shortly, but we've got a quorum, so why don't we get underway? So, good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the November 18th, 2025 meeting of the Milton Conservation Commission. Members um are appointed by the select board to implement the rules and regulations of
the state wetlands protection act and the Miltontown bylaw governing the wetlands. Uh two issues of uh formality and uh regularity. The first is that we encourage every everyone to speak, to ask questions, to make comments, but because it's a public meeting and it's
being recorded, we do ask that you identify yourself. The second is we introduce ourselves. My name is John Kieran. Let me just read across the top. Steve, >> uh, Steve Ibvis, conservation agent, >> Hans Hans Van Lingan, commission member.
>> Phillip >> Philip Driscoll, conservation clerk. Tom >> Tom Palmer member >> Charlie >> Charlie Bosworth commission member >> Ingred >> Ingred Batty Commissioner >> and I now see Arthur Doyle has joined
us. So Arthur are you there? >> Arthur Doyle commission member. >> Hi good evening. I don't see Wendy but uh I'm I'm sure she'll be able to join us as as soon as she can. So uh we're underway and uh first on the agenda is Holland Street Extension. This is a
Beaver Dam uh removal. This is an emergency certificate that started uh a week ago Thursday when um uh we were alerted by um Richard Wells that there was some uh complaints of flooding on in the area of Mingo Street and Park
Street. Um and I know that DPW responded and the conservation commission responded and uh coordinated. We tried to coordinate with um everybody at uh with the stakeholders uh including DCR uh and they have gone out and um they
actually uh I think filed a contract um with somebody that may be here tonight. I hope they are. Um and then we issued an e emergency uh certification to get underway so that it could be done um immediately to prevent any flooding
issues in the area of park and um uh bingo. And as a consequence, the regulations allow for the emergency certification which was issued last uh Friday. And then uh uh they require that at the next public meeting that the
applicant come in and um sort of just justify in retrospect um the uh the application and I hope we can get underway. Is there somebody here for DCR andor Yes. Christopher Durk? Yes, that's the person that I know you were down
there and you saw Steve on site I think. Uh >> yeah, I recognize a few of your faces. Yeah, we've been uh managing this site for uh for a little while now and um we did apply for and received an emergency certificate on Friday as you said to uh uh breach three beaver dams um that are
in sequence that are downstream of the Harland Street culvert and upstream of Cantav. Um the furthest one downstream had about 2 foot n hydraulic height on it. Um, the one that Steve and I were standing next to was about 6 in of hydraulic height. And then there's one more beaver dam between that and the
covert that was uh it was actually at water height due to the downstream beaver dams, but that will obviously be exposed as water levels are lowered. So, uh, our plan is to, uh, to slowly breach the dam to get water levels back down to alleviate the flooding. And is that if
if the dam that you were standing next to is 6 in, does that mean that the other two plus um feet is at a different dam or a series of dams? How how does that work? >> There was a series of three dams there between Harland Street and Canton. The furthest one downstream had a hydraulic
height of 2 foot n from where the water level was to the lower stream bed. >> Wow. >> Um and so it was 2 foot n then 6 in and the furthest one upstream was at water height. So that had no hydraulic height when we first reported out to the site about a week and a half ago.
>> All right. And and for the public's benefit and other commission members, we did receive three video uh tapes of the the flooding that the video tapes were a little bit difficult to kind of set the scene. It was difficult to you could see the flooding right in front of you, but
you didn't know where it was in terms of, you know, the the central geography. Um but Steve, you were down there and what what did you see? Uh yeah, I I I saw flooding. Um I saw the sec the middle dam, I guess
you would call it, Christopher, right? I saw the middle dam >> and um went over to Mingo and Park and water was back, but it didn't affect any of the homes or residences or
anything else in that area. >> I may chime in chime in a little bit too. Historically, when we've had issues of the culvert getting clogged with buber debris, um it's the last house on the right on Harland Street that gets affected first from just the last, you
know, 18 months of man managing the site. >> Yep. >> Now, just so that we're clear when you say >> I have a question. Uh >> yeah, go ahead. >> Has anything been done and what has been done? >> Uh we're uh breaching the dam. So, I
reported to the site on Friday. um took a a couple of cuts into the lower dam and in sequentially all three beaver dams um to let it down, start letting it down slowly and we've continued that uh with my wildlife contractor this week. So, they've been on site uh uh let's
see, what are we Tuesday now? Both days this week. >> And Tom, for your for your benefit, and I don't know if you received this, but uh we did receive a letter from the uh Chris, help me out. What's the name
of the um integrated services? Is it >> Integrated Wildlife is the state's contractor? And there's also another contractor involved there, Beaver Solutions, too, that we use all over the state to manage um beaver issues. >> All right. And when we received the the
request for an emergency certification, we also received some terms and conditions. Uh and Tom, I I for your benefit, I think it would be important to to all of us actually, but it's potentially to you that only hand tools were to be used in terms of uh breaching
the dam and there was no heavy equipment brought in at all. Um I I didn't I couldn't see it. Um say it again. And show me again. >> He lost his audio, John. >> Oh, was that what it said? No audio.
>> Yes. >> Well, in any event, I think we'd all be concerned with uh that issue that only hand tools would have be used to breach the dam and any kind of removal of daas uh beavers has to go to the board of health. Uh Chris, do you know if that
application is made for a a permit to the board of health? Uh we uh applied to the board of health to lower the water specifically and uh we were told back that they did not want to get involved. Um so we took the emergency we got from conservation commission and proceeded
there. As far as removal of beavers goes that's require board of health is required to approve that when it's out of season like an emergency certificate. Uh we're currently in an active beaver season beaver trapping season. Oh, so you don't need an emergency certification from the board of health
to trap the beavers. >> Not in season. Yeah. Which started November 1st. >> And how long does that season run for? Is that a 3-w week season or what? Do you know? >> I don't know the top of my head. It's longer than that. We usually um Yeah, I can look it up. One second.
Usually, uh when things freeze over, that usually is what stops us. >> All right. >> April 15. It's november 1st through April 15th. >> Oh, that's a that's a pretty long season. >> Yeah, but like I said, usually once it
freezes over, it's becomes almost impossible to trap. So, it's usually a this time of year kind of a thing. >> Um, understood. Now there there's one other um contextual um it's not an issue but just a fact that we should all be familiar with is that about two years
ago uh DCR had a a permit application a notice of intent that we approved and they actually reconstructed the dam at the culvert that goes underneath Canton Avenue and you know discharges into Pope's Pope's Pond. So when Chris was
when you were referring to a culvert, that's not the culvert that you're referring to. That's upstream probably about halfway between the Canton Avenue culvert and the Anquity um Anquity Road, Holland Street, the major DCR dam. It's about midpoint in there. That's the
culvert that you're referring to. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh I believe you have a raised hand. >> Uh yes. Uh, and that looks like Mayor Kana. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Hello. Um, I'm Mayor. I work for the Neponet River Wershed Association. I'm the environmental science fellow. Um uh and my bosses couldn't make it to the call today, but um I just wanted to come on and talk a bit about like obviously
um beavers we we do see them as you know a very important part of the ecosystem and um having the potential to improve a lot of aquatic habitat. And um you know it would it would be nice um in the
future to think about more proactive ways to prevent beavers from like from clogging the culverts and and leading to the flooding. Um, and I know um some uh the DCR person uh Chris I believe
mentioned um the uh working with beaver solutions and I know they have a bunch of different um strategies not just related to trapping. So, um I was wondering if you if that was also an issue if that was something that you guys discussed using beaver
deceivers or pawn levelers. Um and trying to think of non-lethal ways. Um and also um >> mayor we have >> this is this is our third meeting on
this. Um about two years ago, the same culvert created a problem and DCR made application to the board of health to trap the beavers out of season. That was denied. So there were a series of
attempts by DCR and DPW got involved with that to try to continuously clear that. Then there was a second issue about 10 months ago and we had a series of floods last
last spring primarily but last spring and summer and we had eight occasions when uh Highland Street was flooded. And so the DPW got involved and DCR and we had a joint meeting DCR and DPW as well as the conservation commission were
present and um I had been at the and Arthur Doyle was there as well but I went to the workshop on on beaver control and uh Beaver Solutions was there and they made a there were two groups there. One was Beaver Solutions. I forget the other company. Um, but
beaver deceivers were discussed uh at at our request of the conservation commission DPW went to DCR and uh tried to use a beaver deceiver. So all of those techniques that you're referencing were considered by um the Milton
Conservation Commission, by the Department of Public Works, and by DCR. And uh they employed a couple of different um experts and they came in and said the dam at uh the the bigger dam. It's about 80 foot dam which is
upstream of the major dam which is at the intersection of Harland and Anquidy. That's a big one. >> Um and it it would not work. So that was our first solution. And Tom uh Palmer
was probably the the most um outspoken defender of beavers and the need to you know see if we could find a non-lethal way. We did search for that and it was a joint effort DPW mass uh uh DCR and the
conservation commission. So yes, we have considered all those and uh unfortunately the the beaver trapping it's a state regulation that we can't get around. We tried, we asked them to do a relocation, but the state law is that you cannot relocate a beaver.
>> So, we've all been confronted with this these issues. Um, and uh I'm sad to say we haven't come up with an alternative mechanism, but it's certainly been on our radar radar screen and the subject of three public meetings. It actually uh I I also attended the board of health
meeting as well where the permit to drop the beers was eventually issued. They denied it the first time and then they allowed it last I believe it was in June. Um, and I know Roy Chambers has been vocal at this and we've had a number of public meetings on the very issues that you bring up. So they're
they're very good points, but I didn't want you to think that we had not thought of it. >> Yeah. Um, thank you for letting me know about that. I definitely knew some of the history, but not all of it. So that's good to know. Um, and I know you mentioned that uh like you know you were reaching out to a lot of different stakeholders and people that are
involved. Um, and I I know at least speaking from um my organization's behalf, um, like I don't I I think we uh hope to be more involved in the future um and to also um give some input and uh
stand stay in the loop if possible. Um, and also I know that trying to monitor monitor this like flooding has been uh kind of like you know we from our perspective at least you could correct
me if I'm wrong. Um like people complain about the flooding and then um like DCR has to like react to those like complaints about there is flooding on this road. Um, but we were hoping maybe maybe we can like coordinate volunteers
to conduct like regular monitoring of that road, see like and see what kind of the flooding is like in that area and see like how the like if if different like spots on the river look like they're like the I don't know kind of
just regularly checking that area. Um and and in that way like making sure that like bigger issues don't um does that make do you know do do you kind know what I'm saying? Like so >> I I do know what you're saying but again you're a little behind the curve on this
because >> yeah it's more for future. Yeah >> deep DPW has videotapes of I think there's seven there could have been eight flooding events and they provided as evidence the flooding of Holland Street. It was completely over the top of the road. They gave some detail on
the the composition of the uh underpinning of the road and it's it's got a lot of organic compact there. There's not a lot of compaction underneath it. And the road has become begun to regularly wash out portions of it, not the whole thing. And DPW has
been monitoring it for several years. Um and there at the and this was a point of discussion, you know, do we have uh a a record uh of the flooding events? The answer is yes. Did we see evidence? Yes, we did. We saw the videos and that was
presented to the board of health as well. Um and the other night we had three videos um that were submitted to us on that Thursday night um uh prior to the emergency order. So yes, we've been monitoring it and going way back to two
years ago and I think it may have been Chris Turk that came in for the first um >> that was me >> event. Yeah. And and that was the question for the board of health. Why don't you guys just, you know, if the beavers are clogging up the either building a dam or clogging the culprit,
then why don't you just go in there and and take it out? And Chris's answer, and I won't speak for you, but he said, "We'll take it out and they'll build it back the next day." Um, and that we've heard that repeatedly. Um, and DPW has, you know, resource um limitations. uh
DCR has resource limitations that we they they felt and they testified that they couldn't continually uh remove the dams on a ongo on ongoing basis. So again, an excellent an excellent point, but this monitoring has been going on
for at least two years. >> John Taber Key has his hand up at this time. >> Yes, Taber, are you there? Yes. I u I following up on Mahar's proposal here or
or thoughts. I I'm just wondering because it seems like the last time this be became a big issue, it was also an emergency. And I'm just wondering is there a way to I know you've you did a great job of explaining being proactive here, but clearly it's not working. Is
there another plan? I mean, Milton is probably way behind the curve on beaver problems with the rest of New England. I I'm just curious as to how other people can deal with this on a Monday through Friday 9 to5 and not get into an emergency situation that is not only
expensive but you know costs you guys a lot of time too. >> Well, this this was the third occasion that we've had a beaver issue. The first two were most definitely not emergencies. Um the first one uh actually came to my attention because it went before the board of health, not
before us. Um, and we this that's two years ago. The one from last spring and last summer lasted about six months. It it it definitely was not uh an emergency and there was a notice of intent filed
by uh DCR to do that. We had public hearings on that. So, this was the only one that was an emergency. >> Um >> Okay. Right. >> Maybe I was mistaken. I thought it was, but you're probably right. Yeah. Well, we spent a lot of time on the and and
several meetings on the one at Anquity Road and Holland Street. That's the big that's the DCR. That's the 80oot dam. Um that was before us for several hearings and was not emergency. But you brought up another point and that is you know is there another proactive
uh basis and and I actually think that um and this came up at a public hearing when Roy Chambers made a presentation and said now I'm going back to the big dam now. This is Anquity Road and and Holland Street where they come together. And he he pointed out and provided some uh documentary evidence that that
culvert seems to clog all by itself anyway that there's a lot of u treatis there that's natural, but there's also some, you know, car bumpers and things like that. Um and that is also contributing to it. Um so we asked DCR
to see if they could get the fun. That's their land as opposed to DPW. So, I went to Marina Fernandez and asked her about, "Can you guys clean it?" And she said, "Well, it's DCR land. We've got our own stuff to clean." Um, and uh, and and she
wasn't trying to, you know, you know, move the goalpost. She was just saying it really is a DCR issue, which I believe it is. Um, so they gave sort of kind of an altruistic response and, oh, that that'd be lovely and we'll put it on our agenda. and you know they've got
you know limitations in terms of personnel and and financial resources but it is on their uh agenda right now. Tom Palmer brought up another one another issue when when we learned that the beaver deceiver would not work um in
that large the 80oot dam. Um he said, "Well, why don't we consider, you know, the cost?" Putting the cost aside, uh why don't we consider putting a a larger culvert underneath Holland Street because the water upstream of Holland
Street is immense between that Holland Street dam and the golf course. It's there are just acres of water. Uh I can't tell you how deep it is, but it's pretty deep. Um, so I think Tom's idea was good and and he plugged we at our
meeting, but Tom suggested it plugged that into um Marina Fernandez as well and and for those in the public, Marina is the uh both the DPW director and the town engineer. She has wearing both hats. So that's on their radar screen.
But to be blunt, that's a cost issue. Uh the town would have to incur, you know, basically revamping that road. That's a that's a major DPW project. I'm not saying it's not valid. Uh I'm just saying that there are competing valid
projects for the the tax dollars. Um but both of those proposals are out. one DCR cleaning out the culprit that exists and and B and by the way that cleaning out includes you know raking some of the invasive species and getting some of the
the treatis out of there as well as the you know the dump stuff like I I call the car bumper dump stuff. Um so that's on the radar screen and so is the culver under Harland Street. But I I I don't hold that out as great hope in the near
term. I I'll be frank with you. I I think that's not high on an expenditure list for uh the town DBW, but these are these are great points. >> Any other thoughts or questions? Um, I I I think in order to comply with
the with the regulations, the emergency certification, we should have some kind of a a formal uh post facto nook pro tunk kind of document that says um will you approve this? Uh it could be an I
guess it could be as as fast as an RDA uh or it could be a notice of intent. It doesn't it doesn't really matter in terms of notification issues. But we have to approve it after the fact. It could be as simple as a vote to uh resolve to approve the emergency
certification. But there does have to be a vote following the original emergency certification. Um I don't know how others feel about that. Roy, I see your hand up. >> Yeah. Yeah. Hi, Rory Chambers here. Um I
was down there today at the uh Ankerty Dam. I spent uh probably a good hour and a half between Anquity Dam and the what I call the the Holland Street Bridge which is between Cantav and Anquity Road. That bridge area that's right down
there where the culit go where the actual brook changes direction goes underneath the bridge and heads down toward Canton. Now, I know that there's u a couple dams right there, the smaller ones. Um, and that that was uh a couple
years ago when they when DCR cleaned that whole area out, but of course the beavers came back. Uh, they've built a dam uh I've seen two of them right in that area. Um, by the dam, that's the
one that's I think is a is a the real serious problem. Um there is now Chris are you you still there Chris? >> Yeah. Um >> yes >> the the dams that you have seen at the Anquity Dam. How many have you seen at
that location? >> Uh that if you're talking about the flood control site that's town that's a town of Milton owned dam. So I don't regularly patrol that spot. I have been there over the summer when there was some issues because we got asked to uh provide our opinion. that the town of Milton uh owns and maintains that dam.
>> Yeah, that that's the one that's the main problem. That that that beaver dam that you uh John you talk about that's that's 80 ft uh 80 foot dam uh is in that area. Uh that's where the beavers
were trapped uh that Marina reported uh the last meeting where they trapped nine beavers in that area. Now, right at that control that that dam, there is a a beaver dam that's right there. You can, you know, you can actually see it,
there's uh in the further on the Pine Tree brook area that comes into the dam. Uh I I think there's probably at least two other dams in that area. That is what causes the uh the conservation
land. um waterway that backs up to the golf course. That that water right now is not moving one inch. You go across Harland Street in another area there where that water should be moving. That
is not moving at all. And right now it is almost level with the road. Yeah. >> You're going to get any kind of rain. Guaranteed Holland Street is going to flood right up again. Uh the dam that that I'm that I'm really concerned about
is the one that's right by the the actual con uh dam is uh and there may be maybe as many as two others that are causing all that problem cuz the pine tree brook as it comes down into that dam is making the swing into the uh into
the dam ther dam and that water is flowing but the water that comes from the Milton conservation which is across Holland Street. That is not moving at all. >> Roy, let me let me ask you something, Roy, if I can interrupt you because you were there,
>> but we issued a permit to the DPW to take that dam down in in phases. >> Um, have they done that? >> No, that that hasn't moved at all. I've been checking on a regular. I haven't
seen anybody down there. uh and and it's actually the that in that area the the the water like I said is uh is not moving at all from the the mil what we call the Milton conservation waterway that backs up to the golf course. All
that is standing water that's not moving at all right where the where it's supposed to go underneath Harland Street and head over to the Anquity Dam that whole area is not moving that water is not moving. So that means that that the dam that's right the beaver dam that's
right by the the main control dam uh is preventing that and that water is all backing up. And that one you can see now because the um with all the the leaves and stuff have have uh gone. You can clearly see that area. But I I believe
and you need to get a drone or something to to look further back into there. But I believe there's other dams back there that are causing a problem. But remember, they took nine beavers out of there. >> I know. >> I know. >> A month ago, they took nine. So, uh
those those dams are the uh I think probably are just the what was left over from the beavers have been taken out of there. But the one down by the Holland Bridge, yeah, they're they're they're working it down there.
Philip, do you know whether or not DPW has any plans to actually do what we permitted? >> I'll check with them. I'm not I don't know off the top of my head, but I'll check with them. >> All right. We talked about it. >> Could you remember?
>> They said they were going to bring in u boats and stuff and they were going to shovel out the dam and >> Yes. Right. >> That hasn't been done. As far as I know, that hasn't been done because that's it's still the same way. That hasn't
>> Philip, can you um you know, see if you can get an update for us and then send a message by email to the uh conservation commission. >> Marina's out of the country at the moment, but I will check with her as soon as she returns. She's coming back Monday. >> Oh, good. Okay. All right. Thanks. And
Steve, I don't know yet. Steve, you may have some knowledge of what's going on or not going on there, do you? No, I I I know no more than Philip. I was the head. The last time I was there was last week.
>> Okay. >> No changes. No changes at that >> at the DPW location. >> All right. So, um I think we we can do two things tonight. one uh I at the very least we should have a motion to approve the issuance of
the emergency certification. Um but the second component is I think we ought to instead of just talking about it and walking away, we ought to follow up on Royy's suggestion and mayor's suggestion. Um and I know Tom Palmer, I don't know if you've got your audio back, but I I know
>> I'm here. I think >> Okay, good. Um you know, some of your proactive suggestions I think we ought to move on. um to see whether or not on an you know a long long range plan is there some way that we can and it may be
you know putting in a culvert maybe we can look for some uh state grants to get some financial assistant to put in a larger culvert under Holland Street um uh I I originally thought that gee maybe there's a problem if if there's flooding
in the area of Ulan Rink maybe there's a problem with the new dam but I asked Steve to checked that and he said, "No, that's that looks pretty clear down there." That's what goes under Canton Avenue and discharges into Hope's Pond. >> John, really quick before we move on, um
it seems like Wendy's in the waiting room. >> Oh, good. >> Who Who's in the waiting room? >> Wendy Garpo. >> Oh, good. Steve, can you >> um I don't see her. >> Is she on the phone? >> Um I'll text her right now. she she'd
asked. So, um I'll have her try to use the link through um through the agenda on the Milton Concom site. >> Sure.
Thanks, Hans. >> All right. But, you know, maybe um maybe we have like a subcommittee about Tom Palmer and you could work with uh perhaps mayor and and uh and and anybody else, the Taber
certainly. Um in terms of coordinating the the future and there may be some better ways to live cooperatively with the beavers uh without um you know, without these hazardous conditions and the loss of roadways, etc.
um and just kind of work on a on a forwardthinking plan as to whether or not that can be done. It may be as simple and I say simple without reference to cost, but it may be as simple as putting in some larger culverts in areas. Um or maybe as I
understood the beaver deceivers, they will work on smaller dams but not on larger dams. Um, so maybe we could figure out a way to, you know, shrink the size of the the the dams so that a beaver deceiver would work, which is essentially just a siphon
that takes the water up and over the dam. Um, which is, you know, pretty simple in concept. U, but I know Tom, would you be willing to, you know, take the lead on that? maybe coordinate with mayor and and with uh Taber um and and
most certainly Chris. >> Well, I'm yeah, I am interested in the issue. I'm sorry I cut out I missed the discussion that you had about it and um I don't want to get off track. I just want to ask the question, what is it
that we're asked to approve tonight? The emergency certificate. >> Yes. >> And Okay. And uh has any work been done under that certificate? I think there was a description of the work that we heard, right? Which was to remove three
dams. >> Yes, there there was a description of the work and it most definitely included hand tools only, no equipment, uh sort of a hand removal of it. >> Has any of that work happened yet? >> Yes, we started on Friday.
>> How many dams did you pull down? Yeah, there's three in sequence between Canton Nav and the next culvert up which is under Harland Street where it's a kind of just a path. Um, so those three dams, >> you were able to get Adam and pull him apart, huh?
>> Yeah. Waiters up to my chest. >> Um, you know, I I'm really uh respect that work and I wonder are the beavers going to build them right back? >> Yep. >> Yes, they absolutely will.
Um, >> is it an honest guy? >> Well, it just seems like they've got the upper hand at this point because we've been trying to do stuff and not have not been very effective. It seems at least we're
effective with these three dams for the time being. But Roy says the water is still really high at Harland Street. Uh John, your idea about a bigger culvert, you remember that we permitted a bigger culvert under Harlem, but Marina told us
the money wasn't available. Well, uh if we knew that that money would address this problem, yeah, we could lobby for that. I' I'd say that for myself though, I really don't see the answer to this at this point. >> Well, there may be some state grants out
there, Tom. Yeah, I'm thinking that between say the flood control dam and Canton Avenue. Does anybody know what the fall of water is over that interval? >> I'm sorry. What's the measure that you're asking? The the fall
>> how much the stream goes down in height or elevation. Average elevation. >> Yeah, I have your answer, Tom. Yeah. So the series of three dams there, the first one was I don't know 500 yards up from Canton A that had a 2 foot n hydraulic height from top of Bieber dam
water to stream bed to tail water. >> Next one up was 6 in. Next one up was at water height which means obviously the next dam down got built up higher. >> Why would they build a dam that was at water height? >> No, they what they build a dam and then they build another one downstream that's
higher and that brings the water up. So, as you lower the first two dams, you then have to lower the one at that water height because that will start that will keep impounding water. >> Um, I sort of get it. I'm I'm trying to think of what their opportunities are
between those two places, namely the flood storage damn. There's you're describing maybe three feet of water that a three-foot drop over that maybe a half mile. So that is what they have to work with if they want
to raise the water to its highest and just >> thinking that they could either build a three-foot dam right can have or multiple dams as they have in between and split up that fall over several
dams. So they have done that. I just I don't really understand what they're doing and maybe that's why I have a hard time wondering what we can do about it. >> Tom, uh this is Steve. You may wish to take a walk down that Harland Street
gravel area. They have built another beaver uh lodge right along um that gravel area just about 60 paces down gradient of the little ridge that
takes water from the west side to the east side of that Holland Street gravel section. So they're >> I know what you mean. I think Yeah. >> Yeah. They're protecting their underwater access to the lodge is what they're doing. >> I see.
>> That makes sense. >> Yeah. Take take a walk out there and take take a look. >> Yeah. Um it seems like they own the place now. Even though we got rid of nine of them, they're still in charge.
>> Right. >> One thing. >> How about that? I mean, just so we can move forward. uh you know, affirmatively, Tom, if you could, you know, form a subcommittee and include and I and I I mentioned before um Mayor
and Chris um and I I I think I failed to mention Roy um but he'd be a key component in Taber and put your heads together and with your collective wisdom, maybe we you could come up with some kind of a a plan
>> maybe to make smaller smaller dams. instead of removing the whole dam, making a smaller one or somehow limiting the beavers to a smaller one where a beaver deceiver might work or finding a state grant for a new culvert, a larger culvert.
>> Well, I'm I'm just at the point of writing names down now. You said Chris. Excuse me. Who Who do you mean by Chris? >> Mr. Durk is right. He's on the screen. >> I'm sorry. Yeah, I missed the introductions. >> So, Chris, you're a DCR guy. >> Yeah, I am. a damn maintenance engineer
with the department. >> Well, thank you. Uh, so I'm just writing the names down. Chris, Taber, Steve, and me, right? >> And Roy. >> Roy Chambers. >> Right. Okay. Roy. Well, um, let me just tell all you guys. My number is
6176987759. So, maybe if you just leave a message with your contacts and I'll try to do something. All right, that's good. Any other uh comments from uh commissioners before we move to a a vote to approve the
emergency certification uh and or any members of the public or you know citizens that would like to ask a question hearing none. I'll I'll make a motion to approve the issuance of the emergency certification to allow the removal of
the dam um near the Dulan rink uh Pine Tree Brook region and that certificate emergency certification was issued last Friday. That's my motion. Is there a second for it? >> Second. >> All right. Thank you. Any discussion among commission members?
Hearing none, we'll take a vote. Uh this is an individual vote. Hans, how do you vote? >> Vote yes. Ingred, >> yes. >> Tom Palmer, >> yes. >> Uh, Arthur Doyle, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. >> Charlie, >> yes.
>> I think I got everybody. And I, John Kieran, vote yes as well. All right. Thanks, Chris. And whatever you can do in terms of, you know, you joining with uh the others on the Tom Palmer committee, your collective wisdom might provide some guidance for us. and mayor,
I I really appreciate your comments and thoughts and hopefully we can use your uh wisdom as well to come up with a with a plan of action. >> Thank you all. >> Excuse me. >> Thank you. It was talking to you. Thanks for listening. >> I'm sorry. I didn't know you were here,
mayor. I want to add your name. Okay. >> Oh, I thought I thought you said it. >> Uh you said it, John. I just didn't see her. So >> Oh, okay. >> I'm adding you, mayor. you know. Uh, but Chris, you are the guy who has the experience.
>> All right, thanks all. That's uh number one on the agenda. Number two, request for determination at 1022 Blue Hill Avenue. >> Uh Brad, is that you? >> That is. Thank you, members of the commission. Brad Holmes here from ECR on behalf of Sam Land for his property at
1022 Blue Hills Avenue. We submitted an RDA application with the commission to confirm that a second floor addition doesn't require the filing of a notice of intent. It would help if I share my screen or just I can brief the project. Whatever works best for you.
>> Yeah, if you could share the screen and then brief it. It would help us if we could see it as well. >> Sure. >> Uh sharing is not turned on. Send request. >> Okay. >> Did you take care of that? >> I did. >> Perfect. face.
>> Thank you, Steve. >> Certainly. >> Great. Um, well, here is the site here at 1022 Blue Hill Avenue. Uh, there's a paved driveway leads into a single family residence with a yard area. There
are multiple areas of conservation jurisdiction on and near the site. There's a bordering vegetated wetland here. There's the Inland Bank to Ballister Brook, which does run through the back of the property and just to the the side of the property. There's a
small little section of BVW offsite as well. So, we have uh fully within the riverfront area to Ballster Brook and within the buffer zone to bordering vegetative wetlands. What we're looking to do is to add a second story addition
on top of the existing first floor of the home. Um that's just within the the buffer zone to the inland bank and within the riverfront and within the buffer zone to the BVW. Uh I'll show you a photo of the site which I think helps
to uh to depict what we're looking to do. Um, let me This is looking from Blue Hill Avenue towards the property. This is the first floor and there's a second you can see the second floor set back. The addition
is proposed over this section of the first floor and there's a a deck over the the other the the right hand side of it. So, you can see another image of the the house. This is where the proposed addition is is over the existing home
there. There is no proposed increase in the size of the home. I'll pull up the uh rendering from the architect, which also helps to kind of give you an idea of what we're what we're proposing. Um
this is the existing home. If you're looking from Blue Hill Avenue towards the structure, you can see the garage, the first floor. What we're proposing to do is put an addition over that first floor and and roof deck. So, we're not
going to be increasing the uh degraded nature of the site. It all occurs within the existing footprint. Uh I thought that it would be best for the applicant to present this to the commission and get a determination of applicability so that everybody's on the same page with
what the work is and he can proceed with a a building permit. Um, I think a determination that this doesn't require a notice is is a safer way to go. Uh, it is within an existing footprint and there's no increase and he may not have
had to technically file, but I think this is a safer way and I hope the commission agrees. No, I appreciate Brad that that you did bio for because I agree it and um I you know I see that some of the project is inside a 25 foot
non-disturbance zone but that's clearly grandfathered in. It's been there the house has been there quite a while. So I I I don't have an issue with that. But but I am very concerned with the erosion controls because you're working so close to the wetlands. Um can you go through
the erosion controls? Uh, and I'm looking at, if you're standing with your back to Blue Hill Avenue, um, it's basically the left side of the project. Um, in between the wetlands and the, uh, uh, and the and the house.
>> Sure. >> Well, we're not proposing any earthwork. Uh although I did put into the the notice of intent narrative that we would put construction fencing up uh basically along that edge of the the the property.
The there's a the pathway of of lawn or yard so that there is a clear distinction not to go beyond that or there's no you know any stockpiling of materials would be within the existing paved driveway. But there aren't any
earthwork activities to create open soil that would require, you know, a silk sock or or or straw waddles. >> All right. What about what about equipment? Do you have boom truck, scissor lift? Uh you know, how how do
you get the workers up to the top floor? >> They were just the the driveway is right here. Leads right there's a large paved driveway. It leads right in. There's that's where the garage is under the first floor. So that any any transport of u materials can be right there right
off the the paved driveway. Uh let me pull up the the photo a little bit. I think I can show you a little better. That's the that's the rear of the house looking towards Blue Hill Avenue. So, if you if you see this, this is all
all paid right right to the uh garage and and location here. Any any sort of equipment or boom truck or whatnot could pull up to this location and and transport it to that second floor.
Got it. Okay. All right. Just just be aware of our and I shouldn't call it boiler plate but I our regular customary um boilerplate special condition which is no storage of that equipment overnight within our jurisdiction and no
refueling of that equipment within our jurisdiction. But uh what you just said does make sense. >> All right. Questions or questions or comments? >> Um Mr. Chairman, I'd just uh add that I
know this property very well um from across a number of years and uh I'd um recommend approval of a an RDA. All right. Which would be a a negative determination
>> uh with with the conditions of as I said no storage overnight, no refueling within our jurisdiction. And and uh I think all commission members will agree because we just permitted I think Ann Gish is next door and we just uh permitted a French drain between her
property and this property. I I think that's that's the line, isn't it? because just to the going in her driveway just to the left uh we asked her to put in a French drain and she was doing some uh some work in that area. Uh so I know the water is flowing in the
direction of the wetlands which is as we look at this picture off to the left. >> That's correct. >> Correct. >> So you're right. We've all been there that and that's that's important because you know very often we want to look to to uh uh you know verify the wetlands
but we've been there uh within the last six months. Any other thoughts or or uh uh comments? >> Commission members buddies members of the public
>> I I can't see any hands raised. Um Brad could could you take that then now I can see okay so I don't see any hands raised any comments questions either from members of the public letters commission members all right so Arthur has made a motion to
issue a negative determination with those special conditions is there a second for Arthur's motion >> second >> all right thanks Charlie any discussion among commission members all right go across the top there Hans how do you vote >> I vote Yes, Ingred.
>> Yes, >> uh Wendy. >> Yes, >> Tom. >> Yes, >> Arthur. >> Arthur, I I didn't hear you, Arthur. I'm sorry. >> Yes. >> Thank you, Charlie. >> Yes. >> And I, John Ken, vote. Yes. Yes. As
well. So, we're good to go. All right. Thank you very much, Brad. Thanks all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Next on the agenda is number three, supplemental planting, and this is at five Wagon Wheel Drive.
>> Good members of the Good evening, members of the commission. Brad Holmes again with ECR. This is a project that uh has been in front of you for a while. It's been uh lingering, but not on the sense of uh our our intent. Um this is in response
to enforcement action. There was a restoration plan and implementation of uh planting to uh remediate the removal of trees. We had a plan that was agreed upon by the commission um to restore a
good number of trees at the site. We performed u probably more than half of that work, but within the designated area where we were going to put about 30 trees, it's uh really not suitable for
planting because of the boulders underlying the uh the area where we would plant. So, we had presented to the commission an alternative to relocate those trees within the wetland system. Um, and then we had talked about shrubs
instead and kind of working those numbers with the Milton Conservation Commission's replacement policy. I think I I'll share my screen. I I think what we we we briefed um this proposal with
the commission um see if you can see it. um at the last one of the last meetings what but was to use the wetland area to to interplant um
30 saplings within that area. Um and I think the commission was on board with it but we hadn't had a finalized plan. We're here to hopefully get your blessings so that we can implement this the the remaining portion of this
restoration work uh to to add these trees to the site and that would complete the requirements for tree revitation at the site. >> Sounds good. Wendy, do you have any comments on the uh proposed shrubs and
uh replacement trees? Um, not off the top of my head, but >> um, >> well, I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I just You're better at it than I am. And they look good to me. >> Ingred's better at it than I am.
>> All right, Ingred, you're on it now. Um, yeah. No, I think they're fine. I like the larches. We tried to go with the diversity to add some uh some benefit to the site.
>> Yeah. No, I I I don't have any any strong feelings, but I think it's it's a nice list. >> So, Brad, if I may, um how are you going to be installing the trees? I mean, they're pretty small, right? >> They're they're >> the six to eight feet can be walked in.
They're not uh too heavy. They'll be containerized uh plants so they're not burden bald and burlap that would need a machine. >> Okay, perfect. >> And and just you know because you know you mentioned our replacement policy uh
is there a conversion factor and I know it may depend upon what kind of tree what species of tree but you've got 6 to 8 feet. Um does that translate into circumference or caliber or diameter? Uh, we had previously tried to go to
saplings. I'm sorry, to go to shrubs and then the na the numbers got crazy so that we're back to the saplings. I think that uh I don't I I could get you a better inch as far as the caliper size, you know, what these would be, but
they're I would say a 6 to 8 inch 6 to 8 foot tree, you'd be looking at a probably in in the ballpark of a inch diameter. or in caliber size. >> It's about right. >> Okay.
>> And it looked like a lot of trees when it's a 30, but again, if this was uh the you know, if it came from I guess originally it was an enforcement order. I I just want to make sure that it conforms to our our measurement of our
unit measurement. Um which the the number looks fine. Um, but I just didn't know if there was a way to convert that six to eight feet into and I think you just did that that maybe an inch in diameter thought of that >> the number.
>> Yes. Uh, John. Um, I think it's a good plan. It's it's very diverse and it's a shady area. So, some of these trees will do very very well. I think they'll grow very very fast in this location.
I think it's a good list, too, Ingred. I I agree with you. >> Good. All right. And And uh you're looking to reveate in the springtime as the appropriate planting time. >> Yes.
>> All right. Good. Um and you've got a maintenance schedule for uh irrigation and pruning is necessary. Um all looks good to me. Any other thoughts from commissioners or abutters or members of the public?
I don't see everybody in the screen, so speak up so we can hear you. Anyway, >> I I have uh one last thought, and that is um that the ground's not frozen yet, so uh technically you could could plant
um in the fall. Steve, I don't know, Ingred, if if you guys have any um thoughts about that. >> Yes. As long as as long as the ground stays above 42 degrees at depth, then you've got, you know, bi which is
biological zero. Uh you can do very well, but you can't predict the weather. That's the issue, >> right? >> You know, so so we're we're in almost late November. I think we should go to the spring, frankly. Okay.
>> Yeah, that's all. >> I wouldn't plant anything now myself, for example. >> All right. Any other questions or comments from commissioners >> about this, members of the public? Uh, hearing none, is there a motion to
approve uh the supplemental planting plan as submitted by uh Brad Holmes? So move. >> All right. Thanks, Wendy. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> All right. Thanks, Wendy. Um, any discussion among commission members?
>> Seeing no hands raised. Hearing nothing. Uh, we'll go to a vote. Individual Hans, how do you vote? >> Vote yes. >> Ingred, >> yes. >> Arthur, >> yes. >> Tom, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. >> Charlie, >> yes. >> And I, John Karen, and vote yes as well.
So, thank you very much, Brad. You're good to go. >> You we'll keep you posted. Thank you. >> All right. Great. Thanks. Next on the next on the agenda is number four, and that's request for determination >> of applicability at Granite Avenue Gasbane.
>> Hi. Um I'm Leah Bazpains from Bazpane Butlands Consulting um representing here um for MSR utility maintenance and I believe Matt Raymond is on this call as well. Um so this is a project that is
being done for the maintenance of the existing public utility of the national grid gas line. Um typically this is an exempt activity under the wetlands protection act regulations and I believe also under the Milton bylaw. Um but we were requested
to submit this application anyway just to for if there clarification to the board. Um, if I can share my screen to do that. Um, >> good. >> Okay. Um, so what I have here is um,
actually it's a it's an aerial on near map that shows the location of the property. You can see where my cursor is. This is to Granite A the building. And then the location of the work
is going this is Granite A. And the location of the work is going to be right along this edge the bottom of the slope of that parking lot area. So, it extends from there's a I believe a um
a rectifier box here, utility pole that the project will tie into and extends along this edge here. And what the project is is the um an anode bed. Sorry.
>> Um it's a a trench will be dug. It's approximately 2 ft wide and approximately um 90 to 100 ft long. You dig the trench down approximately um a foot or so or
two feet. Correct me if I'm wrong, Matt. And just to strip off the top and then there's a vacuum pump drill that will drill down the holes to install the anodess, which are 3-in round. Um, I
believe they're 10 feet long, >> 15 by 10 ft, it says on your plan. >> Three by Okay, perfect. 3 by 10 um 15. So, there's a a vacuum drill, so there's no spoils that are brought up to the surface in the process within that
trench. They're dug down and they're spaced 10 feet apart. Um, and then once they're all installed, they run the cable between the anodes, ties it into the the rectifier pole,
back filled, seated, and that's it. Um, stabilized. Erosion control is placed in prior to obviously stays in sight until um, seed is germinated to stabilize the area. Um, so the work is close to the wetland
but is not in the wetland. It's in an area that is um quite disturbed already. No vegetation's going to be removed and it's a pretty quick process. Usually the jobs are done within two to three
days max. >> Um that and and that's really my concern. Um this is is a sensitive site and it's got some history with the conservation commission. 30 years ago, um the conservation
commission was asked to see if we could find a developer to develop the site. The reason was uh a previous developer had started a project and had uh gone bankrupt and we had a sort of a rusting
hulk sitting there for I don't know seven or eight years. Um and then in the mid 90s the conservation commission went out and we actually tried to find somebody to develop it. The reason is historically the site was Bonnie and Kerry lumber area and it was
contaminated. Um and so we wanted to make sure a developer came in and finished the original project. This is before two Granite Avenue. Uh because we wanted to make sure that the contaminated soils were removed. And that's when um
uh the the company that came in uh it was John Flattley actually that came in and uh developed this project and under all kinds of D supervision ensured that the contamination was removed to their to their standards. So this is this if
you're taking out 100 ft 2 feet down 2 feet wide that's a lot of um soil to come out. But I just want to make sure that to the extent that there's a risk of and I'm not suggesting that you do a 21e kind of assessment. I'm not suggesting that. But I'm just suggesting
that the erosion controls have to be pretty good because, you know, we want to make sure that there's no contaminated soil that's, you know, dredged up from beneath the surface and then allowed to to uh get into the wetlands. I I think that area because
most of the contamination going back 30 years was actually on the river side of the building. Um >> Okay. >> But we've been very careful about this including about 15 years ago. Um I don't I think it was coastal zone management
came in and they removed a series of pilings and when they dredged the pilings when they pulled them up uh it released a lot of um contaminated soil that was beneath there. they they did it very carefully and with all kinds of uh quality controls to make sure that it
didn't uh um migrate out into the river. So, it it's a pretty sensitive area. So, I just want to make sure that the the soil that is um stockpiled at least temporarily is is protected. H how long does the project take? I know it's about
90 to 100 feet long. How long does the whole project take? >> Matt, can you speak to that? I saw his phone number on there. >> Okay. So, he's in he's logged in at least. >> Yes, I believe.
>> Okay. Mute. I I I can't see his his screen. >> You see 1978? Um some >> 014. >> It's a n 0014. Okay,
>> let me just give them a quick call. I can hear you. They can't hear you online. Um, yeah, just unmute. Okay. Okay. Are you there, Matt? If he can hear you, just ask the
question. Um, if he knows how long the the the uh it takes to to back fill the trench. How long is the the spoils going to be outside of the trench? Okay. All right. Two days to drill it, one day to trench
it, he said. So, um, the material that's pulled out, you know, the the scraping off the top to create the the trench for the cable, it all goes back in. But it's also so conserved with the erosion control
and and then once the the anodess are drilled in, that same soil is spread back down. So there's no other soil when they're installing. No anodess need to be removed from the ground. So that's not a problem.
So the any of the soil that is being drawn up out of the ground, it goes into the drill pump truck. So there's no, you know, potential for contamination of soil being brought to the surface. It's really only that s that first bit of top soil that's being pulled off to create
the ability to drill the the anodess into the ground. But that that top soil that you referenced that's 2 feet deep, two feet wide, and 100 ft long. >> Is that Matt? Is that correct? Is it 2 feet deep? The tops of
>> That's what it says. >> He confirmed to me that it's less should be less than a foot. So, I was incorrect in the the depth on that. >> Okay. But it it sounds like the the soil is going to be sitting on the the surface to the side of the trench for 2
to 3 days. I just want to make sure that the erosion controls are good and solid. Uh because it's going to be sitting right next to our wetlands. >> Correct. >> I understand. >> It's a fixable issue.
>> Are you asking then to add in silt fence with along with the water? I I' I'd defer to, you know, Tom, Hans, Steve. What What do you think? >> Um love to see um compost
um tubes, >> the compost tubes. >> Yes. Does that make sense to you, Leo? >> Um yeah. I mean, that's not I don't know if that's a problem at all, Matt. Compost tubes good for the erosion
control. Yeah, he said that's fine. >> Good. Good. Excellent. >> Okay, >> that that makes sense that everybody uh I didn't mean to pick on anybody, but Charlie, I mean, you you know the
business. Uh those uh tubes work. >> Hans has got his hands up. Hand up. >> I I didn't see that. Sorry, Hans. >> That's all right. Um, so yeah, a compost filter sock should work as long as it's installed correctly and and is staked
down appropriately. Um, I did have a separate question. So whenever you're done, >> okay, this >> um I'm just confused because for example, we have another RDA for maintenance work on the agenda tonight
for um um for gas work. That's and in that application, um, the applicant isn't the contractor, it's it's National Grid. I'm just
wondering, you know, want to I guess I want to confirm that this is in fact a National Grid project because, you know, and that and that just it it just doesn't match up the way that we see other applications or or
notifications of of exempt activities. Usually those are those are funneled through the utility themselves and not the contractor. Um, well, so Matt Raymond is the owner of MSR, Utility Maintenance. He does the
contract work for National Grid. Um, I I don't I do this a lot for Matt in different towns, so I don't I don't know a different procedure or why National Grid didn't do it themselves. Um we do
work with um woman Leo Mary who has written a letter for me for a different project in Ipsswitch that I can provide that to you just you know giving me authorization to submit this on behalf of National Grid but um
I've never really had this question >> like I said typically we see National Grid or Boston Gas as the applicant. Matt, can you answer that? Leah, I think you have to translate for him. >> Yeah, I think so.
Hold on. >> I mean, I do see one. >> I can hear you now. They Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. So, National Grid um subs him out to do all of the rectifiers in New
England. So they are just maybe it's just specific for this particular type of work with the anode bed rectifier replacements but yeah he said that he's also installed
the last two at this location. Um so I mean I don't know what to tell you. I mean it is a national grid project but being done by a subcontractor for national grid. >> So then the applicant would be national
grid and the >> okay well that's an error I guess in my information is putting down I can correct that if you like >> I just >> I put down MSR as the applicant. Okay. I
mean, so >> he is doing what I'm saying of National Grid. >> Yeah. Um, John, do you see kind of where I'm going with this? >> Yeah. Yeah, sure. But I I think that they, you know, maybe we could just uh
>> It's probably for the most part, it's it's it's appropriate. I think there's just kind of a you know just making sure that this is you know a grid project or it's not or you know um >> so why don't we just >> provide us in terms of you know just
showing that it's contracted work or something like that so that we can uncomplicate the issue >> so why don't we just say that it's you know MSR as agent for national grid or on behalf of national grid >> I mean that's
is. Yeah, I think that just want to make sure we clarify that. >> All right, Leah, is that something you could just, you know, do that amendment or approve that amendment? >> Oh, sure. Yeah. >> And I can revise the RDA and put down National Grid.
>> Yeah, you could do it either way. Revise it and say National Grid or you could just say MSR uh on behalf of National Grid. >> Grid. Sure. And and to be clear, I'm I'm very familiar with the exemption. I I have utilized the exemption myself. I I
know exactly. So >> yeah, >> that's the only piece I think that >> Okay. >> I'd like to see for this, >> right? >> Yeah, sure. I can provide that. That's fine. >> Any other comments or questions? >> Is the wetland boundary
has it have you flagged it at all or or or >> I have not. >> It's not. Okay. >> Yeah. I mean, it's it's pretty well defined. You can see there. And they're obviously not going to be doing the work actually in the wetland, so we need But
>> it's Yeah. Um >> Hans, it's it's pretty much toe of slope in that in that area. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I have a question. >> Even if you've looked at it, I'm I'm good. >> Yep. Been out there.
>> Tom Barber. >> Yeah. My question is uh what is an anode? >> What is an anode, Matt? Exactly. >> I I went to Dr. Google on that one. Tom, >> they're
my next question. >> Exactly what they're made of, but they are the device. They're rods. a rod that of a particular chemical composition that prevents the corrosion of the gas line. Something to >> that makes sense, I guess. Um,
>> it's like in a hot water heater in your in your house that helps prevent >> or a boat. You put it on the boat. >> A boat. Exactly. >> It's a boat. Yep. >> What's it made of? >> You know what it's made of, Matt?
And it says right on the cut sheets. >> Is it zinc? >> I I thought it was zinc. I I believe it's zinc. >> Zinc. Ingred, you should know that. >> It's zinc on my boat. >> Yeah, zinc on mine.
>> It's going down 15 feet and it's replacing a loop that was horizontal according to the >> very nice description you submitted. Let me ask this. Is the old one going to
be removed when you put in the new one? >> No, they Yeah, they they deteriorate over time. So, no, there's nothing >> a good idea to remove a lot of zinc if we're not using it anymore. >> They're they're sacrificial, Tom.
>> Yeah, >> that's that's the statement that that's the name of them. >> Sacrificial anodess, >> right? Well, you know that you can't turn zinc into anything else, right? >> I mean, it's g if it's zinc once, it
stays being zinc, right? >> It the components, however, deteriorate and move into the soil as I understand. >> It erodess. >> Exactly. >> The zinc erodess into the soil.
>> Yes. >> I would say corros is is probably the more accurate term. So >> thank you. >> Instead of corros >> gas man corroding the the anode corrods instead
>> exactly >> electrolysis. >> It's not really ideal is it to be putting all this metal in the wetland edge. >> It'd be worse to have gas man deteriorate. >> That's right. >> Yes it would.
>> What's a rectifier? the rectifier. Matt. >> So, it's the >> So, that's where the Y is there an electrical component to that, Matt? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's it's it's a charge. I think it's a positive charge, isn't it? Anode
>> makes a posit DC charge to an AC charge or some or vice versa. So, it's the electric >> an AC charge to a DC charge. So, it's the electrical component of the system that makes it work to prevent the gas flowing
from corroding. >> Does it look like a box on a pole? >> Yes. It doesn't matter that these anodess will be in saturated conditions all the time. At least most of them will be.
>> Matt, does it matter that the anodes are in a saturated condition? >> No, >> I don't think so. They use them on both sides. >> It's actually preferable. It's better. >> Yeah. I I I just didn't know what this was. I didn't know what an anode was.
And I'm not really too pleased that to learn that it's something that deliberately will be allowed to discharge or release heavy metal into the wetland. But that's what it is, I guess, right? That's what it's how it works. >> Yep.
>> And the zinc and the zinc is going off boats into the ocean. >> It's not that soluble, I don't think. I mean, in this place, I think it will just accumulate there, right? Don't you think?
Don't know offhand, Tom. >> Well, I don't really know anything about the toxicity of zinc, but I think this technology is not ideal in that it pollutes a wetland by adding
metals. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to approve the project. Well, it um I don't know enough about the science, Tom. You you make some good points, but I I do know that it's used um
universally as a mechanism to prevent corrosion, whether it's a a boat engine or, you know, a gas mainline. Uh >> what does it look like on a boat? What does an look like? >> Like a fist.
>> Yeah, it's about this. Where is it on the boat? >> It's right near the prop. >> Yeah, you can hang it. You can It affix it different ways. You just make sure it sticks to the hull so it doesn't go. It >> doesn't have doesn't have to be wired to anything.
>> No. >> All right. Well, >> and it can >> it can completely erode, corrode, whatever the what right word is. It can depending on where you are, it can completely essentially disintegrate. disappeared,
right? >> It happened. It can happen pretty quickly. >> What is the Leah? What is the halflife uh typically in your situation? >> Matt, what's the halflife in the in a situation like this?
>> Hello. Um about 20 years is typical for replacement. >> Well, we were just talking about contaminated soil at this site and we're
proposing to contaminate some more >> by comparison. Very very slow it seems. >> I'm I'm I'm not sure that when it disappears. I mean, I know, you know, we're not matter has to go somewhere in
some form. I I I understand that, but I agree with Ingred. If you if you look at what we use on boats, it it literally disappears. It's not there after 10 years >> or goes into the ocean.
>> Yeah, it I guess it does. But but does it go in as a heavy metal or does it go in does it sort of subdivide into its constituent parts? >> No, it's >> there are no constituent parts. I guess >> that's correct. Yeah, because it's an element. >> Yeah,
>> I don't know the chemistry of it either. Um >> it is it is considered a pollutant in a soil sample. >> I mean it's tested for when you test soils. zinc is tested for.
>> I just don't know what an alternative um you know technology is. Tom, I think you know at least in some industries it's the only game in town >> and I I don't I don't know of any alternatives. Do Hans do you
>> I mean there's there's other types of metals but I I don't think that um I'm almost certain that uh having a zinc anode this zinc right anode installed wouldn't constitute a release
of chemicals into the environment. So >> but it would release the chemicals right? >> It so the process of the anode corroding would not be considered a release
>> but it would be a release would it not? I guess it it if you're looking at the word release in its purest form, yes, but I'm talking >> in reality, >> I'm talking about the term release as it applies to Massachusetts chapter 21
general law. So, I'm talking about a a spill or anything similar. >> Gotcha. >> Um Bob Hanigan has his hand up as well. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yeah. Bob, what do you know about >> two things, John? Um years ago we did
work for John Flattley for the two granite a and as I recall most of the issues were with respect to the river PCBs and and removal of the uh peers in the warf. >> Yes. >> Um >> I just Googled
zinc. It says yes zinc is considered a heavy metal while some heavy metals are toxic. Zinc is also an essential nutrient for the human body. in small amounts is classified as a heavy metal based on its high density
which is greater than five grams per cubic centimeter. So you know what what do you prefer a little uh a question about zinc or um >> or mercury? I'd rather have zinc than mercury I think.
>> Yeah. I don't I'm not sure this mercury is involved here, but >> No, no, I I wasn't suggesting. >> I mean, a corroded gas line with a with a um with a leak that would might um I'm I'm speculating here that might um cause
a fire to destroy a lot of the wetlands there. But that's my >> making the lesser of two evils argument, right, that we heard before that we need to protect the >> considerably less. But that's my opinion.
The pipe is metal because all of the gas lines I've seen them replacing >> in recent months have been yellow plastic, but this one is metal, right? >> I don't I don't rec I don't recall that they were
>> I may be wrong that they're replacing the gas line. >> Yeah, I've seen many places like >> No, no, this in this >> No, no, not not this gas line. >> This is not gas line replacement. This is simply the anode bit. >> Correct. >> Right. >> To moni to monitor the condition of the
gas line. >> Right. And to protect a metal gas line. >> Right. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. >> I'm good. >> Okay. Interesting points. Uh but I think it is industry standard and I and I
agree with Hans that this would not be a a a release uh at least under the >> cirler brick in 21E. >> John, can I interrupt you for a second? It looks to me uh based on a quick
search that for gas lines as opposed to what we were talking about uh for a sacrificial anode for a boat uh which is usually zinc for gas lines. The most common um uh element is uh magnesium.
>> So maybe whole different ballgame. >> Does that sound right? Magnesium. that >> he said they are not magnesium. >> They're not. Well, does he know what it is? >> You know, do you recall what these are? You hear me?
>> There was a bill of um Yeah, we're trying to just quickly find to see what these are. >> Thank you. It's either zinc or cast iron anodess. Do you know which ones you're going to go with?
Okay. Okay. So, that's going to be the zinc ones that they're going to use. >> Okay. Thanks for clarifying. >> You're welcome. All right. Thanks. >> Okay. >> Le I just had one question on on your uh
project description. You said the project's not within 200 feet of a perennial stream. Um are you saying that it's not within 200 feet of the neonet or are you saying the ponet's not a perennial stream? >> I'm saying it's not within 200 feet of
the neonet. >> Really? Okay. I mean I can so the this is the the ponza here. >> Yeah. >> And provide a a measurement from where the project is
400 ft. 400 ft at the closest. >> Okay. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> All right. interesting discussion. Uh I still think it's industry standard. Um
and uh it does qualify uh for the exemption and we'll make that adjustment so that the uh MSR will be uh on behalf of National Grid. >> Okay. >> Are there any other comments, questions
of commission members, abutters, members of the public? Anybody? >> I can't see any hands raised. Um, Steve can or maybe Lear, I don't know who's screen sharing. Take that down. We can see everybody if anybody's hand is
raised. I don't see any. >> I don't I don't see anything. >> All right. So, is there a motion to uh I'm sorry, this is a uh RDA. So it would be a negative determination
u conditioned upon the erosion controls that uh that we've described um and installed appropriately. When I say appropriately, does that mean they should be staked? Am I correct, Steve? >> Yes, absolutely. >> Okay.
>> The silt sack you asked for? >> Yes, please. >> Silack. Yep. Okay. >> All right. That's because they they cover the ground better than anything else. >> Okay.
>> The the only other thing is that we do have a a customary special condition. Uh and that is that we don't have overnight storage of the heavy equipment, motorized uh particularly the hydraulic stuff. I don't know what your drills
look like or your trenches. Um but um uh they cannot be stored overnight or refueled within our jurisdiction. So you have to have a staging area um that was >> away from our wetlands. >> Did you hear that, Matt?
>> Yes. >> Okay. And any other special conditions, >> commission members? So yeah. Is there a motion to issue a negative determination with those special conditions? That is the eros erosion controls. Silk sock staked. Uh
no overnight storage or refueling. >> Some moved. >> Second. >> Thanks. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thanks. Thanks, Ingred. Uh any discussion? Hearing none. Um Hans, how do you vote? >> Um I vote yes for negative determination.
>> Ingred, >> yes. >> Uh Tom Palmer, >> yes. >> Arthur, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. Charlie, >> yes. >> And I, John, Karen, vote yes as well. Leah, thank you very much. We appreciate your patience with us.
>> All right. Thank you very much. Um, and I will get that revision to you to Phillip and Steve tomorrow morning first thing. >> Perfect. Thank you very much. >> All right. Great. Thank you. Take care. >> Next is request for determination of
applicability. This is uh Guilford Row. >> Yep. >> That would be me. Good evening everybody. For the record, Nate Gosharian with LEC Environmental. I am the wetland scientist with LEC who works with Boston Gas Company, which is under the umbrella of National Grid. So, not too dissimilar from the project that was
prior to this. This is my first time in front of the Milton Conservation. So, I'd like to say thank you to Steve and Philip for their succinct communication during this process and Mr. Chairman as you led us to this RDA filing for which we're here tonight. This is a pretty straightforward project. It is the replacement of approximately 900 ft of
gas mane along Guilford Road which is nestled between the eastern side 93 and Granite A directly southeast of the Nepanza River but exceeding about 400 ft. Um with your permission could I share my screen to show the aerial?
>> That's great. Can you help out Steve? >> Yes. Go right ahead Nate. >> There you go. Good. >> Okay. Okay. So, everybody can see the aerial. Great. All right. So, this is our 900 ft linear foot extent of the replacement.
In terms of the protected wetland resource areas that are on or within 100 ft of this project footprint, we've got a small segment approximately 200 ft, which is within the 100t buffer zone to Salt Marsh associated with the Neponza River. Uh this is approximately 85 to
905 ft from um the border of Salt Marsh within this vicinity. Again, the vast majority is outside the buffer zone. In terms of the methodology with the replacement, again, this is a replacement. We're not looking to expand the footprint or add any additional piping within. Uh excavation would be
required. The trench is typically 3 ft x 4 ft. The spoils, if they're not backfilled that day, are covered by a tarp. And a segment this long, particularly the 200t section, which is in the 100t buffer zone, would take probably a day. And I say this in terms
of uh the concern for having storing uh equipment overnight in that vicinity. Um excavation portions that are not completed in a day are covered with metal sheeting overnight. So we don't have any gaping excavations during the course of the night with this is kind of an often raised point for people who are
concerned about driving down that road. Um and that's really the general snapshot of this project. Again, we are replacing approximately 900 ft of gas main and Guilford Road. 200 ft of that is within 100 ft of salt marsh. Uh more
specifically, 85 ft to 95 ft. And if necessary, depending on weather and topography and conditions out there, erosion controls would include silt fence and waddle. Um that's all I have for the presentation. Happy to take any questions.
>> Any catch basins within that? I'm looking at your yellow uh yellow line there designating the I presume that's the 100 foot buffer zone from the >> correct. Yep. Correct. The yellow line is the 100 foot buffer zone. Um
hard to tell from this image. There may be one. Um let's take a closer look. >> Okay, that it's an easy fix I think for you. if you could just, you know, add some kind of a siltation device at the catch basin so that nothing goes down the drain if we've got a downpour. >> Okay.
>> Um Nate, I heard waddles, >> uh waddles are not useful for erosion control, period. Okay. >> Sil stake silt sock is what I was probably trying to go for.
>> There you go. Okay. Thank you. Yeah, >> good point, Steve. Thank you for the correction. Certainly any time. >> All right. Th this looks pretty straightforward. Um commission members, any any questions? >> It it's the proximity to the salt marsh
and on the the the flip side of the expressway right where the u just if you're heading south on the expressway just before you get off of exit 10, there's a like a drive off area for cars or trucks. And we had a spill there
about no seven years ago maybe. Um and uh so we had clean hobbies come out. Another emergency uh uh remediation project that we had to approve after the fact. But it it is a pretty sensitive area. So my only concern was really the uh uh erosion controls in the length of
time that the trench is going to be open. >> But Nate answered that pretty directly and uh I'm I'm comfortable with that plan. Any any questions from commission members? >> I have one.
Um I'm looking at the RDA part B project description. Proposed maintenance activities include the replacement of 795 ft of cast iron pipe.
Uh when that pipe is being replaced, what's going to happen to it? It's removed from the scene and after that I I honestly am not too sure. It may be recycled. Certainly I don't think it would be repurposed for anything.
>> That's was I was wondering whether it would be removed or not. >> Yeah. >> I'm glad to hear that it's being removed. >> Yeah. The assumption is that it's in a degraded state so it wouldn't be used secondarily after the removal. >> It probably goes to India or China, one
of the two. Now, any other thoughts or questions? Um, all right. With that, and is it is it being replaced with um cast iron as well or is it being replaced with >> It is cast iron. >> It it is plastic.
>> Oh, it's plastic. Okay. >> 4 in plastic. >> Correct. I've seen it in many places around town. There's been a lot of this work lately. >> Yeah. >> Has a black stripe along one side.
>> Exactly. Yellow with a black stripe. >> Yeah. >> All right. Fair enough. Any other questions? >> Uh hearing none. Is there a motion to issue a negative determination uh with the special conditions including the silt socks staked uh and no overnight
storage or refueling within our jurisdiction? >> I'll I'll move that we issue the negative determination. >> All right. Is there a second for Tom's motion? >> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Thanks, Charlie. Any discussion among commission members?
Hearing none. Hans, how do you vote? I vote yes. >> Ingred, >> yes. >> Arthur, >> yes. >> Tom Palmer, >> yes. >> Uh, Charlie, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. >> And I John Kieran, yes, as well. Nate, thank you very much. I think you're good
to go. >> Thank you for your time, everybody. Good night. >> All right. Thanks. Uh, next on the agenda is uh certificate of compliance, 600 Canton Avenue. Yes. 600 Canton Avenue. Can you hear me? Sorry. >> Yes, now we can.
>> I didn't know if it was me or if it was the Zoom. I was so confused for a second. >> No one knows. >> Okay. >> It was It was a ghost in the machine. >> It must have been. Um yes. Uh 600 Canu. For the record, um
my name is Tylansky with Be Associates representing the applicant Winter Valley Residences. Um, this is for the Garden Pond Restoration Project and I am here this evening to request a certificate of compliance for order conditions number 46635.
Um, that was issued in February 2024. Uh, the order was issued for the restoration of an existing garden pond um by removing debris, sediment uh, and invasives as well as the maintenance of some overgrown vegetation uh, to over to
improve the overall resource area. Um since then the restoration has been completed and an asthma plan was created and submitted in the request for the stipulate of compliance along with the engineer certification stating the work has been completed um in general
accordance with the plans. If I could share my screen. I have a few photos. >> Should be able to do that now. Tyler, >> got it. >> Okay. Anyone see that? >> Yes, that's great. Thanks.
>> Um, so this is pre uh restoration. As you can see, the yellow flag iris, the invasives uh fully grown in there. Um, this is post restoration. All the invasives have been removed. Uh the overgrown vegetation has been cut down.
Um and then this being the outlet control structure. On the left you can see some debris in the rock covering the great and on the right you can see the debris has been removed and the OCS is
functioning as intended. Um when I was out there on site I inspected it didn't look great. water flowing full through and everything was all set there. And then the asphalt plan on the contours um that we shot in a
site visit and with that be all for me now. We we did a site visit for this and I know it's a it's a a very beautiful area. >> Yeah.
>> Is it was wasn't part of the plan to remove some uh trees that had fallen into the into the pond? >> Yes. So those trees were removed um and are no longer there. >> All right. >> And John, have you been out there to see
this? Philip and I have been out there and it looks We were out there on Friday. It looks beautiful. >> Oh, that's nice. That's good to hear. >> Yep. >> I'll tell you, it was not fun. >> It was not fun uh shooting survey points in there.
>> That water is >> That pond is full >> cold water. >> Yeah. So now is this accessible to um both uh you know the residents of uh Winter
Valley and to uh uh Mr. and Mrs. Lane. >> Correct. >> Mhm. >> That's good because I know one of the area one of the issues wasn't an issue but one of the points of discussion was to make it accessible and approachable.
Um uh and I think we at one point there was a proposal to cut almost cut a cut a cut a trail and then that was uh uh deferred or >> correct >> withdrawn or something. Um
>> we revised it to remove remove it out from the plans. >> That's good. All right. All right. So it looks good. Uh it looks good to me. So you're seeking what? A certificate of compliance. >> Correct. All right. And uh it is your attestation
that this was done in substantial compliance with the uh approved plan. That's a question. >> Yes, mine. Yes, mine. And um my principal engineer, Todd, whose stamp is on that. >> All right. Perfect. Any any questions from commission members?
>> Of course, I have one. Where does that um where does that well or outlet where does the water come to the surface again from that outlet? >> So there's a wear in there and once water builds up it spills out and
there's a stone swale that goes clan. >> It's actually a um it's a culver Tyler. >> Okay. >> It's down the hill under underneath. Yep. >> Underneath in a um in a wetlands
at the top of the slope on the hill. >> Okay. I think I know where you mean uh Steve. And it's like hundreds of feet long, isn't it? >> Yes, it is. Yes, it is. >> And it's a very steep slope, so it moves
very fast down the slope. >> Another question. Now that all the invasives are removed and you have a nice sunny pond and a sunny bank, what is going to grow in there to
replace those invasives because sun and water is what you need to grow, right? Something is going to arrive and grow there, >> right? So we that area was seated um with the New England wetland or mix
um and the invasives were removed to the best of our ability. We um use the best manage management practices possible to to fully remove those invasives. >> Does the mix mean uh plants that are
growing on the wetland edge or growing in the water? So, the area disturbed was seated as well as the pond itself with the New England wetland mix. >> What are the plants in that? Do you know?
>> Off the top of my head, I do not. >> There's There's a whole bunch of them, Tom. You can look them up. >> Are there some of them like plants that are actually aquatic plants? >> Uh, yes. >> Like, what would they be?
Uh, I don't remember all of them, so I'm not even going to stop start. >> All right. I'm just curious because >> you're you're wondering if there's any emergent plants, right? I believe there are emergence. >> Aquatics can be submersed like uh rooted in the ground
>> or leave >> or they can be floating altogether like duckweed. >> Yes. >> So, yeah, there's a variety of things. I'm just I'm wondering I guess we will
find out what starts to grow there >> if we go back. But Steve, I took it from you that you felt that the certificate is justified. >> Yes, absolutely. >> Okay. Okay. Good.
>> Any other thoughts, questions, comments from commission members Wendy? Yes, >> I have a I have a feel-good comment. Um, the one of the residents of Winter Valley has um taken a a strong interest
in this project and has collaborated with um the Milton Garden Club. um one of the garden club members, Georgia Lee, who who has um been here in several of our meetings and uh they have submitted
a application to the community preservation committee to um restore further restore the garden surrounding this beautiful pond. So, um hopefully this uh this area will
be um well enjoyed and loved by the residents of Winter Valley. >> Wonderful. >> Yeah, that is a feel-good message. Thank you. >> That's good news. Any anyone else comments, questions u
including abutters, members of the public, interested parties? All right, hearing none. Uh this is a request for certificate of of compliance and we we don't have this is a restoration project so we don't have to
wait two growing seasons. Um uh so I think we're ready for >> a motion >> for to issue the certificate of compliance. Is there such a motion? >> So move. >> All right. Thanks Tom. Is there a second? >> I second. >> Thanks Wendy. Any discussion hearing
none? Seeing none. Uh Tom Palmer, your vote. >> I vote yes. >> Arthur Doyle. Arthur Doyle. >> You're on mute. >> Yep. This is the vote on the certificate of compliance. >> Yes.
>> All right. Thanks, Wendy. >> Yes. >> Uh Hans, >> yes. >> Ingred, >> yes. >> Charlie, >> yes. >> And I, John Ken, vote yes as well. Uh, thank you very much, Tyler. I appreciate your presentations. Uh, and appreciate
the project, too. Make sure you tell uh Branch Branch Lane and uh the folks at um Winter Valley that it's a good project. >> We'll do. Thank you. >> Excuse me, Steve. Can you let Deb Keller in, please?
>> Um I'm still here. Yes. Go on. Uh >> you need to let Deer into the meeting. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Uh Oh, >> you kicked her out, huh? >> I must have.
>> Hopefully she's back in now. >> There she is. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Phillip. >> No problem. >> Hey, welcome back, Deb. >> The screen is not big enough. >> Thank you.
All right. Next on the agenda is number seven. Uh, certificate of compliance 85 Highland Street. >> Uh, yes. For the record, my name is Tyl Shansky with Be Associates representing the applicant branch of Bessie Lane. Uh, here for request for certificate of
compliance order conditions 046 0635. Um, as stated, restoration has been completed. Asmo plan was created and submitted and the request for civic compliance along with the certification stating the work has been completed in general accordance with the plans
>> and this is uh one and the same. >> Yes. So there two properties within the project area. So there's two orders order conditions. >> All right. Sorry, it's it's really this the same discussion, the same >> correct >> demonstration. Same same
>> same. >> So, the feel-good comments I would assume apply to this one as well, Wendy? >> Uh, yes. >> All right. Any discussion, questions, comments, both from commission members and uh about us, the members of the
public. >> I don't get it. Why is this a different one? >> It's on two pieces of property, I guess. I I actually thought >> two two different owners. >> I thought I thought it was a a joint application with both of them on it and a single
>> project number, but apparently they're it was given two project numbers. >> Okay. >> Same project >> and Branch and Betsy were with us on site at that sidewalk that you cited earlier, John. >> Oh, I know. Absolutely. Um I remember it
well. Um, so, uh, is there a motion to approve this? I mean, we've had full discussion of the project. Is there a motion to, uh, issue the certificate of compliance? >> Shouldn't we shouldn't we ask if Branch and Betsy want to comment? Are they here? >> They're not here.
>> No, they're not, but Tyler is is speaking for them. Correct, Tyler? >> Correct. >> Okay. I'm sorry I interrupted. And >> did you make a motion, Arthur? >> Correct. >> All right. Is there a second to Arthur's
motion to issue the certificate of compliance? >> Second. >> All right. Thanks, Charlie. I heard you. There may have been somebody else, but I heard Charlie. Um, any discussion among commission members? Hearing none, seeing no hands raised. Tom Palmer, how do you vote? >> Yes. >> Arthur,
>> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. >> Hans, >> yes. >> Ingred, >> yes. Charlie. >> Yes. >> And I John Kier and vote yes as well. Thank you again, Tyler. And then extend
our thanks to Branch and his good wife. Thank you. >> Thank you, everyone. >> Thanks, Tyler. Next on the agenda is uh 4 to 6 School Street. Is that Bob? Is that Is that you, Bob?
>> Yes, sir. >> All right. Perfect. Uh we're here for a certificate of compliance for uh Steve Harold, 46 School Street in in Milton, corner of Central Lab and School Street.
The property is for sale and um the um they're looking for a certificate of compliance. I submitted a request for um the certificate. Um there's a
question about the uh an issue about the brick walkway that it was not quite in the location of the uh approved plan. that's closer to the the building and farther from Pine Pine Tree Brook. Um there's a AC unit
that wasn't shown on the plan. A mini split also that wasn't shown on the plan. And the deck is slightly different than what was shown on the plan. Minimally, about a foot difference. And then the uh steps up to
the deck are a little bit different configuration than what was shown on the plan. But aside from that, everything else is um according to plan >> and I have I have seen it. Um and it looks fine. Looks great.
Um, I'm I'm trying to put in my mind when we first approved this. What's What's the date on the uh I've got it in my hand, but what's the date on the order conditions? >> It's way back >> way back. 1998 or 1999. >> Well,
the the lot FYI is directly adjacent of course to the stream and um it's a small road there. So, it's in between the stream and the road and it's a small triangular lot. It
can't be more than what 20 ft wide, Bob, >> with the with the lot. >> Yes. >> Um, probably 60 ft 60 70 ft at the most. >> Okay.
>> Is the stream channelized there? >> Yep. It's shown there. Pine tree brook the flow and uh shown on the asville pon is the um the original existing fence and the um
approximate bottom of the slope granite channel which was on the original plan. Um, so that's all outside of the property line, but um the um the pavement that was there in the rear of the building, most of it was removed.
Uh there's an existing bat between concrete parking area on the on the right hand side along um school street and a little bit more existing pavement from that parking lot to the corner
right corner of the building and then the rest of the pavement has been removed. And as I said earlier, the the brick walkway that was proposed is closer to the building than what was shown on the uh the uh approved plan.
And aside from that, it's all according to oily. >> The single family home. >> Um I'm not sure the status of it. I I think it's it may be a two family or there
might I think Steve had a his office there. So I'm not sure exactly what the status is. There is an apartment and I think that um you know might be the one apartment
or maybe two apartments in lie of the um the his office on the bottom floor. What what's the mini split unit? I'm struggling with this one, Bob, because I didn't miss too many and I see that I didn't sign this one in 99. Um, which is
awesome. >> That's like a an an AC unit. >> It's a heat pump. >> The mini split is a heat pump. See? >> Yes, it is. That's correct. I'm not sure they were around in 1998.
>> I don't think they were, frankly. I don't think we saw Maybe they were over in um I think I saw some in uh Asia in in the late 90s, but nothing here. As Asia was ahead of us with those.
>> All right. Well, I I um I struggled and I Is this on the corner? Yes. >> How close to the corner is it? >> Close to the corner. Yeah. >> Very. >> All right. Because I'm I I know I've
I've been there, but I'm I'm just puzzled as to why my signature is not on it from uh >> it's it's got a little the parking lot is a little bit upstream from it. >> John, just in case you're wondering. >> Does that Does that mean, John, I was I
was here before you? >> No. Oh, no, no, no. I I was here long before 99, but um I I'm just puzzled as to why my signature is not on there because I I don't remember missing any.
What a shock. Um so I I that's what I've been struggling with. But any questions or comments? I know some have been made as as to there are some obvious deviations. I'm not how I'm not sure how significant they are. Um, but I just
wanted to get everybody's comfort level. Uh, as to because Bob has elicited the uh, you know, the variations. They don't seem to be major to me. Um, >> yep. >> Anybody else have any views or concerns
or questions? >> Bob, did you uh look at the FEMA map for this site? >> I did not. It is right on the brook, but the brook is at the bottom of a trench, right?
>> Yes. >> I'd just like to say that once again is a very handsome, well done plan by Boban. >> A handsome plan. >> Thank you, Tom. >> You're always good.
>> Thank you. I like that. All right. So, any other If there are no concerns, then we should move forward with a motion uh to issue the certificate of compliance. Uh is there a motion to do so?
>> So, move, Mr. Chairman, to issue the circuit of compliance. >> Uh thank you, Arthur. Is there any second to that? >> I'll second. >> All right. Thanks, Hans. Any discussion among commission members? Hearing none, uh we'll take a voice vote. Tom Palmer,
how do you vote? >> Yes. >> Arthur Doyle, >> yes. >> Wendy, >> yes. >> Hans, >> yes. >> Ingred, >> yes. >> And Charlie, >> yes. >> And I, John, can vote yes as well. So, you're good to go, Bob. Thank you very much for that. Especially for that very
handsome plan. >> Thank you, John and Tom and and other commissioners. >> Appreciate it. >> Always good to see you. >> Uh, good to see you, Bob. >> Good. >> Um, thanks all. So number nine uh is 1672 to 1726 Canton Avenue. This is a
certificate of compliance as well. >> And who is uh making the presentation for this one? Deb, you got it. All right. Thanks. >> Good evening everyone. Uh Deb Keller with Merill Engineers and Land Surveyors. So, um, as noted, uh, uh,
before you, we've, uh, respectfully submit a request for a certificate of compliance for the Walcott Woods residential development, uh, located at 1672 1726 Cantav. Um,
so back in 2020, we we permitted this project. Um I believe we had two minor modifications to the original order um throughout the construction making some minor uh reconfiguration of some of the
buildings. No increase in unit count. Um we have now uh happy to say have completed the project. All houses are constructed. Roadway in drainage infill um all drainage facilities are
installed. The uh we also had uh with regard to uh wetland resources, we had a fragmitees removal area that was completed behind one of the buildings uh building number 65. The two brook crossings are installed uh
associated with the roadway uh circulation throughout the site. Uh the I I did note just a few minor um deviations from the plan. Uh, one of them was, um, if I could share my plan,
it might be helpful if I kind of if >> Okay, >> I'm staring at the plan and you can't you're not I don't know if you see it. >> Let's see. So hopefully
great can see that this is the first page of our asbuilt plan. Um Canton Ha Canton Aav is on the b bottom plan coming into the site you have the main roadway through the center here while cut woods lane. Um at the entrance we
have an infiltration basin to the right a small subsurface chamber system to the left. Uh there there was a gravel walking path that runs along somewhat parallel to um Cantav meandering through the uh wooded buffer. Uh to the left of
the main entrance, you can see the two large subsurface chamber systems that were um designed and installed. The first uh cluster of houses includes one of the existing restored homes and then
two new um single family dwellings. Uh as we move into the site um the first intersection here, I'm going to hop to the second page. See? Oops. There we go.
So, this one's a little bit better. So, and and then now we have the loop with all of the um houses um installed. This is the Walcut house, another house um that was restored. Uh two units are are um within the build uh the existing uh
structure. And then the last existing structure is the manor house which was um located uh along this side driveway or existing driveway. Uh with regards to the buffer area, uh runs along the the intermittent streams
through the site. We have the two uh roadway crossings, one on the north, excuse me, that's the south and one on the north. Um here they're completely installed. This is the location as mentioned of the fragmitees removal.
And so going back to some minor revisions um or deviations that were made, there was supposed to be a grass swale running along this driveway here directing um a gradient runoff into the bio
retention area. Um that was not installed, but the grading still allows for everything to pitch towards the bio retention area. The I hop back Does that deviation make a difference,
Deb? I mean, in terms of runoff, >> no, no, no change. So, I I double checked to make sure when I was out doing my sitewalk that the water because I was concerned that the water wasn't being directed um to where it was intended to. Um, still does. Everything
is pitched, the driveway is pitched towards towards the bio retention area. So, it's all the wersheds stay the same. Um looks like I don't have the area on the um asbuilt but this this existing driveway
comes down to can't nav and we had two um I think the planning board during the planning board process they asked us to put in two dry well wicking drainage area um pits. Uh they were not installed because no work was done down in that
area. Um and they and those also don't change uh any of the drainage uh analysis either. And then the last change or note that I had, it's not really a deviation um per se,
get my screen to come back. Um there's some a a little bit of erosion right here on the inner side slope of the this infiltration basin which should be repaired and I would recommend not doing that until the spring but it's it's just
it's just you know traditional standard maintenance that should be done on the basin. So I just noted that um as part of the uh asbuilt plan but um from a conservation standpoint um this is the
main plan showing um the buffer areas to the stream limit limit of works were maintained. We had two rain gardens installed up uh just upgradient of the roadway here. And I
>> Isn't there a barn or wasn't there an old barn in there where that stream uh intersects the road? Right. Right there. Yes. >> Here. >> Yes. In that area. Wasn't there a barn there? There was an existing house
approximately in this unit area that was um demoed. The barn that was re relocated came from the cluster up in this housing area and it was located uh relocated on the
abuing property here. So that's why we have this tree tree line path opened up because we had to create a path to move the barn down to the new location. I I remember that. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That was that was a a challenge
challenge cuz a lot of the roads weren't uh constructed yet. So trying to find to get a way of getting that barn down to that location um was interesting. Can you go back to your comment on the >> on the the comment on the erosion that
you saw should in in the spring >> is >> is there an on and m plan that goes with that >> part of the it was a detention basin wasn't it? >> It's it's an infiltration infiltration basin. Yep. And there is an on andm plan
that is associated with that that uh identifies maintenance. Um it's it's just one tiny little area right here. Just needs to be filled in with some loom and seed and and um reestablish the vegetation in that one location. Um
unfortunately this isn't the time to do that. That that's why I was recommending um making that minor repair in the in the spring. >> And the would the onm plan bind the I don't know what the organizational structure is you know once these units
have been sold. Is it is there a homeowners association that would be required to implement that O andM plan? >> Yes. Yes, absolutely. Yep. >> Okay. Steve, have you have you been there for
a walk through recently? I >> sure have, John. It looks looks very good except for the that little basin. >> All right. I've been very impressed um with how things turned out. >> All right. It's a it's a big project.
Does anybody feel that a sitewalk is um it would be informational for us? I mean, I'm I'm comfortable with, you know, photographs and Deb's presentation and Steve's affirmation. Uh but I I want to know if others feel that
a sitewalk would be appropriate. >> Just a little fun fact. um uh in the packet we we were lucky enough to have our drone up in the area and they took some aerial photos. So I incorporated them in in the submission for you. So I I'm hopefully you can see those up on
the screen right now just to give you a general gist of what the overall site looks like. >> I was just looking at those and they were taken at peak color. They're really gorgeous.
Like I'm guessing October 5th. >> Is there a date on that? >> Let me I'll check for you. I'll and I'll confirm when they were done. >> The first one has Blue Hill on it. >> Yes. >> It also shows
>> It also shows the uh open fields at the rear that you access by the dedicated parking where you can go through to the Blue Hills. It's a beautiful walk. I've taken it.
>> Are those parking spots open to the public? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> I >> The last photo shows a a white SUV in one of the spots. >> Wasn't there supposed to be some signage
that indicated that that they're open to the public? >> Let's see. H >> I believe so, Wendy. I think you're right. >> I believe so, too. I remember that as well >> because I went there um a couple of
months ago and and I didn't see any signage and and I it was my recollection that it was open to the public, but I I I didn't feel very welcome. >> I was I was a little concerned.
I I I can uh circle back with the developer to make sure that we get some signage up there. >> I think we should make that a condition because >> I see Shan's hand is up. Maybe he know a little bit more detail. >> He may. Yep.
>> Sean, you're on mute. >> We can't hear you, Sean. Oh, still still can't hear you. >> Nothing yet, Sean. No luck. >> No, nothing yet. >> Deb, might you be able to to call Sean
by by phone and relay his message? >> Um, I'm not sure I have his phone number. Let's see >> now. Anybody hear me now? >> Oh, there he is. >> Yep.
>> I was somehow locked out of my system. Sorry. My name is Sean Scale. I'm with Northland Residential. Um, and I can speak to the >> Turn up turn up your volume. I It could be me, but you're very hard to hear. >> Let me Let me try. Any better? any better?
>> Yes, a little bit. >> So, just I can speak to the signage piece. Um, DCR is has been charged or would like has maintained ownership of getting that signage kiosk, which is uh we haven't seen a design, but they are
they are dealing with that for for themselves because they would like it to be consistent with what their signage looks like out at Blue Hill. Um, so that's what I can offer you as far as information goes as far as um signage at that location.
>> If that helps, >> didn't we just approve a a signage plan for DCR? >> We did. >> Yeah. And they were they were located all through the Blue Hills. Weren't there seven or eight sites, but I don't remember this being one of
their sites? >> That I that I can't tell you, sir. I all I know is that the all I can all I can offer you right now at the moment is that they they are um in process of putting that together. I haven't seen the design myself either. So,
>> understood. Now, is is that Wendy? I'm not sure what you were talking about. Um, and I I understood what you said that you didn't have a feeling of being welcomed as a member of the public, but are you looking for a sign that says public parking or if you
reflect back on the DCR signage that we permitted within the last year? Um, that was different. That's, you know, this is where you are. This is the pathway to get to a different section of the Blue Hills. It was that kind of signage. What What are you talking about? What I was
was hoping to see is just some some indication at the parking lot that it was allowed for me as a member of the public to park there so that I didn't feel like I was trespassing. not
necessarily, you know, any um I mean, it would be wonderful to have signs about the trails, but but really what I'm speaking to tonight is something saying that it's okay for
people who are not residents to park there. >> Yeah. An invitation, Wendy, I'd call it, right? >> Yes. Yes. But but what Steve what do you I know the concept of what you just said but
what's the verbiage? Is it a sign that says public parking? >> Parking for trail access maybe. >> Yes. Something something on that order. Yes. >> Public parking for trail access. >> That's correct.
>> Yeah. >> I'm I'm looking at the order of conditions. I don't see anything specifically related to that, but I know we amended this a bunch of times. >> Mhm. >> Um, and it may well have been in the planning board um decision. I'm I'm not
sure. I I don't see it in hours. >> I'm quite certain we talked about it at some point. Maybe it's in >> in the minutes, >> which I know there's a lot of them. Well, this sounds like it has an easy fix. Okay.
>> Which is if if Sean and Deb you disagree, sure. We'll put up a sign that says, >> you know, public parking. >> I can speak to that. We have a there's a wood gate out at that trail location where the parking area is. You might have seen it, Wendy, if you are out there. >> I can I can certainly install something
at that gate. >> Um, you know, that would say that um, you know, public parking for trail access, something like that. If that works, >> that work for you, Wendy. >> I think that would be great. Thank you. >> Something something uh Sean, it says
access to DCR Blue Hills or something. Blue Hills reservation. Something on that order for public. >> It's important to get in now because as soon as the residents come, they will
pull it out again if they can. those residents, >> they'll do it. >> Oh, don't worry, John. I'll be I'll be checking it out because that that's a very >> um I spent a lot of time walking that trail
>> from the project up into the Blue Hills. >> So, I've done that quite a bit. >> It's a nice walk. >> Yes, it is. Uh-huh. >> So, if I may, is the agreed upon Woody public parking for DCR trail access.
>> Yeah, we should be specific because we should write it as a condition for the order of compliance. So, Arthur is correct. Let's let's not say something like this, something like that. If we can get the words down on paper, um I think it would be beneficial for
everybody. Arthur, could you read that again because it sounded good to me. public parking or DCR trail access >> that good sounds good to me. >> That works. I can I can get something I can get I can get something professionally made up and get it
installed in short order. >> Actually, I I don't want to sound like a cynic, but no guarantee how long DCR is going to be >> be called DCR. So, um and how about how about Blue Hills Trail Access?
Blue Hills reservation. >> There you go. >> In lie of DCR. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. >> I can do that. We can we can get that accomplished.
>> So, it's public parking for hills >> reservation trail access. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Great. Yay. Thank you. >> That'll work. Now, again, I'm I'm comfortable having
all the people that Well, we've we've all spent a lot of time up there. Um I'm comfortable without a sitewalk, but does anybody think that we should have a sidewalk? Doesn't it doesn't sound it, but I don't want you to say later on, hey, we should have taken a sidewalk.
All right. So, I I'm I'm good. Any other comments or questions of either Sean or Deb? >> I have one. >> I did I did go back and I'm sorry. Go ahead, Tom. >> I have one for Deb. I'm just looking at
page one of the plan or sheet one and looking at the proposed subsurface infiltration chambers. >> Yes. >> And I guess >> I was there when they were putting those in. As you all know, they look like corrugated pipes. I think they were pale
gray and they're just lined up and they have weepholes. I guess the water is directed into the halfpipes and then they infiltrate into the soil. And when I saw them, it they struck me as this is
the largest field I've ever seen of these pipes and there's two such fields. My question for Deb is have you ever put in so many pipes anywhere? >> Uh I have put in actually on another
Northland project we put in a system on a 4 acre piece with one of these fields size. So in relative um perspective it is definitely a a big system. Yes. And it's designed to take
all the road runoff from up the hill. Right. Basically, right? >> The majority of it. Yes. >> Yeah. Yes. >> From catch basins in the roads. >> That is correct. >> And isn't it nice that it's not under a parking lot.
>> It's fabulous. >> Yeah. That means nobody will ever have to dig up the parking lot to fix it. Um, well, that's all I had to say. Thank you. >> All right, good. And I and I did check
and the order conditions does have the on andm plan and um so that'll take care of any ongoing issues with uh erosion around the infiltration area. Um so I'm I'm comfortable with that. Uh is any
other comments or questions from anybody actually about as members of the public as well as commissioners? And if not hearing none, seeing no hands, uh is there a motion to issue a certificate of compliance with the conditions that that we've just
talked about with the uh public access to the Blue Hills Reservation Trails? >> I'll make that motion. >> Good. Thanks, Hans. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Thanks, Charlie. Um, any discussion?
Hearing none. Tom Palmer, how do you vote? >> Yes. >> Arthur, >> yes. >> Uh, Wendy, >> yes. >> Hans, >> yes. >> Charlie, >> yes. >> Ingred, you're on mute. Ingred,
now you're not. No, you just went back on mute again. >> There you are. >> Yeah. How do you vote? Yes. Okay. >> Sorry about that. >> Thanks, and I I vote yes as well, John Kieran. So, you're good to go, Sean.
Deb, thank you very much for your presentation. That's quite a It's quite a project. It's quite a project. >> It is. It's pretty good one. It's a good one to be proud of, I think, all around. >> Yeah, >> that's good. >> And a beautiful. >> All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you. Have a good night everybody. Appreciate it. >> Good night.
>> Good night. >> Uh and that is it, isn't it, for our agenda? >> Um, >> good new business. Steve, anything? >> Um, maybe some business that's been hanging
around for a month. Uh, I would like to mention again that we haven't done any any actual um approach to the
area that was cut at 71 Amore Road. >> Yes. >> Difficult to get into the property. So, I haven't taken that step yet. I just wanted to let you know that. Okay. >> Okay. I need to get into the and speak
to somebody who owns the property. Um because it's completely surrounded by a fence except from the backside. Um so I'd have to go over somebody else's property to get there. >> I did go.
>> Is that Is that something you can do or do you need some assistance on that or what? Um, I have gone to the next door property and taken a few pictures, but you really can't see it very well.
So, we really need to in perhaps invite the owner to the next meeting. I'm going to suggest and ask what what they did and why and and explain to them that um that's a wetland area and all the all the mature
trees have been cut. Oh, I I I didn't realize it was that extensive. >> Wow. >> Oh, it's incredibly extensive. >> Oh, >> is there is there a And I know I'm asking you to speculate because they haven't talked to them, but it does
there appear to be a purpose of that? I mean, >> not to my knowledge. I have not figured that out. I've been wondering about it for a month. >> Okay. Did it create a view of anything? The Blue Hills or something? >> Uh, no. No, not really.
>> But the property is is fenced and gated and locked off. So, I guess I'm going to see if I can get to somebody by phone. Um, >> we know who they are.
>> And and will you uh just draft a letter uh Philip and and just invite the owner to our next meeting uh to explain the uh apparent cutting within the wetlands? >> Sure. >> Yes. >> All right. Just, you know, simple, direct, polite, just, you know, you are
hereby invited to attend and we'd ask you to explain the apparent cutting within the wetlands. >> Yeah. >> Great. All right, that's >> that's helpful, John. >> Um, >> how close is this to the 40B site?
>> Um, it's about halfway up the street from that. >> Okay, thank you. >> Halfway to, you know, south. This is south of that, of course. >> Between Brussel Road and Blue Hill Avenue. >> If you were from Blue Hill A, it would
be the fourth house on the left. That's correct. >> All right. Good. >> Yeah. >> Now, and and again, looking at additional business, um I tried to reach out uh to the
I think he's the owner, but he might be the developer. I'm not I'm not sure. Uh at 1387 Brush Hill Road uh to invite him. Apparently, it's a situation where he's frustrated. um
because he'd like to move forward. This is what I understand. He'd like to move forward um with an order of conditions that we issued I know three and a half years ago at least. Um and we have recently received some
guidance from DP about circumstances where an order condition actually expires and according to the DE D regs um the applicant is required to refile. I know it sounds like form over substance but that's what
the regs say and that's what D is that's their guidance uh to conservation commission. And by the way, I I should take this opportunity to to compliment Alicia Gland. I I think she's great as a as a a source of education. Uh the
wetlands wetlands regulations. Uh she's a great resource. Um and it was one of her uh weekly guidances uh that alerted us me um conservation commissions generally that you do need to refile if
the um extension if the order of conditions has already expired. You know the trick is to ask for the extension before it expires. >> Um >> yes. >> So in any event I I've I've reached out or attempted to reach out to uh Mr.
sealer and see if we can facilitate this far because I I I understand he was concerned that he was being inhibited from um building the project which was approved some three and a half years ago. Um so anyway, if if you do know
him, I I called him a couple of times. I haven't heard back, but I will continue to reach out just to make sure he knows we're we're there and we're here to help him comply with with regs. >> Is that so? >> What's that,
>> Steve? Is that >> is that me and the that we've been communicating with? >> Um, I'm not sure if he's on that project or not, but I know Anton Cella myself. >> All right. and I I will talk with him.
>> He's coming in December if that's the project. If that's the address. >> Yeah, I don't remember. >> 1387 is the address. So, he's already >> Oh, good. >> I believe he has. I'll double check, but I'm I'm >> Oh, that's good. >> Because I I reached out to him to try
to, you know, encourage him and I said, you know, to tell him that we'll put it on as soon as you can get us the forms. Is that the one that Nick Milano was involved in, too? >> Yes, Philip, it is. >> Okay. I think this is They're coming in December. >> Okay, good.
>> They emailed us and I told them I needed nine copies by November 26th. >> Okay. >> To extend their order conditions. >> Um, well,
I I don't know. Did you say it that way to extend the order conditions? because I believe once expired you have to refund. >> Well, not I I didn't say to extend the order of condition to I needed nine copies of what they want to present. >> Yes. Okay. Good. Okay. >> No, I I'm sorry. I was I spoke out of
turn. >> Okay, good. Thanks. Yeah, I'm just trying to make it work so that you know all the residents feel that they have you know easy access to the system. Anything Anything else on additional
business? Because I have uh I have nothing in addition to that. >> No, I don't have anything. John >> John, I have something real quick. >> Yes. >> Um so there's been a couple instances where the consolidated facilities or DPW
has been doing maintenance, you know, really close to wetlands or really close to streams. Um, and um, there's been a few instances where neighbors have brought it up to me, and I've actually seen it myself, where I
think I've asked them if they've had any conversations with um, Steve or or Phil prior to executing the work. And there's been a number of times where they've not, they just have gone in and and started doing the work. um
understanding that Vista pruning is an activity that that can be considered exempt, but um the there's been quite a few times where it's been a bit more than Vista pruning. I think I brought one time to your attention um where you
know they're they're taking vegetation down to the ground um right up to the stream edge and it's after the previous time I brought it to your attention the it's it's happened two more times after that just in my area. So it wouldn't surprise
me that it's um the response from them when I've spoken to them and it's been very cordial has been well we just get a work order Um, and so I'm wondering, and I I think I'm wondering if this is a question for
Phil or or Steve or if how can we better help them to try to be compliant as as they execute the work. I think it's something as simple as having a conversation with Steve before they start taking a backhoe in there and a
and a a brush hog and chainsaws. Um, but That seems >> No, I I I agree. It's a good point and it it's it's a it's a good point at a good time. Uh the reason is a couple of things have come up recently in terms of
better coordination with DPW um and with the building department. In fact, um, Steve and I were talking this week and I promised to go to Nick Milano because there may be a cost associated with this, but there's a a permit
program or application called Permit Eyes and that's just the name of it, but uh, it's accessible to the public and it's anybody can see what permits been applied for from the building perspective. And there are different uh
components, different modules that you can add to this permit ice application. And one of them that's missing is u the overlay what is it that state >> it's a conservation module John conservation.
>> What's included? What's included in that? Soils >> wetland. >> I'm not sure because I haven't seen it yet. >> Okay. But what what we're doing is we're trying to to uh sort of facilitate a
better coordination with the building department. And so at the same time, and that's Michael White. And he he when he first was appointed, he was great. I mean, he he reached out to everybody and he spent he spent I don't know, an hour or two with with me. I know he talked to a bunch of people on the select board.
How do we we better coordinate so that different agencies, one knows what the other one's doing? and that would include parks department and to some extent the school department the facilities. Um so this is an appropriate time because I think we you know
different departments need to go back to Nick and say listen we're going to need a few more dollars to to buy the conservation module that would trigger that for any project and then of course to coordinate the whole thing would would be with Marina. Um, but she seems
to be accessible and uh, open-minded and stuff. So, I I think now is the the time to follow through on what you just said, to have a sit down. Um, and and maybe we could invite, you know, Marina and Mike uh, White to a Conservation Commission
meeting. I don't I don't mean to inconvenience them. I mean, we'll do it any way they want, but just so that we can discuss our concerns and they can raise their concerns. >> Yeah. Yeah, but >> I mean these instances are are easy.
>> Um but yeah, what you're what you're saying makes sense. I mean this is a very simple, >> you know, coordination piece on as you before you go and do the work. But yeah, I mean that seems Yeah, that would be hopefully this what you're what you're
talking about would would address the the situation as as a whole, >> right? and and we'd have to include Alan Bishop in that because you know he's sort of the the the keeper of the GIS maps and uh everything on on the
computer he seems to be >> so there's some certain toes we have to be very careful of >> toes >> toes that we have to be very careful of I think >> avoid stepping on >> oh >> yes exact exactly
>> right but the whole idea is to avoid stepping on toes And as long as we communicate, you know, one with the other, I it it makes perfect sense to have a >> and I'd be happy to participate, John. I I'm looking forward to participating. Okay. >> Sure.
All right. All right. Well, >> can I ask Hans where exactly the work you saw was? >> Um, so it's the path along Pine Tree Brook. So there's the I mean one of the areas it was cleaning up some
uh Japanese knotweed but >> it was taking it was not the right time to be doing that and >> brush cutting it down to the ground can actually exacerbate >> the issue. Um, and then on the other
side of the Parkway, there was some similar cleanup work that was done at the other bridge that we've been trying to get worked on for a very long time. And both those areas, the the vegetation was taken to the ground. I mean, completely to the ground. >> Um, yeah.
>> And that's not that's outside of the the vista pruning exemption in my opinion. And then there was another instance where they were taking um where I asked them to to stop and reassess and have a conversation with
Steve um where they were on the other side of the brook in in the improvised path that's out there. They were in there with a backhoe and chainsaws and cutting things down. And I said, "I understand what you're doing, but I think it'd be better if you maybe
reassessed how you're doing this." Um but >> which uh improvised path are you talking about? >> Uh so it's on the other it's in the section that goes
basically parallel to the path that goes from the parkway towards the high school. So there's there's the >> there's the developed path that's that's unpaved and then on the other side of the stream on on Pinery Brook there's
there's kind of a improvised path that >> it's a foot path. Yeah, I know what you mean. >> So >> it's surprising they would be on that side at all. I would just >> with heavy >> imagine that they think of it as maintenance.
>> Right. Yeah. That's They thought of it as this is a work order we received and we're doing the work. So I don't think it was really I don't think there was much beyond that. >> Yeah, I gotcha.
>> Okay. Thanks, Hans. >> Yep. >> All right. and I and um I'll I'm going to talk to Nick anyway uh because it's funding appo of trying to get that conservation module added to the permit
eyes. Um and at the same time u I'll reach out to Marina and you know express some of your concerns Hans and then I think some way whether as a committee as a as a whole you know subject to the open meeting law uh and or from some
subcommittees like you know you Hans or anybody that wants to meeting with Marina or whomever she I'd be happy to. >> Yeah that would be that's that's good. All right. So, that's that's on me
with a plan. Um, and I've got to talk to Marina anyway because was and Wendy for your benefit. Um, Tom Callahan uh emailed me and said I need an update on the uh pedestrian bridge and I'm I dropped the ball over the summer because
I we had made a lot of progress I thought uh on doing this. We've got the the surveys are done, the soil sampling is done. So the compaction studies uh we've got the narrowest uh you know crossing for the pine tree brook which translates into a shorter span which is
lighter which translates into we only need according to uh northeastern university engineering department we only need four helical piles instead of eight because the bridge is lighter and shorter. Uh all good news. Um so they
the only thing left at this stage is uh the design work for fab for the fabrication. Um and once the design work is completed uh then we can send it out for bid. But the the holdup has been my inability to get Marina and Dan Dilaski
together at the same time. And then it's it's been tough with all his different schedules, but I would hope in the next two weeks we'd be able to have a sit down to dot the eyes and cross the tees on the final spec for the bridge and
that. So then the next step is the bid the bid process. Um, and the reason marinas should be involved is because we're going to need some of the town's equipment and certainly cooperation, you know, getting the equipment across where Pevely Playground is is going to be and
we might want to time that appropriately so we get the heavy equipment in first. Um, and that that's the coordination stage. So, we're at the final coordination u stage for that. And I will assure Tom
that I'm not ignoring him. I'm just frustrated trying to get this meeting together, but within the next two weeks, it'll get done. >> Thank you, John. That's very helpful. I I tried my best to to recall where we were on that, and I I think I woefully
misrepresented. >> So, so thank you. >> We're close. We're close. Um, but but you said that Marina and you're trying to set up a meeting with Marina and Dan and >> Dan Dan Dulowski is the professor uh at
Northeast. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> He's the one that, you know, did the first design uh for a much longer span. It was like 60 feet, >> right? >> And we did get sort of some preliminary bids on the 60 foot one and it was much
cheaper than I thought. It was 65,000. Now, that's probably five years, four and a half years ago. >> So, I'm sure the costs have skyrocketed since then. >> But that's not the big cost anyway. We've got to get it here because if it's fabricated in Florida, we've got to
transport it from Florida to to here. And the bid we got was a Florida company. Uh we've got some other bids uh uh prospective fabricators uh closer to closer to home and that will adjust the transport costs and then we have to have
the heavy equipment to to bring it in and drop it into place. Um and some of the Joe Mugno had a a contact at uh I think it's called Brainree Helical Piles. >> Yes, >> I think that's the name of the company.
We were hoping to get u you know a a welcoming uh bid from them um you know just because of their proximity to the town and goodwill and all that stuff. So we're trying to do this all at the same time. But this is
the last almost the last phase. So, two weeks I'll I should have that done between Professor Dilowski and he's now changed his student lead because the guy that was there when when Chase Berkeley and Professor Dowski
um and I met at at the pond um he had a student lead there who's now graduated. So, so the good professor said, "I've got another one for you." Um but that that's important because he does want to involve the students. I mean, it's a it's a real opportunity for them to do a
real project. And of interest, Chase Berkeley recalled working on the other bridge at the other end of the pond when he was at Nor Eastern back in 2004. >> Oh my gosh. >> So, >> no kidding.
>> Slow progress, but progress. All right. So, that's it for new business for me. Anything else? So, should we adjourn? Sounds like a motion to adjourn to me. All in favor? >> I >> I
>> All right. Perfect. Thanks all. >> Good night. >> Good night. >> Good night all.