Oh, Ricko is here. I just saw message just jumped on. So, let's give it give it a minute. There's Rick. >> Jeff, can you hear me? Okay, >> we can hear you, Rick. >> Thank you.
Just in case uh Chris Haley wants to chime in, I'll make him call also. All right. Are we We're on, right? So, everyone's in. >> Sure. That's >> okay. Here we go. Hello everyone. This
is Chuck Terrone, Riddings, Conservation Administrator. This meeting will be conducted in person and remote format consistent with chapter 2 of the acts of 2023 which will further extend CO 19 measures regarding remote participation and
public meeting until June 30th 2027. Please note that not all items listed may be in fact discussed and other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. These agenda items include those
matters which can be reasonably anticipated to be discussed at the meeting. Please note that this meeting is being recorded which I have to do as soon as I'm finished. Uh and all materials are available at the conservation uh commission page on the
conservation division page under projects by year and uh Brian Bo is the commission chair and he will facilitate this meeting. Please note that there will be a public uh comment period at the end of each hearing. Each vote taken tonight uh will
be conducted by roll call vote. We'll begin with roll call attendance. Brian, can you go over the tonight's agenda and then take the roll call agenda attendance. Oh, Tim did make it. >> Uh call to order 703.
Uh this is the roll call. This is the order that we will vote in. Uh we'll start with Walter. Walter Talbert member present. Shaggar member present. Rick >> Rick Kio member present.
>> M >> uh give me a second. >> He just got in. >> Hang on. M get to you in a second. >> Say it again. I guess >> Tim, can you uh let us know you're there?
or not. >> You just muted yourself, Tim. >> Okay. Um, we we'll come back to him when he says hello. In the meantime, Martha >> Martha Moore, vice chair, present.
>> Okay. Um, I'll go over the uh Present. >> Yes. Brian Bro, chair present. Thank you, Walker. Point of order. Yeah. Okay. Go the agenda. First is 26 Whittier. That's opening of public uh meeting on request
for determination would be followed by three hearings that all would be continued. The first is 281 Main Street which will be continued to the 24th. That is a notice of intent. Then there's zero track road which is a continuation
of a notice of intent also will be continued to the 24th. And lastly for hearings uh there's Oakland Road in Birch Meadow. Uh this is a hearing opener hearing on a RDA. Actually that's not opening that's continuing a hearing on an RDA and that
will be continued until the 24th. That's it for our hearings. Then we have a few discussion items and some old and new business to cover. Having said that, Tim, can you hear me now? Whenever he comes in, we'll slot him in
the arms. Okay. First is 26 Woody Road. Can you go to the podium and introduce yourself and your address? U John McCabe uh from JL McKay Builders um representing Ron and Katherine
Capanro uh 26 Woodia Road. Uh we're looking to add a second story edition um same footprint of the existing home. Um and we are within the buffer zone. Um so
we had proposed you know just a a trench uh drip drain just to control uh roof runoff. I know currently there is um a driveway um kind of dry well that's picking up some of the water. Um my
thought was not to overwhelm that because we are adding a secondary roof um you know on the side kind of a hip roof. So, um the thought with the the drip drain was just again to just control more uh roof runoff as to not
overwhelm the the driveway drain and have water, you know, getting into the garage and stuff like that. Um so, yeah, I mean, we'll have some erosion control out back. Um there is a fence um pretty far back in the yard with some
plantings. Um, you know, so you know, my my proposal was for, you know, either waddles or hay bales with like a silk fence, uh, just to control any debris, things like that. Um, I know they had pointed out some, um, you know, burning
bushes on the the front of the building. Um, where I had proposed more drip drainage. um you know those if if we had to get rid of them, you know, we certainly could and replace them with, you know, say a red twig dogwood or um
maple leaf for vernum, you know, native Massachusetts species. Um and uh yeah, >> thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um questions from the commission. Uh I can't see hands raised on you the way
team so if Chuck can try to I see your hand is up. Can you go? >> Yep. Uh I don't of the questions we had was um the side a trench. Did we need a trench on the side? >> Um I don't think we necessarily need it.
I think it was just kind of out of an abundance of caution. >> Well, if I could jump in there. So, at the time we were thinking that it wasn't a hip roof, but now it's a hip roof. You have water coming down all all four sides. >> It is. I mean, >> it probably makes sense.
>> I think it makes sense. Yeah. Okay. >> Anything else? Sherog? >> Nope. That's it. >> Anybody else out there have your hand up? >> Martha. >> Martha, can you go please? >> Sure. Um, I'm curious. Are you planning to have
gutters on the roof or will it just drip off the roof edges right into the drip trench? >> Uh, the plan is to have gutters to to control it and and put it where we want. Um, >> and where will the gutters drain into?
>> That will be into the the drainage, you know, into preferated pipe. Um, landscape fabric, crush stone, um, you know, approximately 2 feet of crush stone, uh, with the preferated pipe on top wrapped in, um, landscape fabric, so
no soil can, you know, penetrate it. Um, and then the water will just kind of disperse as it flows in the pipe. >> So, the downspouts will lead into this perforated pipe which will be set into the drip trench. >> Correct.
>> Okay, that sounds good. Um and um I wouldn't have asked them to take out the um burning bush, but it looked like the orange line you drew was
going right across them that you would need to dig them up to get the drip trench in. >> We were we were close to them. I kind of oversized the orange line just I I had marked it for dig safe. Um, so just, you know, again, um, kind of out of an
abundance of caution. I I know I was right in between, you know, the three of them. Um, so yeah, obviously when we're excavating, you know, could damage the root. So, you know, why not remove them if if that's the case?
>> Okay. Yeah. If that's not a burden, I would certainly prefer to have natives like the maple leaf viburnum and the dogwood instead of bushes there. Um, and you've shown the erosion control sort of
halfway back in the yard. So, there will be no work beyond that erosion control. >> Nope. No. All the work is is on the existing building. All our materials and everything are all in the front. Obviously, access to the back is is
limited. Um, so yeah, I mean, we'll be hardressed to get a a mini excavator back there. So, um, yeah. >> Okay. And I see the construction entrance and I see the stockpile for construction material. What about a soil
stockpile from anything you dig? >> Um, would probably I mean it would be inside where the erosion control is. um you know because it's such a small trench it would probably be right next to it you know so
maybe 4 feet you know off the wall um you know give or take so it's you know it doesn't need to be a huge you know trench so it's not too too much soil but um yeah I would just kind of you know
trench it and put the dirt from where we dug right next to it so it's kind of a burm almost >> and then what will happen to that dirt afterwards. Is it just going to stay right there? >> No, we'll it'll get back filled. You know, obviously we you know, there were
some questions about grade um from the building department just with some frost protection and things like that. So, actually building up the grade along the building would, you know, help. Um I think it it wouldn't be much. Maybe an additional, you know, six, eight inches
um coming up the foundation. >> Okay. Um, I have no more questions. >> Tim, Rick, do you have anything? I can't see you. >> No questions, Brian.
>> The only thing I want to say is you mentioned the mini excavator. So, there's not a lot of space between your erosion control. What we're seeing sometimes is the uh operators get a little carried away and roll over the erosion control. I just I don't know if
it's gonna be you or somebody else, but just be careful they stay inside the origin. >> Yeah, of course. >> That's one thing I have because we're asked. Chuck, do you have anything? >> Uh, I just follow up on your question. I'd like to know um again with the
excavators, we like to have something visible and usually we don't like um straw waddle. So, if you could use silk fence, that would be great because
it's at least tall enough. Or uh >> straw waddle and um construction fencing because it's orange. >> Yep. Okay. >> Okay. Anything else? Last set. >> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. Um then it sounds like we're
pretty much Well, is there any um public commentary? Anybody online have anything they want to comment on? That's the question they want to ask hearing. None. Seeing none, uh can I have a motion to close the hearing on 26
Whittier? >> I move to close the hearing on 26 Whittier. Walter Talbet seconds. Walter Talbert's in favor. >> Still the liquor in favor. >> Rick Kio in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor.
>> Ryan Bow in favor. Okay. >> Any sign of Tim? Did he say anything yet? >> Haven't said anything yet. And he's not online. Well, I'm not visible. Um, okay. Then this is an RDA. myself.
Can I actually Mara, can you give a motion what we want to do with the >> You want to talk about conditions before you get to the motion? >> That's a good point. Uh what conditions do we want to add to this? We have the one about the uh
>> control, >> the fence control, >> and I think we're agreed on replacing the burning bush with native species. Yeah, that's it. Okay, those are the
conditions. So now, can I have a motion to issue? >> I moved in order to allow this project to go forward. I move for a negative determination ofability. >> Walter Talbot seconds. Walter Talberts
in favor. Sherox in favor. Rick Q in favor. Martha Moore in favor. >> More in favor. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, moving right along.
281 Main Street. As I said in the preliminaries, uh, this will be continued to, uh, June 24th. Have a motion to that effect. Um, let me just pause to say it looks like Tim Michelle is not a co-host and
that may be why he's not able to be heard and unmuted. >> Okay. So, while Chuck's checking that, can you make a motion? >> Um, sorry. What are we >> a motion to to continue 281 Main Street
to June 24th? >> I move to continue 281 Main Street to June 24th. Walter Thomas seconds. Walter Thomas in favor. >> Jack Sticker in favor. >> Rick Kio in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor.
>> Ryan Bo in favor. >> And Tim, can you hear us? >> Tim, can you hear us? >> Can you hear me now? >> Okay. Uh, can you just say you're present and then you can vote on this >> to Michelle? Present to Michelle in favor. >> Thank you. Okay. The next one is Zero
Track Road. Um, this one will also be continued to June 24th. Can I have a motion for that? >> Zero track road. I move to continue to June 24th. >> Walter Talitz seconds it. Walter
Talberts in favor. >> Cheryl in favor. >> Rick Kio in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor. >> Michelle in favor. >> Ryan B in favor. Okay. Last hearing for tonight is Open Road in
Birch Meadow. Uh this has already been continued to June 24th, so we don't need to vote on that. And that is it for the hearings. Now we get to discussion items and vote items. The first one is
um request for a certificate of compliance for 1153 Main Street. Is anybody online for that, Jack? Y uh okay. Um
so I'm going to uh start this off. Uh we did a site visit there um this past week. Um there were a number of us there. We saw some issues that raised
questions. Um the first one was that um in addition to the stairs that are shown on the plan, there's a secondary of stands, a secondary set of stairs going out perpendicular to that which goes down to a platform partway to the ground
turns 90 degrees and goes the rest of way to the ground. It's going to a path that's also not on the plan. So there's a structure not in the plan and there's a path not in the plan. Uh additionally u well those are the only things I think
we talk about in the conditions. Uh we did see evidence erosion control had been halt. Uh so that's good. Um there were trees growing there which were clearly planted as part of this even though I'm not in the conditions and
they're in uh good shape which is great. Um so from from my perspective and others can well why don't we do discussions first and then I'll give you my perspective. Any other comments observations on that?
>> I think it it's it might be uh informative to the commission if I let them know what I know about why some things have happened. >> Uh so uh um the owner's name is Darene Stoddard and she came in. This is one of
those uh notices of intent that took a long time to even get to a point where we were going to review it. So, I got to know Darling quite well. And um when she came in and did the garage, uh after that garage had been finished, she
also wanted to work on her porch. And I told her at that time that her permit was still in effect. And I thought it would be appropriate since it's in the outer 100 foot area of the buffer zone to go ahead and do the work, which I
reviewed the plans. I knew what it was. Um, and we would uh pick up this um uh this this difference on the as plan. And so um I felt like it was small enough to
cover you know what was on what was uh being worked on. So anyways uh for good or for bad she had my permission to proceed under the existing permit. >> Anybody else have comments?
>> Do we have an asbuilt plan for this project? Yeah, it's on the board. >> I don't see the new stairs on that asbuilt plan. >> I don't think the stairs um made it on the asbuilt plan.
>> They're not there. >> Asbuilt. >> Yeah. So, I think they would need to get added to the asbuilt plan so that they are recorded as existing cuz the stairs heading toward the driveway are there,
but there's another set of stairs heading um down on this piece of paper that is not there. And there's a gravel path heading into a door at the side of the garage. And my concern about giving a
certificate of completion is that there is um loose top soil with no um plantings on both sides of that path that leads to the garage. So I'd like to see um seed of some sort to stabilize
that soil before we confirm that this project is complete. My observation was they had the uh trenches looking from the street towards the garage on the left side and the right side of the garage, but the down spouts
from the gutters were draining into diverters which jumped over the the trench rather than discharge into the trenches. >> Mhm. Anything
else? >> I'm not sure that those were even trenches. It just looked to me like they spread gravel outwards from the garage. But that trench that was described by the previous contractor we just spoke
with. Um, sounds like a much more uh suitable way of absorbing the water. And this it didn't seem like the gravel went down 2 feet and had um
French drains and landscape fabric. And I wonder if the >> Yeah. >> You want to let Chuck speak to that for a moment because >> Sure. >> had eyes on back in the day. >> Uh so I did see the trench when they were made um and that they were deep. I
didn't see the stone going in it or not, but I did talk to Darlene when she came in the other day to talk about um the site visit report and asked her to turn the down spouts so that the water uh goes into the drip trench and she said
she would be able to do that quite easily. And um but you know they were they were dug two foot by two foot when I was there. Uh, I don't want to be, you know, even
or say something that sounds like it's a conspiracy. Uh, so I'm going to say that I I saw that this was completed correctly. >> Good. That's all I was going to ask was, is there any eyes or photographs that would demonstrate what's going on under
the top layer? >> I dug down the left side and the right side. the right side, I was able to dig quite a quite deep before I found any soil. On the left side, looking at the garage, I hit soil after around three or
four inches. So, it's not 100% stone. >> Maybe. Yeah, maybe in that area. Yeah. Was that out by the front? By the front of it. Yeah. >> Yeah. Who knows? there. There wasn't any uh
keystone on site when I saw this, but um it did look like it they met uh the standard which was to have a trench next to the garage. >> The mitigating factor there is that they do have gutters bring it to a down spout that's in the back of the garage, not
front where you were concerned about the depth. As long as they turn the bottom so it doesn't jump the trench, but it goes into the trench and back. >> Well, I'm sure they're working fine. >> Yeah.
Um, so from my perspective, there's no more no more questions. I'll give you my perspective. My perspective is I'd like to accept this with the condition that this plan gets updated not necessarily
by an engineer. It doesn't have to be uh formal and complete but even hand sketch in where the stairs and the path are so it's there in the future should this get additional work on it. Um, I'd like to also point out that that the 100 foot
buffer line is not on it at this point. I would not suggest that gets handd drawn in, but just to note that. Anybody any discussion on that suggestion? >> I'm still concerned about the top soil not being stabilized on either side of
that path. >> Okay. Do you want to add then that they throw down some seed there? It's clear that they're going to, but to put it formally into our request that they put it down essentially now.
>> And then would Chuck go back and check to make sure it has taken and there is no uh ri uh >> yeah erosion rivullet. >> Chuck would or we could one of us. Yeah. So we will look at it
shortly to see that it's actually happened. I guess I'm okay with that. It seemed like maybe we should just postpone giving them the certificate for another couple of meetings and go back
and look at it once the grass has grown. >> We certainly could do that. Is there any urgency to get this cir certificate now? >> I'm not sure. Check. There any urgency? >> I don't know of any. >> All right. I wanted to make a motion to that effect.
>> Actually, just one quick question. Uh I don't know if it was addressed, but those two trees uh there was a question about their age. Like u >> Yeah, they're they're actually not in the conditions. Sh. >> Okay. >> Although we did see them and they were in good condition. That doesn't prove
anything. No, I think there was a question about the three-year uh but yeah. Okay. Since they are in good condition, >> good time to let them know like I had talked about this with with Brian when he um a little bit this afternoon and uh
Brian reminded me that not every order of conditions in the past we used to add a three-year uh uh condition on survivability. So, >> so that obviously is one where it wasn't
done. >> So, it's not in there, we can't hold them to it. But the good news is the trees are doing well. >> So, are you saying that we asked them to plant the trees, but we did not put a survivability? >> Yes, that's what it seems like.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Got it. Okay. Okay. >> Then you were going to make a motion to delay for couple months or something. Couple
meetings. >> Yeah. Um I'd like to move to the first meeting in July so that we have a chance to go back and see how the grass is doing and make sure the soil is stabilized. Do you think
that's long enough to be confident? >> I don't know. >> I'm not saying it's not. >> How long does it take grass to grow? >> Depending on whether you're watching it or not. Thank you. >> Should we go first meeting in August? >> Yeah, I think that's fine. As long as
going to bump it out. There's no urgency. First week. So, first meeting in August. Okay. >> August 12th. >> I move we continue this discussion to August 12th and go back on August 10th
to check on the stabilization of the soil. >> Walter Tobet seconds. Walter Talbert in favor. >> Cheryl in favor. >> Rick Kio in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor.
>> Tim Michelle in favor. Ryan Bow in favor. Okay. Good. Uh, next is 24 Pineville A. And this is a
discussion. It's not a subject of an application at this point. Um, Martha, do you want to briefly summarize this? And I emphasize briefly because we're trying to set a record.
Okay. Um we went to um >> 24 Pineville. Um and the plan online does not show dimensions of
the proposed addition. Um, but we estimated that it would come out to about the corner of a raised bed they have in their backyard. And we measured from there to the culvert where there's a a stream that connects it to the
wetland. And that was just about 35 ft. So I think um we would need uh dimensions on the plan and a distance measured to that nearest point of the wetland to be able to um consider this
project. Um we also noted there was a large silver maple overhanging the garage and um that there was a small amount of yard waste in the back of the yard near the stream.
Um certainly not egregious. Um and discussion of there was a patio shown on the plan that would be closer to the wetland than this addition and the addition would be 35 ft from the wetland. So the patio would be a
structure within the no structure zone. When we talked to the homeowner, he suggested he could put the patio further away on a different side of the um addition. Um that all being said, I was
looking at it as I think it really ought to be a notice of intent and not an RDA given the um closeness to the wetland. >> So, let me add one thing to that argument. Um, in addition to what you
said about the distance, I agree it's close enough. I'd want to see an actual measurement, but also he just drew in the approximate wetland boundary. Um, and I would say it's close, but I think this whole thing is close enough that
we'd want to have it delineated by a weapon scientist so we could be sure. So, I agree that if they want to move forward, we'd be looking I I would like to see where the heck that culvert drains to.
>> I guess I'd like to know curiositywise, but I don't think it affects this project. >> The location of where they are where it actually is. >> Okay, that's fine. I mean, if they're going to do a plan, maybe that would show one.
Yeah. No, it didn't bother me that much. Any other comments, questions, observations? Okay, then I think we're in agreement that Chuck, you can talk to them. >> Sure. >> Looking for you at all.
>> So, uh, did you hear the court? >> I I don't know. I know I didn't. Um, so yeah. So, um, was called up by, uh, 24, um, Pineville A. They have a project in mind and they ask the commission to go out there to
let them know two things. >> What permit do they need and that I heard that tonight which is an notice of intent and uh will they be required to delineate the wetlands and it sounds like both those are true. So I'll let them know
that and um and uh I'll send them an email tomorrow. Yes. Is the wetlands is not a clear and obvious line by visual. >> I also think the one um I know the wetland delineation for the Pineville
and Main Street project. It's not str. >> Yeah. >> Um is uh falls very short of this property. So, um, it would be good, uh, if we had some of that information for this property, it would make a difference, but we
don't. Okay. So, then is 1295 Main Street. This is request for certificate of compliance. And before we get into that, hang on one second. I
have to point out that uh when we met with you uh in the last meeting uh we did it incorrectly. Um my fault but the issue was that because you weren't on the agenda we could have gotten
information but not deliberate or anything. The first issue, the prior one, which is the real issue, is if you remember, we had closed. Then we were surprised that we hadn't gotten to you and we reopened, but we didn't do that properly. We didn't take a vote. And so,
basically, what we're going to do here is recap what we did last time and then have the more formal process at the end. Okay. Now, please give a presentation you'd like to show us. Can you give us your name and address
please? >> Yeah. Hi everyone. Um we are here Ahmed and Ma my wife. We are the owners. Um >> can you say your name fully sir? >> Yeah. Yeah. My name is Ahmed Abdul Gal and my wife. We are the owners for on 295
Ministry. Um we purchased the our house 2023 um with order of condition um DP file number 270749 and we are here tonight to request um kindly in the certificate of compliance.
So um little bit of background. So the house constructed in accordance to uh with the approved plan and order of conditions the buffer area remains intact. There was no erosion observed or disturbance uh in the area. So the
ground cover and natural vegetation established throughout the site. Majority of required or most of the required planting have survived and well established. So little bit of a background and as we can see here like this is just
a snapshot on how it looks. Um I just took it last weekend. So um it shows like as you can see healthy dense native and established planting in the area uh throughout the buffer zone and uh with
established ground cover uh no erosion and uh with shrup layer. So I think that's uh that's that was really all good signs. Um also the protected uh zone shows natural volunteer growth and ecological function. So that's another
thing um was observed. So some trees were lost in the area. I just put it here in the table as per um um your your site visit. So um as like here the the main root cause is the deer browsing confirmed by uh the site
inspection. So it's basically not because of the construction nor the vegetation issues. Um and as we can see here like in this in this um in this picture. So there are some like two three trees previously assessed as
unlikely to survive now show evidence of bing and leaf emergence potential recovery. So which is also a good sign per the again last weekend I just had a look and took some uh pictures. Uh overall like there is no erosion no
buffer disturbance uh no encroachment into protected zones. So um multiple other plants survived. Um so it seems this is an isolated issue. No systemic issue. Also there is two walnut trees uh
volunteer trees grow in the in it on its own. So that's pretty much the the main uh observation. Um and the root cause identified was basically for deer browsing confirmed as a primary cause of
planting mortality. So again no evidence of erosion or storm water impact or other site related conditions affecting planting survival. Um the commission acknowledged this factor in the prior meetings. Um no
evidence of owner negligence or improper maintenance. Um so and we also discussed about some protective measures for the trees in the future. So 3-foot protective fencing to be installed around replacement
plantings um fencing installation at the time of planting fencing to be maintained throughout the establishment period and u this would be addressing the underlying uh cause and the preventurance. So that was what like the
main outcome for previous discussions. And here I just summarized the main um commission site visit findings again like again probably a trees identified as three as dead or un unlikely to survive. Uh there was no
significant concerns identified regarding um erosion, buffer disturbance or encroachment. uh the deer damage observed and discussed during the site inspection and probably because it had we had like a really cold winter last time. So that uh
the deers were just looking for for food. So u which is part of the ecosystem. So today we are just again based on our discussion um summarize the two options uh as a mitigation for for the
commission to decide. So the first one is on-site replanting for the the day trees. So uh replacing the identified trees with the same species or comparable native species approved by the commission. Uh with that we're going
to replace a trees in original and or comparable location within the buffer zone. Um supplemental irrigation will be provided during establishment uh with watering coordinated by the owner uh or landscape uh contractors until property
transfer. So with the 3 ft uh foot protective fencing installed at the time of planting uh that would be mitigating the deer brows damage as the primary cruise of plant. There will be still remaining some risk but at least we put some
protection for that. Um there there are some cost estimates. So one action I took from last time is to get some quotations for the trees. So um I got two quotations. Um Mahoney's garden center quoted approximately uh 4,300
including planting and one year warranty after uh planting. Um we will be providing supplemental water and installed protective deer fencing as uh mentioned and also we are willing with to work with the commission uh on appropriate financial assurance
mechanism like hold back or whatever you see valid if deemed necessary to ensure implementation and survivability requirements. So that's the first option. Moving to the alternative mitigation
which seems to be simp simpler and durable. Uh so in le of the site replanting provide equivalent conservation value through a donation or directed uh planting at the commission approval location approved location. Uh
preferably do planting in fall as we heard last time for better survival of plants. Uh also there there will be a warranty one year by the landscaper if not planted in a correct way. So um that would be a simple path. Um the
contribution based on the estimated replacement value, same value as selected either option one or two of the identified trees directed to commission approved conservation fund or town planting program. Um the tree planted will be planted in a
location and the species mix determined by the commission where deer pressure is lower and survival rate are much higher. So lower uh risk on uh further to be eaten by the deers. Um and the existing protected vegetation zone on the
property remains fully intact and continues to provide buffer function. So there is no harm on the property as well. Um and this again as mentioned it seems to be more simple uh from long-term administration perspective. So the conservation objective would be
achieved through commission directed mitigation without requiring future replacement planting at the property. Also the trees would be planted um in a commission approved location and monitored under town oversight. Uh so
again like no requirement for owner monitoring or um or hold backs or ongoing compliance tracking for at the at the property. So those were the main two options um like we why you are requesting for
certificate of compliance as of now uh the property may transfer ownership in the near future. uh defined compliance path would provide clarity for all parties uh while ensuring the continued protection of the resource area. Um yeah and with that we're going to have m like
conservation objectives met remaining gap would be identified and manageable. Um and again we are here to provide this uh proposal in a good faith to allow any any mitigation required also like clarity on the ongoing compliance um and
issu with conditions or defined paths provides a clear framework for all parties. This is our last slide. So basically we respectfully request that the commission review the proposed approaches on site
replanting either option one um which is replanting or option two for off-site mitigation. Consider the photographic evidence as needed offsite conditions planting survival and partial tree recovery and determine whether um either
approach may support the issuance of certificate of compliance. um and finally confirm that either um approach ensure the continued protection of the resource area and conservation objectives. So thank you for your guidance and support.
>> Thank you. Comments, questions from the commission. Anybody online first? >> Can we go to option one again if you don't mind? >> Sure. >> Just give me a moment to read it again. While you while you're reading, does
anybody else have a comment they want to? >> Well, ignoring the issue of the transfer, um I'll speak from personal experience. This past winter, my trees got girdled as tall as six foot.
So, I don't know. Deer fencing should be higher than three feet. I think that may take care of the rabbits unless we have 3 foot of snow, but I think the deer fencing is too short. >> Okay. Anything else,
you want to say, you said on your read? >> Yeah, I I was just trying to understand like if like the um part where if there is a transfer of property, how does that I think we had that question last time
as well. How does the next owner um how do we make sure that they have >> Yep. Noted. >> Yeah. >> Anybody else out there have any comments, questions? >> Yeah, I agree with both Shrog and Walter
that those are issues with this project. In option two, the homeowner mentions planting in the fall. And I had originally suggested planting in the fall, assuming that there would be a new owner living there for option one. I
think for option two, planting could be done at whatever time um Chuck and um whoever is deciding where the plants go um would decide also when to plant them.
Um, but my concern was if they plant the trees in option one and then the home, usually it takes 60 days or so to pass papers on the home. The home is sitting there and the new owners are not
watering the plants and the previous owners are not there to make sure that they're really being watered. So, it's a high risk that your plants don't survive because there's nobody living in the house to do the work. So, um I guess my
thought is option two is a lot simpler. >> I agree with that. I think option two, >> anything for you, Rick or Tim? It's $4,300 equivalent value for option two and and one
>> roughly. >> Yes, >> I'm okay with option two. >> If from the looks of it, material is the same, the one includes about $300 for the installation. Yeah. So, basically the trees are the same, give or take.
>> Okay. >> I think option two is a much better option. >> Sorry, Tim, I couldn't hear you. I think option two is a much better option for everyone involved. >> So from from my my perspective, I agree. Option two is cleaner. Um you folks can
move on with your life and enjoy Texas and we will have the money to deal with trees um as we need where we need and it seems to be the best way to satisfy the needs the act as well. So, um, can I
have a motion to the effect that we will issue a certificate of compliance? Oh, I didn't give Chuck a chance. I apologize. Uh, yeah, let's not issue that yet only because that you probably want to think about what conditions that you're going
to can't add any conditions, but I think you're restating the conditions that are in the order of conditions. So, I think it you need to be clear that even though you're accepting option two,
what's out there in the 25 foot area is to be main name in perpetuity. We're just not adding any other plants. >> Um, you have to discuss if this survivability goes away or not. Um,
I don't even know if the commission uh feels comfortable with the sitewalk that already happened as a plant review and a certificate of compliance sitewalk. Um, if you feel satisfied with all that. Um,
>> yeah, it was really plant review. >> We definitely covered all the plants. >> Yeah. and um get the right page. Um Chuck, yes, I felt confident that the zone of natural vegetation was in fact
functioning as intended and um just we are short some trees. But some of the trees that we were concerned about are actually on the opposite side of the house. So they're more landscape
screening trees between that house and the neighbors as opposed to zone of natural vegetation trees. Um, and there's enough shrubs in the zone of natural vegetation that
it's clearly not lawn there. It's not like there the lawn is going to grow into the zone of natural vegetation without the trees that are missing. >> Right. And we did count and the shrubs was over 80% surviv survival rate.
>> Yeah. And the ground cover looks good. >> So I wouldn't recommend this option if it were not for the um good survival of the shrubs. Maybe they were under the 3 ft of snow and therefore the deer didn't
eat the shrubs, just only the tree bark. Okay. Um, so we should talk. So, it sounds like you're comfortable moving forward. And I did check the agenda. It does say request for a certificate of compliance. So, it's appropriate to move forward with that also. Um, and so I
wrote down a few things. uh maintain the um granite bounds and signage, maintain the health of the uh plants that are in the 25- foot zone. These are all in perpetuity, but are
also already stated in the order of conditions. Just be pulling all that things that are supposed to be uh in perpetuity into the uh certificate of compliance so it's known again. Um, and that would include not allowing any
of the grasses to choke out some of the smaller plants. Martha, you were there. Is that still needed? That some trimming is needed around the plants. Probably would be a good idea. Yeah, some of the blueberry bushes are kind of
the same height as the other gr other plants around them. Um, so before I write water as needed, is the survivability what what happens with that? Is that does that go away with this agreement or
>> haven't we made it three years? >> Yes. Well, we've made it three years and we're It sounds like you're going for option number two. So, there's nothing to look at again. >> Okay.
>> Um but that area is supposed to be maintained. So, it could >> you the next owner just couldn't give up on it and let it die out. >> Doesn't that transfer to the new owner? >> It does. >> Everything goes with the property. So, I
didn't I'm just >> Yeah. I know I just >> churning a little bit. So, someone may come up with a with a condition that I don't I didn't think about, but just want to make sure we're covering those bases. >> Yeah. And and just as mentioned last time by Maha, we we really like the the
loan took like minimum maintenance from our side. We were just keeping an eye on we didn't want to go like in the surrounding for this area beyond the granite post. Uh but like it took really minimum. We didn't do a special care for
the planting or like anything. So, it went smoothly. So, like just to let you know, so we don't anticipate to have any issues. >> Yeah. >> With the new owners. >> It's probably close enough to groundwater, too. >> Yeah. Exactly. So, just >> damp, you know, >> just making sure.
>> Yeah. Because of the driveway, it's purple to water. So, anything, you know, just goes there. So, it's also um and yeah, we have the granite. is going to stay right. So everyone who whoever is coming after you know that
after that zone we cannot make any loan or anything like that. That's why the boundage has to stay in place. Somebody who didn't live through it could see. >> I guess one condition I'd like to add is um
to make sure that the new owners understand that it is beneficial to cut back the invasive species. I know that's an area where the bittersweet
keeps trying to come in. So, um I don't know exactly how to write that as a condition, but you know, make sure that the new owners understand that zone of natural vegetation doesn't mean you can't touch it. It just means you can
only eliminate the invasives that are trying to come in. >> Are you going to meet with the owners? Will you be there or will we'll be remote for you guys? >> Yeah. So, whoever comes, we clearly explain about like what we were doing and the >> I just didn't know if you want to be
there at the same time. >> Yeah. >> It would be good then to pass on some of you the things you know things to pay attention to. >> I mean it's in the conditions they get transferred automatically but it would be useful to point it out to
>> I've not visited this site so bear with me on my question. So right now there are dozen almost a dozen dead trees just look on the ground. The house is like this. The the right hand side is where
the wetlands are towards the back. On the right hand side there are many bushes. There's trees scattered around not a line of trees. Um some of the trees on the right hand side especially I'd say the back right. is the two witch
hazels back there. Those are the ones that served as lunch. Uh there were a couple on the left hand side. The ones that were not in great shape. They're showing some buds. Maybe they make it, maybe they don't. But um no, it's not like a whole
line of soldiers. So the discussion of you have dead trees on your property that I'm about to buy is between them and the new party. We don't get involved in that law. Right? So if we choose option two,
we're giving them certificate. They are given some money that we will use to plant trees somewhere in our jurisdiction. Um we're counting on them to transfer some knowledge, point out the responsibility, but new owners aren't
going to leave dead trees uh in place, right? And so if you encourage them to plant that would be great but per this certificate we're not making that mandatory not mand mandating replanting
there in the same places. >> I think that would be great even for the ones which is showing survivability. So there are trees now three ones which is in the backyard. I believe Martha um pointed to that. So it was basically like at your visit it was having much
less leaves. Now it's getting like growing quickly. So hopefully again while keeping this I I would hate to take it out even if I'm doing that is option one. But yeah just keep giving a chance to provide. And the only other thing which I know is
in the order of conditions is a uh a a requirement to let the new owners uh you you give them the old order of conditions and they acknowledge that they understand that this is in a wetland buffer zone and there's
requirements that continue on that. Usually we get that um you know kind of during during the process of this uh this turnover. So sometimes the lawyer sends it to us, sometimes homeowner sends it to us, but it also includes
contact information. So we're driving past and we see something happening, we can we can reach out. >> That's it. That's all I had. >> Okay. Um, so unless we need further discussion, we want to vote on issuing
or not. >> Can I just make one more comment? Um, since Walter was questioning these dead trees, I don't think any of these are hazardous dead trees because none of them are more than about 10 ft tall and 2 in diameter. They're not,
>> you know, something you would need to take down for safety cuz they're just they never got that big yet. No, I would imagine to take it down for view, not safety, >> right? Yeah, but it's not something you'd need to
call in a tree company for. >> So, can we have a mo a motion to issue COC for 1295 Main Street? Um and the
condition of that motion would be paying 4300 into the conservation >> option two as presented by the applicant uh which is essentially
um giving them that they would pay us u money. Um, actually I was going to suggest now I think about it that we asked for 4,000 not the 43 since the 300 was for installation. So we asked for
the trees and not for installing them because obviously under option two we'd be installing them somewhere >> or we'd be paying someone to install them and therefore we would need some money for the installation. I was just thinking of the model bare metal.
>> Well, what's Chuck's >> you thinking? >> You know, to be honest, I thought we were done, but um that's really my thought. >> Yeah. Uh do you want So you're asking me if So
typically um when we're installing trees, it's done by volunteers, but when we discuss this um at the meeting um uh that you know we have to talk about
everything again. So let might as well discuss it at this meeting. I think uh it it's a it was a good point to say since uh the applicants aren't going to be there since um we don't understand the watering if we could have them pay
for and plant the trees in a spot in a time of our location that would be the best option because then you know it wouldn't I wouldn't have to find labor I wouldn't have to find uh you
know I could direct, which which would be uh pretty good in this uh in this environment, you know, because we're we're already into our summer planting and uh volunteer season and all of my weeks are already mapped out on what we're doing.
>> That's fine. I mean, so that brings us back to the 4,300 material in the plant. >> All right. How about a motion? I move to issue a certificate of
compliance for 1295 Main Street with the condition that the applicants donate $4,300 to the conservation tree fund. >> Conservation Commission Fund.
>> Conservation Commission fund. >> Walter Talbert seconds that motion. Walter Talbertson in favor. >> Cherox in favor. >> Rick Kio in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor. >> Michelle in favor. >> Ryan Bo in favor.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for support. Thank you so much. >> Okay. Um that's it for vote items. Now we have old new business. Uh one last time, there's still fraction of time left for
anybody interested in joining the commission. Um the volunteer interviews have been ongoing. Um but the last ones are tomorrow. So I guess theoretically if you jumped in there, you'd have a chance
to get in. Not sure exactly how real that is, but I wanted to mention it one more time that we are looking for people to join us. Okay, next is a reminder on the second annual Green Communities
Garden Party, Thursday, June 18th. So that is next Thursday at the library from 6:00 to 8 down in the community. Um I believe we have a number of people volunteered for that already. We don't
need a lot. Uh, is anybody else decided they would love to be there in the community room? If so, uh, just let me know and we can show up there. I will be there. Uh, next is a friends and family day, June 20th. So that's next
Saturday at 10:30 to 3. Um, we will have a table and a tent set up by the town. um that we have some plans for material to have at the table and one of those was a newly printed plan of the town
with the uh green spaces. >> I believe the large format printer is down and has been down for a while. So, I'll do what I can. >> Yeah. All right. We can talk about that. Yeah, we can talk about
>> but we should also, you know, just ask commissioners because we mentioned that we we want to bring stuff. I think Martha has said she'll go and grab some invasives and have those IDed on the table. There could be other things that uh we're we're doing. I think we'll have
some of our, you know, one of the horrible things of spring is down on Mil Street, um, which is right near Lobs Pond, which is conservation area, Marian Woods, um, very much near, uh, Mata's neck of the woods. We've lost seven turtles. Yeah.
Some of them are snapping turtles, some of them are painted turtles, but there's spotted turtles also down there. and um uh you know person that's always around conservation areas and on the trails committee, Will Finch, has made up his own signs, but
where we uh tried to order some signs quickly last last week. Um we ran out of money, but so we went with the cheapest ones and we won't get them for another week or so, but uh when they come in, we're going to
plant them right away. So maybe I was So maybe when those signs come in, we can bring them to the table and explain what's happening. Like no one's noticing the lumps on the road. And those are turtles. And you have to be careful because these turtles can't make
their way up the current. They can't get over the rocks when there's no current. So they're walking up and over the burm and they're getting whacked on the road. So um >> I will say in stow mats they have places where they have in some cases handmade
signs saying turtle crossing other cases they're more professionally done. So maybe that's the town I don't know but they're clearly more infuriated. >> We'll do anything to I mean I don't remember this many being uh being hit by cars. So I believe there's a piece of a
shell that can be brought. It's a little morbid, but it it it uh it'll spur on the conversation and I think the end justifies the means. And Walter is uh probably volunteering for to be our spokesman as he rolls his eyes about
this. But I but I just want to have a conversation with everyone that may go down that road. It's a it's a cut through to uh 93 for sure. Do you think this is a particular seasonal issue? Are the they migrating to lay eggs and that's what's getting
them? >> Yeah. So, that the snappers are uh out there um um nesting and uh they do visit once a once a evening or once 24 hours. Um I'm not sure about the spotted
turtles, but the painted turtles probably the same. Yeah, >> I used to see the snapping turtles in the center of the field where the water treatment plant used to be. >> They'd haul out somewhere around there and almost build the field eggs.
>> Okay. Um, next, Chuck, anything about the uh conservation DBW meeting? >> Oh, well, before you go on to that, have we um figured out our staffing? I know Sherrod said he could do morning. >> Yep. So
>> I'll be there in the morning. >> Okay. So if I got there 12:30 or 1:00 and covered the last couple of hours and I can bring the plants, the invasive plants first thing, do we have anybody else who wants to join me for the last
half of the day? >> I think we should have two if only to help break it down and carry things to the car. Um, so it would be good if somebody else could help cover the end. I have a constraint, but I can be there for the first hour.
>> Which hour are we talking? >> The first hour. >> First hour. >> 10:30 to 11:30. >> Okay. So, it sounds like I'm the only one in the afternoon. >> It's like 1 to um 1
is the uh the time that we need filled in. >> Yeah. I'll try and get back for the last half hour or so just to help with the load out. But uh >> yeah, I can wait to uh help you, Martha. >> Well, but if you've taken on the
morning, I don't want you to have to be there all day. >> I mean, if Brian and Walter are there in the morning, I could uh res I mean, I could work my schedule around do the afternoon. That >> you know what happened? You get me at the table. They'll just stand on the side and talk and help carry things.
Absolutely. How's that? Sorry. >> So, we're probably around the trails committee and the town forest committee. So, you know, they they'll they'll help out, too. And uh >> Okay. I think we're I think we're good
enough. >> Okay. So, we've got Walter going at 10:30, Brian going at the beginning and setting up Sherog and me in the afternoon. Yeah, works. >> And still have me penciled in just in case I can make it, Martha.
>> Um, obviously we're getting close on my end. >> Right. We will understand if you can't make it. >> Martha, were you going there at 11 or at 12? >> Um, I was going to show up at 12:30.
>> 12:30. >> So, we have 11 to 12:30 uncovered at this moment. >> I'll be there at 11. If the hot dogs are are good, I'll hang around for a while. >> Okay. >> I just don't want to be committed. Yeah.
But in either way, you owe me one. >> Okay. So, Walter's doing 10:30 to 11:30. >> That's correct. >> Brian is setting it up at the beginning and staying till >> what time?
>> Yeah, I'm shortening my shoulders. Um, well, what time is the afternoon crew coming on? >> I'm coming at 12:30. >> I'll stay at 12:30. >> Okay. >> And then >> I'll come in at around 11 11:30. So,
yeah. >> Okay. If you came at 11:30, then you could take over from Walter and there would be two people. >> Okay. >> I'm just going to sit on the tent and say, "What do you want?" So, it's easy. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm not going to I'm not going to be there. It's probably
going to be a tough year for me. I I'm my daughter's getting engaged. There's a lot of things going on. So, this is one of those years that you guys are going to uh do more. >> Okay. Good to know. >> Okay. >> All right. We good on that.
Ch coordination meeting. >> I'm good. So, uh yeah. So, it just says that, you know, we talked about this last last week. I think um Mike Hesman uh definitely going to have one on the 14th. We had to move that because of uh
July vacation, so nothing to report. >> Okay. >> Uh violation notices. Um you want to talk about anything new? No. >> Okay. And then administrative report
minor project permit. >> Yeah. I was going to I'm going to save this till the next meeting, but uh I was I wanted to do the same thing that I had done with the uh tree permit just to kind of go over it what I knew about it so it gets out there that what what we're looking for. >> Yeah.
>> Um and just so everybody knows, minor project permits are available for a lot of projects if you can get 50 feet away from the wetland uh line. So, some project that's at 35 ft from the
wetland line is going to be an RDA or a notice of intent, but that same exact project, like an above ground pool, if it was at least 50 feet away, it's a minor project permit, which means you fill out an online application and if
you've talked to me uh first about this project and it's not a surprise, I can usually sign off that day because I know about the project. So, it's a very quick avenue and we're just and the biggest requirement is that the project needs to be located 50 feet away.
>> I think it's good to talk about it more fully next time. There are a number of project types that are listed uh fences, standalone walls, >> yeah, >> above ground pools and what have you. So, >> so maybe the next meeting might not be the greatest at the 24th if everyone
actually shows up that continue to that night, but we'll find a spot for the minor project permits. Okay. Uh, minutes for approval 527. We just got those, so we can't approve those yet. I don't know if anybody sent any comments in. If so,
please do if you have. >> I had a question. >> Yeah. >> About those. Uh, I saw that it came to me. I thought it only came to me. Was it blind CC to everybody? >> I got a copy >> when I sent it out. Is that when people got it?
>> I don't I don't know. Yeah, actually that's a good point. I did not >> That's when I got it >> instruction when I got it >> when I sent it out. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I will correct the stenographer. >> Okay. >> Thanks.
>> Okay. Um three notes before we wrap up. The first is um Porchfest is coming up. Um and we are going to be entertaining bands at the
pavilion and did we end up with one at the last homes? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> So, we're So, the pavilion's 100% going to happen. Um, and uh,
the Mlette songs, it's gonna I'm gonna have to, you know, hopeful Joe Flory could help, but maybe uh, um, someone else that lives in that area could could lend a hand. We need electricity, something like that. But I
don't know if we could I could be in both places and run that, but so we're going to need need some other help. So that's uh >> well if it's busy the last time I'll need you at material to help work. So that was busy
>> as I remember it when I actually went in to use the bathroom that's when the car hit the tree. >> Right. >> You are correct. >> I would say that's people want me there too. Okay. Tracking the cars. >> Um I don't remember the date off hand.
If you don't, it's it's online for sure. And for anybody who's here, there's a sign right outside the front doors. >> It's June 27th. >> There you go. Um well, as long as you know that, do you know the hours? The hours of operation.
>> It maybe give me a second. >> Okay. And while you're looking, we will have to set up power cords running up the hill so the bands can plug in. Um, and that was the main thing we did. We don't provide drinking water or anything
like that. It's pretty much the facility and power. >> It looks like noon to 6. >> Yeah. Is it really that long? >> Well, maybe, but that doesn't mean that the bands at Mata have to be going that
long. That's I think the >> that's fine. >> Whole spread. So, uh, there again, we're going to need some volunteers to be at both locations. I will be at Mata for sure. Um, so we have a little bit of time to think about it. See if you can
free up some of your busy busy days. Um, because it's it's good to have people using the conservation areas. Um, you know, we want to have public involvement. We want people there
enjoying the areas. The last one at uh Matara, people are just really talking up great. People love the the facility and that's when it was still new. The grass wasn't growing in or anything. So, and it rained and people still loved it.
So anyway, um so please figure out what you you can commit to because um I don't think Chuck is big enough, but has to cut them in two and have them both places.
>> All right, next one is um we need to get some labor together to help all the hoses out um at Matera, I'm sorry, at bare metal to set it up for the watering. Um, where are the hoses? Well,
>> hoses are in the garage at Materic Cabin. And the, uh, meter was put on the hydrant, uh, couple weeks back. So, uh, any Friday, I'll come back on a Saturday. I'll come back on a Sunday, but it does take two people. So, you
think you load them into >> takes at least two people if we want actually if we want to be creative and try to figure out how to how to um you know them uh like set up sprinklers and do that. It's going to take >> So, I think you put them into the
vehicle and drive them or >> No, no, we just put them in the wheelbarrows and we haul them out. >> Okay. I was actually thinking about getting them from the garage over to Pearl Street. We just walk through the meadow. >> Okay. No, look at
>> with the wheelbarls. >> That's your manual labor. That's good. >> No, that's all we do. >> Okay. So, um I don't know if anybody can do that. Anybody from the watering crew, for example? >> Yeah, Chuck, if you want to let me know when you're when you're planning on going over, give me at least a 24 hours
heads up. I can I can make my way over there. But >> you're not you're not available throughout the week, right? So, this would be Saturday or Sunday, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm just looking at the fact that the 20th and the 27th are occupied by
Porchfest and Friends and Family Day. So, if you're looking for a Saturday, maybe you want to do it on this Saturday, the 13th. If it if it has to be a Saturday, yeah, I get Rick that that's when you're available. I don't know if anybody else
would end up volunteering, but uh could you make it this Saturday? And could you make it this Saturday? >> We could if we did. Could we do it in the morning? >> First thing in the morning, I'll be ready. >> Okay. >> All right. Maybe we can get shout out to
Joe. See if he can uh if he can show up. Also, I know he's going to say maybe soccer, but >> I'll leave it to you two to coordinate where and when. The last one is Johnson Woods. Uh
there will be a request for certificate of compliance. Uh part of it is that they have to build a trail. Um, and the owners would like us to look at the trail even though
the trail being satisfactory wouldn't be sufficient for CLC, but it's a step along the way. By the way, I learned tonight that that mysterious pile of wood chips that we thought was somehow
tied to the the far end of um path at Les was actually wood chips for Dr. woods a different issue. Um, so we're going to need to have a site visit out there to walk their trail, look at their trail.
>> Yeah. >> Is there is there a time frame for when they're looking for us to do that? >> It'll be on the next site visit u agenda. So, you know, it's good that all these what's coming in on the next agenda have just been continued. So, you wouldn't go
and see those, >> right? >> So, there's going to be time. So the next meeting is the 24th. So Monday would be the 22nd. >> Yeah. >> So the 22nd we'd be going to the new trail at Johnson. >> The purpose of this sitewalk is just to approve the trail. We don't have any
information on a certificate of compliance and if we say the trail is sufficient sufficiently uh has fish sufficient signage >> then um they can move on to the next step. >> Okay. Right. Yeah. I got that. It's not
a full compliance. Okay. So, I'll put that uh out the next time we're sending out notes for the next meeting. That's one for that Monday already. And that's it. Anything else from anybody before we adjourn?
>> Anyone attending the meeting want something to say? >> I'm just wondering what the result of the select board meeting budget discussion yesterday was. I had to leave actually. So Chuck and I
were here. Um we talked at length. There was pretty immediate push back on the bench. Um as much as anything because the number we asked for more or less coincided with the overage they had from
all the committees requests. So it was a nice solution to the overall situation. Um, so it is I don't know if we have a final answer yet. I think they gave us a couple weeks to look into a warranty
situation on the bench. Um, but uh it that's where it appears to be going. >> Yeah. So um so my summary of what happened was um they've been doing this a couple of years. I mean trails
committee has always asked for 5,000. conservation has fluctuated. Uh we we've asked for more than 10, usually gotten far less and uh like around six and um
the historical usually asked for 1500 I thought or something a lot less >> something a lot less. >> And so there was a couple of changes and and Town Forest has asked for all 20,000 and I thought they did once. Maybe that was just a draft I saw. And this time,
uh, Town Forest asked for 10,000, but it was for, um, a very similar process as our habitat study at Bare Meadow, which cost us like 8,000 something. And so 10,000, even though they don't have any estimates, they kind of estimate it
themselves talking to their forester and whoever, seems to be an appropriate amount of money. And I think that that the select board um dug that project. They were they were digging it. They liked that project. They thought it was
great. Wasn't much push back on all 10 going to them. Um uh or the historical society. Um and then it was just us. Did I miss anyone? >> No. Yeah. And the
>> uh trails committee trails committee. no push back. But I think that we got push back on this Hollywood um benches. I I I have to say because I think people use them at their own houses and they
have their own experiences with them and you know having them at Mlette and Morgan we have um the these things have gotten hot in the sun and people have sat on them and the legs have bent underneath
themselves. Um, and so I don't know if that was hard to believe or not, but um, uh, they encouraged us to look into the warranty, which I did, uh, today, and I have that
process started. But that brings up another problem which I didn't want to use these benches at all because what ends up happening is someone puts in a cick fixed or reaches out to town and I have to get up immediately get the bench out of there
before someone gets hurt. So that can't happen or that is hard when it happens and of course we don't want to put out anything that's going to be a problem. And so that's why we jumped up to this other bench which is significantly more.
It's a $2,000 bench, but we put it in once and it and it stays there. So, getting back to these uh Polywood benches, I looked into it. It looks like they will look into our warranty. There's a couple of problems such as the
code that's supposed to be on the bottom of the benches is made out of paper and just stuck to the bottom. And um I don't think it's on one of the benches. and uh they said they're going to try to work through that. And the other thing which
is even a bigger problem is that we should definitely put out um a uh cement u slab and instead of being on the gravel and loose soil, if maybe if it
had like a stable surface, it would last longer. And uh I I was thinking about that, but like how do people use it at their homes? Well, we're kind of using it out in a wooded area and it's digging in every day when someone sits on it and
it's getting a lot of use. So, I did put together a uh update and uh we'll see if I get to send it to the select board or not, but uh it has the pictures of the old benches that had
bent under and uh just what what's been happening and what our thought process is on uh having a slab. And the slab wouldn't go to waste because the slab is also needed if we ever put the $2,000
benches there. And it sounds like a like, you know, like the $2,000 sounds like it's a it's a very expensive bench. No, this is what they cost. This is we we tried to get this price down for an aluminum bench with poly with with with uh
>> um what's that called? Composite wood planks. >> And this is just what they cost. It is a substantial bench, but they do last. And the breakdown of 2000 is the bench is 1650. >> Not this year. The bench is 2,000.
>> Was 1650 and the slab is 350. Apparently, it's it's more, but that it wasn't just >> Yeah, we just uh got the new bids on the on the benches and they're they're around $2,000 each. So, they've gone up by $400. So the rest of the context is
that we had asked for 6950 alto together. There were three major components. There were smaller pieces as well. Uh we asked for budget to put in a water line at uh the parking lot on Grove Street, the old lot five down
there running from the street towards the hill where we intend to plant plant. Yeah. >> None of those things are an issue. It's like I don't have to go through each one of them, but >> the the only issue the only thing they wanted to take out is the bench. >> And so that's what we tried to address.
>> I was just giving a sense for what else was >> Okay. Well, that's good. Do you remember at all? >> Uh, I didn't until you talked. >> Good. Then I'll take over. Um, no. You're gonna go ahead. >> No, I actually have it written down.
there was some money in there for educational materials to support the intern who we have starting Monday. Um so >> that's not no it's not we have educational material not for the intern
the intern all that proceeds are coming out of uh the other another budget that's >> why don't you go through get that >> yeah I don't want to because I know that like >> confused people >> yeah when Chris is on the line I don't want to like mix budgets so Uh I don't exactly know everything that
was in there, but I know that our request for $5,600 was for um uh some educational material. But what we were doing with that is we were uh every year we have signs that come down at Mlets
and Morgan. Uh the kiosks that were provided through the bid for from T Fords are not enclosed. So we have to get different signage. Signage is $70 at least each. Uh we're looking for some new signage there. We're looking for signage out at Bare Meadow. We're
looking for some bench uh some some fence sections at Bare Meadow uh just to keep people from walking through the center of the field because we want to establish that um three acre habitat and uh without being disrupted by actually
fragmenting it. And so um we've it's people have slowed down a lot but there's still a trail. So we wanted to get to that you can take over if you have >> I don't have apparently. >> Yeah. So so the long and short of it is
uh to uh our town manager's benefit Jane Wellman uh she is going to look into the budget again. She didn't put a lot of hope into that to see if she could come up with some more money. Um, you know,
it's a it's a hope. I'm not expecting any money to be found. And so, there's going to have to be some cuts with everyone's everyone's budget. And, uh, last thing is we have to go to the next meeting or that's when they'll talk about it again at the next select board
meeting. And that postponement was in order for Jane to take a look at what's out there and if any other ideas could could come up. and uh she you know happy to do it. She was uh you know wanted to look into it. I think it just like she
did the last year she had looked into it uh for for a couple of uh a couple of um people asking for budgets and we were one of them. So that's the report uh to be determined at our next uh select board meeting.
>> Okay. Anybody else anything else they want to bring up? All right. Have a motion to adjourn at 8:33. >> Sounds >> I move to adjourn at 8:33. >> Total tablets in favor.
>> All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> Good night >> and good night. >> Thank you. Thanks for staying.