I'm gonna unmute. Hoping that everyone can hear us out there. All right. Uh hello everyone this is Chuck Terrone reading conservation administrator. This meeting will be conducted in in person and remote format consistent with
chapter 2 of the act 2023 which further extend the co 19 measures regarding remote participation in a public meeting until June 30th 2027. Please note that not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items
not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law. This agenda includes those matters which can be reasonably anticipated to be discussed at tonight's meeting. Please note that not all um please note that this meeting is being recorded. All material are available at the
conservation division page under projects by year. Brian Bo the commission chair will facilitate this meeting. Please note that we will have public comment period at the end of each hearing. Each vote taken during tonight's meeting will be conducted by roll call. We'll begin with a roll call
attendance. And Brian, uh, can you review tonight's agenda and take the roll call attendance? >> Okay, do the roll call first. Um, by the way, is Shurog online? Just checking. >> I will look. Yep.
>> So, he's being let in right now. Well, he was in. Yes. Now I can. >> Yeah. >> So Shar doing the roll call. Can we start with you? >> Okay. Cherox member present. >> Walter Talbert member present.
>> Michelle member present. >> Rio member. >> Martha Moore vice chair present. >> Joe >> Joseph Flurry associate member present. >> Brian B chair present. Okay. Um I will
review the uh agenda and note that we are starting at 7:05. Um so first is a minor plan change to the town forest committee followed by a continuation of 281 Main
Street which is an NOI. And then next on agenda is Zero Track Road. That however has already been continued so there'll be no discussion beyond just noting that. Next is 125
Forest Street. Uh this is a meeting open a meeting for an after the fact determination of applicability followed by Oakland Road in Birch Meadow which in the online uh notes is DT Mass D.
Um this is open to public meeting on RDA. That's it for our hearings tonight. We then have some discussion and vote items. Uh primary one is a certificate of compliance request for 1153 Main
Street. Uh some old new business. Um there's a little public service announcement that I will get to. And then uh reminder on the second annual green community's garden party at the library, friends and family day
reminder. Uh and that is it. >> So Brian, I'm going to stop the recording now so don't get uh startled. >> Sometimes it's pretty loud. >> You can repeat it. >> Recording in progress.
>> Okay. Um, before we get to the first hearing, on a more personal note, Miss Martha Moore is a uh grandmother as of >> this morning. >> That's it. No more personal
conversation. >> All right. Uh, the first hearing is the minor plan change for the town forest committee. I will read the blurb, Jeff, if you want to come up, but let me read it first. Open the public meeting on a minor plan
change followed by town forest committee pursuant to Massachusetts general law chapter 131 section 40 the wetland protection act and the wetland the writing wetland protection bylaw section 7.1 proposed herbicide use for invasive
species management to treat invasive plant species within a town forest specifically on the back side of the hill to the left of the new trail connect in lot to town forest. The proposed treatment method would involve folure spraying
using a backpack sprayer application to be performed by a licensed applicator. The application plans can be viewed on the conservation division page under current project assessors map 26 lot 2. Jeff, can you introduce yourself?
>> Jeff Lamson. I'm the chair of the town forest committee and we do have a quorum. this posted meeting for the time forest committee as well. So, I'm just gonna formally call that to order. We're not as fancy as you all though. We don't do roll call votes. So, meetings, >> whatever you normally do, do that.
>> All right. So, I'm putting up on screen the map that we're working off of uh to use the $50,000 that was allocated at the November town meeting for uh this fiscal year uh to the town forest specifically for the management of
invasive species. We also have several thousand dollars from our select board funding. Uh and all of those remaining dollars are uh going to go towards uh this year's push. Might be a little challenging to see up there, but um
there's uh maybe I can zoom in. Does it allow that? The real area in question just to give you an overview of where we're at. The lot um that you all manage, the new parking area is here, this P symbol. And if you walk up that
new trail, cross over the gas pipeline, sort of take a left. So area 2601 is our base bid. That's entirely Glossy Buckthornne. Uh that will be the the first and foremost location in forest
that we're targeting. Um that um lessons learned from the past is that we're not actually having a lot of success with herbicide application on glossy buckthornne. that's uh written to our scope of work document for our potential
vendors that we are heavily preferring that they use manual removal methods everywhere um and only in places where they get specific authorization from a representative of the town which will most likely be Mr. Mike Kesman, the
assistant DPW director, will they use the cut and dab methodology there? Um, if you're out in the forest and you want to see an example of why, uh, I'd encourage you to visit area 2610, which was managed a few years ago and heavily
um, was cut and dab and uh, it is now predominantly regrowing sprouts off of um, large stumps that are firmly in the ground. So, uh, it's really proving to be a challenge. Um, but all the areas that you see uh on the map are the ones
that we're um hoping to target this year. Um, with a caveat that we did not map because we know our $50,000 is not going to cover essentially the entire eastern half of the forest. There's plenty of buckthornne out here, but none of those areas have been forested,
meaning we didn't remove any red pines out there. So, it's kind of our secondary priority first. We want to get after the places we've we've intervened on to date and make sure that we're setting up the ecosystem for for a good recovery and not just let it get taken over by invasives.
So the major change and the reason that we're here tonight is really area 2602. So back to we've cross the gas pipeline, we've kind of gone down the hill, taken the right. 2602 is predominantly swallow
wart. Um, this is a new species, not new to the forest, but a species that we'd like to start getting after. Uh, and this area is a little bit of a test bed, but also an area that we want to get ahead of because right now it's just a carpet of swallow work. And, uh, the
recommended the recommended treatment plan for that is that folure application um, with with a sprayer. you know, it's just such a large area. It's not possible to dig up all the roots. That would cause a tremendous
amount of impact on the the soil and things like that. And I know Chuck, you did a walk out there with Mike Kesman and had some recommendations. >> Um, sorry, I didn't hear you. You wanted to know what I thought. Yeah, I know you
had given some specific guidance about where the polar replication could apply based on the topology and the BMS and all that. >> Yeah, so this location is next to um a a disturbed area. It's the upper parking
area and all that material is disturbed and the path is uh down the hill and it's that hill from that parking area that comes down into the path. >> But maybe everyone made up >> and then down into the path. And the
path, as you can see it on the screen, has a burm on the other side protecting the wetlands that are over there. So, I do think it's a this area is a good area to treat and to consider herbicides
because it has a natural um erosion control and buffer control limit of work area. You seem to be mostly on the uh disturbed side of the path. >> That's a question. So you said this area is >> 2602 >> not 601
>> 2601 is already in a bid and it's already been approved. Is that correct? >> Yeah my understanding is that the forest is already covered under the previous plan for all of the buckthornne work. It's the >> this is just new >> change for using folure spray for the
swallow wart 260. So why don't you finish your >> I'm just saying that I also agree that this is a a very safe area uh to uh you know have licensed applicators you know and they will be monitoring wind and
wind speed and all that completely in charge of uh the application. This is a good area to spray. Um because of if you're going to kill anything behind it, it's it's probably something that the DBW picked up somewhere else in town.
It's it's kind of like their, you know, dumping area for material and and gravel and things like that. >> Okay. So my my question and you all have your chance in a second is uh 2602
you say is a good place in your discussion you're talking about 2601 as well. Are you planning to do spraying there as well? >> No 2601 is almost all Bthornne. >> All right. So you're just talking about it in passing. >> I was just giving a kind of general over
>> the map. So I should have done a better job here. The the green dots are buckthornne, the blue dots are swallow wart, these reddish dots are honeysuckle. Um, and then
there are a couple of places like right here. Sorry, the zoom is not working. >> That's that's fine, Jeff. I just because you were talking about 2601 I got the impression that you were talking about that in regard to this change and you
weren't. That's good. Okay. Any questions from the commission? >> I do. Um what do you think the percent cover in that area is of swallow wart compared to other species? >> 95%. Yeah.
>> It's just a carpet. And then as Brian alluded to, if you look up five degrees, you're going to see it change to Japanese knotweed and it just goes up the hill. It's a huge population of notweed, but that is DPW land. It's not
ton forest land. >> Okay. And um do you have any plan for replanting that area with something that's not swallow wart so that it doesn't just come back swallow wwarded
>> potentially. Um we've had two in a year successful, highly successful arbor day planting events. Um and the trees that we planted this year look fantastic so far and that's been a very large conversation about uh replanting as well. We don't have any specific plans
for this area at this point. Uh, but it it would be a good candidate for next year's event. >> And would you be putting trees there or would you be putting ground cover since the swallow word is more ground cover than tree? >> Yeah, we don't have a specific plan at this point, but that's also been part of
the conversation is branching out to not just trees, but also shrubs and things like that. >> Do you have the funds for it all for the replanting in the future? Um so that's also been a great conversation right is how do we fund the town forest uh moving
forward what we've been doing for about six eight years now is going to town meeting every fall and asking for the money is kind of project plans um there's also the select board funding that we get um and then there's also the scouts uh have a trees for writing fund and there's a few thousand dollars left
in that um that we can also tap into also working on a updating our forest management plan right now, which will keep us eligible for grants for additional resources. >> And if the CPA passes in November, you
could probably get CPA funding to help with that as well. >> Okay. >> Uh yeah. >> Okay. >> Is just one quick question. So, in terms of staging for the treatment work, are you guys just going to be approaching
from the upper lot uh from the compost area or >> Yeah, we let our vendors drive on the fire roads right up to their work sites. >> So, my question, first question, what herbicide in particular are you
going to be using? Um, give me a moment to read what Mike wrote in the I don't think he said anything in the little blur that Chuck put online. I don't think I'm not sciency like this. I think I got
a C in high school chemistry. So trickloor based herbicides and glyphosate based herbicides. >> We would need to have you folks submit a data sheet on that and we need some time to look at it and research.
I I can't tell my head what that does or doesn't do. So I would want to have some time to look it up and learn more about it. Um and I will say that that blurb that we have that got posted really is much less we typically get for project.
I realize this is not the typical normal project but it it's pretty much like an example is the herbicide information is missing. Um Chuck, do you have any questions?
>> Uh yeah, I just wanted to uh clarify that they is this the only area that you're proposing work? I see 2603. It looks kind of the same color or to me it looks like the same color. >> Um my understanding 2603 was that um you
had walked with Mike and were not in favor of treating that area because it's so close to the wetland. >> That was going to be my comment if you told me you were treating it. Uh so there's a vernal pool right there in that little horseshoe area and uh you
are pretty close. Um, I'm not in favor of treating it with uh backpack sprayers or cut and dab for sure, but um willing to listen to another suggestion or some other >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Something else that came up. Um
>> yeah, so it's not in the list um of places to treat that went out to the vendors actually today. Um and of course 2602 is contingent upon approval here. Um, I think it's a we would love to have this conversation. My question is always, is it better to let the
invasives grow or is it better to introduce some herbicides? And I think there's a balance there and I'm sure there's always alternative methods as well. So, I don't I don't know. >> Yeah, it's just that um tricer is uh and
it's just does causes havoc on invertebrae. So, you don't want to be close in those areas. That's why I was saying that if you talk to your applicator and they had a method, I think there's uh cut and dab is backpack spraying and then there's like a
buckworn blaster, but all that is is just a small bottle with a sponge on the end. And so, what happens when you cut and dab? The dab sometimes rolls off. It doesn't stick. they have to use some sort of surfactant to get it to stick.
It's like soap and um and so those things happen automatically, but it still spills on the ground. And so it that area is really close. So I think if it's not part of this uh conversation, if you could have a conversation with
your applicator and just say what would they suggest? They often have a lot of experience in these areas. part of the forest management plan that I referred to um and actually gets us eligible for even more DCR funding um is if we include an invasives plan as part of
that. So, we're um soliciting um uh quotes or proposals for that now including that optional add-on uh which would we would be looking for very specific guidance on things like that in this specific area. What's the recommended approach? You have anything to add to that Deb?
>> Uh yeah, we're uh >> Excuse me. Can you step up and introduce yourself >> and get you on camera? >> Goodness. >> And give your name and address. >> All right. >> Hello. I'm Katherine Severki. I live at
44 Chapel Hill Drive. Um I'm on the town forest committee and I've started the project of uh right now we're getting quotes from um foresters. We've met with the DCRI representative Chris Prior and he's given us the initial information to
ask the right questions, the questions that you're asking. I've talked to different foresters and some have said there is no use fighting buckthornne unless you have a an herbicide. Um, we've been doing the manual approach and
we can see the difference with the two different approaches. So, with this new forest management plan, um, we're going to get information from the different contractors we're approaching as to what methods they use, what methods they have experience with. So, with that data,
we'll get a lot more information even before we get a quote selected to present. But that will go over mapping all of these, finding out how they're growing and moving, um, identifying different areas. And there's a great part of this project involving the whole
town and get them out there enjoying the forest and seeing what's happening and trying to get uh the younger generation, more high schoolers and less white hairs trying to figure out how to treat the forest and keep it going because the the
invasive species are spreading rapidly. So there needs to be more done than what we've been doing and our previous plan expired during the COVID days. So we haven't had an aggressive approach since then or tried a distinctly new approach
but with the professionals they'll help us. >> Thank you. >> Sure. Just one follow-up question. So Jeff said that with Buckthornne you were moving away from herbicide treatments and you just said that you want to move back to it. >> I'm new to the committee and I'm
listening to the webinars on forest management and that's the information I'm getting. The town forest before me has tried the herbicide and it did do some work. Um, but I don't know the specifics of which one was used then and
which ones the foresters I'm speaking to are referring to. I'm I'm on getting the plan, not really selecting an herbicide at this point. Um, you can see in the town forest right now where the stumps are that have been treated and it's just
it looks like roots are growing up. There's just so many more coming out. And that's because the root system underneath, whether we see the plant on top growing or not, is still growing. So until we get a control over it, it's
going to keep spreading. So again, I'm I'm new and I will find more information regarding best practices, but that's not for now. and we need to find a way to stop the growth before it becomes a more
expensive project or um if we don't stop it at this kind of level then the next way to stop an invasive is to dig up everything and I don't think that that's anyone's choice in this circumstance.
>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Um, which reminds me, by the way, can people be sure to sign the sheet in the my back left of the room just so help with our meaning of taking? >> Absolutely. >> Um, actually, this is back to Jeff, I guess,
unless this passes off to you, but you had mentioned that there's lots of noted top of the hill coming down. Um, and you were just mentioning about not essentially not throwing good money after bad. So if you do
manage to succeed here and you got the other invasive just marching down the hill, um, isn't that a losing battle? >> A broader plan. The compost area is going to need to be managed just like
Birch Meadow Drive needs to be managed. There's crazy amount of buck of notweed that I see every day when I drop my kids off at school too there. Uh, you know, jurisdictionally, we're focused on what the property lines say are town forest and what is DGW. As a resident, I would
fully support my tax dollars going towards, you know, treating the town compost as well, but as a committee member, I can only focus on what >> you talk to DPW, Mike Chesman, whoever about coordinating your efforts with something on their end.
>> Yeah, we follow under DPW, as you know, so we talked to them a lot about it. I think they have a lot of conflicting priorities and we all know what's happening with the finances in town right now. So, I don't see it as throwing good money after bad money. You know, I said in our last meeting, I plan on, you know, treating invasive species
myself in the town forest with manual labor until I die, right? It will continue forever. Um, and we're making amazing progress. Um if you go to area three, you remember that terminology by the council ring that has had multiple
years of repeat manual um removal of buckthornne, some targeted herbicide replanting. It's amazing. It is so cool to watch what how that area is transforming. Um 2602 for us uh truthfully is trying to um you know
we're we're shifting chapters in the town forest committee. We're not focused on removing red pines anymore. We're about restoring the ecology right now. 2602 for us is um another learning opportunity. It's how can we get after this area? How can we try to control this? Gather data points over years and
see how it goes. >> Okay. Did you have anything else before I jumped in there, Jack? >> No, I uh you know, it is a learning experience. I think that they're they've hired some of the best. Uh I've heard of two companies that they've used, three
companies that they've used uh in other towns and they're using them also. So I I do think that they win a lot of bids and there's a lot lot of institutional knowledge there. So I I just think that you know you can't solve glad you keep
trying and I'm I'm I'm not surprised that it hasn't been solved on the first the first go round. So I just, you know, the places that there are using the treatment are appropriate because we reviewed them and
and agreed to them. So >> right, any last thoughts from commission members? Shag, any thoughts from you? I can't see a hand on no questions. Okay. Then the point
before us is uh whether to approve a minor plan change. Um have a motion to approve a minor plan change. >> So moved. >> Walter Talbet seconds. Walter Talbert approve. >> Excuse me. Oh my mistake. I need to
close this first. Sorry. >> Okay. I move to close the hearing on town forest. >> Walter Talbert seconds. Walter T approves. >> Cherox in favor.
>> Rick Q in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor. >> Mo in favor. Okay. Now I have a motion to >> I move to approve the minor plan change for this area 2602.
>> Walter Talbert seconds. Walter Talbert approves. >> Chox in favor. >> Ru in favor. Four in favor. >> Four in favor. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Motion to adjourn the town forest committee meeting
>> in a second. >> All those in favor. >> Jeff, can you be sure to send the data sheet? >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. He has me ones. I can just
I'll call you afterwards. I think we're going to have representative from conservation. >> Either way, I'll contact. >> Okay. The next hearing is 281 Main Street. Um, if you remember, this is the one where we authorize the third party
review. Chuck, any updates on that? Yeah. So, they accepted the uh third party review from LEC and Horsesley Whitten uh were waiting for a check to come in. I uh Andrew from Goddard Environmental reached out to me
yesterday and said that the check's on its way and um they want to continue till June 10th. >> June 10th. >> Okay. Do I have a motion to continue to June 10th? I move that we continue the
hearing on 281 Main Street to June 10th. >> Walter Talet second. Walter, >> please in favor >> in favor more in favor in favor. Okay,
moving right along to Zero Track Road. The applicant has already requested that we uh continue on June 10th. So, we have nothing to do there. We don't need to vote again. And that brings us to 1254 Street. Um, I will
read the blurb before we get going. Open the public meeting for an afterthe-ffect determination applicability followed by Frank Capone pursuant to Massachusetts general law chapter 131, section 40, the wetlands protection act, andor the
reading wetland protection bylaw. Section 7.1 installation of a gravel driveway 10 feet by 120 feet with parking area as per plan. All work is within 100 foot buffer zone to a bordering vegetated wetland. The
application and plans can be viewed during regular business hours at the town hall conservation office 16 lower street and on the conservation division page on the current projects location
1254 street assessor's map 39 lot 99. Anybody here to speak Frank? Uh you come up to the podium and uh introduce yourself please. Yeah. >> 125 Forest Street. >> So, where we left off at the last meeting is Frank explained how he got we
got here. >> Yeah. >> We understand that there's a gravel driveway that extends from his normal regular driveway um along um the right hand side of his house. It's up against
wetlands in some areas and then some other areas it's up against uh neighboring yards and it passes um the wetland area and then it takes a shot left and to form two parking spots. This
whole gravel driveway is about 120 ft long um and kind of ends off in a upland area. Uh we also know that there was a sizable portion of this driveway
uh this gravel driveway that was built on top of an existing foundation and that was dug up at our site visit where we went out there and Frank provided pictures of the uh foundation that was in the ground. So, I think we know
what what we're talking about, where it is, how close it is to the uh resource area might be 15 to 20 feet. We're out there measuring uh in those locations. So, I think now we have uh
to discuss the project to kind of talk about what um what's needed. Is this appropriate spot for this driveway? Is this something that can be approved uh altogether? Is this something that could be approved
with conditions or does it have to be denied? I think that's what's in front of the commission. So, you take it up from there. But it's, you know, it is a gra, you know, I'm not going to plead or anything like that. I'm just saying
>> gravel driveway impervious. I I went there once before. We were looking at trees. This is well before the driver was out there. It seemed to me that it was a very rough and uh unkempt backyard. It's turned into a uh
natural lawn or not a lawn now. So, there's been a lot of improvements. Uh and I guess the driveway was one of them according to the applicant, but um you know that that was just within our buffer zone. So, I'll stop talking.
you know, so I didn't ask you to double. Um, so any questions from the commission? >> Hang on a second. >> I guess my biggest concern, and I mentioned it at our last hearing, was um
possibility of oil, gasoline, fluid spill in that area. So, um if we approve this, I would like to see a um condition that nothing is parked in that back
corner that is within the 35 ft of the wetland so that we can um and I say nothing, I mean nothing with an engine like a boat trailer would be fine, but a a vehicle um is not appropriate in that
area that's closest to the wetland. so that we uh avoid oil spills into the wetland. >> How is it being used today? Like what? >> I have a a trailer that I use as a shed
>> and then I have my my plow back there and some wheelbarrows. That's and I kept I keep a wagon for the uh take care of all the the grass and leaves and stuff. >> Sounds like none of those have an engine. You're delivering them with a
truck and then moving the truck back away from the wet. >> All vehicles are mostly on the um the hot topped area up above. >> Okay. >> Else did uh some extra I I'm just looking at
the map. Uh compared to the site visit, did some extra area get added to the 25 and 30 35 ft uh zone? Because I thought right where we see that circle circular
thing in the corner was where uh the 25 and 35 ft area was but now I see some more area added to it like it do we go by this uh Chuck I guess this is a question more for do we go by this plan or do we go by what we had sort of
looked at the other day? I know uh uh we verify um you know boots on the ground. So we would go with uh what we >> correct >> ified out there. >> Okay. Because this certainly looks as if
a large portion of the driveway is at least in the 35 foot zone. Right. If I look at page six of the application. Um, >> so are you saying that um if the driveway is in the 35 foot area, there needs to be a request for a
variance. Is that where you're going with this? >> I guess so. I mean, it depends on how we look at this uh or which map we use for determining this, right? because our our um boots on the ground uh view was that
lower sort of arch of uh was not present, right? Like >> I think he's just a little confused because when we first looked at it, the GIS map did show it a little bit more further out there. It only reflected a corner of that that pathway um which was where
that circle is. I think that's where he's >> Yeah, exactly. the last meeting that the GIS isn't always correct. >> No, the GIS is never correct. >> Actually, we're not allowed to use it official.
>> I'm not even being funny. It's they they put a disclaimer at the front. It's just it's a it's a it's an shot from a plane 30,000 ft in the air. >> Not >> because like if you just look at this picture, right? Like uh the right where
the boat is. If you draw like a latitude uh there there's like a bulge of the uh the wetland area because of which that 35 ft area looks bigger. It almost is covering the whole driveway, right? But I think what we had seen was that
doesn't necessarily accurately represent uh the actual wetland. So if we don't use that lower area then I think it's just the corner >> that we we're concerned about which is what we had determined last time. There any other points
or questions? >> Yeah. So, I think Sherog, we agree with you that we're just looking at the corner, the upper right corner, and we're not using the wetland lines that are on this map. >> Okay.
So from my perspective, um this is an after the fact. Uh and so >> we're not going to worry about the fact that it's there right now. The question is what how do you want to handle it?
>> Uh as Chuck laid out the options, we can approve it. We can add some conditions to it. uh we take take into account that it is a gravel driveway, so it is pvious. So if we're going to have a structure out there, it's not the worst
one to have. Um and so to me, it's much more about approving it and having some conditions to help mitigate for the fact that the driveway is there. Uh I know that you have done some plantings even
in this picture which is not definitive. We can see some plants along the side of the driveway. From my perspective, a condition will be that you need more plantings. Um, I also would like to see you, like Martha said, try and have some
discipline and not park things out there that would leak. Try and move park as far away as you can. Still using the driveway, still having it out there. just when you can use the L portion of it more than the far right top that
would be better from my perspective but to me the condition for sure is more plants. Um mean we have to decide if you guys agree with that. We have to decide how many um from my perspective I would
suggest that you uh come back to us with a plan here and that we would like some plants plants come back with plans for the plants uh showing us where you would put them how many and what species
so I've said that any questions comments >> are there any alerts out there for the markers of the wetland I I mean, I know it would be in the driveway. >> I don't think so. >> Yeah, I don't believe so. >> How about the 25 foot markers?
Were they >> Yeah, that's what he just asked. I don't Okay, >> I don't remember seeing any out there. And this property has been there for a while, so it hasn't been delineated recently, so they wouldn't have been added. >> Do you have a
ballpark of what you're looking for for plants? Um, I hesitate to say just because we're not supposed to decide. So, um, I think it needs to be enough to
make up for that much structure in our two zones. The 35 foot no structure and hope to the 25 foot no disturb. yourself. From my perspective, that's
telling me a fair number. Yes, I know that's vague. I'll leave it up to you to determine what a fair number is, but come up with a plan. Nothing fancy. You don't need an engineer, but a good sketch. Uh figure out where and have
next to it a legend saying what kind of kinds you would have. That's if we approve this. I know I'm jumping ahead a little. Um, you're going to say something I can tell. >> Yeah. Um,
I was just wondering, you said approve. So, you're going to you're going to approve it and then ask for the plan to come in afterwards because I'm thinking maybe you should review the plan if you're going to ask for a plan. So what I'm thinking from a precedent perspective, we have had
cases where we have uh approved it with the condition that a plan comes in that you would approve. So we don't have to meet again and we can move on with it. That was my thinking. I don't speak enough to agree with that.
But rather than delaying it and having Frank come back again just for us to say we approve the plan. If we approve the existence of the driveway and have some conditions and he produces a plan and gives it to you and it's acceptable
plan. I would say that's okay. My opinion I would be okay with the project as is Walter at the last meeting you told me told us that there weren't really any signs of erosion. at this site. Correct.
I'd be okay with the project as is. Maybe half a dozen shrubs create a a barrier. >> That's why I avoided saying half a dozen, two dozen. >> Frank. >> Yeah. Chuck, maybe you should take a
walk by one more time now that because when you were there, there was winter. Uh there was no vegetation because winter. If you see it now, there's a lot And Frank, was there anything removed um for that construction of the driveway or was it just grass?
>> It used to be a tennis court. That's what that foundation is. It went it was three courts in in the back. >> So there was no like existing foliage or any ground up. >> It was always um hardly anything grew until it threw grass seeds down.
>> I can't see raking up all the gravel. So I agree with Martha. park anything that's lubricated away and put in some shrubs. I'm happy.
>> We're happy that you're happy about that. >> If you guys are asking for shrubs, they should be natives. >> Yes. Oh, yeah. >> Not whatever you find at the nursery. >> Yeah. That would be part of the condition. >> Okay.
Okay. Any more comments from the commission? >> Do you mean um you said not anything that you find at the nurseries? You can find native shrubs at the nursery. Those are fine. But the other
>> Yeah. Specifying native shrubs, not >> Yeah. cultivars or uh non-natives, >> right? Yeah. uh not like if they still sell them burning bush for example, you know. >> So people were saying shrubs, but I want them to if they're going to be asking
for shrubs, I want them to specify native >> a native non-cultiv. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Not not to design, but what's the limit of like the number of shrubs you'd be looking for for this area? like what is the precedent for determining like I
don't want to tell Frank like you don't do it that way. I mean it's >> you would >> you would I think that you would say this is the area that's close or when I people have usually said oh the house is like 40t long so you have to
plan a 40 foot bed or you have to reestablish 40t of bank or you know some so I don't expect 120 feet but I think this closest area might be something where what we're looking at. Sound like Frank wants to take a site visit with
me. Talk about what's there now, what can be put in. And we have 8 to 12 or 6 to 12. >> Yeah. I mean, I would think that >> you have a lot there now. How much more >> the only concern that you would want to
have is just, you know, having a vehicle or something transitioning into the grassy area, but I don't think it gets to be substantial. back up and hit revenue in a plant, >> but I don't want to I don't want to put an undue burden of like, you know, 20 or >> so. So, I would like to see the plant somewhere out
>> around the corner in the back, right? If only to define it um to remind people that you don't want to go beyond that. So, so the act not act not only is a mitigation but is a
bit of a barrier to anything more going out there. Or would that be would that just be based then on the walkthrough with Chuck? One final walk through. That's that's what you guys are voting on tonight or for the plan. >> Well, I think what we'd be voting on is
proven that the driveway with a number of plantings. Frank would give us a sketch, a plan with the number of plantings, the placement of the plantings, the species.
>> Us or Chuck? you pass it to Chuck and Chuck would let us know we received it and if my proposal is that it if Chuck thinks it's acceptable then we would have already accepted it with that assumption that condition.
>> Okay. I just want to >> which we have done in the past. >> No, I just wanted to clarify the ask. So, okay. >> Okay. So, that's it for our com our comments. Sorry. Do you want to come up to the podium, introduce yourself, and >> you'll be able to answer my question.
My name is Ed Marshan. I live at 29 Cobburn. I don't directly about Frank, but got the notice and I was curious if you were doing it was just a driveway for you or if there's any plans to try to access that land back there. >> Can you address the >> Oh, sorry.
>> That's right. No. If there was plans to access that land behind there for development because I saw somewhere online a plan that showed it's a conceptual total sack with two houses >> that when I bought the house that's what they tried to sell.
>> Okay. So that's old too. And then I had also seen um another plan that looked like an event space with tables and a stage. It said 145. I just Googled 145
>> 125. I'm sorry. Yeah. No. And that No. So there's nothing else. Okay. I mean, that's all I wanted to know. >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right. >> All right. Nothing else. Can I have a motion, please?
>> Um, >> I'll make a motion to accept the project as is. >> So to approve. Now when you say asis, you mean not asking to do plants. >> Well, that condition comes after the fact, right? >> To approve.
>> You're right. So, first we should close the hearing, add conditions, then approve. You are correct. Motion to close the hearing. >> I'll make a motion to close the hearing to accept the project as is.
>> Walter Talbert seconds. Walter Talbert's in favor. Jerox in favor. Mr. repeal in favor in favor. >> In favor? >> Okay. Now, conditions. Uh condition is
an a plan submitted to Chuck, acceptable to Chuck with um non-cultivars. Uh again, I'll leave an exact number up to you, but you'll know what we're looking for. um in the actual placement you can
propose something you've heard what some of us are thinking what I'm thinking but it's your property you have designed so just a sketch of something submit to Chuck and he will take it >> condition has to be they planted outside
35 foot >> no plantings can be anywhere >> it's not a structure can be do within 25 ft. Um, >> that's the zone of native vegetation. We often plant in the zone of native
vegetation. 1295 Main Street has a whole bunch of things planted in the zone of native. >> If we're if we're doing something to enhance that zone, that's okay. Just no structures and no disturbance. Just >> Yeah.
>> Okay. So, where were we? Um, what are the conditions? Well, my condition was no parking of things with engines in that 35 foot zone.
>> Any other question? I'm sorry. Uh conditions, Chuck, did you have anything else that we didn't bring up? Um, yeah, I would just say that you would have to uh you could only use fertilizer
in that area so close to the wetlands for the first year and it should be slow release and then not after that. >> Did you hear that? >> Uh, only fertilizer if needed for the first year and it should be slow
release. Uh and then no fertilizer so close to the islands after that. >> Um and three years survival of these shrubs. >> That's what we would have said if it came to us. >> What we would have said is three years
80%. So what we're saying is just planting the the bushes is not enough. they need to survive. Uh if they don't survive, they need to be replaced and the clock starts again when you replace them. And
what we're saying is 80% of the plants have to survive for three years or you need to replace >> 80% of the plants. And he's not choosing any trees, but 100% of the trees is usually what we say, >> right? But he's not >> we're not asking for trees.
If you wanted to plant one, that would be great, but it's entirely up to you. >> It would be like trees. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Um, >> okay. >> I just my one other thought is when
you're choosing your plants, knowing the deer population in Reading, some survive better than others. Um, and so looking for native shrubs that are less likely
to be chewed to the ground by the deer, you're going to have better luck with your 80% survival. And I hope that Chuck has put the page up on the website that gives some ideas of deer resistant native plants.
So, give you a chance at success. >> Although, I'm sure you can look that up. >> I look it up. some plants that >> Yeah. Good. >> I hate to see people spend money on trees and on shrubs and then they're
just nibbled to the ground. >> Okay. Okay. >> You have a motion then to approve um the the RDA after the fact. Yeah. After the fact RDA. I move to approve this after the fact
request for determination of applicability, which means negative determination. Right. >> Yeah, that's right. >> Is that what we're looking for here? >> Yep. >> With the conditions listed.
>> Walter T with seconds. Walter T. >> Sticker in favor. >> Mu in favor. >> Martha Moore in favor. Rainbow in favor. Okay, you're all set. Thank you. >> All right, thank you. >> And um if you if you get that plan to
check pretty quickly, that'll be helpful. >> Okay, you too. Okay. Oakland Road in Birch Meadow. Is there anybody online? >> Yeah, Michael Dy. >> Okay, while you let him in, I'll read
blur it. He's in. enough. Still going to read the blur. Open the public meeting on a request for determination of applicability filed by Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 131
section 40 the weather protection act and or the reading wetland protection bylaw section 7.1 for earth excavation HMA pavement mill and overlay full depth pavement cement concrete sidewalk hot mix asphalt shared use path Cedar wood
trail drainage upgrades granite curving tree protection signage striping and erosion and sediment control. All work is within the 100 foot buffer zone to bordering vegetated wetland. The application and plans can be viewed during the business hours at the town
hall conservation office and on conservation division page under current projects. Assessor's map. Assessor's map. Um, NA lot NA. >> Hi, Michael. Is there anyone else here
with you tonight that I should let into the meeting? >> Um, Lily Collins is a master environmental representative. She's on the call today. >> But you know what? I'll let Lily in, but um she doesn't have to turn her.
>> She only needs to participate when she Yeah, there you are. Hi, Lily. >> Hello. Okay, Michael, do you want to walk us through the project? Introduce yourself if you haven't already. I forget.
You're muted. >> Or not. Doesn't say he's muted. >> Okay. You're broken now. Right now, we're not hearing you. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Yes. Oh, >> one second.
Don't know what happened. this. My audio just disconnected. >> Oh, we can hear you now. >> He's not talking. He's bringing up something on his He say his audio is disconnected. >> Um, if you one second, I'll just join on my phone.
>> We can hear you. >> Sorry. >> I don't think he can hear us. >> Oh, he can't hear us. >> That's why you're on the commission here. Pearl Street. Pearl Street comes comes again. That's not the bell to
game on tonight. >> Yes. Finish in a half hour. Michael can get his system going. Um, can everyone hear me? >> We can hear you. >> All right. Sorry about that. I think you
could hear me, but I couldn't hear you. So, >> um, Chuck, can you un allow me to unmute on my phone? >> Oh, sure. Um, let me just do that. I don't I should see a phone number,
right? >> I think it should still be my name. Hold on a second. There it goes. see that. Um you are >> okay.
>> All right. Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> All right. Sorry about that. My Bluetooth just disabled the second I started talking, which, you know, seems about right. Um, all right. So, I guess I'll start from
from the top. Um, my name is Michael Dubbie. I'm the project manager with TEC. Um, we are the consultant for Mass DOT who is administering this uh safer to school project. Uh the maps. Safers to school program is a program from um a
program that encourages uh infrastructure improvements around schools to improve on pedestrian and uh bicyclist safety while also offering traffic coming measures to slow vehicles and prioritize uh pedestrians through the areas. So this project extends from
Longfellow Road um in the south to Birch Meadow Drive in the north. And I can probably tried sharing my screen. Can you see that? >> It's coming up. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> All right. Um, so this is a location map that shows the entire project limits. Uh, the map is oriented with south side on the left and north on the right. Longfellow road is in the top left and Birch Matter Drive is in the bottom right. Um the project extends throughout this entire corridor which ab butts to
reading Memorial High School and proposes to um make infrastructure improvements for pedestrian safety traffic counting measures throughout this entire stretch. The existing roadway is a paved roadway uh with
parking on both sides and 5ft sidewalks on either side of the roadway. And what we were looking to do under this project is install a shared use path along the western side of the roadway throughout the entire corridor um install grass buffer strips between that shared use
path and the roadway and then narrow the roadway up to promote slower vehicle speeds and um shorten pedestrian crossings uh along the entire corridor. Um so I'll just flip through the plans just really quickly. Uh you'll see some
of these improvements. We're also proposing upgrades to the sidewalk on the eastern side of the road and just replacing that in kind. Uh bumping out the existing curb line to again narrow the roadway. Uh there are minor drainage
improvements to just relocate existing drainage structures at the proposed curb line. Um and that extends through the entire project limits. So there are four sheets here. And on the fourth sheet, um, what we're
looking at is the intersection of Oakland Road at Burge Meadow Drive. Uh, at this intersection, we are doing work within the 100 foot wetland buffer and riverfront area. Um, there is an intermittent stream as well as bank
along the eastern side of Birch Meadow Drive and at the southwest and northwest corners as well. Um the work within this area includes narrowing up the roadway. Uh re resetting curb line, installation
of shared use path on all three or all three sides of the intersection, the northern side, the south uh west and southeast sides. Um and minor regrading. We'll also be installing new deep sump catch basins where existing catch basins
need to be relocated to new curb lines and sediment erosion control measures will be installed along this entire stretch uh in between any excavation work and the wetland areas. Um it's worth noting that the work that we are showing in the limits of grading are
essentially entirely within the existing um sidewalk area. So the because the curb is getting bumped out, we're not extending impervious or backed sidewalk beyond what's already out there today. And in addition with the extension of the curb line, we're able to introduce
more impervious area through grass buffers on each of the quadrants um of the intersection. So I think that's the general project scope at this or at this point. The project is at the 75% stage and we'll be advancing towards the 100% design stage
through the mascot standard processes and at this time we're uh looking to discuss the request for determination of applicability applicability. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh questions, comments from the commission. >> Joe, do you want to
>> Yeah. >> briefly talk about this morning's >> Sure. Yeah. So, we we did our site visit um on Birch Meadow Drive and Oakland Road at that corner. Um one of our primary uh things that we had identified was around
vegetation management specifically. There's a lot of Japanese knweed along Birch Meadow Drive and Oakland Road. Um and wanted to know if there's any plan for invasive removal or treatment um as part of the scope of the project.
>> Yeah. So within um the limits of excavation and mass projects we typically carry um invasive plant management strategies for uh within the project. So there are two items that are included for any occurrence or where
there is um uh invasives um impacted or not impacted but where where work is done within areas of invasives invasives. Um, so those will be carried as part of this contract because there are invasives within the
project area. Um, I guess that that's pretty much it. >> And is there any opportunity to extend beyond um that project area? So where I guess my question is where is the limit for this uh scope of work on this map
here as you get onto well road? If you keep going south on this map right now on Birch Meadow Drive, uh where's the Okay, the one's right. >> I think that was that was the main
observation that we had while we were out there. >> Uh I want to follow up with um a back and forth that you and Joe just had. So you are planning on doing some invasive removal as part of this.
So, our excavation work as part of this project, if if I zoom in on the right side, is limited to about a foot to a foot and a half uh beyond the proposed back of sidewalk, which is probably
about a foot beyond the existing back of sidewalk. So, based off that loan of excavation, we're not proposing any clearing. um that load of excavation is kind of outside where the existing vegetation is. But as part of the project, because there is known uh
invasive species, the items for management of those will be carried and it be part of the contractor's responsibility is to develop a plan if they're encountered during excavation activities. >> Okay. So, two points. The first is that
in your narrative it says there will be no clearing of existing vegetation. How does that square with what you just talked about? >> Yeah. So that that's correct because the we're replacing pretty much the sidewalk in kind and we're extending into the
roadway and not beyond the existing sidewalk. Our limit of excavation is essentially limited to where the existing sidewalk is today. >> Okay. Now going back to the original point Joe was making in the screen as it
is there right now um on the lower part of it where the uh two catch B now you're moving on me the two catch basins on the lower part of the work project along the road there there's a that's
where the Japanese knotweed is um and when we were were there today we were looking at whether that could be part of the project as a mitigation would be to remove
um a lot of that notweed because it's so prevalent there. >> Um I think it's something we can discuss further with the town. I think not knowing where the limits of that notweed are um I don't want to commit to kind of
extending the the limit is right now. >> Um I would expecting you to to get all of it. So, you wouldn't need to know the limits, but if there was um a piece of it, a certain area that you could eradicate, that would be a plus. Uh I
mean, there's a convenient milestone there along the road. There's a telephone pole. Um, I'm going to say 80 ft or so along the road, but um, sure if you can talk to the town about that. I think that would
be helpful. >> Yeah, it's the poll labeled UPL5 on your plan. I think your hand is right on it right now. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Yeah, that is definitely something we
can continue to discuss with the town. I do want to mention that any clearing or excavation work beyond the right ofway or the town layout in this case will require additional right ofway which um will require temporary easements for
grading. Usually not crazy big deal. Um but these properties the ones in the southwest corner or just adjacent to UPL5 and the opposite side of the street are both restricted through article 97. So, it just adds a little bit of a um
caveat to additional work in the area. >> Okay. Well, it's worth the conversation with the town, but um be be interested in what your answer is. Um Joe, do you have more to say before I jumped in? >> No. Go ahead. >> Any other Martha?
>> I've got a couple. Um >> I think he's still there. Um yeah, >> uh when we were there today, we noticed that um Overflow High School parking was all the way down on Birch Meadow Drive in the same area that we were parking
for our site visit. So um can you tell me how the um change in this roadway will affect the number of parking spaces that are along Birch Meadow Drive in this area?
and all the way along Oakland Road, are you going to have more or fewer parking spaces? >> Yeah, that's a that's a great question. Um, in general, um, we will have we are maintaining as much parking as possible
while proposing the improvements for pedestrian crossings. That really is the impetus of the project. So, with that being said, there are a few spots lost. And if I if I kind of pan over, the reason being for some of the spots is because we're extending the crosswalks
so that when people cross the road and kids cross the road from school, they're extended beyond the parked vehicles so traveling vehicles can see them. Those are the locations along the corridor where parking is lost. It's typically one to two spots at each of those locations. Um I I don't have the number
off the top of my head, but I believe the limited the number of parking spots that was lost was around 10 to 15. And I think when we counted it, there were like 115 spots out here. Um so one of the evaluations when we did this original process was to
kind of keep the parking as much as possible but um the safety of the crossings across the street required us to eliminate some of those spots in terms of or uh in uh priority of safety. And I do want to also mention we've been courting directly with uh the town
police and fire departments throughout this entire process. Um I think this project initiated through the town's master planning process back in 2024 and that's what kind of stemmed this into the mass safe roots to school program. So um we are working with them as well
um and we're open to any input and appreciate all the input on this as we go through it. >> Okay. So even though on the original diagram there are parking spaces marked I think and now they're not marked but you're saying any place where you don't
have the bumpouts where the crosswalks are that will be parking on both sides of the street. >> Correct. Yep. Yep. This plan just doesn't show the striping but I can um I can pull that up if you would like me to. Um, no. As long as I know that all
the way along both next to the 10 foot shared use path and next to the sidewalk on the opposite side will still have parking. That's >> what I needed to know. And um, you are moving the
storm drains, but are they still connecting to the same underground storm sewer system that was there in the first place? >> Yep. Yep. So, um we will be retaining the existing trunk line going down the
roadway. Um tying all the new catch basins into that trunk line. Uh and all new catch basins will be installed with deep sumps as well. And then inlet protection will be installed during construction for those. >> Can I jump in right there? >> Yep. Just because we're talking about
the storm drains, uh what what kind of protection are you so I'm assuming they all discharge into the um the wetland area across the street? Is that correct? Or do they go into a pipe and they're
they go somewhere else? Um that's a great question. There are no outfalls within the limits of work that we have shown. So, off the top of my head, I don't know where the exact outfall is for the drain system. Um,
>> it's not across the street. >> No, it's not into the the Birch Meadow area because there's an existing culvert under here, but the drainage system doesn't tie into that. Um, so it doesn't it doesn't fall within our project limits that that um
that we have. >> How would you characterize the uh storm drain that's there now? Uh just just a storm drain without a sump. >> Um the existing structures >> Yeah. >> could be. Yeah. Yeah. We're not Some of them have do have sumps. Uh some of them
are shallow structures to avoid uh the water which does run along the um western curb line of Oakland Road. So there's a water line under there. Um, so it it it depends on kind of the location, some of the existing structures, but typically the older structures only had when they did have
sumps, they only had three-foot sumps, which per uh the latest regulations, all structures are required to be updated with 4ft sumps for to meet uh water quality standards. >> So, I guess I was about to ask the same question Chuck asked is where does that
trunk line go? Um, would you be able to find out that before our next hearing so that where that water is going that's coming down Oakland Road?
>> Yeah, I can I can definitely do that. I can dig into some of our record plans and if if we can't find anything, I know we've been working with um several people at the town and I can reach out to them to see if their GIS has any information as well. >> Okay. And
so, um, I I think that I where I was heading to, and maybe this will help you not not be able to move forward without knowing where they're going. So, if we find out that they they do discharge into a
resource area or into any kind of area that's ponded, was there any um uh discussion about jettting them out prior to because I think when you put the new sump in there, you're going to um
you're just going to start cleaning out some of that uh structure and it's all going to get uh heading downstream. And if downstream is a resource area, I I would I was going to ask that it's cleaned out prior to uh you know getting
those online. >> Yeah, that's uh that's a great question. Uh as part of all mass projects, we include uh the cleaning and sediment removal of all structures and pipes within the project limits. Uh a big part of that is because in the past uh contractors have complained about not
even be able to get into the structures, do what they need to do. So, uh, all pretty much all Masto projects have items for the contractors to clean, uh, the structures. So, that'll be done as part of the project, um, to make sure that none of that sediment kind of flows
all through the outfall. >> Is is there someone on site um, like a resident engineer or something like that to make sure that all these uh, details in the contract happen? Yes, mass dod assigns a resident engineer as part of the standard process
for all contracts that they oversee >> and it's a mass resident engineer. >> In this conversation, you were saying that um as part of the mass do process, you do uh take care of everything within
the project reach. What Chuck was talking about some things that may have an effect that goes beyond the project reach. you take that into account as well, right? >> Yeah. And and I think especially when it comes to drainage, um, one of the things
if we were well, I guess one of the things as part of this project that that benefits us a lot is that we are reducing imperous area quite a bit through the introduction of grass buffer strips. Um, so that will help the drainage system and decrease peak flows through the through the outfall. So that
part of that process in terms of just analyzing the drainage system by reducing the existing impervious area um in the proposed condition that helps the system and we've talked with the town and there are no existing kind of flooding concerns that they have
throughout this project. Um and then the sediment removal will be uh completed as part of the project and we can chase down where the outfall is just to make sure we we incorporate anything there that needs to be incorporated. >> And that's all good. I I applaud that.
What I was trying to do is to make sure there's no loophole where things could flow down pipe and end up somewhere outside the project limits. And then you say, well, we take care of things within the project limits. This is outside not
our responsibility. So, I want to be sure that we talked about um the downstream effects if in fact there are any once once you figure out where the line goes. Yeah. And during construction, uh, it's required that the contractor installs in
the protection at all the inlets and maintains those, keeps them up to date, and cleans them. Uh, there's a certain requirement for how often they need to be cleaned. So, all potential sources where debris or material or other can go into the drainage system will be
protected. Uh, and that is set up even before the contractor can do any type of work out there. Um so their MASDOT has a pretty robust um program where they where they install erosion controls, sediment controls, and they put a lot of requirements on the contractor to
maintain a clean uh environment and make sure a lot of those things don't happen. >> Thank you. Um, yeah. I for full disclosure I have a personal interest in this area that
we're looking at now because about 15 years ago the median traffic island um was created and I was a teacher at the high school and the environmental club that I ran planted that median island
and you will see now it's mostly blooming with chives and irises and tulips have just gone by. Um I would love to um know when you're going to do this project because it looks like you're going to dig up my traffic island
and build a new one and that new one is going to have lom and seed and so before that happens I'd like to be able to retrieve some of my plantings and plant those bulbs elsewhere before the project starts. Do you have a timeline that
you're expecting this will be taking place? >> Yeah, right now we're anticipating um the construction will start I believe it's in the spring of 2028. Um we're putting some contingencies in the contract for most of the work to include
outside of the school season. So during summer vacation, but 2028 is the anticipated construction start for this one right now. But there would a there would be a pre kickoff meeting scheduled anyway that we would know about. So you would be in
>> Chuck would know about. I don't necessarily know. >> Okay. >> When they are doing the preconstruction meeting, >> but um >> Chuck, >> yeah, but >> yeah, I would love to, you know, know what's the timeline on that. Not that I
want to necessarily claim possession of this island after it's been done. I think this might be a good time for me to pass it on to somebody else. But um yeah, I do want to be informed when it's going to happen. So knowing your
timeline is helpful. Thank you. >> Any other questions, comments? Um, I just have visions of when they did the high school construction and the um sump
bags in the storm drains clogged up and the whole parking lot filled with water. Um, so I think a condition we might want to have is if there's a really heavy rain, there needs to be um somebody on
site to figure out what to do if all of these things with their filter bags plug up and Birch Meadow Drive is a river. >> That's it. Any other comment? My only concern is we
clean these drains in their project area. They do that. Well, we still don't know where the water's going. So, you got all this crud being loosened up. And what's going to happen downstream is maybe there's a place where it's half plugged already and now we're going to
fully plug it. I think we cannot ignore what's going to happen downstream. I think we need to know where everything's going and that's why we asked for them to figure out where >> it goes downream for exactly that reason. >> Yeah. Yeah. And I think I think one
thing on on that front and just just to be transparent here is because these are town own roadways. Um typically Mass DOT carries those items, but a lot of times we work with the local DPWs to make sure they're cleaned as part of the project.
Um because the maintenance of the local systems are typically on the municipalities. Um, so we can we can have conversations with um uh Ryan with DPW and and some of the other folks there to make sure that everything's taken care of. It needs to be taken care of um for the cleaning of the existing
structures. >> Okay. Anybody else? >> Just one additional question. So around like temporary construction access and staging, are you going to have any equipment along uh the areas you've identified as no work? So like the banks
or within that 100 foot buffer and if so whereabouts are you looking for for staging overnight material? >> Yeah, the yeah the contractor um won't be allowed to stage within uh any of the buffer zones. That's that's pretty typical as part of the the contract. Um
ultimately the contractor needs to submit their plan. Um but I there's a requirement I believe at the end of the day to maintain two lanes of traffic and parking. So, I don't even imagine that anything within the project site will be used for staging. I believe
um it's more likely that vehicles, equipment, and um materials will need to be staged offsite or maybe some agreement with the school or someone else needs will will be h will happen during construction.
So, following up on that, when would you expect to get that parking plan um from the uh contract the so their their plan for I guess how
they will stage during construction will be developed after a contractor's been selected in coord but all of that and and just just to be clear all of that will be coordinated with the town involved because these are town owned roadways. >> So the town would be part of those
decision processes. >> So who has final approval on the placement of the equipment and what have you is that the >> uh the if the town has any concerns with the proposal then their concerns are definitely a big part of the
considerations. So final approval will occur between the town and and the state. >> Okay. Chuck, do you have any? >> Um, well, you covered a lot of these. I was
going to uh talk about the staging area and I think Imagination Station might be uh one of them is a parking lot down the street, but also the school has some some parking area. So, I think we could only put conditions on
it no matter what. So, we should think about some conditions for wherever this parking staging area is going to be. Um, the the only one of the things I wanted to point out, Michael, is if you could uh point out where the 100 foot line is.
I couldn't see it, but I don't think anyone who's watching tonight can can see that either. >> Yep. Yep. So, the 100 foot wetland buffer is represented in red here. Uh you see my hand panning up and around and then um it extends across Waverly
Road north across Oakland Road and then uh kind of up to the top left of the page on the west side of Birch Meadow Drive. >> All right. And then over by Whittier Road, um where you're doing the uh the improvements,
you're staying within the existing um sidewalk and impervious surface or do you need I thought you said you needed a foot beyond the sidewalk to you know
replace that that sidewalk with the the uh the larger travel lane for pedestrians. Yeah, our our limited grading extends roughly about a foot beyond the existing sidewalk. And that's partially just to account for any minor changes in um
grading when they put in the new sidewalk. Um but the the entire new sidewalk, if I zoom in here, it's a little bit tough to see, but you can see this little wedge of concrete. Um and then just above you'll see a gray line and then a black line to the left. So the gray line is the existing back of
sidewalk and the black line is the proposed. So the entire proposed sidewalk is within the existing sidewalk and there's just some minor grading to level things out at the back. >> Sure. And um the material that you pull out of there um
I'm concerned about Japanese knotweed and the tubers that may be in it. You know, I guess if you reuse it in the same location, that would be not great but acceptable. But what are the plans for that? Do you do you um bring that somewhere and
dispose of it or is it reused on site? >> Yeah, the so and Lily correct me if I'm wrong here. Uh but the soil within the area area area where invasives are present is tested for invasives and then
I believe the specs have language regarding disposal and treatment offsite. Um not sure. I'd have to double check myself or double check the specs uh in terms of what that exact language is. >> So, so if if they uh like v like a
visual uh inspection if they see uh you know whatever in the soil then it gets bumped into a different category it needs to be uh you know taken care of as first be mascot specs. >> I I might be able to provide some
clarification. Um do you need me to introduce myself? >> Yes, please. Okay, my name is Lily Collins. I'm with Masto Environmental. Um, like Mike said, the special provision, um, and forewarning, I'm not a landscape specialist. Um, I'm in the wetlands
unit. So, the special provision is the invasive plant management strategy. Um, and the contractor will be required to work with the MASDOT landscape unit um, to create a plan to manage the invasive species. I'm not entirely sure if the
contaminated soils can be reused on site. Um I would have to double check, but there may be an opportunity for them to reuse it in the same location, but we certainly won't be reusing it in locations where there isn't invasives present.
>> Yeah, I think as part of that, uh it's called the IPMS, the invasive plant management strategy. um that needs to be approved by Mass DOT in terms of the what the contractor plans on doing with the soil >> and whatnot. Uh and with soil that has a
presence of invasives. So that will go through an approval process in terms of how they need how they need to handle that. >> Yeah. Okay. It sounds like uh yeah it sounds like uh it's not too clear to me how how it'll get taken care
of. It's uh you know usually we are used to just saying oh well this area is close enough to be a concern so we would like to um have that removed or at least not used elsewhere in site where there
aren't any invasives. I heard a little bit of that, but um uh I guess without reading um more of that material, I don't know, you know, when it's triggered and when
it when it's not. Um >> yeah, we can send you the the standard language. There's a couple items that we use uh for reference if needed that mass uses on any projects with invasives. Yeah, that would be great. I'd like to
I'd like to review that. >> Anybody else? >> Any last thoughts from anybody in the room? Any questions or comments? >> Anyone online? >> Anybody online have any questions or comments? In case I had not thought of
that. >> Yeah, sure. Just use the raise hand function and uh we'll see your hand and uh let you in to discuss your question >> and that raise hands function is at the bottom of the screen. Seeing none uh
Ryan. >> Okay. So, at this point, there were a number of items that came up um that we asked you folks to either get an answer to or send us some information.
Um can we list those please? Um there's whatever information there is about the trunk line and and where the >> how falls. >> Yeah. Um then there was one on using soil. Yes or no? or just the
general language they talked about on the standard language that they have. Um, what else came up? >> How much invasive control can be included in this project? >> Yep. Any other number of parking spaces?
>> Okay. Yeah. The only other thing that it's not a condition, but I Michael, how long does this project from start to finish is is this uh going to take? >> I'm assuming you're this you're mentioning you're talking about construction.
>> Construction. Yeah. >> Um we think the majority of the work will be able to be done in one construction season, although um it will probably leak into a second construction season. And the only reason for that is just there will be restrictions around
closing lanes and parking when school's in session. So um likely is going to be majority of work in one construction season with final touch is done in the spring or early summer of the following year. >> Um uh just uh tell me the months of the
construction season so the commission understands and anyone listening tonight. >> Yep. I believe it's April through November. Does that mean there will be disruption during the school year in April, May,
September, October, November, June? >> No. The contractor won't be able to do any lane closures or any uh disruptive work during that time period. >> So, since this is such a long project, um um I was, you know, as
I I think that maybe I'm just gonna get into the commissioner's heads a little bit. What uh what makes you um what made you fill out the uh request for a determination application in the
first place? Is this uh you know uh predominantly road work uh within the existing um ride of way and on existing imperous surface? So, there's no new alteration. Uh, can you go through
that again just so uh we don't we don't get everyone worried knowing that it's going to be a two-year project? >> Yep. Yep. So, we filed the uh RDA application uh for work within the 100 foot wetland buffer um for this project.
There are no direct impacts to the wetland areas themselves. All the work occurs within that buffer zone. Um and then all of the work itself is classified under the um minor activities
identified by the mass uh CMR or not Massad Massachusetts CMR. So um within the regulatory compliance all work within the buffer zone is considered minor um minor work which then uh we
submit the RDA for just a well and maybe Lily you can help describe that but we we submit for an RDA because it's minor work and there aren't any major impacts to wetlands themselves or major work being done within the buffer zone. Yeah, Michael pretty much summed it up,
but um we usually file these just out of an abundance of caution and so the commission has the chance to review the project as it's in your jurisdiction, but the the work does qualify under four of the minor exempt activities under the 310 CMR.
>> Sure. And you're exempt from the local regulations. Is that is that correct? >> Yes, that is correct. As a state agency, we are exempt from local bylaws. So can you um tell us uh under the um you know there's a long list of the uh exempt
projects uh what is it 10 >> 53 >> 53. So which of those letter subclauses are you using? >> We're going to be using um 310 CMR 10.022B
2 F 2 I 2 O and 2 P. Is that it again? F I P and what was the other one? >> O. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, yeah, we actually just came we're just actually using some of those on different
projects. So, >> we can get back into them. >> Okay, Chuck, back to you. >> I I just was making uh those just to help the commission a little bit with this process.
>> Fair enough. So, I appreciate that. Um, I don't have any other questions. >> Okay. So, we have some uh information to get exchanged, which seems to me like we need a continuation. Would you agree to a continuation?
>> Yes, we can agree to a continuation. >> And um how much time do you think you need for that continuation? Our next meeting is June 10th. It's June 10th and it's if if this matters to you, it's a
fairly full agenda. >> No, not that it matters. I mean, you know, the way we do it is uh the newest things >> since you're on the agenda, you'll just move down as things get approved, but um uh the newest will go in back. So, would it be okay if we put you down for the
24th? >> That is okay with me. Um, Michael, is that okay? Is that enough time for you? >> Yeah, that that'll be uh acceptable for us. Plenty of time for us to coordinate. >> Okay. >> Chuck, if we if we were to send you any
materials that we have prior to the meeting, like by email, would is that acceptable? Would that be helpful? >> That's absolutely acceptable. That's >> we do have an electronic distribution so it makes it so much easier for me to get that out to the commission too. >> Awesome.
>> And generally you want the stuff a week before the meeting, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Um I move that we continue this hearing to June 24th. >> Walter Talbert seconds. Walter Talbert's
in favor. >> Miss Sher, you still in favor? Yes. Thank you to Michelle in favor. >> Rick in favor. >> Moore in favor. >> Ryan Bo in favor. Thank you, Michael Lily. Appreciate your time.
>> Thank you so much. >> Okay, that was it for our hearings for tonight. Next, um we have a discussion item. A request for certificate of
compliance for 1153 Main Street. Is there anybody out there for that, Chuck? >> No. >> Okay. Um, so, uh, this is a site visit that might
give, uh, the homeowners. This is L main street. >> Oh, that's not 1153. That's 1295. >> Oh, you're right. I crossed over. >> Isn't 1153 the garage? >> It is. >> You're right. >> Yeah. I didn't do a site visit to the
garage. I'm sorry. >> I saw that and I was just thinking. >> Good thing you're here. >> Okay. So, this is the garage. Um Chuck, do you want to do an update on this if you can?
>> Sure. I've been to this site a few times. Uh but um you know it's important for the commission to see uh the garage was uh put in place. It was approved. It was given a uh a um occupancy permit um
in last year and uh the one remaining thing that needed to happen um was the trees. I'm not sure when the trees went in. believe it was maybe before the fall of last year and
um and that was the only thing that was that was missing uh out of this. But I know that um a few trees were asked for and they were planted and they're in good shape because I have seen them lately.
>> So I do think it's worth us doing a site visit. I mean, clearly I was crossing over, so maybe others want to see it as well. And probably some of you weren't even on it then. So, if our business tonight is just to schedule a site visit there, that would be helpful.
>> Do the trees need threeear survivability and they've only been in for a year? >> Uh, well, we can look into that. I don't I don't think they've been in three years. Okay. So, are we a little premature asking for
a certificate of compliance until we know they've survived three years? >> Anyone can put in a request. It's up to the commission to uh entertain it. So, I don't >> consideration. It's it you know the one
of the odd things about the conservation the wetland protection act it doesn't doesn't give us the right to say no to an application if it's uh substantially com uh >> complete >> complete yeah thanks
I was going to say compliant but I got stuck on that but >> and so yeah they can they can ask uh it's and yes you you should go out there. I I think that um I thought the I thought you went out
there. I think that you were talking about another another site. I think they got mixed up between a couple sites, >> but I've been out there and I'm I'm satisfied with what's out there, but they they didn't it hasn't been three years.
>> So, our next meeting is June 10th. Typically, we go the Monday before, which is June 8th. >> Yes. um can be scheduled for June 8th. >> It's fine with me. >> Yeah. So, I'll just move this to June 8th. You don't have to uh make a motion.
It's not a it's not a hearing. >> Okay. Doug, do you know when they were planted? Because the application is from 2022. So, that's more than three years, but do you know when they were actually planted? >> I believe they were planted last fall.
>> Oh. But if if um the applicant corrects me when they when we talk to them on the site visit, uh that'll be okay. But I believe it was last fall. I like I believe it was one of the last things that happened
after the after the uh garage was built. >> Okay. So then moving right along. Um old new business. The first item there is once again um probably for the last time um just make sure people are aware that
we are looking for additional members. Um the volunteer committee of the town is in process these days uh interviewing people who have applied or want to apply. Um so if you are interested now
is the time. Um, there is a form online that you can fill out and submit. Uh, I'm not sure when the last time you could be considered is. So, there's >> I know that was tortured English, but
um, so if you do have interest, please do it right away. Uh, we do have some spots to fill. So if you did happen to have a background in uh desirable skills, traits, backgrounds, engineering, environmental, anything
that would be good. But uh even putting putting that aside, energetic, interested people are always helpful. I think Okay, that's it. I'm going longer on a hockey night. Um next item is a reminder about the second
annual Green Communities Garden Party. This is Thursday, June 18th from 6 o'clock to 8:00 at the Reading Public Public Library downstairs in the community room. Um, and we had talked
about it last time and I said that I could be there. People want to check their availability, what have you, can somebody else be joining us to man the table or whatever the appropriate >> staff the table. >> Thank you very much. Yeah,
>> I knew I knew that. >> I think I can help. >> Great. Anybody else? >> Anybody else interested in >> Simple, you don't have to know much. You just have to be affable and talk to people. >> I can confirm uh the week off. I I can do the uh the next one, the June 20th,
but on Thursday, I'll confirm the week off based on >> So, write down write it down for June 20th, but you jumped the gun. I haven't got to that yet. >> Sorry. >> Okay. So, we have some people to staff the table um at the library. That's
good. Next is friends and family day, June 20th. Um we have a table. It's uh provided, set up, and anchored a tent by the town. And we're looking for people to staff our facility at that point.
Sher, do you think you could? >> Yes. >> Oh, good. Um, is there anybody else who could join Shurog and anybody else at this site? This is um at the uh first metal fields. >> I believe I told you to pencil me in the
last couple meetings. >> So, are you still a pencil or is it going to >> depends on? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, Rick is a maybe. >> Same for me. >> Joe is a maybe. Sherog, are you thinking
the whole slot time slot or do you want to do just morning or afternoon? >> Uh, I might do morning. Um, so I'll be there for the setup if only because most of the material is my car, but um I do not plan on staying the
whole time. >> Is it 10 to three? >> Uh, it doesn't say. That sounds about right. Yeah. >> Okay. Um I will put myself down for the afternoon then. So between Sherog and me
we could cover the day and then if we have other help that would be great. >> If you have any ideas for things that we could have there to show. We do have a fair number of things but most of it is uh reading material,
books, pamphlets and what have you. We usually have a map of reading with the conservation areas, green space in general. So, we have that. There have been other things. Martha has had a set of uh ink pads,
>> stamps >> um and we've used that. We had temporary tattoos at one point >> and stickers. >> Do we still have any of the tattoos and stickers left? >> I'm not sure. >> Maybe they're in your car. >> I might. I don't think so. I would have
seen it when I was moving them around, >> but I'll double check. >> Yeah, >> I just have a box. >> We can see if we can get some more or there's a box in front of my desk I have not looked into. >> Okay. >> And so it was from last year. So whatever's in there is >> okay.
>> Still there. >> So if you have any ideas, please let people know. Uh and that's something or just let let people let Chuck know and he can describe. >> Yeah. And those are all interesting things, but I mean what's even better are
wetland in a jar, solar oven, um invasives, like just go out and grab some and bring them over and identify them and let people look at them. Put a book next to it. Stuff like that. A map so they can see where they are and we can talk about, you know, what they're
close to and how to get some uh volunteers to help. So those things are also cool. So >> anything else, Brian? >> Actually, I don't think so. Um, do you have the
actual agenda up? I want didn't last page. >> Yeah. Um, conservation monthly meeting is June 2nd. >> Go ahead. I I don't have any fun. >> And then we don't have any new violations. Uh, and then it's the
administrative report. And so that's that's me. And uh so I got a it's it's been an unusual couple of weeks. I've got a lot of inquiries about um uh tree permits and from a whole host of
different people. And I uh wanted to kind of have this as aformational session so we can all talk. I'm expecting to ask questions but also to answer anything that uh that you know about the tree permit. So when anyone
wants to so we have a couple of ways to remove trees and town and so uh you know first off you need to know that you're within our jurisdiction. Um and what will help you is most of the tree companies will let you know that we've
been working with the tree companies forever. It was a time when we weren't so lucky. But now it's it's uh everyone knows that the conservation commission uh wants to know if you're taking down a tree and our jurisdiction and they'll they'll tell people. And so when they
tell people, they'll give me a call. I point them to the town website. And what you want to do is you want to go from the town website to the conservation division page. And on the conservation division page, you want to look at the upper left hand column and it says application for
conservation wetland permits. And so we go from that and we start looking for tree permits. When you hit the tree permit, you'll find out that it's an online permit. It's clustered with some other permits that we have are also online for the
community gardener, the tree removal permit, and minor project permits. All of these are online. payments are online. And in my opinion, they're really easy to fill out because it's it's like a tiered system. It's like a ladder. You ask a question. If you
answer it, you get to move on to the next question, you answer it. Some of the things we put in there is uh I need pictures. So, we don't let you move on unless you upload a picture. We need a map. We don't let you move on unless you
upload plan, a sketch, or a map. So once all that information is in, and I recommend to anyone looking for a tree removal permit to call me up first, never mind. I never have a problem with anyone calling me and talking about a
project. My my time is best served helping everyone in this community with the things they don't understand. This is so easy for the conservation commission and myself. We do it every day. every day, 247. So, if you call me
up, we can talk over your project. I can look at it on the town's GIS. I can let you know how to uh fill out the application and to create a map. And then when you finally get through it by taking your own pictures and these
pictures that you take, you should look at them because if you're sending me a pictures of a bunch of trees, that's all I'm going to see. You either need to circle the tree you're talking about or take a picture that actually describes what you're saying. This tree is has a
damaged area. Show that in the picture, point to it somehow. And when all that's uploaded and you hit send it, it comes to my desk. If we've talked about it, I can usually sign off relatively quickly
uh within a day. And if it's not uh something that I've looked into or um know about, I sometimes reach out to the applicant or have to do a uh site visit or a driveby. So that will slow down the
process. Um our requirements are quite easy. Up to four trees can be removed. I can approve up to four trees. If you're over four trees or you're on the bank or within
uh the 25 foot area, it's my call that you need to go to the conservation commission. Sometimes I approve those myself. Usually the ones that are located on the bank of a stream, I let the commission uh manage that situation
because it's a it's a the banks are very uh intricate uh habitat and you have to really uh understand what's going on. So I want the commission to look at that. I'm not saying I don't know what's going on, but I just think it's a good step to
move those into the commission's hand and I don't take those on myself. Um, so if you have four trees that are in the buffer zone and outside the 25 foot area, I just fill out the application and I usually go out and check and um
then I approve it. What you need to do is pick one of uh one of three process. You need to for mitigation. you need to leave a stump, which we call a snag, 10 to 15 foot tall. And that's part of our
regulations because a lot of people have these very long and extended uh lots that go deep into the woods. And um if you could leave a snag uh out there in the woods and it would never fall onto your property where
people are walking, it's a good option. And snags are very uh habitat friendly. They could become nesting areas. They could become food for woodpeckers, whatnot. And so we like them standing up. They that is a responsibility that
stays in perpetuity. So if you pick leave a snag, it will be there until it decays. The second uh option is to uh plant a tree for a tree of each one you take down or two shrubs that'll grow to
five feet at maturity um for each tree you take down. There's three shrubs that don't grow to five feet at maturity for each tree you take down. That's in the regulations. So there is a you can plant your way out of this also. And then
finally, if you feel like, you know what, I I just want to get rid of the tree. Dealt with that for a while. I uh I like the third option. And the third option is to uh donate to our
conservation uh tree fund. And the conservation commission will use that money to uh uh towards trees and to plant trees elsewhere in town. Uh and um and so that
works as for contractors. They have to pay for every tree at 250 a tree or the commission will come to an agreement. Contractors usually have to come to a conservation meeting, but for homeowners it's 250 a tree kept uh at $500.
So that's pretty much the process. Um and uh right now uh the checks are coming to town hall and but they can also be paid for online when you do this process. So it should be pretty seamless. We try to make it quick. But
what I want to emphasize is if anyone's out there with a tree that they think is dangerous, we can catch up with the paperwork later. You know, a danger tree is pretty obvious to everyone. It's got a cavity
in it. It's falling towards your house. It's in an area where people walk. Um, if a if a tree companies come out there and and said it's dangerous and you're worried about it, there's no need to wait for a permit. We
we allow you to take those dangerous trees down, but you do need to fill out a permit once that emergency is gone. And so we, you know, you would contact us or you would have contacted us already because the tree company said they're not taking they're not doing
anything until you contact the conservation office. But again, our policy is to allow any dangerous trees to come down prior to permits if uh you know if you think it's fine or if you think it's something that you want to do or the tree company recommends it. uh
most time what we find out if it's not a dangerous tree and those don't come up too much. Uh and from what I've I've been here since 2011 and they haven't come up too much but um usually what I hear is uh the tree company says it's dangerous and they have us on their
schedule and they'll be back in a month and a half. So that's that's different. We have a three-day permit here. You can you can definitely get your permit before they get back in a month and a half. So that's that's the rundown as far as what const I've missed anything.
Please add if you have any questions add to that. If there's something I've missed that you think that someone in reading uh you know a resident reading would like to know add that. Also >> I'd like to stress two things. One is it
certainly is better to contact Chuck and handle it the right way as opposed to having a situation after the fact where we have to come in and look at an area that's already had trees cut, some cut, and then have to deal with it from an enforcement
perspective. Much better to talk to Chuck up front. Um, what was the other thing I wanted to say? It'll come back to me. Anybody else have any comments or anything on this?
>> Does a tree removal permit still allow you somebody to select 50 trees? >> No. >> So, >> you'd have to So, 50 trees, something like 50 trees. Actually, >> I'm saying like on that online website when I did it,
>> I could keep on scrolling 50 maybe even more trees. Is there a way for the reading's IT department to create some dynamic interface that if you select four or maybe maybe stop at five five notification pops up that says please
contact Chuck Tyrone, it may require additional steps like an RDA or something like that. >> All right, that's a good idea. I didn't know that that happened. Obviously, I'm on the other end of uh the process, but I can look into that.
Yeah. And you asked did it change what we did fairly recently was clarify to handle this question which came up about how many can I cut. If we're doing this kind of a tree policy thing it's up to four. >> But I was just more referring to the
>> so five trees or more even without that you know little section that pops up >> just gets denied. I usually reach out. Our system is interactive. So it's reaching out to the applicant. So if I just write a comment, you know, we can
only approve up to four trees, any five trees. I like to talk to them because they're tree is a tree to everyone. So I like to talk to the people because sometimes they're counting two trees that are dead or what we would call dead. So now it's really only two trees
or three trees and two dead trees. So >> what is the size definition of a tree? >> Yeah. So we have just in our regulations we have uh six inches and up. Um so if they're cutting down like the rest is
clearing. So clearing is covered under a notice of intent or an RDA and it's clearing uh your lot. So you can't get this fast track to uh clear the lots. So, um, saplings to, you know, right up
to just under six inches would be considered clearing the lot. And it needs a permit. >> When you say six inches, you mean diameter. >> Yeah. >> Not height. >> DBH. Yeah. So, if you could, you know,
just do that, it would be about six inches. So, it's a pretty good size tree. It's been there a while. It's it's established. Uh, it's I mean, it might even be 15 years old, 10, 15 years old. So, the tree's been there a while. So, um,
>> I did remember my other point in my time in the commission, which is much less than his. One of the things we hear when we go to sites is that I didn't know it was on my property. I thought I could cut a tree
was on my property. And the answer is yes and no. The no part is if it's in the wetlands jurisdiction then even though it's on your property the wetlands jurisdiction pull sway. So uh
if you're not sure contact Chuck but if it's within our various buffers um it needs a permit or to be removed. Any other points? Okay. and put that to bed. I do have the
up now. So, I'm not set. So, next thing then are minutes for approval. We have one. We got that last Thursday. So, can I have a motion to approve the minutes for 513?
>> I did send Chuck and Emily a email with a couple of corrections in those minutes. >> Can I get something in here just real quick? Um, I forgot to add this. So once you use the tree policy, you you can't use it again for three
years. But if you need to take a tree down, that only means that you have to go through the normal process. And the normal process is an RDA. And so you would come into the commission. So you can use that for trees
the way it's written every three years. So, uh, the reason why we did this is because the commission was just approving trees and and everyone would have to come in and do the a better notification and that's 325 bucks now. And then we'd go out to their property,
they'd come in. So, it's a lot of time and a lot of money spent on getting a yes anyways. So that's why we started the policy because it seemed like four less trees would always get a
positive uh determination or negative determination, but a positive review by the conservation commission and approved. So we are just cutting through the red tape with our tree policy here. And this has gone through several different iterations of uh the
commissioners and each one still likes working with it because I haven't heard any complaints. >> Yeah, I had two amendments as well. >> Okay. And did you send them to Chuck? >> Sent it to Emily and Chuck. >> Perfect. Because Emily will not be making those changes. So, Chuck, can you
do the amendments to this set of minutes? >> And then, um, Carrie will be taking over doing tonight's minutes >> in June >> and the June minutes. >> Carrie is my youngest daughter. >> Okay. So, none of us have to volunteer
to do the minutes. Yay. >> Um, okay. So, with that, um, did anybody else have any corrections to the minutes? >> Doesn't matter. They submit. >> All right. I move that we approve the May 13th minutes as amended.
>> Walter Talbet seconds. Walter Talberts in favor. >> In favor in favor. >> Arthur Moore in favor. >> Ryan B in favor. Um one last topic before we adjourn. >> I have one too. So you
>> mine's probably >> ultimate. Um so yesterday Martha and I supported a field trip from the Barrow School to Malefms and Morgan. Um it was the fifth graders I believe. Uh there's quite a bunch of them. Uh
teachers we did not lose any which is always a positive. There are a number of different stations. They did rubbings of leaves. They um heard some wonderful stuff about constructed wetlands and um
watersheds in general. Chuck joined us this year to talk to them about what the stones are there under the various bridges. Uh part of it was educational, part of it was encouraging them not to
use those as skipping stones or anything. Um what was the other state? Oh, there's one on invasives. >> Yep. >> And then on >> tree. >> Yes. And then there was one a great one on
basically a demonstration they could work with on how wetlands work, how you there was a container with muddy water and things in it and to show how it filters through and how the water coming out the bottom is better.
Um, >> cleaner. Cleaner. Fair enough. >> Yeah. But especially um and Chuck might want to explain this in his own words, but he was explaining to the kids why the um rocks under the bridges make a
shallow area for the water flowing from pond to pond to get filtered before it goes to the next pond and out into the aona. So we don't want channels under this bridges. We want um the uh the comb
to comb out all the debris that's coming downstream. >> Yeah, that was pretty good. I I was uh that was my my uh talk. I was just about uh leaving the riverstones in place and if you see someone making a channel and
you felt like throwing a rock, it would be good to throw it in the channel because it's, you know, intuitive to think that, hey, let's create a channel to let the water flow from one pond to another. But that's not that's not the process that we're trying to do. We're trying to
settle out the particulates. We're trying to pick up the solids. And you know, in this case, since we're, you know, regular, we're trying to pick up beer cans and Coke cans and, you know,
bags and whatnot. And so those riverstones that are above the deep pools, pick that up because it's at top. It's at the top. So, that's what I was talking about. They all seemed interested. I got a couple questions and uh I have some great ideas for next
year, but it was good good afternoon and um they all seem to like it and uh they're the not only were the kids very enthusiastic, but so were the teachers and the principal. So >> good day. And for anyone who noticed that there was a portable toilet there
starting on Friday, it will be going away this Friday and it was funded by the Barrows PTO for the use of the students on the field trip, but it was also appreciated by people who were walking there over Memorial Day weekend.
>> Okay, sorry. >> No, I found my answer, so I'm good. >> Any update on the plantings, water, and crew bare metal? Uh, I've I've asked to have the water set up again. I need to get some people to say, "Yes, I'll help
you drag out the hoses and set them up and uh we can do that at any time." I mean, because that can happen before uh the water set up. >> Is Carl able to get new plants? >> He sent out an email. I didn't see a reply.
So, that's that's as far as he got. So, I'm gonna say it's not it's not a slam dunk, but I'll reach out to Carl again and see what's going to happen. Um, we want to replant those. So, I think Brian was
working on a budget and we're going to have some money in that budget to uh purchase some plants and I don't even if if we have to cover what we lost, we're not going to be planting a new garden. So, that's that's where we're at. Is that the one up top? >> What's that?
>> Is that the one up top near the uh >> Well, yeah, we lost the Aelas throughout and uh and um that's probably what we're not going to plant again, but uh but what we wanted to uh have the uh warranty for.
>> Okay, any last topics then? Can I have a motion to adjourn at >> 9:14? >> 9:14. >> I move to adjourn at 9:13. >> Malbert seconds. Walter Thomas in favor.
>> Sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. Good night. >> Good night, everyone. >> Good night. >> The last one just Just raise hands. >> Speaking of snags as habitat. >> Oh, wait a minute. Wait a minute.
>> We have one more. >> Still on. >> Yeah. Mahan. Um >> 1295 Main Street. What happened to that? >> Are they here? >> Yeah. She just reached out to my >> Oh, was confusing because you were
talking 1153 and then you skipped over 1295. Can we unadjourn? >> Y >> we should. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, make a formal statement there, Brian. >> Yes. Um, so there was a topic