very busy with the budget. Um but Herin, if you have things to add, please do. >> Sure. So there's a few things with this property. One being um just recently we had the water and heat shut off. Our
last bill came in at the end of in the beginning of May, probably two weeks ago or a week ago for $589 because the oil was an auto delivery and it's a minimum of like a 100 gallons all the time. Uh we were we are struggling
with um I think there's people potentially entering the home when um there's no cameras, there's no anything there. So that's a discussion we can have off the record um just because I don't want um to discuss the means of
people accessing the home. Um, so we had >> I just want to pipe in I have stopped by there quite I've been going there maybe twice a week >> and the doors are always locked. >> The doors are locked but there's other means of getting in. So when we go in
the lights inside are on um and there's other things I've gone in I've gone in with our building commissioner and I have gone in with our facilities director and we've all came to the conclusion that something is happening. Um, so we had the power, I believe, and
the heat turned off and the water. So, we need to keep that in mind come the end of the season to turn it back on. Um, then there's a vehicle that's parked there. Somebody mentioned that Commissioner Larouche had a connection with the person who left the vehicle there.
>> I'm meeting her there Saturday. >> Oh, okay. To pick it up. >> She is supposed to bring a battery for that vehicle. She's supposed to get the other vehicle in the back towed out and she is supposed to get all of her stuff from in there. >> Okay.
>> On Saturday. >> On Saturday. >> If all goes well. >> Okay. So, let me add that to the notes. And then lastly, when it comes to the lease agreement, this is a discussion where I would like
for those of you who have more uh >> Could I just um correct something for the record? It's a caretaker, not Yeah. custodian. >> A custodian agreement. So, according to the town manager, she has gone over the custodial agreement and the town council
has also gone over the custodial agreement. And there's very vague language in it that makes it seem like only the person that was originally the custodial the custodian of this property can be the custodian going forward. I I
can be completely transparent and I have not read this custodial agreement so I'm not really sure what it states and if there's any clauses but I do know that council comes in um I think twice a month to sit down and have um open hours. This would be a great opportunity
if somebody on the commission has some time to sit down with him and just say, you know, can you give us full transparency on what can be done with this property because I have spoken to the town manager about what the commission would like and she has told
me what she wants to do and we're not connecting. We're not on the same page. >> Okay. So, I actually have met with the um the town's attorney about this and he indicated to me that um you know the it
it's a custodian agreement and that it seems like it should remain a custodian agreement, but I don't want to it's been a while since I talked to him. It was actually last July that I talked to him. So, no, it was actually June. So, it's been almost a year since I talked to him. So, my
brain, you know, I might not be remembering things correctly. So, I will sign up for his office hours. Um, if anyone else is interested, um, I'll actually do it right now because she just sent one out for this month. Let's see. He'll be at the
library. >> We have had someone email us um, in regards to being the custodian of that property. Um, Madam Chair, I don't know if you've seen the emails. >> Yeah. I have uh yeah, we have we've
actually had two people inquire. It's just we're not we're not in a position right now to do it because we there's a lot of work that needs to be done obviously. Um you've been inside. There's
quite a bit of work that needs to get done. Um Oh, I missed the office hours. They are May 19th. Oh, I I can ask when the next one is. Um, and I do believe that there is something
within the home that needs to be replaced. And I I'm not sure if it's um >> there's many things that need to be replaced. So, if you go into the kitchen, the cabinets, if you're looking to the cabinets all the way to the left, the floorboard under the interior of the
cabinet is like collapsed. Looks like there's some water damage, which I don't fully understand because there's no water over there. Um, you know, the rugs need to be ripped out. The I know Mike has when we actually had the custodian
there, Mike was really on the lookout for cabinets like through Restore and places like that cuz that's a really good resource for cabinets. So, that whole those cabinets really need to be replaced. Um, I said rugs need to be
ripped out. There's the floor in that back room that needs to be replaced. There's quite a bit of things that need to be done in order to make it habitable again. And then there's also, you know, the discussion of what the what the market
rate is for that and how the if we were to go back that route again, how that would look um for hours, volunteer hours and things like that. So there's a lot to to really think about moving forward, but the if we are going to go that
route, we definitely need to make it habitable and and be good. Um is it are we landlords? I don't know how that works. I guess Yep. Madam Chair, uh >> yes,
>> according to Michael Gale, uh Haw account um has $26,68410. >> Yeah. >> At this point, we used to get $850 a month when the custodian was there, but
she hasn't been there since uh November. Correct. >> Yeah. Yeah, we haven't we have not been adding to that fund since then. >> And so it seems to me that um we and I
think I sent you a couple of names of other people who were interested in being a custodian for that property. Have you been getting those? And are you keeping list of those? >> Oh, no. I have two names. One came from
you. I don't remember another one, but that doesn't mean you didn't send it. >> I uh >> uh there's there's a lot of interest because the word is out that the house uh is vacant and um you know, I just um
you know, yes, we should clean the inside once we know everything is out. And I assumed everything was out. Um, even though it looks like we've given a lot of grace to the former
custodian. Um, and it it it concerns me that uh there's entry being made by unauthorized people in that. >> Yeah. I don't know how that's possible when the u director of facilities
replaced all the locks. Um in that building um granted there were some strange ways of entering into the building. You cannot enter the house by the basement cuz there's no entry point.
Uh there's a front door, there's a side door, and there uh is a glass sliding door. Uh, all the windows are lockable and there is that garage spot, you know.
Um, um, you know, perhaps they're getting in through uh the garage, but I thought, you know, and we can certainly check on that to make sure that that uh garage door is not operable from the former um
custodian. if that's, you know, because there's also a lock in the back of the house that attaches to that garage. So perhaps it's the actual garage door. And we can certainly
um make sure that if there's no electricity, that door is not going to allow you to open it. Uh is that what you said that the electricity has been turned off? >> Yes. Yes. So, there was a specific light in the front that you can't turn off.
>> So, we just took the bulb out, >> okay? >> Because the bills are coming in and they're very high still. So, we were trying to figure out how to reduce that. >> Okay. I can't imagine if you know you can unplug refrigerators
um given there's nothing in that refrigerator but you know whatever you decide to do to save a few dollars on uh operating costs um and um is the heating system shut off that
someone shut off Obviously if you shut off the electricity you shut off the heating system. Yes, the heating system was shut off. I when I went in there, I didn't see a thermostat, >> which was the most bizarre thing. >> There are two thermostats, one in the
living room and one down the hallway >> in that space, and they had been set for 55 degrees during the winter. Um but um and
so my recommendation is that since there's interest in a custodial arrangement for this property and that's what it was sort of designed with, even though we didn't have a lot of luck uh
um with our last custodian, it doesn't mean that we can't have better luck in the future. And given that other departments have looked at this building and it wasn't adequate for um um the um
a couple of departments who are looking at it for different usage and it doesn't seem like that has panned out. Um Hurland, did you have any other positive uh leads on potential uses for that
building? No, I honestly thought it would be a great idea for it to be a home for education. Like if we could host things there. Um I just I don't know what the clauses are in that deed because like
let's say we had the North County Land Trust could come and we could teach classes on forest legacy programs. they could use it as a space for something or even conservation or other um agencies within the town, but I don't know what
the clause is like. And that's also a drain on us. It's not necessarily for profit, right? So, we're not going to make any money on something that we're using for educational purposes unless we charge folks to use the space, which we can't do, >> right?
Um, so my recommendation is to get and sit down with um with our lawyer for the town and see what a new agreement would look like that is um you know, unless
these other things uh can be um looked at. Um um but there's no money that's going to come in from um education
or having um any other educational purpose usage for that building. So I can just see that we're not going to be able to replenish the haw fund um without having
a tenency uh whether it's called custodial and we get you know someone in to clean the space repair the things that need to be repaired so we can offer it uh to the
people who are interested and being custodians for that property. Um, that would be my recommendation. Um, and I'd be willing to help anyone, uh, since I am here, uh, spring and summer to make
that happen. Um, so we can, you know, turn the electricity back on. I don't even want to even consider what happens when a building is, uh, that no one's in it. uh what happens to the insurance? Are we still insuring the building or
was that the >> custodian who was doing that? You know, that these are all questions that our legal person should be able to tell us. Um because as Herurland has mentioned, it's costing us money having no one in
there. So, um please use me as a resource if you need help. I I certainly want to make sure that we one secure the building so no one's going in there uh unless they are authorized to do so. Um
um I don't know who has keys to the property. Um um I certainly don't have a key so I I have not been able to go inside the building. I I mowed the lawn recently and because I can do that without
entering the building and so there's are certainly some cosmetic things that need to happen so we can go forward um with uh this property to make it viable again. Um and as I said, I'm willing to
help. Um, all I need is, you know, if if you need me to go along with you, Jennifer, to um the lawyer and set up an agreement or what agreement he thinks we can set up for that property, I'd be willing to do that.
>> Um, >> yeah, we have to wait for a day because I don't have a new schedule yet for the lawyer, but when I can sign up for one, >> okay, >> I'll definitely let you know. >> Okay. Are you willing to do that with me? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> I'd love to have you along. >> Okay. Um, you know, now that winter is o over seems like this is the time to um get this plan together and um so we can
continue to maintain a building that's in our custody essentially. We're the custodians of this building. it comes as part of of of the you know the the pollinator habitat.
You know, it would be nice to be able to um um and which we've done. We've kind of incorporated the shed so they can use it, but once again, the property is pretty big and u there should be people in it. You know, that's what we should decide to do.
>> So, uh I've said enough. >> All right. Thank you, Mike. Andrew, you did you have your hand up for a little while? >> No, I didn't. >> Okay. So, I'm just imagining it. >> Okay. Mary, um, you have had your hand up for a while. Thank you for your patience.
>> Oh, no worries. Um, I also kind of echo what Mike's saying, like if we have people that are interested, um, I really think we ought to be trying to get somebody back in there, uh, you know, as soon as we can because it's going to be in much better
shape if it's cared for, and if it's operated, if it's powered up, right, has heating systems and whatnot. >> And and the words are, "Winter is coming, Mike. We're in New England, so it's not it's not past us. winter is
coming and it comes really fast and so if there's interest I think we ought to be running towards that uh towards that interest particularly now that we've got the budget kind of the town meeting and whatnot behind us we should be trying to see what we can do
>> to get somebody in that property you know ASAP >> that's just you know my interest there >> yeah um I'm coming around to it I uh you know it's not it's a lot of it's
a it takes a lot of bandwidth I think to even with a even with the best custodian in the world there's still going to be things that are going to need to be done and it is does take a lot of bandwidth to to have that like luckily we have Mike who's always been super helpful
there and Chris Ruth has also been very helpful um but you know I feel like it's a big ask sometimes to you know have Mike out looking for cabinets and and I I know Mike, you say you're happy to to help, but you know, it's just I really
don't have the bandwidth for something like that. So, I try as much as I can, but you know, even meeting with the the custodian who blows me off all the time. Um, but yeah, we're we have to figure this out and we have to figure it out
soon. So, um, I will the right when they say that there are hours for the town attorney, Mike, I will set something up and I will I'll check with you and make sure you're available. Um, and I'll set something up and we can go talk about it.
>> All right. And if anyone else is interested, obviously you're all invited. Big party. All right. Helen, you have your hand up. >> Uh, one last thing. So oftent times I notice with situations like this um it feels like um console kind of stalled a
little bit when we ask for input. Um so maybe we can rephrase the request and say we need a template for like a standardized template for a potential tenant so that he can just give us one
and then we can tweak it to the likings and say this is who we're going to move forward with. Here you go. this is all the information with the person's name and the template and what we're requiring, you know, how do we make this happen? I think that oftentimes I email
them with like, hey, what are your suggestions? And I don't hear back, but I think when we have like very specific requests, they tend to kind of respond a little sooner. >> Okay, >> that's a great suggestion. >> Yeah.
And I we do I mean if this is something it sounds like we are all in like at this point kind of in a consensus on that this is most likely the path forward. We need to prioritize also getting it fixed up because I would
never want anyone to move in or even like there's a lot of work that needs to be done before it would be habitable. So maybe we start prioritizing that. Um, I can talk to you about that, Mike, offline cuz you think you may have
someone who can help work on >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. Um, because obviously it's there's different ways of doing things with municipalities. Um, >> um, Madame Chair and and and and Mike also, I mean, it's not out of the
question. I don't think that if we had an interested party that was interested, motivated, and wanted to get in there and take that on themselves that they might could they can negotiate with us for a couple of months sprint. Um, you know, I'm just saying that as a not
as a couple of months as a specific number, but that's also a creative way to help ease the burden on the commission and get a caretaker in there sooner, right? You mean like to negotiate helping out with the um
revival? >> Yeah. >> And to in order to get in there? Yeah. I was thinking that um do you think that >> um I think there are a lot of things a custodian could do. um uh you can't ask
them to do things that are require licenses like electrical or >> uh but you know uh leaving those aside certainly cosmetic work uh can certainly be used as the custodial
hours that they would be putting in in order to get a good rate for the house. Certainly I think that's uh something we could talk to legal about. um and give us some direction on how that could
work. Um and there are certainly people who are very talented whether it's um you know that don't require licenses as I said you know cosmetic work some people are very good at that and uh that
could ease a lot of of anxiety about um much of that bringing back that building back where it should be for someone to be comfortable living there. Do do we happen to know uh if the custodian is prohibited from hiring
their own contractors to uh do like cleaning work in the house? >> I I don't know that. Um that's why I think it would be a good question to ask Adam Costa a legal person.
>> Yeah, that's Adam Costa. >> Okay. I'm sure he would know that. Uh, >> oh, >> I mean, one recommendation was just to get, you know, surf pro, someone who just goes and cleans
um a place and, you know, maybe they can um do some super superficial um cosmetic work. I don't know exactly if they if they do that or they just do cleaning. would be something I could I'd
be glad to call and find out what they do and what they charge. So, at least we have a number of, you know, bringing um um the the building back to at least some sort of standard that we can uh go
from. Um and you know, once again, we'll just get an estimate of what it would cost um for that to happen before it happens. So we we'd be at least in the know of what it would cost and what they
would actually do. Um so we can understand what it is uh these companies do as far as um bring a building back to you know they they certainly restore things after things like fires and or
floods. uh they could certainly advise us of what it would take to bring you know the building back. It may not be so much given that we haven't had a fire, we haven't had a flood. So it's, you know, just um superficial cleaning that
would have to start from, you know, ceiling to floor. Um, and you know, we we certainly have a person that um Chris Ruth uses uh routinely for smaller kinds
of repairs. Uh he's a painter uh but he also does other kinds of work for the town and for the department, for the facilities department. So, I'm sure I could ask Chris to see if uh that person might, you know, once the building is
clean and uh go in and say, "All right, this needs to be done." And give us some sort of idea of what things uh could be done uh that may require electrical or plumbing um and and go from there. get
it to a point where at least we feel comfortable giving it to a person uh in a custodial um manner or uh that they could continue if they wanted to do more painting and
more upgrades that are um that fit their level of expertise. That would be my recommendation. >> Okay. Um I think as far as surfer I did I mean I did reach out to that company in Fitchburg. They didn't get back to
me. I think they were in Fitchburg. Okay. >> Um I didn't reach out to Serpro. I can um or you can ServePro though I think that they would consider this more of a a hazardous site which is actually more expensive usually with them than a
flutter fire. >> Okay. Well, I'll I'll I'll certainly make inquiries on your behalf and find out um and you know before we spend anything um I will find out what the estimate is, what it would cost to bring someone in
there or if they will give us someone to look at the property and then give us an estimate. Um sometimes companies will do that so we can find out. Yeah, that would be that would be good. Um I Heron,
have you have you ever seen all the paperwork for the history of the property? >> No, >> I can send it to you if you feel like going through it. It's um it's a lot, but there it's it is informative. Uh
it's like paperwork throughout the years. It's not a ton. you'd probably get if you were if you were inclined. >> Yeah, I'd read it if you send it over. I know that I've looked through some files um that we have in the office, but none
with like the history of it. >> Yeah, it's kind of like a a bunch of stuff that here I'm going to forward it to you right now. Um, it has like from the inception to
recently all of like some c custodian agreements like the the deed restriction things like that. So I'll send that over to you. Um, okay. Yeah. So I think the my one thing is I know we have people
who are interested. I don't I that's the thing is do you think that people would look at it right now and say yeah I want to this is something I'm interested in because I feel like I don't know maybe it's just me but if I were to go
look at it I would think wow this needs like a lot of work before it's habitable so I don't know if we're at a spot where we could say hey are you do you want to come in and help us clean this up and and live here cuz it
I'd like to get before you do that, I'd like to get someone in to give me an idea of what it's going to take to bring it back >> to a point where someone would be able to get in and say, "I can do this or I can't do that." >> Okay.
>> I don't think we're there yet. >> Okay. >> Makes sense. All right. Caroline, you have your hand up. I was just wondering, so the person who used to live there is going to remove u their items this weekend, right? >> Yeah. Okay,
>> that is the plan. >> Um if all goes well, if she if they're not removed >> but this weekend, they're going in the dumpster. >> And is that somewhere in writing to her? >> Yes. >> Okay. I only asked because I think it looks a lot worse because it has a bunch
of stuff in it. I think that once you get everything out of it, so would it be a good idea to potentially think of getting a dumpster and just like putting everything to the trash just so that it's a clean slate? >> It looks really bad because it has a lot of stuff in it right now.
>> Yeah. So, but all the stuff is in the front. Um, they did clean out the back of it, but if you go into the back, there's like the I mean the rugs are they need to be pulled up. There's water damage all over one of the floors and it smells um like bad. Like that's the
thing that really is going to have to be remediated is that that it smell it's it doesn't smell great in there. Um but the town has offered us a dumpster if we need it. I'm hoping that um the
tenant will come, the previous custodian will come and get their stuff this weekend and then the antique car needs to get towed out of there. Um I've talked to the previous custodian and let them know that we have people
interested, so it really needs to get out of there or it will be going cuz at first we had told her by April 15th. Um then you know things got busy and now we're you know way past that. But and then the other thing is that that car
she did try to start it when I was there with her recently and it wouldn't start. So she said she was going to bring a battery and drive it away and that it it's still registered and it's her summer car. So hopefully after Saturday that portion is done.
Okay. Um, do we have anything else on Hollis Road? Mike you're >> okay. All right, we will we'll get there now that the weather is nicer. Um, okay. So, committee reports master plan isn't
meeting right now, Teddy. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um, anything fun from open space, Andrea? Um, yes, we did have a meeting last week and um we were joined by Steven Wallace,
the planning director. Oh, nice. >> And he had kind of an interesting um idea that um had been done where he worked before the community he used to work in. um used to go to the town
and ask, excuse me, ask for a small amount of money um maybe a couple thousand dollars every year um to put in a conservation fund. And that way um you know, when land comes up, we actually have we might have
some money to do something with. And what they would do is um actually um pay for a land appraisal. Um and at that point apparently that um is a kind of a good indication to a a
land trust that um you know we have they we have buy in um if they if they were going to apply for a rant, excuse me, a grant, it shows that you know we have we have the interest and we're willing to
um partner with them. So, I thought that was pretty interesting and we'll see what comes of that if we're able to do that. >> All right. That's that is interesting. >> All right. Awesome. Thank you, Andrea. Y
>> um we had storm water on Monday night and we did get our updated um GIS records for the impermeable area at um our in the commercial properties in
town. So we started going over what the plan would be um for the utility fee based on those um calculations. And uh we're going to talk about that more at the next meeting. That's really all we
went over at that meeting. Do we have any other communications or public comment? I know we don't have any public comment. Well, we do have a member of the public on the call, which is we have Brad Coons on the call, um who I said was interested in possibly
joining conservation. And I don't know if you're interested in saying anything, Brad. Um, if not, that's fine. But you did make it through the whole meeting, so that's impressive. Thought you fell asleep.
Okay. Um, do we So, do we have any communications? Oh, I do want to um remind everybody that tomorrow at noon we do have the uh
riverfront lunch and learn with uh Mike Tuhill from Open Space. He has gener generously, oh my gosh, generously um he's giving us his time and he's going to give us a training on Riverfront and I know it'll be amazing
cuz I've heard really good things about him. and Brad, you're welcome to join in that if you're listening. Um, >> Madame Chair, do we have permission from Mike to uh record it so that future commissioners can listen to it? >> We do. Yes.
>> Awesome. >> Yep. And um Yep. So, it's at noon. I think that that was better than trying to do like an off cycle. And um I think that was better for Mike, too, which is great. And uh he has a whole plan. I
think it'll take probably he said roughly 45 minutes to an hour. It starts at noon. The agenda is on the website cuz technically it's a meeting. Um so the Zoom link is right there on the town website with our agendas. It's it says Lunberg Conservation Commission special
meeting and um Herllin remembered to get that out without any prompting or anything. She just did it. She had it on her calendar and she remembered to do it which was amazing. And um I think that that is
it for me for communications. Anybody else? All right. Um our next meeting is It says 5:21 at 12. Uh I believe it's uh 6:30 at 12:00 p.m. by Zoom. Uh no, I'm
sorry. Thursday 5:21 is correct, Harlin. I am so silly. Um, Thursday 521 at 12:00 p.m. by Zoom is correct. Thank you. Um, and with that, I think unless anybody has anything else they'd like to add,
I'd be looking for a motion to adjurnn at 8:53 p.m. on May. >> Second. >> All right. Roll call vote. Teddy Bet. Hi. >> Andrea Bernap. Hi. >> Mike Lish. I >> Richard Burch. >> Hi
>> Mary Wilson. >> Hi. >> And I for myself. All right. Thank you so much everyone. Um hope to see you tomorrow for the lunch and learn. See you