Hey, Michael. Hey, mayor. >> Hey. >> Well, hello. My cat is causing trouble. She's just being very troubled today. Can't wait for my daughter to come back
so that the cat has a friend. All right, I see we have quorum. That's good. Um, so it is 7:01 on April 23rd, 2026, and I'm calling this meeting of the Sheets Conservation Commission to order. This
meeting is being recorded. Welcome everybody. Bob said at the site visit that he's not going to make it. So, >> yeah. Um, >> I'm definitely here.
>> You're here. Yeah, we can hear you. You froze for a sec, but >> right. >> Good. Ah, my cat. Um, all right. Good. I'm glad Bob's here. Yay. All right. Let's see. comments from the
chair. Um the only thing I have is that May 9th is town meeting. I think most people knew that. Um and just as a reminder um the expansion of Southport conservation area so the the footed um land purchase uh the CPA
application is being brought to town meaning um and so there'll be a vote and so it would be great if if everybody was if you can come if you can make it it would be great for you to be there you could vote for it and also you know in case random
questions come up Um I I'll be there. I'll be um sort of presenting it because Matteo has to um accuse himself because he's in a butter. Um but then also answering any questions that come up. So
anyway, if you can make it that'll be great. Um the only other thing I had I was wondering if anybody went to the Eversource uh transmission line meeting and no. Okay. Yeah, I didn't make it to that either. It was in Ammerst uh last week I
think. I heard it was packed. I heard they had to like bring chairs in and uh there was a lot of people apparently from Shootsbury and from Pelum who were there. Um so yeah, I made it to the National Grid one
which was a few months ago. It was the same idea as that one but this one that just drew more people probably because they had it in Ammerst. But um all I heard about it was
there was lots of questions. They don't have a timeline yet for the project. It's still really being reviewed by MEPA. Um so all right. So next on the agenda is to review and vote on the minutes of April
9th. Did anybody have any changes to those minutes? Nope. Okay. I'll take a motion to approve the minutes of April 9th, 2026. >> Moved. >> Seconded. >> Second.
>> All right. >> Uh Fox. >> Hi. >> Con. >> Hi. >> Douglas. >> Hi. >> McDuffy. Hi. >> And Wilson. I
All right. Next we have um site visits. Mayor, do you have any? >> No, I don't think so. I'll photos from the ones today and just kind of write that up. Just
assuming that the Thompsons are going to file something. and on that one. And uh um yeah, >> that's great. >> So that Bob can see the photos, too. So
>> great. Did you reach out to Maryanne at all about the library? >> No, you did not. They forgot. >> Yeah, we'll put that another another visit there. when I drive by and see the
grass is growing in and everything. I just >> you can walk the whole site and see what's going on. >> Okay. >> Um and we're looking for plantings and we're looking for them to redo that basin.
I think she w I think I did reach out to her and she had said something about she was going to get in touch with um oh my gosh I can't remember the guy's name right now but she was going to get in touch with him um and I will reach
out again so um >> okay >> sounds good >> um okay then the only other thing I had we got an email from Haley about a site visit at 230 Lever Road. Um,
what was that about? Well, she's working on getting that set up. Oh, it's a house that's near the elementary school and I guess there's some erosion. There's an erosion problem. Um, so she's working on getting that set up
with the homeowner, but um, you know, it would be something that we would want to be attending to and every anybody can go who wants to go. I just I don't know the date yet, but um I'll let you know about that. Um all right, land management update.
Scott, what do you have? >> Uh maybe a couple updates. We're still working through the contract for Southbrook and so that's uh kind of winding its way through
the process and and certainly um working on some nuances associated with that contract. So more to come on that. But um in preparation for that work taking
place, Beth and I uh went out today actually and did u some of the wetland delineations. Um for those of you who may remember, there's a section of that trail that heads down kind of from the
boat ramp and winds along the very edge of the lake. And it's it goes through a lot of wetland there. And uh that part we had talked about pulling that back to get out of the resource area. So we
we marked where the wetlands are and when we have a contractor in place and and ready to go with the project, we can um hopefully we can use that delineation. Um the only other thing I I it's not
related to that project. Um, but while we were there, we did see like all the canoes and um things that were left over from last year at Elliot Park there. And I I remember a conversation
about trying to get that um some of the stuff that was being left there at Town Beach. um they put up a sign that said um you know to to look at our regulations and I I think that was a
good reminder for for me that we do need to circle around at some point and talk about regulations for our feowned property that we manage. So, um, I'll say it here. So, hopefully we can, um,
I'll help remember to to circle around to that. Maybe over the course of, uh, later on this summer or fall, we can we can start to contemplate that, which we kind of put on the back burner when we were doing the wetland rags, but might be time to circle back. I think that's
all I have unless there are questions. Is some of that equipment the library that they rent kayaks and stuff out? >> There are um library kayaks there on that rack. They're not out yet, but there will be. But uh other people, I
think, have drugged them in over time and abandon abandoned them there. And there's going to be kind of a a you know, beach toys and inflatables and other stuff starting to accumulate there. So anyways,
>> yeah, I think it would be great to have a set of regulations for our conservation areas. Um, and we can put that on an agenda. Um, let's see. Are I mean, right now we've
got um a new notice of intent for our next meeting where we did the site visit today on South Laurel Drive. Um, but I think that's really all that you know there's not a lot going on, I guess, at the moment. So,
>> do you I know you drafted something, right? >> I did. Yeah. >> Maybe do you want to send that around to everybody again? >> Sure. Yeah, I can resend it. >> And >> um, do folks want to have some time to kind
of look through it all? So maybe not put it on for our next meeting's agenda, but maybe the second meeting in May to talk about the regulations. How many pages? >> I think it would be good.
>> I can't remember. Uh they're not all-encompassing. Um, you know, like they're not a um I I they're a quick draft, so they're going to need some work, but at least we can
get some initial reaction to them. >> Yeah, that sounds good. >> Okay. So, maybe the What day would that be? The Is that the 28th? >> Yeah, I think it is. See, >> let's see. June The 28th of May is our
second meeting. >> The 25th. Yeah. >> 28th of May. >> Oh, okay. Sorry. I was into June. 28th of May. Okay. So, we'll we can put it on for there.
>> Yeah. >> All right. I'll send them around. >> Great. >> Very cool. That's it. End of report. >> Nice. Um, Mattea, will you just take a note that we wanted that on that meeting agenda? I'll forget.
>> I got it. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, all right. So, next we have discussion and vote on certificate of compliance for 59 Shore Drive. And I see Doug is here. Um, and he uh you sent
around a a revised plan. I hope everybody saw it that had u plantings added to it. >> Mhm. Okay, good. Let me get mine out. >> Right. So, um Doug, did you want to want to talk a little bit about the proposed
mitigation? >> I realized that my microphone was off. Sorry about that. Uh hello folks. Uh thanks for having us back again. Um and may I share my screen? Think so. >> Are you able to hear me? >> Yeah, we can hear you.
Probably working on it. >> Uh, let's see. >> If you click request to sh Oh, >> I just did. Yes. Thank you. >> All right, you're all set. >> All right, let's see here.
Okay. All right. Is everybody able to see this? >> Yes. >> Um, so I hope uh that uh you were able to see this. We sent this shortly after
uh our last meeting on April 7th. Um, and let's see if I can move this around a little. Um so what uh we are proposing essentially to offset for uh the work of
uh the installation of the go stone walkway and then the um uh raised bed planter area. Um we uh proposed to put um down uh kind of further augmenting
uh the dry swale um uh the water quality swale through here uh with um uh itas um uh four itas in this area. Uh they are deciduous native shrubs. Um and then uh
uh four uh miraes. These are these are sweet gales. These are a type of bayberry um to do uh sorry six uh along uh the embankment uh on the north side of the northwest side of the property and then uh uh
clethrol and uh six of those additionally within the buffer but um uh the overall 100 foot buffer uh and partly within the 50ft buffer but along a foundation along the uh house to offer
um more uh native uh flowering uh shrubs uh within the um within the area. And so we uh wanted to uh just get your consensus that uh and see if you had any questions about these in particular
and if this was acceptable. Um I like I like the locations that you've chosen and um the types of shrubs are good, too. I think it's great that you're adding more to the um the swale.
>> Um so I I like it. I I think it uh I think the value there seems to um kind of equate to to the taking away of the of the conservation
seed mix area where the garden's going to go and where the um walkway went. What do how do others feel about it? No comments? No, I think it looks fine. >> Yeah. Does everybody feel like it's
it seems like it's sort of the right amount for um the areas that were that were taken taken away, I guess. >> Yeah, I I think it looks good to me. Yeah, I like it, too.
>> I I think it's reasonable. >> All right, great. Well, thank you for making an addition. >> Sure, of course. >> Um, and let's see. Besides that, I think that was really the only concern we had about issuing the um the
partial certificate of compliance. >> Okay. >> At this point, um, have you been out there this week? Is the grass starting to come in? >> Uh, unfortunately, I haven't been able to get up there this week. Uh, so I can't report on that specifically for this week.
>> I mean, I guess it's still been cold, but it should start filling in soon. >> Yeah, certainly. Yeah, I would anticipate that. You know, these past couple weeks, uh, there's certainly been warmer weather. So, yeah, I would I would, uh, hope that they haven't. And
if uh if there is any issue with um uh you know with germination rates uh that the contractor is certainly going to reapply um they know that it needs to be established before uh you know we'll reach you know with a get a full
certificate of compliance for this. So >> all right um so I guess would you mind stopping the sharing? >> Not at all. Thanks. I think I pulled up the actual
certificate of compliance at our last meeting. I don't know if everybody um needs to see it again. It's it's the basic certificate of compliance, but then we check off the box for partial instead of full certificate of compliance. And then within the
document, I listed sort of the things that we're approving as having been done in accordance with the order conditions. Um, and so it included the house and and um the driveway. Um, and the swale.
Um, and I think so that you know what's really left is that the erosion control needs to stay up until the the plantings especially the grass seed takes hold. Um, so that to avoid erosion. So we you know we can't issue a complete order
until that that happens. Um, so does anybody have any questions about that? >> No. >> No. Okay, great. >> Then I will take a motion to issue the partial certificate of compliance for
5759 Shore Drive. >> I need a motion. like to make a motion we approve the certific partial certificate compliance. >> Second. >> I'll second. >> All right. Wait. Um McDuffy.
>> Hi >> Douglas. >> Hi. >> Con. >> Hi >> Fox. >> Hi. >> And Wilson. I All right. So, I'll work on it and pull
it together and um get it to you in the middle of next week probably. >> Okay, that sounds great. Thank you so much for your time, everybody. >> And don't forget to record it. >> Yes, we will not uh forget to do that. Thank you. >> Okay. And then send send us a copy once it's recorded.
>> Okay. >> All right. And also be in touch when you're ready for a final and we'll do that. >> We will certainly do. >> All right. Great. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Have a good night. All right,
last on the agenda is unanticipated business. This is I knew this was going to be a nice short meeting, which is great. Does anybody have anything to report on or No. Boy, was it windy at the lake today?
>> It sure was. Yes. Is it >> should I should we be looking at that property or going to that property the Thomas the one that we had done the um um
>> right >> yeah I don't know what you want >> yeah know it looks to me like they put a septic repair they did a septic repair and they didn't contact us >> so I guess I'll reach out to that same lawyer. He seems he's the only that's
the only contact that we have, right? >> Yeah. Luke Goodridge. Yeah. Um Yeah. I just didn't They don't usually I don't know when they're doing um they usually use the cranes out here for
taking trees out. So, but I don't know what happened. All I just know is there was a crane there. But >> Oh, it looked like there was a new cement. um >> top to a tank. So that may the crane >> if they put a new
>> tank in of some You guys have fancy septic tanks down at the lake, right? >> Yeah, that Yeah. I mean, I think that's a fullsize. I don't think that was a tight tank. I think that was just a Well, maybe it was. I don't know.
But whatever they did, we should I I can try to find out what they did and see if it if it needed a permit or not, >> right? >> Yeah. I'm I'm a little perplexed. I would think that the uh they would need a permit from the board of health and the board of health would have let us know that they were within 100t of the
water body. >> Well, I I I do kind of question that. I mean, it was next to the house. It it may be over 100 feet from the bank. That might be why like where those where those um straw bales were is must be the
edge of where they did their work. And I it may definitely because when we when we did that site visit, you had to go around the house and then you kind of went down through a pretty long yard before you got to the retaining wall. >> Um so it might be over 100 feet. That
might be why. But I guess we could go measure it. But maybe we should talk talk to the owners first or the lawyer or somebody before we go snooping around. >> Yeah, I would think that they would need
to do a full uh uh plot plan in order to get the the permit from the um board of health which would show the distance to the nearest wells and the you know the nearest water body etc. So >> that's true.
>> Yeah. I Yeah, maybe I should reach out to Cat. That might be even easier because that might be the answer. >> Yeah. >> Um but sure, I'll I will make a couple calls to uh investigate that a little
bit. Um, and Maryanne said that she could meet Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday next week, but Roger is no longer on site, which we know, but I thought that they still had work to do before they got that.
I could do Monday or Tuesday. I'm not sure I could do Thursday. >> Yeah, I I actually I pro Oh, wait. I have uh Thursday would be the only day that I could do it.
>> Okay. Um well, let me try and we but we can do it. We don't have to do it. My next week is even busier, though. So, H >> Okay. >> Okay. >> What about um Wednesday or Maryanne can't do Wednesday?
>> Uh she can't do Wednesday. I'll I'll um I'll move things around. What What time would be good on Thursday? >> Uh anytime after 3:30 works for me.
>> Okay. Uh I'll tell uh like 3:45 maybe. >> That work? >> Okay. >> Okay. So 3:45 on Thursday the um 30th.
>> 30th. Yeah. >> Okay, >> great. That sounds great. >> Okay, >> we'll take a tour. >> They haven't been issued their certificate of compliance, right, for >> Yeah. No. Okay, they have. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. because everything's still growing in. And I think some of the plantings last time we were there, they hadn't even hadn't even put in some of the plantings. So, we need to check in, >> right? Yeah, because that was like late in the season. Then they did all that.
Um Okay, sounds good. >> All right. Anybody have anything else? >> No. Great. Um, all right then. I'll I'll take a motion
to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second. >> Second. >> Duffy. Second. Um. All right. Uh, Douglas.
Oh, I think he's frozen. Um, Khan. >> Hi, >> Fox. >> Hi, >> McDuffy. I >> and Wilson. I >> Good night.
>> Good night everybody. Thank you.