Okay, we will call the meeting of the conservation commission to order for February 2nd in town hall conference room 3. It is a Zoom and hybrid meeting. Anybody that's wishing to record the
meeting must get permission to do so. First item on the agenda is public comment. Is there anybody out there that has a public comment they'd like to make? Anybody online? Okay, let's take attendance starting
with Andy, >> Andy Rearen, Chris Pratt, Dennis Clark, Jerry Patrick, Kevin. >> Please note that we have a full body here here tonight. So, we have a quorum. Second item on the agenda is notice of
intent for 6 South Lumis Street continued. And we have a letter to read here on behalf of the applicant of the property owner.
Vladmir Vilavoy R. Levesque Associates is requesting to continue the February 2nd hearing for the above record notice of intent filing. The town of Southwork planning board plans to hire a third party strong order peer reviewer which
still is still pending. We understand that the conservation commission would prefer to have this peer review completed before the applicant returns for further discussion. In light of this, we respectfully requesting that the notice of tent be continued to the commissioner's first available public
hearing date in March 2026. We have to have a motion to approve the continuation. >> I'll make the motion to approve your continuation. made the motion. >> Second. >> Made the second. Roll call vote. >> And I Dennis I nor I
>> I unanimous vote. Next item on the agenda is a request for determination of applicability. And I'll read the order that was in the paper. Sulfur Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing of the
Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act, GLC 131, Chapter 40, and the Sulford Conservation Commission regulations in bylaw Chapter 182 and Chapter 450 for request of determination. The project location is 16 Grand View
Street, South Mass, map 148, parcel 55 55. The applicant is proposing to remove 13 within 75 ft of con. The meeting will be held on February 2nd, 2026 via Harbor starting at 700 p.m. in Southwest Town
Hall. Okay. Open up the public hearing to the petitioner. Are they here? Would you like to come up and send up table? >> Name and address of the record. Rachel Sutherland. Rachel Sutherland. Gay. Actually, just
got married. >> Thank you. And the address of the the house that we're going to be living at is 16 Grand View Street in South. >> Great. >> Did everybody everybody had a chance to look at the RDA? Right.
>> Do we have any questions? >> Ry Ryan is on right now. If you guys do have questions, >> you guys see or hear me? >> Yes. >> Okay. Sorry, I'm in I'm in Maine snowmoiling in Pat and I had to drive to a grocery store to try to get a cell
signal up here. >> Ryan, you looked at the tree. >> I did. I did. Um Rachel contacted me with a little concern. It's a black oak. It's 75 feet from the lake of the lake. Um it is on a the steep bank to the
back. There's no access to the property at all. Um towards the top of the tree, there was a a substantial amount of decline, a lot of large lateral leads that are failing that are showing rot and decay. Um and a lot of sporadic
watershoot growth. So my my educated guess without digging is that this tree is probably sustaining some root rot would be my guess. uh considering most of the root flare itself is buried. Uh but I would be worried about the tree
uprooting. Yeah, there's a picture of it there. It's at it's probably at a 70° angle leaning down the water. And what I would be concerned about is if that tree does fall, that bank is definitely compromised and there's no access to get back there.
So, I think being proactive and removing this one and maybe a replant plan is probably a wise idea in my opinion. >> All right. >> I'd like to add we were there only 10 days ago and we were standing at the top
and all a sudden we heard this massive crack and a a branch from that tree came falling down and landed on our dock that's on the beach down there too. So, we were a little scared to get out of there. going to have to be absolutely
>> when it's just proposed to be done. Brian's >> uh we have so there that's there's a whole other hurdle here. We have we're we have approved access from the neighbor who's going to allow us to set up a crane in his driveway, but we have to get Eversource involved. We have to
get a a service drop for the day. It's kind of a big project, but nothing there will be no equipment inside the wetland buffer at all. everything as well outside of it. So, we're probably realistically I'd say by depending on what Eversource says,
I'm hoping within the month we can get it rolling, but it's going to we're going to be a little bit of the mercy of Eversource, but timing, I mean, as far as the ground stability isn't going to matter because we're going to be set up with the crane probably
150 ft from the lake. Any further questions? >> Any discussion? >> Make a motion. >> I'll make a motion. Find a perfect negative. >> Second.
>> Chris made the motion for a negative determination. Matt made the second. Roll call vote. Andy I >> press I. >> Dennis I >> norm I unanimous vote. >> Yes. negative like negative.
>> It's like a negative cancer castle. >> Okay, that's what you want. Well, thank you. Appreciate it. >> You are welcome. >> Thank you everybody. >> Thank you. Nice job. >> Stay for the meeting. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Take care. >> Bye, guys. Thanks y'all. >> Thank you. Bye. Next item is an RDA for 33 331 North Lumis Street and I'll read the newspaper posting that Southwood Conservation
Commission will hold a public hearing under the National Future Wetland Protect and Act general law. >> You guys don't have a copy >> 131 section 40 and Southwood Conservation Commission regulations and bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for request for determination. The project
location is 331 North Lumis Street, South Oak Mass, map 32, parcel 2. The applicant requests a determination of delineation wetland resource area areas plural. The meeting will be held
February 2nd, 2026 via Harvard starting at 7 p.m. at the Southwork Town Hall and on Zoom representing the >> Yes, sir. My name's Colton Destro Associates representing Atlanta 331.
Um about 159 acres the termination here. Um kind of just give you the quick rundown of it. This is a corner of 57 and North Lumis is right here. I actually wouldn't too far down the road. There's this is Mun Brook
here. So deter what what was determined in this RDA was uh you know was a partial delineation. So you know just for the extent of the focus of this pro of this property uh Mbrook is this the main resource area basically has flood
zone and floodway associated with it. Um this dash line uh notes this is uh NHSP uh zone uh associated also was there's BBW with the these are the buffer zones
offsetted for it. Um and this resource areas that exist. Uh there were supposed to be alleged burn wool out here. Uh Ryan went out he looked he he hunted for them couldn't find them to any avail. Um, oh there is IBW on this as well but
uh the extent of it you know with this being the main this area being the main focus of the delineation uh this is everything that is seen and just kind of want the commission's opinion on what what they deem as accurate for this determination.
I have a a problem with doing delineations with their RDAs. Only very small specialized delineations under RDA. Something like this should be an ANRAD. In my opinion, it's a large project like
this should be done under an ANRAD area resource delineation. >> Is there like a specific threshold that you guys kind of hold for that? Is there a specific threshold on when we start to require an NRA? >> If the project, if we think the project
is big enough, I mean, this is definitely large enough for >> No, no, no, it's not hiding the size of that. >> No, you know, >> we just look at this. >> I don't like that. >> If it's delineation of just a small piece someplace, then it's different.
But I don't like doing delineation of the RDAs to start with. But especially something like this is this is needs an ANRAD in my opinion. >> Yeah. Um and there was something that I'm still kind of confused about in the narrative. It said that
not everything was delineated. Just what you see is delineated. And I don't >> I can explain that. Yeah. So the the the limits of the delination actually actually showing is shown here as well. Uh you can't really see in the text. Um like like this is he didn't Ryan didn't
go up into this north western corridor of it and so once once he found you know the well here there was no need to go farther south you know. >> Okay just like this out the outer edges of it where the limit of delion this was fully delineated.
>> I think maybe if that was shown on the map where it was and wasn't delineated. >> Yeah. So we we're marking off the the limits of the delineations of it where where it's >> limit of buffer >> there. There it is. The limit of
>> delineation. Yeah. >> As far as vernal pools no farther northwest right there. >> This isn't the best time to be looking for vernal pools either. So >> no. And there there was like some um
paperwork that I wanted Ryan to get me the uh basically a delineation um reports which he I guess needs to wait until after the snow melts to do. Um but
>> and RDA is not going to >> Yes. Well, I >> we kind of figured you guys were going to want to see it anyways about this with the >> Yeah. and we were going to want to do a site visit for sure um >> after after the snow melts. >> But I I agree with Dennis that I think
this scale we would need an NRA for the delineation. >> You get the NRA that's like a notice of intent is written in stone. you know, you take a resource area delineation good for three years.
>> Okay. Um, so I guess as far as this application goes, >> I would I would find it positive to >> to be >> to be comm and submitted not a notice of intent but area resource delineation. So
>> what does that stand for? in red area. >> Don't ask. >> We don't we don't get them a lot. The last time we had an anrad, I think, was off of more vine for that. Um, >> but that's what it's specifically for is for delineations of large part. Oh, it's And just curious like do do you know
what that threshold is? I'm just >> No, I'm not saying I'm not trying to say we're not just threshold here. But even when I talked to >> threshold is if we vote to oh god fin even said this should be an nrad. So
>> I know it cost a little bit more to do it this way but you know it's the right way to do it. So >> looks like a rather complicated piece. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No it has every resource area under the sun. I mean, you got your IVWs, your PVWs,
your blood way, blood flood zone, your Brook Street. >> Uh, this is a pre-existing like uh stone crossing from from the farm access. >> Do they have any idea what they want to do out there? Is this to find out? >> No, this is just Yeah, just to see
what's out there right now, what can happen? It's >> definitely a nice work. >> Yeah, beautiful area. >> Any further questions or discussion? No. >> Somebody want to make a motion? I'd make
a motion. We ask to find it to positive red. >> Second. >> Made the motion for positive. Jerry made the second. Roll call vote. >> Andy I. >> Chris Pratt. >> I norm. >> Jerry. I >> unanimous vote.
>> Absolutely. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks so much for your time, guys. Thank you. Thanks for see >> more weeks at least. Yeah. Tony Philson. >> Now we'll move on to other new business. Review revised plan for 660 Tim Hamilton
College Highway NOI 292-0412 applicants requesting a MITER plan change. >> I will recuse myself on this one. >> Yes. Thank you. We have uh Chris Chamberlain online.
Do you want me to bring up the um plan or do you have >> I do have it if that works for everybody? >> Yeah. >> All right. Um,
so, um, we're here on a project that was approved by the commission some time ago. I was just looking at my notes. Looks like early 2024, um, we received an order of conditions for a, um, storage facility and the record plan on that order of conditions is what you see
right here. Um, subsequent to that order of conditions, um, we worked through a lengthy process with the planning board, um, and ended up doing some significant redesign to portions of the project, uh, primarily, um, this area here to the
right on the plan to the east that's outside of jurisdictional areas. Um, made the building significantly smaller, made the project smaller overall with less impervious area. um but by and large um made virtually no changes
within buffer and resource areas to this project. Um and we finally got a special permit I think early in the fall of last year. Um which uh was approved based on
this plan here. Um and so uh had uh we have submitted um updated plans to the conservation commission. Um and I'm going to highlight what the changes are. Um but again I've sort of added this bright red line to show the uh limits of
buffer area. So to refresh your memory, College Highway on the left here. Um the O'Reilly Auto Parts um is up to the top here and I think the former church now dispensary um to our south. Um, and so this project we have a driveway coming
in that crosses existing BBW that runs through the site here with an open bottom culvert uh and a couple of retaining walls to hold that up and over the wetland area. There's a small office building with its septic system here and a couple of parking spaces. And then up
at the top of the site, uh we have a two-story self-s storage building with pavement um on all sides for vehicular access. Um and then down at the lower end of the site, we have two uh open surface storm water basins located here
and here, as well as a uh wetland replacement area here that's sized two square feet for every one square foot um of fill that's occurring in the BBW. Um and then storm water management at the top for the top portion of the site. Um
and so flipping back again, essentially what's happened is this building was shrunk considerably and the pavement area around it was also reduced. Um and up at the top of the site, we had previously had, which is not shown on this plan, but we'd had underground
storm water chambers um below this pavement that were designed for infiltration with an overflow offsite to the east. And now in this new plan, um, in addition to reducing the building, the planning board asked for a little bit more elbow
room at the front of the site. So this entire building shifted to the right. Um, and but, uh, at the same time, this curb line shifted significantly to left. Um, and took advantage of the fact that we now had some open green space at the top of the site to bring that
underground storm water system out to the surface. still designed primarily for infiltration with an overflow. Um, and so what importantly I want to highlight that within the jurisdictional areas really the only changes are as I flip back and forth is this corner of
the building has been shifted out of the buffer zone and replaced with pavement. We have adjusted a few of the contours uh less than a foot I think 3 to 6 in uh through this zone here of the driveway.
And there's been it's almost hard to see on this plan. Um but this office building here has shifted ever so slightly to the left. Um and so given that the changes that are actually within jurisdictional areas are um so
small, we are hoping that the commission can accept this as a minor plan change. Truth be told, if that area in the buffer were the only where the extent of the project, this might just be construction changes that we made, but given the fact that the areas outside the buffer have changed so
significantly, um didn't want to run the risk of someone um going out there and saying, "Hey, wait a minute. This is this is a completely different plan. Um and this plan here has gone through uh planning board as I mentioned approved um in the fall uh with a stormwater permit that was um reviewed by DPW. Um
and again I unless I missed something I don't think I did. Those are the only actual changes in the buffer area um and highlighted sort of the the larger scale changes that are outside of the upland area. Chris, there was um one thing that uh I
realized after we spoke over the phone that >> towards the bottom um portion of the parcel >> towards you have those um shrubs and some of those shrubs go over the
property line and they were to be moved. And the new um plan for the erosion control, >> the erosion control was going to be around those shrubs. >> Uhhuh. >> You know what I mean?
>> I think I do. Let me see if I can find the right plan for it. >> Yeah, that's a good point. and we'd had yeah the the um applicant had a relationship with the previous owner of
this property and had had uh consent to relocate those but I'm not sure that we do now. That's a very good point. Um, >> and so I think we still want to change this line of shrubs be because it it's sort of deceptive as to where the
property line is. And I think keeping it further from the septic system would be good, but I think we would then uh unless we can arrange similar permission um we would need to keep those on property um and maybe shift a couple of them around.
So if that does happen, um can we just make sure that there's erosion control around them? >> Um yes, absolutely. Um and yeah, they're a little too big to
probably hand dig. So um I think they will need to place equipment near there, but on our property, um yeah, that's absolutely something that we can add. just further questions discussion. >> We talked about snow removal. Has that
changed at all where the snow is going to be piled up? >> Um, it is not. In fact, we've actually got um quite a bit more room for that. I This is a construction set, so I'm not
remembering if we've got those called out in here or not. Um, but that was also something planning board was focused on. >> Okay. >> Um,
yeah, I'm sorry. I don't have that handy right here. Um if if critical I can probably um dig up the last version that we showed the planning board. >> What was the question? I'm sorry. >> Snow. >> We talked about where >> operation. >> That was one of the big sticking points
I think with the last plan, but I think it had gotten worked out pretty much. >> Yeah, they were talking about either shipping it out or putting it in such a way that it melted evenly or something. But we did talk about it. >> I know we talked about it. I don't remember the detail. It was a while ago,
but um >> but I think that already passed the last plan. >> I thought if it hasn't changed, if nothing has changed, it's probably still in place. >> No, we Yeah. And in fact, we have quite a bit more uh we have Sorry. We we have less impervious area total um and more
sight space uh with which to store that snow. and the owner is still um committed to removing it if we I mean a storm like we had uh a week and a half ago. I'm sure uh he'd need to arrange a removal for some of it. >> Right. Okay.
>> All right. So, sorry. It's um in the ongoing conditions we wrote during snow removal, snow shall not be pushed into or piled in any wetland, stream area, drainage channel, detention basin, or infiltration basin on site. Snow
stockpile area shall be located at least 100 feet from any wetland. >> So that's in the that's an ongoing condition. >> That's perfect. I remember the the one of the main concerns was it not occupying the storm water areas uh which
we were agreeable to and that got recorded in the conditions which is excellent. Okay, that's all I have >> for a motion. >> I don't see any other opinions on the table here. So, >> I'll accept a motion.
>> I make a motion to approve it. Uh is a minor change now. Second. >> So, Dennis made the motion to approve the minor changes. Chris did the second. Roll call. Starting with
Chris. Chris Pratt I Dennis I norm. >> Six in favor and Commissioner Rearen had recused himself. Please make sure you record that in the minutes. >> Can I just have you sign all of their just so we know that
>> page? >> So that's the small version and then like the large version the chair. >> Yeah. I'm just gonna have him sign it. Great. I appreciate that. Um, I don't have anything to say on the next item, but it's the same project, so I'll stay
on and listen. have it in the file. Okay, I will move on to the next new business item. Work start at 662A College Highway 292-0412. vote to nominate Aaron at Crestview as
erosion control monitor. >> Yeah. And I actually want to make a modification to that. Um it was um Mike Kle C GG um at Crest View would be the primary and then the alternate would be Aaron and I cannot pronounce his last name but I can spell it for the
secretary later. Um yeah, he would be the alternate for the erosion control monitor. And I did go out uh before the snow fell and um we reviewed the erosion controls as it is in the revised plan. So the erosion controls are up to date.
Um and yeah, you probably noticed that trees have started to come down and there is um protection over the wetland. Everything's frozen essentially right now. Um but they are they're starting the project.
>> Okay, good. So, do we have a motion to approve the erosion control monitor? >> I'll make a motion. >> I'll second made the motion. Kevin made the second. Roll call vote.
>> I am still recused. >> I norm. >> Six in favor. One recusal from Commissioner Rear. Request for certificate of compliance. one Hudson Drive 292-0410
and vote to release the $10,000 B bond. I recuse myself again. >> I should have not even held up. >> I know. >> I didn't had a nice dinner. >> Keep Andy silent. >> So, um unfortunately Andy had um
requested this just in time for the snow to fall. So, I haven't been able to go out. is just Andy requested it plenty of time. >> Okay. >> Just to be >> Well, we got it. We got it just in time for the snow to fall. Um so I requested
um the for the applicant to continue this. And then there's an additional uh complication to this that is quite new for us. Normally, uh, with projects that have storm water, um, storm water management or trigger storm water
management within our orders, I rely on Randy Brown to review the project. We no longer have Randy Brown to review the project. Um, and we have been given the advice to get a peer review.
>> Andy, I mean, sorry, Randy has a replacement though that needs to do the same job he did. He doesn't have the same qualifications. >> Well, the town has to have that. I mean, if they It's not up to us. It's up to the storm water review people. So, we rely on them because we don't have to
have three people review it. You know, the town has to do it. It's part of their mandate in the storm water bylaw. So, they have to do it. So, we've get their approval or not approval from the town. >> From my understanding, we're making
everyone do peer review. Yeah. >> Who's told you that? >> Um Nicole. >> Well, I would talk to the planning board or whoever's in charge of the storm water review because >> you'll have to read the uh the bylaws to
see who written some. >> Yeah. >> But somebody's got to do it from storm water and not conservation. >> If there was no storm water review, then conservation could ask for that. But if there's always somebody who's supposed to be doing it. >> So you're saying because like because
planning does the storm water special permit it, they are required to sign up on that. >> Sign off. >> We always rely on them to sign off on it because if they do the review, they've got good people that are doing it. If
they don't have Randy, then they need to have somebody like the board of health doesn't have somebody that can do the perk tests right now that can do the soils. Will they get somebody else to come in and do that? That they have to. I'm pretty sure that that's part of the responsibilities of that
>> particular department or board. >> So I need to request to the planning board to review the storm water. Did you get the anything from the planning board on the storm water review >> recently? No.
>> Did you get a special permit >> to build the project >> with storm water? A storm water permit through planning. >> It was over the aquifer, right? Is that what I mean? >> I went through planning and got all the permits I was aware I needed to get.
Nobody pointed out the permits. So whatever was permitted >> well this yeah this would fall under the same >> over acre is that oh yeah >> so that that has to be >> the original plan was approved 20 years ago. >> Yeah.
>> And then the existing plan was approved and the storm water calculations changed and the pond was enlarged. I mean all this came back through and back through and back through. So, I don't know if there was additional permitting required that >> we'll need to channel check with Alvin,
the planning board, and >> whoever's in charge of that particular >> because we're going to see this. We're going to see this now. So, we're going to have to >> Well, the town's got to get hire somebody that can do the job. I like the health inspector. They're going to have to have somebody if they don't have
somebody that's qualified, they have to get somebody that's qualified. Building inspector, he's not qualified. They have to get somebody that's qualified. That's part of the I >> think I'm trying to understand where you're at. >> What What if we refer this to the planning board for resolution?
>> I would agree with Norm. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Plus, we got to wait till >> we have to wait till the snow melts anyways anyway. >> Um so hopefully we'll work out the storm water thing before then. >> So refer back to planning for their
opinion on the storm water. >> What's their final verdict on that? Yeah. Yeah. Do they have to s So once the storm water infrastructure is put in, does the planning board have to approve the work? >> They do. Okay. So that's what we're
looking for. Okay. >> Okay. So I'll make that motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Made the second. Any further discussion? >> Roll call vote. Starting with Chris. >> Chris Pratt. I >> I norm. >> Jerry I.
>> Kevin. Uh no. >> Six votes in favor and again Commissioner Rearen has recused himself. Okay. On to the next item. Review and approve the 2025 annual town report and take committee photo for the
report. I think you all had a copy of the >> Yep. Yeah. >> That made it through the email. >> No. >> Yeah, that was last week. Yep. >> Before something happened, >> I had a couple of issues with this.
The third paragraph, the second to last sentence, Andy Rearen, a boy scout leader and advocate for active recreation and it ends. That's not a complete sentence. >> What should I put in there to complete?
is >> is who is a boy scout leader? Who is we do? Who is >> Boy Scout? Forget I have something up here. But who is >> who is a boy scout leader? An advocate for active recreation. I think that's
us. >> Renee, what do you think? >> I think anyway. >> Well, I'm This is copy from last year. >> Some modifications, but I think I kept the same sentence. >> Yeah, nothing changed.
>> So, Andy Rearen and then if we put who is a fully scout leader, an advocate for active. I think that sounds. Does that sound okay to you? >> That'd be fine. Just make it a complete sentence. >> Okay. >> And then two paragraphs down, the last
sentence, it says, "And the removal of hazardous on the NPCA >> where >> So there's something missing there after hazard hazardous material." >> Yeah. Hazardous tree.
>> That's a hazardous tree. Okay. Arch pine >> split railing at open ridge and the removal of a hazardous tree on a northbound conservation area. Cool. >> Other than that, I am very fine with this. Good job. >> Any other changes or modifications or
questions? Anybody have to catch? >> Yes. >> Want to make an a motion to approve as amended? I'll move to approve as amended. >> Second. Jerry made the motion. Fish made the second. All those in favor?
>> Andy. >> I unanimous vote. Okay. >> Okay. The next item we have uh review the open space management and planning committee draft
of committee charter. Bill, you want to come on up? Okay. There was a little bit of confusion. I put a draft together for the charter and I asked Sabrina to enhance it and
actually created a different document. >> I enhanced it. >> It's much enhanced. >> It was enhanced. Yes. >> Asking you shall see. >> Uh okay.
There is a difference between a charter and a bylaw. >> So what were you intending Lauren with a charter? >> The charter I was asked at the select board meeting I think on January 12th to develop a charter for the open space committee.
>> What what do they mean by a charter? What does that mean? >> Okay. >> Like a mission statement or something. >> Well, what happened? We went to the meeting and uh >> when they were the open space committee asked us, the conservation commission, you know, what they should do. I said,
"Well, you should go to the >> select board. They're the ones telling you what you can't do, so you should go to them." And they said, "No, we want you to go to the conservation and they will tell you what you should do." So I don't know you call it a charter, you can call it a mandate, you can call
it whatever you like, but I call it a direction for the open space committee in details or the devil's in the details and I'm glad to see the arena has pulled a lot of details out because there was so much confusion before select board
for some reason didn't think that they were going to get involved with the open space plan which is basically what the open space committee is designed for I mean there's a lot of other little duties too but that's the main function of it. So >> and I believe that Chris originally had
this conception is but for both this idea that that was >> definitely part of it. Yeah, because that way people who are there over time understand what's involved in doing it and can keep it updated as it goes along instead of trying to gather together six
or seven individuals to come at the last moment and throw everything together and run around and try to update everything. If we had kept our last open space of planning committee together, we wouldn't be going through this right now because we'd be already updating it and we'd be ahead of
the game instead of playing catchup again. because it's due in December and >> yeah, >> we'd be lucky if we start today be lucky to have a draft in by December if it starts immediately. So,
>> I think what Sabrina did I I endorse it. I don't know about anybody else, but I >> I would love to see this become a bylaw so that it has to be a mandated entity within the town that isn't disbanded. going back to a town meeting.
>> Yeah, we had concerns that right we would right man think it would then probably go away again possibly or something. >> That's part of my fear. >> Yeah. >> Um because it has happened twice already or three times already. >> Correct. >> Um we don't want that to happen again. I
think people who come in and volunteer need to be honored and respected and >> let do their thing. We should state his name and his hair. Phil Price from the Open Space Planning and Management Committee. >> Thank you, Phil.
>> It's tough enough to get volunteers as it is. And when they, you know, do their dev and they, okay, we don't need you anymore. You know what? Why? What's the incentive of other people coming in to do this work and continuing it on? >> So, what I told what we told the select board at the meeting that we would have
this on the agenda for tonight and I don't see anybody from the select board here that I think they have a meeting tonight as well, right? So, >> oh, >> I mean it looks like not all this is going to be implemented at the same time. You know, there's different stages
of this happening. >> And and in the previous in our previous our last meeting, you know, one of the things we said was, you know, our group was supposed to be a group of five. You know, you guys know the struggle it was just to get us to a group of three. >> Um, and now you have added some things in here about, you know, while we are
doing the OSRP that we will become a a group of nine. Um, one of our concerns was we didn't want to get to the point where we didn't have quorum and couldn't do anything. So, >> so I would think that those would be not true open space members. So, if you still keep your core, you're still doing
your quorum on the quorum membership whereas the others. >> So, right now currently like right, we work >> able to give you input, but they would not. >> We work under the idea that all three of us have to make it right now to get a forum. So, right. Yeah. Nobody can nobody can miss to to get
>> five. It would still be three, right? >> Correct. >> Yes. >> It would be five. Yeah. So, I agree with you with that. That would be >> So, as long as this isn't a limitation that we can still we can start work on the OSRP and continue it even if we
haven't fleshed out these other people yet. >> This is just a draft. >> All eyes are on you. You know, you took Norm's work here. >> It's just a draft. and I >> enhanced draft >> and an enhanced draft of what Norm wanted. Um, and I looked at Southampton
and their open space committee and during the times of their open space plan update, they increased their numbers to 15. So, I liked the idea of temporarily increasing and adding someone from planning, someone from park
and recck, someone from conservation, someone from select board. um any boards, committees who think that they have a good input on the plan and have them be active during that >> and we like that idea too like we would take all the resources we can get of
course um but right I don't know quite how to make that happen >> wouldn't be you would be selectable >> right >> because there they would be the appointing authority at least according to the draft >> right I u first of all want to say that
not all committees uh um are part created by a bylaw. Economic development is not a bylaw. Lake management is not. Cultural council board of appeals, board of registars,
capital expense committee, cemetery committee, local emergency planning. or a few that are not in existence because they're a bylaw >> and that might that might take more time than it is to do the actual open space plane to get a bylaw put in place. So that would definitely be something that
would be further down on the list if it even happened. >> So I'm not in favor of of delaying to get it into a bylaw. I agree. Secondarily, I am not of the opinion that our open space and management
planning committee should take the lead on the open space plan. >> Well, who would do it? >> It's up to the select board to determine that they need to come with a crossf functional ad hoc committee on a single
focus and that's to develop the plan and have it cross functional. I think our open space committee can be a support to that, but they should not take the lead. >> So there'd be two open space committees then. You're saying >> that's correct. One ad hoc and one permanent. >> Yeah, that's a little confusing.
>> Well, they could call it something else. >> Well, it doesn't matter. >> What did the master plan say, Norm? >> Didn't the master plan have this included with the open space committee? >> Say something under there, Mander. >> Hang on a second. >> Well, yeah. I mean technically I think
we're the OSPMC and there should be an open space committee you know and this was some of >> the impression I got >> the whole thing about grabbing and putting together an ad hoc committee at the very end you're going to be missing pieces and parts whereas the open space and recreation committee
>> sitting there for seven years is able to continue what's going on. They can monitor what's going on whereas if you have an ad hoc committee they're not monitoring anything. They're there to put a document together and done. That's right. Single mission. >> Who's Who's going to monitor that? Who's
going to know what it is? >> Who's going to implement it is the thing. It never gets implemented because they drop it. As soon as it gets approved, the town goes, "Okay, we got approval. We can get our grants now and we don't have to worry about implementing." The only thing I think got implemented was North Pond. That was
the only thing that actually that was one of our big goals in the open space plan last time and that actually happened. But all the other stuff with the planning board and all the other things, none of that. I think once you look through there, you're going to see that it's going to be a lot of the same
suggestions that never happened. And Dennis and I have been on the board for quite some time. We've seen this process over and over again. And that's kind of why we're a little skeptical of putting together one of those ad hoc committees. >> 25 years. >> Yeah. 26 years.
Right now, according to the I think it's the onboarding website where they show all of our boards and committees and who's on it and our terms, the open space management plan committee, open space, the open space committee is ad hoc right now.
>> I am not convinced of that. >> It Well, that's what it's just labeled as. >> I I I not sure which open space committee it was referring to. >> Yeah. See, that's kind of confusing. I think there should be like one open
space committee. If we can do that, that would be okay. >> That would make sense. >> Select board meeting tonight. I asked Diane to bring up what the uh whether we're the open space is ad hoc or not ad hoc.
>> And I gave her definition of ad hoc. And they'll be discussing that. And I'd be very surprised if they say they're an ad hoc committee. Well, I said it was semantics when they were there, right? They Yes. They didn't seem to matter to them what
>> that we would should report to conservation. What was the takeaway out of that? >> But we went to the uh meeting the last meeting with the open space committee and said it's up to you guys. You know, if you don't think you want to get involved with this big plan, then you
let us know. If you just want to, you know, get involved with fun and easy stuff, you know, planting stuff and that, then that's fine, too. That's why we ask them to make the decision on their own if they're up for or not. That's what she'll hear tonight.
>> Website says ad hoc. Sorry, >> that's what I was referring to. >> That's why there's too much confusion going on. We'd like to make it >> Yeah. get in future and just get down to business and get this >> get this going. >> And I think that's why Select Board asked Norm to draft something up so they
could have a better idea of exactly what the conservation commission wanted, what the open space committee was willing to do. Um just a document at least for now so we're all on the same page. Maybe it doesn't go into town meeting right now,
but at least we have something where we're all on the same page because I feel like we kind of all are on the same page. We're just the little details here and there are kind of off. >> We used to be a subdivision of Kong. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right. The first time
>> which sort of made sense. >> The first one was I mean Joanie, myself, you were there. >> I was on it. >> You met was on it. >> Yeah. And it was it was it was literally there was Com, there was open space and they worked in Unison. We helped
together, you know, somebody would bring up something about open space. We said, "Let's get a work party." We all show up, do this stuff. >> We used to have place to store things because we ran out of space to only put so many shovels and pickaxes and whatever up in the office up here. So,
we got a storage space, put our stuff in there. uh was accessible to Open Space and Concom whenever they decide to do something together. It seemed to work well in that kind of format. I don't know what ad hop even really means or
what it does for open space, but it just kind of makes sense that it would just be a subdivision of con. We have more people that would might be members if there were the direction they knew which direction they were supposed to go in. It's when it's arbitrary like this, it's you know, we don't know what you don't
know what you're getting signing up for. ad hoc is basically singular focus >> shorter term. >> Okay. So like master plan, the master plan committee was an ad hoc committee to form the master plan. >> Master plan and then they >> just then they go then they go away.
>> You can't dissolve open space, >> right? That's what we're trying. >> It doesn't make sense. >> That's right. I'm with you. Yeah. Okay. So yeah, you know, so that has to be addressed maybe >> and it will be done hopefully tonight. Hopefully they will resolve that. And yeah, >> that's part of my issue is it becomes
>> I get it. Yeah, I mean if it doesn't make sense honestly, you know, open space has to have a little more permanence >> resonate with >> and without it being a bylaw that can be changed in the drop of a hat. If somebody says, "Well, let's let's make the ad hoc."
>> A lot of places already in existence going to bowl under open spaces. It's not like they don't have their work cut out for them, you know. Um, so Eddie, Soponowski, Brandle Gorge, North Pond. >> Yeah, >> these are functioning open spaces, >> right? >> And then there's a whole bunch of
construction that goes on that they say, well, and this is open space. So, it's up to them to look at those open spaces and see if they're viable for public use. All of that >> that should already be done. That would be in open space, >> right? That would be all open space, you
know. Um, so plenty of work, >> not the issue. Definitely not at all. >> It can't be. >> Right. >> Agree. >> It it goes against the the idea. >> Yeah. We've been fighting that for years that Right. Right. >> In the last meetings we had, people
would come into the meeting and say, "They're not going to get rid of this, are they?" Oh, no. No. We're not going to be here anywhere. >> So, I I don't know. That's my stupid
>> I agree too. It shouldn't be at home. >> There's even a parcel that is under the care of open space right now or off of kind of off by Miller Road down over by the railroad literally says open space.
So if they're able to be in the property, they should be permanent like Com. >> So do we need to hear from Board? They've been in business for over 30 years. >> There you go. I mean, because it doesn't make sense.
>> Um, it it doesn't make sense. Okay. Well, if the next that's >> Yeah, I'd wait to hear from the select board or >> Well, they asked for something in writing. They'll guess that >> they asked for specifically charter. That was I went back and replayed it. She asked for a charter. Well, we'll
give them what we'll give them. They get what they get. They can ask for They can ask for whatever the hell they want. They're going to get what they get. I think we I think we've uh stepped it up >> a little bit from a charter. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What Sabrina has in there I think is very comprehensive.
>> Delete the word bylaw. >> Yeah. >> And then let them figure out my understanding charter was a form of government. >> It kind of kills the enthusiasm of what the vision is. >> Yeah. Yeah. Really? Once it once it's together, then they can the actual
committee can start working on how many members are going to be voting members and how many people are just going to be there for information or advisory, right? You know, >> so >> and if they want to at that point try to establish it at a town meeting, then
they would have people there to put it together. >> It's a harmless useful agent. I don't understand the opposition to it. the >> only all all it does is good, >> right? >> So, I would I would like to make a
motion to to formalize that as a draft. >> You bring in a draft? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Can we do that? >> Enhanced version. >> Did Norm want to go over it? >> Do you want to discuss the different charters that you outline here?
>> You have you have three definitions of charters here. No. I it's obvious of what your general opinions are. I disagree with it. I think the document that >> Sabrina put together is too detailed. >> Okay.
>> And charters are a little higher level. >> So, okay. >> So, you want it reviewed, maybe table this time till next meeting and have revisions made if that's the case. Is that what you're saying? >> Well, then we lose a whole another month. >> Yeah. It's not >> they they asked for something a let's
give them open >> something possibly could be amended or who knows. >> No, it's this is just a draft, >> right? It is true. It's going to come back 10 different times probably. They can look at it and say it goes upstairs without the word bylaw or charter on them.
>> Right. >> Right. You go. >> They can Yeah. They can define it. Right. >> It's a draft. Yep. >> Take off charter and by >> put whatever they want there. It's kind of like written in >> whatever the hell they want. >> Okay. I just won't be supporting the
motion. That's all. Sometimes. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, I'll make I'll make a motion. If you're asking for a motion, I make a motion to uh submit the draft >> as written as a draft without bylaw without charter. >> Without title just >> Yeah. Okay.
>> No. Second. >> So, the motion was made by Dennis, seconded by Chris. Roll call. Vote. Andy I >> Chris I norm. >> Okay. Motion is passed. One negative vote. >> Discussion of a conservation
commissioner for coming >> being a possible leaison onto the open space and planning committee. We have um you can still >> Oh, I guess I'm for this. Okay. We've taken a we've taken a few shots
from board on our interactions or lack or lack of interactions, however you want to look at it, with with bringing the open space committee on board and
I think that perhaps having a designated leaison to re the continuity bringing back information to us, sharing information, guiding on what our expectations are would be a good idea. >> I agree.
>> So a liaison be a member of open space? >> No. >> Well, wouldn't a liaison be from open space to conservation? That make more sense, >> right? >> So whenever they have a question, they can be on the agenda to come ask a
discussion of ours. Philip is already a liaison. I I mean to your start as green as we are right now it would be nice to have someone there maybe make our meetings touch more productive and help field a few questions and concerns as complian
you know I don't want to you guys are already doing your bit maybe you could rotate one in >> I'd love to come as often as possible Dennis has been there I know rotate yeah >> yeah I mean could rotate around or whatever just to like you said maybe just for the first month or two like I
said we're still kind of getting our sea legs Does it work? >> As long as we're aware that there's a meeting and we've got somebody to go, I have no problem with that. >> That would be good. Yeah. Okay. >> Cuz I replayed the tape where you two gentlemen were there and I think it was good that you were there.
>> You know, >> I mean, every time someone has come in, right, like I said again, we're still kind of >> Yeah. >> getting our sea legs conducting our meetings quite as efficiently as you guys and so on and we'll need about that. >> Fair enough. Okay.
So it's ad hoc ad hoc participation. Yeah, there we go. >> I can do that. Yeah. So if if we if we decide to share it, can we use the Bina as the focal point to see it? We have
presenter there. >> I coordinate what? >> Member up there every meeting. Um, >> oh yeah, >> once a month. >> Every Oh, no. Twice a month. >> Twice a month. Twice. >> I think you have three former candidates here. That'd be excellent.
>> You know, these guys are on it years ago. >> I mean, like we're going to have our meeting whether someone shows or not, but if one of you can make it for a little bit, that would be great. >> Do you guys have a set date now when >> I know that next meeting will be Tuesday the 10th? um where I think we're trying
to do every other Tuesday or but uh there's been enough things going on with snowstorms and holidays and whatnot that it hasn't been quite as consistent yet as we'd like. >> Tuesday the 10th. >> Yep. >> Who's going to
>> February week tomorrow? >> What day? >> Week from tomorrow. >> Oh, we have one too. >> Tuesday. >> A week from tomorrow. >> A week from tomorrow. >> What time you guys meet? >> So seven. Would it be helpful to see the agenda and then you guys decide if you need somebody there or want somebody
there or you can request someone to be there for advice on certain topics so that we can come prepared? >> Yeah, >> that might be helpful for us as well. >> Yep. >> But I mean I I'd like to come anyway. But >> Sure. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> But it might be helpful for us to see an
agenda, you know, maybe >> I was thinking >> copy us and their agenda. I'm thinking maybe Connor when he posts the agenda >> to let you guys >> to also CC the conservation commission
>> CC us and then yeah and then and then we can confirm after receiving that and say I'll be there that way they'll know >> the more help they can get to get this off the ground the better >> right >> yeah support is key >> I mean fundamentally it's it's going to be something where a single commissioner
or two commissioners can't really decide side on the behalf of the commission. So it would we would also recommend that it come to the commission. >> Something like >> Yeah, something like that's why he's here today. >> Right. Right. >> Now if we had a liaison back to you. >> Yeah. >> Do we have to be on the agenda every
time to talk? Do I have say we would say >> well it could be kept as a running which should informal always there. >> Okay. So they're right. So if we had something we wanted to discuss, we can come and right we will get time >> and it's not required that we be there for them to hold their meeting. They can
hold a meeting room. So right on the agenda says comments from Exactly. >> Or used to >> Okay. All right. you got to think any sort of
poster or think about that about what to put on the kiosks like hey if you love this open space that you're visiting today join the committee >> there's an opportunity >> there has been a very brief discussion of that but nothing >> right
>> this QR code >> people that are using the land are most likely to help you >> right govern >> so uh on that subject at At this town special meeting, we did have a table
with uh trying to recruit people for the open space committee, but only two people took flyers. >> You were the master plan, wasn't it? >> Wasn't it the master plan that you had up before that? >> Well, that was master plan. That's right. >> That's right. Thank you, Phil.
>> Okay. All right. >> You're done with me now? >> I will. Thank Okay, you may go. >> Next item on the agenda, MACC spring conference, Saturday, February 28th to 20 2026 at College of
the Holy Cross. >> You guys have um sheets in your folders with the workshops available. If you want to come, put your name at the top of the page and circle the workshops that you want to do. They said that it's
filling up fast. So I know I'm going Andy said he my own still >> I can do the morning ones >> morning 100 times first like to go >> you're going to see him doing you like to go after leave from there'll have a nice lunch
and then the morning ones I think are the work that's workshops anyway. Yes, that is after orange sh. Oh, there we go. I have to check my >> I already had it written there. So, I
did put it in my calendar. >> Okay. >> Um I already reserved a good char. We sustain the whole duration or we would go >> I plan on staying have to check with my secretary. >> I would have to
>> B2 and D2 >> get a separate car get a ride out. >> Okay. >> Continue on to the east. to the east. >> That's mine. >> Okay, >> that's why I turn it off because
C4 350. I'm a lot of time. So I won't be late. >> Okay. Anybody else need any time on that? >> Hearing none, we'll move to item number seven under new business.
Number eight. >> That makes sense. >> Review noble speed conservation restrictions. >> What do you want me to do? >> Follow you around. Review Noble Street Steed conservation restriction 17-39 Vining Hill Road. Vote
to approve conservation restriction. >> Norm, you have the sheet um this time signature sheet along with the verbiage at the top. If you can read that. Um, >> acceptance of the town of Southwork
Conservation Commission. We the undersign being the majority of the conservation commission of the town of Southwork Massachusetts hereby certify that is at a public meeting duly held on February 2nd 2020 6 the conservation
commission voted to approve and accept the foregoing conservation restriction from Salt Marsh Brothers Construction Incorporated pursuant to section 32 of chapter 184 and section 88. 8C of
chapter 40 of the Massachusetts general laws and do hereby accept the foregoing conservation restriction. >> Well, the conservation restriction was accepted by the state. I gave you guys um digital copies. I'll get I hope you
reviewed it. So hopefully you guys can vote today and sign. >> The planning board reviewed it and voted on it. >> I don't know if they voted on it yet. Well, we've been waiting so long for this. >> Yes.
>> I think we don't have any choice, right? Says the >> you >> we have we have a choice, but we we want to get the we want to get the open space. >> We really can't. They're not going to let us revive it anyway.
If you're looking for a motion, I'd make a motion to approve it. Is that what you're asking? >> Yep. Dennis made the motion to approve restriction. Chris made the second. >> Any discussion? >> Roll call vote.
>> Andy, I act. >> Nor. >> Jerry. I >> have an I. >> No. Your name is >> at the wooded section between the back of big wire and the wooded section between the back of big wire and entrance.
>> It kind of encircles the property. >> Yeah. Right. >> And kind of also goes through it a little bit. >> I was surprised how much was >> there. Little little bits of Yeah, there's a nice behind it >> between houses and stuff. endangered
species out there >> right now. >> Live there. >> I don't know if it's in your I don't know if it's in your backyard or not >> stop stomping on those things. >> What just happened when the road gets plowed at this point? So >> I heard about that. >> Oh yeah,
>> that's too bad. >> Like is he coming? >> Can we get out? >> When is he coming? Yeah. >> All right, let me just share. change the classes because they don't look as interesting related.
>> Yeah, right. >> Pretty much. >> So, where are you? You're at 50 >> right here. >> I think so. >> I would suggest the open space. >> Yeah, that's here. >> That's the bridge that Yeah, exactly. All of that. Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
>> The bottom muscle conversion. No, >> you could probably get a better idea with the So here. Yeah, this here's the solar field here. >> That's the solar field. >> Oh, big wise up here, >> right? >> So then there's that stretch on Binding Hill.
>> And then there's all of that >> binding hill right here. All of this. And I want to say this is a teeny tiny sliver to to keep the connectivity all throughout the back right here. >> Right. Somebody's already in the open space area. Looks like.
>> Yeah. Well, this is a a guide where the finger >> right here >> there and right at the culdeac. There's looks like structure there even >> right here.
>> I think this was a staging area for >> it is on the turn. It's not >> Yeah, that's still there. Well, hopefully once the conservation restriction goes in, >> clean it out. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> It's not really a defined anything. It's
just rubble and stuff right now, you know. >> Yeah. Don't build anything there. >> Yeah. >> All righty. >> Thank you. >> Um the signature page. >> That's got it. All right. All right.
Next item on the agenda, draft review. draft of 74 college highway conservation restriction. >> Yep. I sent you guys a digital copy of the conservation 74. So >> you did. Yeah. Absolutely.
>> It's been reviewed by Mark Bagley. He had a couple of comments kind of minor. So I just updated it and sent it off to you guys. >> No, I didn't get it. >> No, you probably did get it. I sent it two, three weeks ago, maybe even four
weeks ago. >> If you want, I can bring it up on the computer. Yeah, Okay. Just You want to go through this or would people prefer to delay this until the March meeting and
take time to read it? >> How many pages? >> Um, >> yeah, let's just table it to the for the March meeting. >> Okay, we making a motion to table. >> Make a motion to table. >> I'll second motion to table. Okay, Dennis made the motion. Andy made the
second. Roll call vote. >> Chris Brad. I >> Dennis I. >> Nor I. >> Terry. >> I tabled until the next meeting. >> Did you want me to try to email it to you again? Um, I'm not 100% sure all of
them are going to go through right now because of what's going on with my email. But if anything, you can um sort out the emails that I've been sending to you. It'll be in there somewhere. Okay. Now, we're going to move to old
business discussion of associate members for the commission. At one of the select board meetings, this item did come up. They are in favor of associate members for the commission would support it. But
they someone also stated that it is not legal to have them voting members in case there wasn't case if a commissioner was missing. They still would not be able to vote. But they're in favor of of having
>> What about as stepping in if we didn't have a quorum? >> No, >> that wouldn't count either. >> No, because they won't be able to vote, >> right? >> So what's the purpose? Oh, in case somebody steps out completely,
then they get deputized. Kind of like >> Sophia member can express their opinions, have discussion on the subject, >> right? Right. >> They just can't vote on it or count as a quorum. >> Right. And >> unless a commissioner resigns or leaves or
>> Yeah. >> then they become next in line. >> Well, they be appointed. >> Yeah, that makes sense. We have somebody >> who has experience, knowledge knowing the projects that >> are going on advantage.
>> Can I make a motion to that effect? >> Sure. I make a motion to that effect. >> I motion to the same effect. Like Dennis was explaining, it's nice to have somebody who's been sitting here.
>> He's been up. >> Want to come back up? >> Sure. >> Come on. >> That's right. >> He's been up before. We talked about this before. >> Round two. Yellowship. >> Did the select board give an update? They were going to talk
to town counselor council direct on on this. >> I don't think so. I think they're just going to leave it up to us to go ahead. Some towns do it, some don't. >> You know, nobody's going to call us on it. They're not going to call on anything.
>> You have somebody here who's interested >> if he's not welcome to have somebody do this. Yeah, >> it should be in the actual bylaws or whatever, but if it's not, we'll just do it. >> There is a precedent for it, too. LMC
has or had associate me. >> Well, I'm pretty sure plan board did as well. >> So, playing board, you could vote on it. Super majority >> by different. >> Okay. >> This has stipulations then. >> Yeah. >> But we'll have somebody ready to go to step right down to the commission if one
of us, >> right? we ever got it flat. >> We also have in the past um >> associate members being voted in at a concom meeting like back in the 80s. >> I have that in the meeting. >> Okay. That was before me.
>> Yeah. >> So Bob, what what are you interested in? What's the what would you what would you like to focus what would your focus be on the >> I've been on both sides of of this table for most of my career. Um, I love this little town that I live in now and I
just want to do what I can to help out here. So, again, my background started environmental, wetland delineations, um, permitting, um, you know, land surveying, all that stuff in my 20s and then I progressed on some fairly, not fairly, like billion dollar construction projects over the last 15 years here.
So, I've across the country. So, I've been around a lot. I've seen a lot of construction. Um, I know how to do it right. I know where the shortcuts are, too. Um, I think I'd probably be pretty solid asset to you. >> You still work for
>> I do. I'm a supervisor ever source. >> Okay. >> Super. >> Well, everybody thought it was a great idea. The slug board thought it was great. >> Okay. >> It is. >> Now the question is how how do we make it happen?
>> He comes to meetings. >> I mean, >> do we we can just make a motion vote. Does he get a seat at the table? >> They have a >> Do they have to bless it? >> I don't see why not, right?
>> We can definitely use the knowledge. >> Back in the day, I probably was teaching something like that actually. Matters not to me whether I sit this table or not. It doesn't matter to me one bit. Um I tell if I could. That means >> speak up anytime >> sitting over there or sitting up here. >> Best if you did sit here and had a
folder to look at >> for you. >> No much. I didn't even sit there. Much appreciated. >> Um, yeah, whatever. I'm just here to help. So, um, I've got the time to volunteer. I've got the background to, uh, to be helpful, I think. So, if you guys want to have me, I'd love to be here. >> I think we should try to do something to
make it legal and have him called an associate member. >> That well, I think we approve it here first at this board. >> This is this is I think this is the best way. >> Select board that approval. >> Okay. >> That's why I think would probably be >> otherwise it's a town meeting. You know,
it's going to involve all sorts of red tape and >> Okay. So, >> you know what happened last time? We tried to get commissioners instead of appointed, get them elected. >> We had it passed the town meeting and it still didn't go through the state. So,
>> but let's just keep it in house and uh I don't think anybody's going to complain about it. I'd like to see Bob have a seat table myself. Absolutely. Yeah. >> I'd be more comfortable having him up here. >> Yeah. Sure. What do I need to do?
>> Okay, I'll just keep my show up till you tell me not to. I guess >> show up in the next meeting, but before you do, Sabrina's going to give you all the same information she gives to us. So, you'll be able to review this in advance, well, in advance to know what you're going to be looking at, coming up against. >> Sure.
>> So, you'll be doing the same thing the rest of us basically do, except for reviewing the plan to be helpful. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yep. >> Yeah. >> Especially that delineation, the big one. >> Yeah. >> I used to do them. I used to do them
just like that. >> You know what I'm talking about though with the doing delinations under it because termination is really lame way of doing it. >> I bite my tongs. Also, when when was that done? >> Right before the snow. >> Done. Dirt.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's why there's no vernal pool. >> Right. I know. >> But Brad is specific, you know. That's what it's for. or area resource delineation. They don't like doing them because it costs a lot more money. You got to pay by the square foot. Is that what it is?
>> Well, and that that parcel I looked it up. It's like 160 acres almost. So, it's like an RD. And then we say, "All right, yeah, this is all we're saying. Then they can come with a plan after the fact >> and we already said, well, this is there's no wetlands here or whatever." So, we're like setting ourselves up.
Absolutely. And that's exactly what there is. >> Absolutely. find out what they can do there which is understandable >> because they're going to do something probably. So we don't want to >> looking to sell. I'm sure they'll advertise >> picking it up. >> Yeah, they are selling >> and they might they might find out there's some
discrepancies out there that they had not noticed before. >> We're going to do a site visit early early screen, right? >> And you know we could always do a third party review too. We might not need one now. >> Well, I don't have I'm not licensed as a as a wetlandator in Massachusetts. Is
there actually a license to do to that? I don't think there is. >> There certainly wasn't in New Hampshire when I was doing it back in the day. I think so. No, >> there's not a uh was a C certified wetland scientist, but you had to be back in New >> Hampshire. Maybe different here. >> Massachusetts license. >> Maybe not. Okay. But I probably am
qualified. >> Okay. So, >> yeah, I'll add Bob to Well, I'll make a mailing list. And you don't have a comcast.net, do you? Uh, no, not Comcast. >> So, you'll get my email. >> Yes. Yeah. Comment your problems.
>> Yeah. Were >> your warning with Comcast? >> Yeah. Comcast. >> Okay. So, what was your original motion? >> Does he have to sign up? Broke him the whole conflict of interest thing. What's that? You know, sign the book, get him swear in, and do the whole
conflict of interest. >> Associate members are supposed to do that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Oh, really? >> But >> but he's not voting. I can still express opinion though. >> Yeah, he can express opinion. >> But if it was an opinion on average or specific project that might be conflict of interest. >> I'm pretty sure when I was associate
member of lake management, I had to be sworn in. >> But whatever they do, I mean >> let us know. >> That's not you. >> Whatever. Yeah.
>> So the motion was to have associate number on the >> non voting. Can't wait. >> Not counting as a form. >> That's why I signed up for this. >> Okay. >> In a seat at the table. >> All right. >> All right. So, Chris made the motion. Who made the second? Chris made the
second. >> Any further discussion? >> Roll call vote. >> Andy I. >> Chris I. >> Dennis. >> I. >> Norm I. >> Sherry I. >> Kevin I. I. >> Unanimous vote. >> Welcome. >> Thanks. Nice to be here. >> Thank you.
>> Let's get a poll. >> Yeah, I can make it a little different. Just get a folded. >> Can't wait. >> How about a name tag? No, I'm >> just getting one of these, too. >> Okay. Nice. Under old business update. Public meeting for Kangaman Lake
rescheduled to January 29th, 2026, 6 p.m. at the Southwork Town Hall and via Zoom. That was last Friday or last Thursday. I thought it was Friday, so I was not there. >> I went was good. I have all the all the
slideshows and things so I can forward that to everybody who can watch. >> Okay, great. They sent out an email today with the presentation. >> Okay. >> Okay. Skip through. >> Yeah, that's what I got. >> How uh who showed up? Like how is the public? >> Michelle and I there were some people
online. Uh Doug was online. I think there were maybe four people, five people online. >> Was Dick there? >> Dick was there. Yeah, >> I know he was interested in it. >> Yeah, but they I wouldn't count them as public. there the exact >> um but it was good. It was informative.
>> Yeah. you know, and um I think they're going to need more public opinion when it becomes fall and they start to develop a plan so that the public can get input on the plan or which plan >> because there are certain different avenues that they can do, certain
different plans that they can >> put forward as far as money, need, >> you know, um just ability to do things >> because there are certain things that you might not have the money to pay for.
Um, so they would pay for the planning and 65% of the projects. The town has to come up with 35%. >> So depending on the cost of the project, you know, might determine what level we
can do. Yeah. >> Far as dredging goes and Great Brook or Canal Brook or, you know, >> things like that. >> Cool. It would be nice to get that weird gate open, >> wouldn't it? >> Yeah. >> Get some flow going. >> Get flow
back. >> There's a workshop on that. I don't know. >> What? >> Critter crossings. >> Yeah, there was. >> I did not sign up for that one. There was >> saying it's not there. >> Seems like all the culverts are too small on
>> a lot of culverts are too small. the sheep pasture one dump any new public going in has got to be way bigger. >> Yeah. Like made them make them five times bigger and the thing will blow itself. >> Well, I mean they did a lot of research. They had the level of the brooks all the
way along. >> They had the level of the bottom of the brook so that you can see the elevation actually rises once you get out of little pond and brook. >> So you get back flow if you open those
we gate. the cover and she passes any rain from the back. >> Yeah, >> it's a big deal getting bigger larger covers better bottomless >> the ladder of ideas.
>> Even the one by the Our Lydia Lake Church like in the spring flood, it all backs up. So you don't get that big rip te the bottom out again, right? >> So like they all just back it up, >> piles up and right settles. Well, there's a big swamp there.
>> Okay, next item. Discussion of the planting plan for North Pond Conservation. Do we need to bring up anything for that this time? >> Um, so myself, Kevin, and Connor met last week and we started um
brainstorming on the project. And I actually need to have a little bit of clarity of where exactly you want to do the plantings. Um, I don't know if I'm wrong with this, but over by King's Beach. Maybe I'll
bring up a map. Bring up a map. I just want to make sure we're doing we're all on the same page because I feel like I might be off the page. If you're on a boat looking at King's Beach, it's the one to the farthest straight.
>> That's the That's the first one, >> right? >> But we wanted to do more than one so we could because so we could continue within the next couple of years working on >> the different areas. >> Um >> I don't think we set a priority of two
or three on the hill. Well, we what we we kind of thought about was there's three pathways down to King's Beach, >> right? >> Doing the furthest one south, then the middle one, the north one. Do those in consecutive years >> and then >> and it would all be under the same RDA
because it's good for three years. >> Yeah. So, there's there's three eroded areas right around here, here, and here. This one was the first one we wanted to do. >> That's correct. >> And but then there's this area up here. Did we want to include that on the RDA
as well? >> Yes, >> that steep hillside >> up that was to replant the area down to where the original. >> Right. So the steep hillside >> where we could the trees down. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right.
>> Little ropes out of Barnberry or >> Tiger Bush or Cat Brier. Whatever. >> Brier. That's what it was. No, we So Kevin had a look around of the species that are over there and I think it's pretty solid. Spice bush um over by, you
know, the shoreline close to the shoreline. Spice bush, mountain laurel, uh red oak >> and white pine >> white pine laurel. >> I think those are the primary
the primary primary species um that we agreed on. Maybe we want a gcat fire over in >> would that be better in a a flatter area? I don't know this I mean this
I don't know not sure but we need to do we need to take some measurements to find the total square footage of what is being I guess mitigated planted um
and also the question of how are we going to water these areas >> Conor's working on this with you Open Space Committee. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Good. >> Yeah. So, um >> you guys figure it out. >> And you're still you're still Boy Scout
connected. Um, this might be a good project for Boy Scouts for the planting if we could get some. >> I don't know if that they have hours they need to spend on certain volunteer.
>> Um, >> they might have to camp out there or do it on the watering angle. Uh, I thought of using the the town pontoon boat, putting a pump on the boat, beach the boat, you know, I put the pump at the back of the
boat and suck the water out of the the lake deep enough. >> Yeah. >> And then hose it >> that might that could work. Um, >> we have access to all of that equipment.
>> We have to work on the pump, but the boat's available. >> Boat's available. And then could it could we have it not just one time, but multiple times when we need to? >> Sure. It's for town usage. >> It's for town usage.
>> So that's that's a thought >> for watering. Other than that, you could >> put put 55gallon containers and fill them up with water, but you got to still got to fill them up. >> Yeah. >> I like to pump up again.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. Get a generator. >> I had over my yard with a booster so it would power the sprinklers. >> Yeah. >> Never really used it. >> I'm sure did it. I'm sure DBW probably
has a pump or maybe even the fire department has a pump that they could along for probably have a big container of water too with wheels under it that we bucket >> buckets
bucket right here. >> I gave you the dimensions of the the length the width I didn't put on there. >> Yeah, we got to get out there and just measure. >> Yeah. So, but how so we're going to do those three pathways, but what about the other area? How do you want to are we
including that on the other then? >> Yeah, might as well. Huh? >> Yeah, I would. >> Okay, >> I would. >> And then we're going to have to include that in in some type of phasing then because we have to do all within three years. >> No. >> Or we could extend it. I guess we could
always extend it, right? >> It's kind of a courtesy doing an RDA for that anyway. I mean, >> yeah. But for this year, the spring, we'd only want to plant one of those spots. Correct. >> Yeah. One or two. >> First one south.
>> Work out the kinks. >> Yep. >> Good. Good update there. >> The next item is discussion of open space committee. I think we did enough of that for tonight. >> Next item is the tabled item on changing
the wetland bylaw. That's going to stay on the table. No update on the retaining wall at 485 Lake View Drive. I do not have a report from the Sfield Conservation Commission meeting conservation coordinator report.
Anything addition that you want to bring up? >> Yeah. So, there are a couple things for mail. Included with them is two forest cutting plants that we got today. Sorry you guys didn't get more notice,
but our next meeting isn't until March. So, um, at least one of you guys to see these. >> If anybody sees a problem with it, they could just get in touch with the forester directly and tell them they'd like to walk it. They're not going to see much right now.
>> But there's a How much time do we have to review it? >> A little >> couple of weeks for >> Yeah, that's why I put it on the mail. But one of these I see is Monita Bober, right? And that's a >> Yeah, >> that's a farm.
>> Yeah, they're actually connected um or they're budding. They're a budding properties. >> Welcoming Acres and >> Yeah, what is it? Two >> bank >> 249. >> So is that why they came in together? >> I think so. Yeah,
it's the same for two different >> with the D wetlands and the national heritage in here. So up on the screen, what's highlighted is 249 College
Highway. These are all of the AD buildings. And actually, let me get some imagery. And essentially they're going to come through here, do a stream crossing right
here, and then do some, this is for a long long-term course management. They're going to do some selective cutting here. And then the other property is this property down below. Um, it looks like they're going to come do another stream crossing somewhere or
around here. Come through, and then I think they're going into the property across the street. And it looks like they're actually going to be doing some work in the natural heritage and species parcel. Um,
but again, this one is long-term a long-term forest plan. So, >> strictly for timber. >> Yeah. >> Just for wood. >> It's Yeah. And also there's some hemlock
that are on the decline, I guess, that they want to at least harvest. >> Okay. >> Well, they still can. >> The only I've ever seen with the National Heritage with the even the forest cutting plan, they they may only allow them to cut certain times of the
year. >> Yeah, it's looked like that they were going to cut during winter. Is this is the hiding hill? Um because under wetland crossings it said mitigation
FR means uh frozen or or DR meaning dry. So either frozen or dry conditions that they would do at least the wetland crossings. They would be harvesting within the wetlands for both of the uh parcels. five acres within the wetland at 249
College Highway and three acres within um the property off of Bingington. >> Looks good. So, if you guys have any comments, you can email them off to me and if I don't get anything,
>> right? >> Maybe Thursday. >> All right. >> Um, there's another phone to update you guys on. >> Okay. >> One moment.
>> Hold on. So, we've got um Eversource coming in at is it Klein in class and no I can try to bring up the map. Um they are requesting
to either do some tree trimming or tree removal at a scenicway and this is going to be proposed um in front of the planning board and planning has asked if we had any comments
and let me just try to bring up what was sent to me the other day. or look through episodes. So, I wasn't sure if I need to um
>> what street Anderson look here notice, but I think it's also a portion of Let me just wait a second. Let you guys see it. Is it going to come in March?
>> I don't know. >> Okay. >> These are trees that are on the road. >> This Yeah, the scenic byway. >> The scenic byway, the scenic road bylaw. They have to get approval from the >> Well, they mentioned within the town of
Springfield. I think that's supposed to say town of Southwick. Who's the tree warden though? >> Um, >> Rich. >> Yeah, >> Riches. Yeah, >> it doesn't say where here, but we do have a map that I
can look at. Just I'm going to my email. >> Now, we did for DPW. We gave them permission to to do I thought what thought was Kelsey Anderson last fall last winter.
>> Let me see. >> And they took down a thousand trees. >> They did. They took down a thousand trees. Um so this one says north and south Lumis Road. And then I think this might be here.
Um, they mentioned pruning, but I think they also mentioned the potential of taking down some trees, but because this is a scene of byway, the tree warden needs to review it.
>> So, they'll be this will be coming in our maybe our next meeting. little vision. >> I mean, I could reach out to planning it and be like, "Hey, just let them know that the commission wants to see in more detail what you're doing, especially like around resource areas
if that's >> well, right on the road. I mean, in resource areas, it's on the road." >> I think they can go back 15 feet from the road. >> 15t. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> I think that's what they said. Okay. >> So, they have a public hearing on that as it >> tomorrow, I think. >> Tomorrow's the public hearing on >> I think so. >> Am I right? I believe so. >> And they want they want our input for tomorrow's meeting.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I don't have any right. Short notice. >> Yes. No kidding. >> I know. >> Oh my god. Okay. >> You know, we we don't know how many trees. We don't know the actual locations. We can't really give him a
comment. >> We do know the ground's frozen. >> Yeah, it's unfortunate. >> I'd like to give him a comment, but just need a little more information. Yeah, >> maybe they're waiting for Tree Warden to give him his blessing before. >> Yeah,
>> I don't know. I don't know. >> Okay. Should we just say that Concom would like more details on the tree work? >> Yep. >> All right. >> Wait for it. Tell them now.
>> One more item in the mail we didn't do. And this has to do with free scholarships from MAC. Annual environmental conference at February 28th. Up to 20 scholarships are available to commissioners from Western Massachusetts
municipalities. One scholarship per person up to two scholarships per commission. Scholarship recipients must come from due dues paying commissions in good standing with MAC.
Great day for networking and learning with more than 30 workshops, two fundamental classes and 600 peers. So any So if we're interested, we got to apply. >> Yeah. Should we apply? >> Sure. We're gonna send somebody. We
Yeah, you should go. >> Get your paperwork in. I'm not You're going >> no have to go. >> We approve one. >> We might get a few. Okay. >> Okay. >> Uh we had a I mean I have a question. Something I discussed with select board
is having open space members being able to go. Can we pay for open space members to go? >> I think so. I don't >> they're interested. >> We already um Connor already did a workshop. >> Yes. I'd like to offer that up and
members and >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Right. Good idea. >> Great opportunity. >> Okay. Absolutely. >> We also haven't done the minutes from our last meeting. >> That's a big one. >> Pull them out. >> My computer is going to die, so I'm
going to sign off of them. Okay. >> Somebody say it. Make a motion to approve the minutes. >> We have a motion to approve. >> I'll second that motion. >> Made a motion. Made the second. Anybody
need re time to research it a little more? >> I wasn't here. I don't have a copy. >> Okay. >> Hearing. >> What' you guys do? >> Can't do anything. >> What' you do? What' you do, Chris? >> Nothing. That's why I don't have anything. >> All right. >> So, roll call vote.
>> Andy. >> Yes. I >> got a sign. >> Nor am I. >> Can I vote? >> Sure. >> Wait. This is >> No, that was the other committee committee. >> Vote to approve the minutes as they are. >> Is this a copy of it?
>> This is a copy of it. You want it? >> Is it double-sided? >> Can we sign it? >> No, it's singlesided. >> Can you guys sign that because I forgot to put it in folders? So, uh, moving if
>> I can get the last page. >> Preservation. >> I know. She's so lucky. >> Yeah. >> So, a member. >> Yeah. >> She's a elected member. >> Yes. So,
>> so just don't get me to put their name. >> So, we got that going around for signatures. Anybody got anything else? >> Hearing none. I will take a motion. >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> I'll second that.
>> Chris made a motion met second. Roll call vote. Andy I >> norm the meeting at >> guys >> 8:44 picture for the town
agenda. Now,