7:00 on I'm going to call the conservation commission meeting for Southwood to order. This will be a hybrid meeting both Zoom and in person. Anybody recording it needs to get
permission to record it from us? >> Yeah. >> Let's open by taking roll call starting with Mette Chris Pratt. Dennis Clark, >> Mark Chver, Terry Patriot, Kevin Zullik, Andy R, >> and Bob Berby.
>> Well, we do have a full quorum here tonight. Very good. >> So, first item on our agenda is public comment. Anybody in the audience that has anything they would like to say before the meeting begins?
See, do we have anybody online? No. >> No. Okay. So, we'll go right on to public hearings. The first one's already Well, it's at 7:05, so we can't officially have that one now. We could do the minutes if you want to
do the minutes. >> Let's do the minutes. >> I read the minutes about the only comment I have was on the 16 Granville Street. >> Which page? >> That's the second the second page. starts on the first page, ends at the bottom of the second page. It's it says
no equipment would be in the wetland buffer, but it doesn't say how the wood gets out of there with no equipment in the wetland. So, just something like a cran will be used to hoist. Well, just to complete the whole thought >> however you want to word that just to
complete the picture will be staged outside the wetland to hoist the log into the tree sections. Okay. >> Gold star performance. >> I have a significant change I'd like to make on page four.
>> The open space manager and the planning committee draft. >> Okay. >> Committee charter diabetics. I give the sh I read it. Okay. Uh first part stays the same and it says Phil Christ of the open
space committee attended the meeting on behalf of the rest of the committee. There was some confusion about debate among boards on the exact role of open space what it should be involved in. Question of its permanence was raised as
well as it was stated that it would be permanently established group but classified as ad hoc. And then we come with a new section that I want to add. Chairman Chver had written a draft charter that requested the conservation coordinator enhance the document.
The coordinator actually created a totally new document that was written to be a draft of a town by law. No document debated. In the end, it is decided the graph prepared by the conservation coordinator and alone feedback. Motion
was made by Mr. Clark and seconded by Mr. Practice to make the presented by the conservation coordinator. So, I'd like to make that change more reflect what actually happened. >> Any other changes anybody like to make?
Okay. Now I will take a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes as an individual. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? Second the motion. H Andy made the second. Kevin made the initial motion. Any discussion or debate?
I >> Chris I norm Andy I need unanimous vote. 7:05 yet? >> Yes. >> Okay.
First, next item on the agenda is a public hearing notice of intent 7 North Longard Road. believe I have a document to read into. >> The conservation conservation commission will hold a public hearing under
Massachusetts wetland protection act 131 section 40 and southwood conservation commission regulation and bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for a notice of intent. The project location
is 7 South Longard Road, Southwork, Mass, Map 100, parcel 27. The applicant proposes to end chronic erosion by extending a pipe storm drainage network down to a point upgrading disturbing
approximately 4,750 square ft of riverfront area and the removal of 12 to 15 trees and roughly 12 to 13 smaller trees. meeting will be held on March 2nd, 1:26
by hybrid format at 7 PM in the Southport town hall and meeting. >> So we'll open up the hearing to the commissioner. >> Good evening. >> For the record, your name and address. >> For the record, John Goddard coming to
you tonight from 660 one college highway uh South Department of Public Works. Here tonight alongside me is uh director Rich Bosac as well on both of us representing uh this petition as noted intent filing before conservation. Uh
pleasure to be here. Got a busy table. I see I do have a hard copy if anyone wants to roll this out otherwise I will request permission to >> present something. Go for that. >> Um let's see. Share
share setting. Oh, perfect. >> Sweet. Okay, let me just get it up on the screen. We'll start with just a quick local snap if you can describe. We are
okay. Uh I know that some commission members uh will be familiar uh with this location as we dig a little bit deeper into the discussion, but I want to make sure we uh recap what the intent of this project is, uh what the drive is behind it, um how it's being permitted, um and
I suppose how we're mitigating for impacts at this site. Um, so what we're looking at here is the section of South Long Road just south of its intersection with Depot Street and Powdermill Road. On the left side of the screen, we've got the the rail trail. Um, that's the
southerntherly extent of the apartment building um that we see on the west side of the street. Um, so uh this parcel highlighted in yellow um is the property of Gary and Deborah Yellen. And at that property, you can see by the shading of
this topography here, this is the a historical alignment of South Longard Road. Um that location coincides with the current um and I do say current as of at least the mid 1960s, if not earlier, a
location of storm uh drainage u from both south. There's a few um catch basins. Let's see. Oh, got a little bit. Um, in the vicinity of the intersection Woodside Circle and then there's a series of catch basins within that subdivision. If we split it roughly
halfway down and extended further off my screen here, that essentially the portion of the subdivision that drains um into those catch basins and then discharges um in upgraded portions of seven South Longard Road. Um so uh this regrettably
is um I suppose not the first opportunity um that DPW has had chance to uh further examine uh the drainage at this uh property. Um there's been at least three uh discreet
efforts to try to mitigate the effects of having um a discharge onto soils u and then a steady you know downgradient slope where uh neither speed um nor um I suppose area for flows that dissipate um is encountered. So
first effort was to put in a series of drop manholes close to southard road up in that portion right there. Um uh the second effort was to then uh have um the storm water discharge into an enlarged
rip wrap lined bowl. Um uh that's probably 15 or so feet broad and long. And then a third effort um not too many years ago was made to extend um lined rip wrap further down
gradient uh from that uh bowl if I didn't say about 100 feet or so. Um and limitations for those efforts really have been funding. U this particular
location um is not the only uh problematic outfall or historic outfall that uh that we have in town. Um but it is one that has seen significant change over the past year and change and we'll talk about that in just a quick moment here. Uh but anyway, so those
incremental efforts as funds were available to try to, you know, take care of efforts only got us so far. Um and the area has existed in a relatively static um form since then. Um
commission members, I think, uh you're familiar with a lot of um drainage best management practices. Uh the only thing I want to mention about what has been able to be done so far is that when um the water has reached daylight into these rip wrap um uh both the bowl as
well as uh the drainage channel uh even with the lining of fabric beneath it. It has a short lifespan. Uh particularly when you're taking street drainage from older infrastructure uh and you're in a relatively sheltered and remote location. Um
there's always a dynamic factor of maintenance with any um storm drainage, but I think just the um steady accumulation of leaves and tree debris as well as whatever may be carried by some water is enough to foul um rip wrap
over stone. There's I keep waiting for the magic wand to be waved and tell us ah we finally found the solution of how to clean this out nice and easy. But the reality is that it's always tearing it out. Um, if you're so lucky, you get to sort out, if you will, the fines and the debris from the stone and put the stone
back. But a lot of times because the speed constraints, you tear it all out and and you reconstruct what's there. So there's a a a limited lifespan for that surface condition. Let's move on to uh what we see there today. So uh and you'll pardon me for ballparking the
time span. looked towards conservation coordinator to correct me, but roughly a year or so ago, we uh uh became aware um that in portions of uh this uh storm water channel uh close to Great Brook uh
the the flows had essentially um breached um root layers um and more restrictive layers of soils and encountered a very fine sandy uh material. um that we see over at the Legion um and
elsewhere on the east side of town. Um fine enough that it's created some rather tremendously and deeply insized goalies um in a very uh short span of time. Um in that short span of time uh
the goalies were deep enough to destabilize the adjacent slope um if you will towards the east um towards forested portions of the uh uh excuse me, of the Yellen property. Um it took down a few mature trees in the
process. Um I know that's Sabrina and I went out there at least once if not uh more times than that to try to investigate and see what's going on and figure out what could be done in the short term. Fast forward a little bit uh brings us to um if you will past summer when funds
were made available for this project. Um we amongst other changes but uh we've hidden an opportunity to speak with Cresview Construction who um uh is a prospective contractor uh for this work to come up with some realistic numbers.
Uh the terrain is not wild. Um we're not talking about you know chaining cabling trees to get them up and out of there. But the bottom line is we have to take down at least 24 to 30 trees. We need to have a a contractor. I mean this is it
is within a defined um storm water uh easement uh but it's not but as with many storm water it's not a maintained area as would be a gas pipeline or wall main or something like that. So these trees we just need some room to do the work but they're in locations where um
and they're big enough we need to hire a professional do the job we just can't knock them down with an excavator. Um and ultimately there's enough debris from them. We also uh it's not responsible to leave it all on site. So we'll have to haul some of that out there. But anyways, these are numbers
that are difficult to estimate. So it's good to have uh contractors that we can speak to and come up with, you know, a reliable idea of how many hours and see if we have a project that time can afford. Well, we're alive so far and that brings us here today. Um so let me
flip quickly. Oh my gosh, if I can move this out of my way. Let's go ahead and flip over to the project plan itself. Oh gosh, who's all going here? As long as the computer holds out, battery holds out, we might get there.
>> And just give me a second to zoom in a couple clicks. >> I think I'm alive so far. I appreciate it, Rich. Everybody can remind me when I was wrong and should have taken the mouse up. We get Oh, there's a lot of zoom in. All right. Well, let's just start at this
upgrading portion. So, we're looking at an aerial uh image right here. This is the existing um storm drainage path. And what we're proposing to do um is eliminate, if you will, that exposed condition. Uh we want to find a way to
isolate these storm water flows from the highly erodable soils. Uh we want to find a way to eliminate the maintenance uh burden beyond what can be accomplished with a few um staff members and some hand tools to go down there,
inspect, make corrections um or frankly, you know, pull the trigger if something needs to have a more uh involved repair, but get rid of that chronic issue that exists uh with the rip wrap over fabric. Uh in order to do so, it's roughly 300
ft. or so uh to get it down to the area of um deeply incized erosion. Um that erosion is going to provide one uh benefit. Uh the terrain is already now brought down to a level that's virtually
um on the the same elevation as Great Brook. We want this water to come out horizontal. We don't want any further um drop. So, if you will, the proverbial bank as it um is along um Great Brook has been breached by these flows, and
we'll be able to pull um our work back um uh uh appreciable number of feet from that um flow line of Great Brook and its bank. So, that our um level and only place where RIP will remain for this
project. um that uh essentially splash pad that um channel right there will allow waters to safely exit um this pipe network. We do have a couple of manholes uh proposed one if you will to just tie into the existing drainage uh where it
daylights um a second where we are at the limit of some um steeper terrain. As we get a little closer to Great Brook, it levels out a little bit. Um, but essentially, we get to follow the lay of the land and then when we get down the area deep incision, we'll have another
drop manhole um to again allow the water to descend and come out horizontally from the flared end discharge onto that stabilized splash pad. >> Will there be dissipators in the drops or >> so? Well, there's there's opportunity
for it. Um I'm I'm not opposed uh to the idea. I recognize that um part of the issue with this storm and drainage um network right here uh is
that it does flow unmitigated um from uh these paved surfaces. So when the water does hit the ground, it just needs to make sure that it it can move efficiently and effectively through the system. um in a perfect world. Oh, when I close
my eyes, I get to see perfect worlds. Uh but you know, I'd love to say, hey, we can construct enough um volume um where we can actually, you know, uh work on some infiltration um with this project. And I I fear that that's not a a
feasible uh solution uh both in a location that's hard to maintain uh because even those cells do need to at least be inspected and maintained periodically. um we don't have a lot of width so I don't have a lot of uh area to work with. Um and probably most
constraining is that that's one of the more expensive ways of um of managing storm water. Um so let's see uh D had a few comments. Um and I want do want to double down on the
fact that uh you know DPW within our capacities um wants to do as much as we can to work um uh with um conservation wants to do best we can to make situ situations like this better. This is a mitigation focused um notice of intent.
Um this is not intended to change any characteristics either the extent of the area being captured by this range network um nor provide storm water treatment um elsewhere uh in the system um to be
blunt I face a strict limitation um with my license um if I thought there was money and and good reason to say hey let's pop in um a storm sector or bay separator or some other device up high in the system to try to remove some additional
pollutants. Um then you know we we jump at that but that does involve bringing on u a professional or perform or firm excuse me uh to make those uh design decisions and assertions. Um, >> the manholes have any capacity to be
able to do that to >> uh >> how deep are you gonna >> to some I I fear that the drop nature of these means that we won't have a that having a sump in them or some device um to try to uh at least contain um some debris.
There won't be an effective solution. So, they still get the churn factor. Um, and on top of it, it's a uh we just won't have once construction is done, um, there's no way to get, you know, machinery back down into the site to do any cleaning um, for those structures.
>> What's going to happen with all the rip wrap that's there? Now, >> rip wrap that's on site right now, uh, is going to be repurposed for a couple of, uh, in a couple of ways. um we have uh a certain luxury in knowing what the terrain was before the erosion because
we're falling right on the heels of it. Um so a portion of it will be used um alongside spoils from excavation um as back fill for some of that incision. Um again I want to be sensitive about what we do um anywhere near uh Great Brook. our work's going to have to be pulled
back um uh to some degree, but there's ample volume uh uh to to manage, if you will, uh that sort of material for backfill. Um so the constructed condition out here uh will be, if you
will, leveled. Um we'll have a few I forget the proper term for them. Uh and Jacob, my laughing, the thank you ma'am. We'll call them along the way because this is a steady steady descent. Um we will uh blanket the steep slopes and
and vegetate them. Um D commented on uh the loss of um uh trees and and the potential for habitat. And we'd certainly be willing to um provide plantings close to Great Brook where I think they'd have the greatest impact um for future. Understand I think it's
still a storm water uh easement and some point in time they may have to come down for a different project, but hopefully we have some uh leg on this one. Just cleaning up that rip wrap area is going to be a great enhancement for Starwood. >> I think so. I think there's a this the
terrain down here is is very sparse um at the ground level. There's very little understory. Um so I think the opportunity uh to get in there uh remove this erosion issue. Um the inevitably there's going to be more light brought in at least along the easement um with
the tree removals. So I think we can uh at least get some meaningful stabilization in place. Um so I gave a very broad rush and nar description of the work uh that we're trying u to achieve over here. This is a limited project um that's classified as
the the maintenance of existing um uh storm drainage, municipal storm drainage. Um we do cleanly fit um uh through any exercise about uh alternatives that uh the commission may want to explore. Um but as a limited project, it's not
necessarily held to those standards. Um what else? Oh, and of course we have a we had a couple comments from DP. I'm happy to walk through if it's anybody's interest. >> When do you uh both start to
I'd like to see this work uh undertaken um we're going to call it uh mid late spring once we get out of the wet season. Um I'd like to see it take place then. Um I suspect that work is going to proceed um
opposite of what I'd normally see in this case. I think it's going to be upgrade downgradient um so that we're exposing no new if you will uh area where we have to recapture overland blows into uh pipes.
Um but uh this spring we have funds in place. Um we have a different understanding of how to execute uh these town projects. So it's a I suspect it's going to have to go out to bid and hopefully the numbers remain manageable. would like to see it get permitted sooner than later than if you're
planning to do it. >> You know, ideally, yes. The idea is to get through permit with the remainder of this winter and early spring and if need be and hopefully have a project being put on the streets afterwards and >> that would be great. Um although the the greatest sin has
already been um has already passed us with the exposure um of those fine soils to storm water um there's still uh some meaning in trying to uh nip this as close to the butt as we can.
>> I imagine in the spring with all the melt that could make it worse than it already is. With every uh I suppose passing month, the project gets bigger. >> So we believe there's funds in the budget to cover the estimated cost of
this project. >> We believe so. Um we, you know, $95,000 was allocated to this work uh in this year's DPW budget. um in looking at the preliminary numbers, workable numbers
we'll call them. Um with Crest View, you we may have to um you know exercise uh other opportunities to manage we'll call it the forestry needs um and try to cut that down. Um if this hits the streets, it may make sense to just bundle all back together as once and see how the
numbers come together. A job this size would go out to bid, you're saying, or >> at that at that dollar amount, I believe. So, >> further questions from the board. Are we going to need to see them have a
site visit before we go further on this? Or >> the only the only comment that I would like to make is I get there's a sensitivity to the fact that this is for the town. The one thing I would say is is usually like we don't factor in the
thought that costes like with the like treating the storm water. If somebody wanted to improve a parking lot um in a commercial parking lot and it was discharging, we would say, well, you know, you should be your storm water should be treated
>> storm sector or some kind of >> a contact unit or something like that. There's a cost, but I just think it's a bias as far as us looking the other way and not holding the town to the same standard as we would any other tax. >> You're right. It it is. >> It's not fair. >> But that I mean,
>> and I get it. I'm just saying I'm just making a comment whether we do or not. It's just I just want it on the record. >> I think that's the way I think it's right. >> It's set up though, right? Um >> if if I may um >> you bring up a a fair point, right? um
that when in a similar somewhat similar fashion to uh opening up a wall, you find um electrical equipment that doesn't meet code, you got to upgrade it, right? Um the one distinction that I would um look at for this project
is that there is no change um to the area um or the impervious um area or the source of pollutants um for this particular project. difference being if we were rehabbing a parking lot, right? Then you have to make some improvement
over that level. >> Um, in this case, it's just, if you will, the the trunk portion of this network um that's being encountered. >> Nobody's making a profit off of this procedure this.
>> So, you're right. It is it is biased, but I think that >> But I agree, absolutely agree with you. But on the other hand, you don't bring it up. >> Yes. Correct. making the problem better. I get it for what they're doing. >> So, there's that little >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> If we were to insist that we do something like Kevin suggested, would that delay the project? >> Um I'm I I can't say that that gesture alone um would delay the project. I can say that. Uh I I I mean uh $100,000 is a
lot of money, right? And I can appreciate we fire up equipment, it goes real quick, right? um you we're towing the line um when it comes to budget. If uh if that was a mandate uh for this then it could be
um examined but to be honest uh that's where uh my license ends right there. So modifying the uh existing uh network as it goes in there. Sizing even though it sounds silly uh because you know sizing
a pollutant removal device um for a given storm drain network is a relatively simple exercise um we we would uh bring on uh another professional um to provide that information. >> And I'm not saying one way or another. I'm just saying I just
>> it's a it's a fair point to bring up. >> That's a that's very good point. Great. So, like I say, did we plan on doing a site visit before voting on this or I mean time is of the e essence and I don't know if the snow's going to be melted enough for us to see everything's
gone. >> Well, it'll be better from there. >> Almost everybody's been on a >> Yeah, I've seen it. >> I don't want to go out there. >> I don't need to myself. I >> Is there anyone that went there once?
Yeah, >> we know what it looks like. >> Was it like September? I think we've been we've been out there. I mean, >> yeah, >> it's gonna be >> I think it's all pictured in my brain exactly where he has all that plan laid out and know exactly.
>> I mean, it's safe to assume this is going to be done in phases, right? You can't just involve all this in one day. >> Yeah. We we were ballparking uh we'll call it conservative three weeks, right? Um, you know, I think, um, when it comes to the linear footage of pipe, um, the
actual structural work, it's not going to take that long. I think it's the prep and, you know, the mitigation of the the people exiting the property >> um that, uh, that's going to burn sometime. >> You will be taking 30 or so trees down. Is that what I've heard?
>> Roughly speaking. So, uh, Rich and I walked the site, um, with Aaron Jinglesi as as he was so kind to help us and look at some pricing out there. Uh, and Rich and I identified about 12 to 15 significant trees. Some of them um, you
know, in poor health and along the uh, the toe of the slope um, where the uh, where the storm drainage swell um, passes uh, then it's it's just not safe to be excavating in in that proximity to those types of trees. Um
and then there's roughly an equal amount that you know could be contractor managed say less than six or eight inches uh in diameter. >> Okay. >> Um that's our count >> opportunity at all for grass and swales or for sheet spreading it or anything
like that just to have some kind of >> I don't that change your um as far as your qualifications go with that. >> Oh uh for sure. Yep. Uh so the limitation in Massachusetts that we can quickly look at is anything that requires I'm going to call it uh flow
analysis. So if you're sizing a a structure or a BMD and that's fine. That shouldn't be the limitation for >> uh my a greater concern that I I have is that um sure 90% of the storms you know can um you know pass over the ground
without great uh impact. It's that, you know, 10% um where, you know, we don't have an opportunity uh at this space to reconstruct or reconfigure the street uh drainage and somehow mitigate um that rush.
>> Is there anybody on the board that hasn't had a site visit? Hasn't had >> I haven't seen it, but I've heard a lot about it. >> You have pictures that'll be great, but I don't want to take up too much time here. >> Okay. >> I can visit that myself later. I have pictures. >> Okay.
>> I read through the construction sequence and it was real specific about how much pipe a day can can be exposed or how much pipe at any one time, how much trench can be exposed and how everything needs to be covered up every day and boom, boom, boom. So, it's pretty tight.
>> Yeah. >> It's not like a thunderstorm's going to rip it out because they dug an extra 70 ft and walked away. Right. >> I'm ready to go on the want to go in that direction. >> There's no more discussion. I'll take a
motion. >> Make a motion to uh >> Well, let's close the hearing. >> I'll close the hearing. >> Make a motion to close the hearing. >> Have a motion to close the hearing. Roll call vote. >> I I'll second that too.
>> Thank you. Norm I >> Jerry I >> Kevin I >> Andy I >> unanimous vote to close the hearing now we'll take a motion on the project >> you were there already go ahead >> we'll make a motion the project is presented
>> I'll second we have a second from Chris Dennis made the original motion any discussion or debate roll call vote I >> Chris Pratt I >> normandy I >> unanimous Phil
>> and John, thanks to >> conditions. Any conditions will be >> the standard conditions, but there no above or anything boiler plate conditions. >> Okay.
>> It's a pleasure to be here tonight. Um, nice to see everybody. Look forward to the next opportunity. >> Thank you. >> But thanks for uh hearing my >> long-winded presentation. >> Finally getting us the result. We're trying to get there one one step at a time. >> Put a lot of effort into it.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Think that's open doors. >> Much appreciate everyone. >> Okay. Okay. The next item on the agenda is an abbreviated notice of resource area delineation. I read the legal notice. The Sulfur
Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing under the Natural Physics Wing Protection Act GLC 131 section 40 and the Sulfur Conservation Commission regulation and bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for an abbreviated notice of
resource area delumation. The project location is 331 North Lumis Street, Southwork Mass, map 32, parcel 002. The applicant proposes site improvements within the 100 foot buffer
of a wetland. Zoom meeting will be held March 2nd and 700 p.m. in town hall. Like to open it up to the petitioner or representatives. >> How's it going? Uh Jave Tley with Arlo
Associates and here representing Sue Construction and Trucking Incorporated for 331 North Street. So here for the ANRAD um to confirm resource area delineations that were
done by Ryan Nelson, our wetland scientist in the summer of last year. There have been changes made since uh you were here last time with the request for determination. >> Um I am not sure. I was not here last
time. I'm not sure what happened last time. >> We had DP comments on this one. >> We do have DV DP comments. >> Yes. >> Um I do not have them with me, but I know of them. Um, I know that they had some questions about the corn field um
and possible wet areas in that um area and during the delineation Ryan did not notice any of them uh any of the necessarily wet spots that they had concerns about but again it was a field full of corn at the time um and has been
tilled for however many years. >> So that there was a response from LEC to the D. Yeah, I can bring them up. Um, seeile mark comments. >> Wouldn't it have like some
like have the other mark like some drainage here like some wet area out into the corn field >> the map? I can show you the map too that he opened. >> I think you know the right project. >> Yeah.
>> Well, it's not a map. It's the aerial >> right. >> Yeah. Um let me just share my screen again. >> My goal tonight is just to open the hearing um and to hopefully schedule a site visit for when the snow is gone to make the commission out there.
>> A long time ago, Ryan. I think the first time I met him. Yeah. >> So, this was >> a while back. >> This is the field Mark um mentioned that it looks like there's hydro soils. >> You can kind of see the channeling here and then the darker I assume the darker
um shading is wet. >> That's what I >> um there's another image right here. month, another month or so, we should be able to see real good that looks like, >> right? Well, that's why there's a site visit. No, there won't be anything at
that time. So, good time to check is when we were doing a delination was a field of corn. So, now they're easily accessible. >> Any other comments? >> Yes, there were. Um, but the applicant's
not here. But um so this he had mentioned the a field. This was what year was it? So this is September of 2015 and this is essentially the the limit of
the a field. And then we have a September of 2019. This is the same 2015 edge of the a field and it looks like this um field has increased within I think it's
riverfront. Um and Mark had a a question on >> ex >> is the is north up on the screen currently or is it >> north >> the direction north?
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I mean, I can bring this up. No, I can't bring it up on a map because I don't really have the same images that he does. >> Well, we're just trying to get the questions out today so we can >> Yeah, exactly. >> So, >> um,
do you know which field this is? >> Yeah. Oh, I would imagine it's this one here. That's the the comments they had. >> I would say it's on the on the east side of the the river. >> Okay. So, that if they're impacting Riverfront, you're right. It would be on the west side of the field.
>> My mouse isn't My mouse isn't moving. >> Come here. Stop. Stop. >> Wow. Um, on the bottom of the image, you can kind of see the access road. >> Oh, yeah. >> That eventually does cross. Yeah. Yep. >> So, yeah, I imagine that that field.
>> Yep. Um, let me bring up his comments. I believe you guys covered comment number one and Ryan updated the form. Actually, do you want me to just bring
up Brian's responses to Mark's comments and see both of them at the same time? >> Yeah, that would be better. RLA response to DP comments. Okay. I don't know.
>> Be back wants to read them. >> I like. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Would you like me to read the question or the original comment from D as well? >> I sum it up. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Uh, so D was wondering about the bordering land sub flooding information
shown on the plan. Um and our response was that the bordering lands of funding is one of the resource areas being requested to be approved by the conservation commission. We will submit a revised wetlands protection act form 4 a that includes bordering land subject
to flooding. The second one uh the commission should carefully review early aerials of the large agricultural field on the west side of the property should be here. Um those images show small channels in what appears to be
hydro soils in the field like you had mentioned before. Um and they have the regulations. Um we noted that. I guess that's our response. >> Noted.
>> Okay. uh the 2022 wetland delineation manual delining or verifying BBW boundaries during the winter months especially with snow cover frozen soils conditions different is difficult um and sometimes near possible uh the
villination was completed in the summer months so not during the winter to help ensure that the commission um has submission expertise available to address specific issues regarding the applicant's filing Uh section 53G gives the commission's authority to charge a fee for the
applicants to have an outside consultant peer review. Um again noted >> noted. Okay. Back to me. >> Um we are still waiting for those wetland forms from Ryan. Eventually
he'll get them to me once the snow melts. Um I would say um you did mention that the entire site for the most part um with the exception of maybe this field here is easily delineated by topography.
Um so when the commission has the site visit there shouldn't be too much question as to where the line is in this area. >> Okay for continuance with a open date probably because we don't know. Yeah, hopefully you just say a month out if that works for everybody.
>> The um a u April 20 that we don't have meeting, right? >> April 20th, we do not have a meeting. >> That would be the first May first week in April. >> Um >> for a site visit.
>> Yeah. >> Or for to bring this back to meeting, I mean. >> Yeah. April 6th is our next meeting. >> We have a meeting in We have a meeting in two weeks, but I don't think the snow's going to be melted in two weeks, >> right? >> I should plan on doing this.
>> It's gonna rain the sun's snow tomorrow. >> I saw 60s next week, too. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We should know. >> We should continue it until the first meeting after our site visit. >> That's what I'm saying. And like I said, open date, but we don't. >> So, that's probably going to be until
like May 4th is the next meeting April after April 6th because the 20th is a holiday. >> Okay. >> Um I know there was talk about peer review especially because Mark Stinson
had mentioned his last comment. We have the opportunity of peer review. >> Um I'm not sure if the commission >> I want to look at >> well something might be obvious. Yeah. look at her first before we decide. >> I think that a field might be
tricky >> should be able to go out before in end of April, beginning of May before for the whole meeting, right? >> Well, scheduled for the May. >> Okay. The second meeting in May. >> The second meeting in May.
>> Well, do we have to put a date down for the meeting? >> Yeah. Well, I mean, the first meeting should be fine, I think, if we need to move it, we can move it. So, April 6th, >> no, May >> May 4th. >> May 4th. >> May the 4th with you.
>> May the >> Yeah, that would work though. End of April. I think >> I'll make a motion to approve the continuing for May 4th. >> I'll second that. Okay. So, we have a motion for May 4th continuence. >> Seconded.
>> Not made to second. Any discussion, debate? Roll call vote. >> I miss B. I >> Dennis I. >> Norm I. >> Jerry I. >> Tab. I >> Andy I. >> Unanimous vote to continue to May 4th. Next item is a continuence.
>> To schedule the site visit to get just put a date on the calendar for it and then if things change we can move it. >> Well, we start the discussion about a site visit because none of us know what we're going to be doing in three weeks. So why don't in three or four weeks
>> you can put it on the calendar when to start the discussion about a site visit >> mean reaching out following up. So >> starting we'd like to get it done as quickly as possible. >> Right. Yes. Hopefully >> Monday spring.
>> Thank you. Next item is uh >> thank you >> continuous of NOI6 South Lumis Street. The proposed project is the construction of three single family homes associated driveways and storm water infrastructure with portions
taking place within border and vegetated wetland buffer zone and bank of an intermittent stream. Is anybody here from the petitioner? >> They asked to continue until April 6th. >> Continue. Yep. >> Okay.
Okay. Still waiting on the planning board. Is that >> Yeah, sorry. They're Yes, they are waiting um planning we I guess and planning board are waiting for the storm water peer review for this one.
>> We have a motion to continue to April 6th. I'll second. Yeah, I made a motion seconded by Jerry. Roll call vote I >> Chris Brad I >> Dennis >> I normandy I
>> unanimous to continue to April 6 next item is request for determination of applicability in RDA to Hummel Lane I will read that ad south conservation commission will hold a public hearing under
Massachusetts wetland protection act JLC 131 section 40 and southwood conservation commission regulations s in bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for request for determination. The project location is two Hmel Lane Suk Mass
079079 parcel 9. The applicant proposes the construction of a single family dwelling with associated driveway utilities and site improvements on an existing residential lot. Meeting will be held on
March 2nd, 2026 via via hybrid starting at 7 PM in town hall. Like to open up the public hearing to the petitioner or the representative. >> Anatoli is online.
>> Uh good evening everyone. Anatoli here. Name >> and address for the record. Uh >> 23 Junway Springfield, Massachusetts. You want to give us a description of the project? >> There we go.
>> Yeah. So, um yes, I I can I can try to do this. Um uh yeah, I purchased this lot. before put in the lot I u I hired the um Heather Heather come
uh to walk the to walk the property and uh give me idea if there is the wetland. So uh I did that he told me if everything okay it looks uh same as on GIS map. Uh so when I proceed to
purchase in the lot and uh when I u submit for the um application for for the permit building permit and the site plan Sabrina mentioned to me I we need to do
wetland delineation. Uh since there is the winter winter and snow on the ground, um I decide to to go this route since uh uh since this this lot already has the well
on the on the lot and the septic which has been installed while ago and the wet well as you see on the side plan. Uh that's right right outside of 100 ft
buffer zone. So we're not planning to to encroach uh into into the buffer zone even we are like uh grading like maybe 40 40 ft away from
the 100 ft buffer or something. So uh that's that's what that's everything what I can say. So this this because I wasn't aware if in in any case if there is the wetland on the lot I
have to do wetland delineation. So I didn't know that. So I just was look on the map on the side plan. I am far away from the 100 ft buffer zone. I was thinking we don't have to do that but um so in this
case I decide to do um this way since uh since it's very very visible so there is the uh wetland far away from where we going to do work. >> We need to know where the wetlands are
delineated before we can make any decisions here. We can't have approximate. It has to have a delineation done on there or we can't make a decision, >> right? >> Right. >> So, when do you plan on you plan on
doing that in the spring and come back and we'll take a look at it then? >> No. No. That that's the case. If if you guys not not believe the GIS and uh because >> No, we don't go by GIS. That's very unreliable.
>> We have to have it delineated. somebody out there that actually looks at the the ground, the soils, >> you can't go by GIS at all. That's that's not uh that's not allowable allowable guard. >> Okay. What what about this since this
slot already has the improvement and if you see on the on the uh on the side >> once you get your delineation done, come back to us and we'll we'll give you an answer. We can table this now or we can
>> yeah okay so when I we will do delineation so then I don't have to come back because that's this uh that's so uh understandable so I'm I'm out of 10 ft buffer zone so in that case
if that landation show the the similar buffer zone as currently I don't have to come back here right? If uh my question is if wetland delineation will prove that uh
uh buffer zone is the similar to the GIS map in that case I don't have to come back to to the hearing right >> the commission still needs to review the delineation >> right >> we have to approve it
>> we have to look at what you say it is and then we have to agree or not agree with it and you don't have a delineation out there for us to look at to approve or not approve at this point. Understand? >> Understood.
>> Very good. Thank you. >> Would you like to continue this to the future? >> Um I I I >> Yeah, we we can continue. Yeah.
>> What date we going to continue to? Let's do to the next. If we still cannot uh we will not be able to do wetland donation, we will continue to another one. >> Darn. Our next meeting is March 16th. I'm not sure Heather's going to
>> be able to do a delineation. >> For sure. We cannot do to the next meeting. >> Yep. The but the meeting following that is April 6th. >> Yeah, let's do that. >> Okay. Okay. So, do I have a motion to continue to April 6?
>> I'll second more. >> Made the motion. Chris made the second. Roll call vote. >> I cherry. >> Kevin I. >> Andy I. >> Unanimous vote continued to April 6.
>> Next is an RDA for 11 Bure Avenue. Have to read that one. South Hunts and South Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing under the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act GLC
131 section 40 and Southwork Conservation Commission regulation and bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for request for determination. Project location is 11 Berkshire Avenue, Southwest, Mass. Map 148, parcel 006.
The applicant proposes limited tree removal, trimming, and vegetation management within the buff wetland buffer zone for safety and property protection purposes. The meeting will be held March 2nd, 2026 via Hybrid starting
700 p.m. at Southwork Town Hall. And I would like to open it up to the petitioner. Name and address for the record, please. >> 11 Brookshire Admiral, South Celtic, Mass. David Zomeck. >> Signed, please. >> Now, how many trees are you proposing to
take down? >> Four proposed to take down four trees. Two large ones and two small ones. The two large ones are on the north side of the property and the two small ones are on the west side of the property. that they may be on the other person's
property. I sent a letter out. I haven't heard from them back yet, so I'm not sure what to do with that yet. I don't have to take them down at this time. >> Okay. >> I mean, they're going to fall down anyways. Ones the the uh what are those birds? The >> woodpeckers woodpeckers.
>> The wood they just made some old big holes in the freaking thing now. That's so bad. It's just going to fall. But it's not. That one there is really rotten bad. and uh it's leaning kind of into towards my shed, but it could go a little south and miss it. What I what my
proposal for me to do is to tie a line around it so it wouldn't go near the house if I don't get a chance to get it down. So, >> I can do that to tie a line around to one of the other trees to pull it that way if it does come down. But the other two have to be taken down. I have to use a crane to bring come in there and get
them. And I had to go up to my prop my my neighbor's property and uh I already got permission from her to have the guy come over with a crane. I just got to make sure he's got the proper insurance on the crane. >> Yes. >> To in case he disturbs her property somehow.
>> Okay. >> Other than that, I got I got two quotes out right now. I got one more coming in to take him down. So, >> so up on the screen, >> do the two nearest the house on the on the right hand side, the two big ones
there. >> This one right here, >> that one there and the one right next to it. >> I already had half of the the first one taken down there, >> right? >> A few years ago. >> You can see it >> right there. You can see it. It's cut right in half. It was a split tree. >> And that was that came down. We had that
taken down after that October >> 2011. a limb came down up and I went went into my roof. So, we had to we had to take that down. We left the other one up the other side up and the other two the other one there. The third one's not a problem at all. It's it's in pretty
good shape. There's no rot on it at all. I did lose one. It came down uh just south of that third one to the left of it. Right there thing right there. The the tree came down between my my uh porch and it did damage my shed a little
bit, but I took care of it. It was on a a bad rainstorm that we had about about four months ago. H five months ago in in a fall and that came I didn't I didn't need a permit for that one though. It just came right down
11 o'clock at night. >> Yeah. And it it was a goodiz tree but it I was so lucky I missed everything. >> Yeah. >> And this way it came down. >> I didn't hear I heard it but I didn't realize it. My son was just coming in. and he said, "Hey, Dad, you better wake up. There's a tree there's a tree down
in the backyard, a big tree." So, my my friend of mine that works for me at the shop, he wanted the wood, so I told him to cut it up and get rid of it and he >> and I just all I did was I took the brush to the town dump and uh and and got everything squared away. So, that was all fixed. The roof's fixed. I fixed
the roof on my shed. So, but the ones in back of the shed, the two in the back of the shed are together, too. But I'm not too worried about them right now. >> So, this is one. >> Yeah, that one right there. I have >> that one right there. It's all woodpecker up now since that picture. >> Yeah, >> since the picture. It's really bad. So, >> what was it?
>> But I'm going to tie a line to it just in case it does decide to fall before I get the people in there to take it down. >> So, there are some habitat. >> I know. Did you still Did you still >> Yeah, about 10 ft. >> Yeah. So, he was going to leave this
leave about a >> snag. Yeah. Just enough to leave about 10 foot. Good, good, man. >> Yeah. All right. >> Well, that way there stays with the with the with the land and stuff, you know what I mean? >> Yeah. Yeah. Nice. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And this is the other tree that um
>> he wants to leave a snag >> right there. That's >> That one's got to be taken down by by a tree surgeon. So, I don't have the proper equipment to take that down. >> So, but I got quotes out there right now. I'm waiting for one more quote on it and
then I I can make a decision which which company to use. >> Mhm. How you going to get to it from the road? >> This one right here is this side here. That one there is not a problem. Right down my driveway. >> Okay. >> Everything's on my property I'm going to do except the ones on the north side. I'm going to come down. I'm going to
come down the neighbor's driveway. >> Right. >> And Brier, she gave me permission already. >> Okay. >> And for him to come in with a crane because it was Carrie Granville. >> Yeah. And uh he has a new guy now with the crane. So they're going to come in and do that. He's going to come in and
if I get if I if his quotes the right quote, I'm going to have him come in. He's going to plow plow the yard up, get the snow out of the way, and come in and take them down while it's still frozen so that disturb the ground as much. Right. >> It's a good idea. >> So if I get your permission to do it, I'll probably have it done within a
month or so. Start doing it within a month. >> Sounds good to me. Sounds good to me. Any other questions? I'll make a motion to find the project negative. >> Second. >> Chris made the motion to find the project negative. No MT made the second.
Any discussion or debate? Roll call vote. >> I Chris P. >> I norm. >> And I unanimous vote. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you coming in. Appreciate you
>> following the process. That's good. is that you got it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate your help. Thank you. Thanks very much. Take care. Bye. I know. >> We have one more public hearing.
The Southwood Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing under Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act JLC 131 section 40 in the Self Conservation Commission regulations and bylaw chapter 182 and chapter 450 for request for
determination. >> Have a good night. >> Good night. >> Project location is three White Street, South Mass, map 148, parcel 53. The applicant proposes tree removal within 70 ft of Lake Congam. The meeting will
be held March 2nd, 2026 via Harbert Harbor starting at 700 p.m. in town hall. So, we'll open up the public hearing to the petitioner or their representative. We have anybody online? >> Yes, I am here. That's Tyler. How are
you guys? name and address for the record, please. >> So, um yeah, so I was looking to um get a tree cut down. I'm sure you guys saw the picture, but it's it's
leaning into my house. One of my retaining walls, someone who built it before me built the wall into the tree. Um so, it's pretty much right above the corner of my house. Um, I've had insurance companies deny me for it. Um,
I've also had I I want to say it was like a 15 foot branch fall within 3 ft of my house. I have a 2-year-old who's running around the yard. Um, poses a pretty big danger to him. Um, as well as
it's literally curving right over my house. um cording and I'm going to have Ryan cut it down, but let him to speak to the kind of condition of the tree. But >> could you just state your name and address, please?
>> Oh. Oh, sorry. I didn't I missed that. Um Tyler Wild, three White Street, South Hook, Mass. >> Did you say Dwight Street or White Street? White >> white street. >> Perfect. Thank you.
>> Any questions of the petitioner? >> I think Ry Ryan. >> Yeah, I'm here. Um Tyler contacted me to come out and take a look at it. Was concerned about some of the stuff over hanging the house. We looked at possibly trimming it, but as you can see, it's
been pruned heavy over years and years. Um, there is a ton of deadwood in it. The tree structurally towards the top is very weak. Um, there's a lot of dead branches and stuff up there. There's a lot of sporadic water growth. You can see coming out of the old prune cuts. I
uh I would probably be setting a crane in White Street and reaching over the house. we can get a portion of the crane on the driveway and the rest of it in White Street. I did reach out to um Sabrina the other day in regards to that private beach community there and she
got me in contact with uh Carolyn Gothier. So, I'm going to meet with her. My only question to them was just making sure we could shoot two outriggers out into that beach property, put mats down, obviously cribbing and shoot two outriggers out there. Um there'd be very
there'd be zero ground disturbance, but it was just more of a safety thing being able to keep White Street open. God forbid we ever had a medical emergency or anything in there, we could they could still get down there. But same deal with the crane. No, no
equipment in the uh in the wetland area. >> Is the uh retaining wall compromised at this point? Is there going to is he going to need to do some work on that? >> We're going to cut above that. He's gonna leave that for now. I mean, that thing's that that tree is going to take probably 20 years for that thing to rot.
So, we're just gonna Well, I'm gonna take another look at it. I was there the other day. He had like 3 ft of snow in the backyard from all the snow drifts off the lake. But, I'm going to look at possibly cutting down uh vertical on that. See if that's an option. If not,
we'll cut it up so that his retaining wall is not compromised. >> Yeah. Yeah. Either way, Stump is definitely staying. There's no way that we're going to grind that one. >> Ryan, can you just state your name and affiliation?
>> Yep. Ryan Duncan Ryan's Tree Service, 392 College Highway, Salt Lake, Massachusetts. >> Thank you. >> Any further questions, concerns? I will take a motion. >> Make a motion by the project negative.
Just >> made the motion for a negative determination. Made the second discussion of debate. >> I norm. >> Unanimous vote. Thank you very much. >> Thank you everybody.
>> Thank you guys. Appreciate it. >> Good luck. That moves us to new business. Item one, Eversource notice of tree work along Claus Anderson, North Lumis and South Lumis.
>> Yes. Um I did have Michael from Eversource. He was supposed to come in and talk about the tree work that's being done, but unfortunately he had another meeting that he had to go to. So you got me. Um,
I I basically uh did some mapping of all of North and South Lumis in class Anderson in the section that they were going to be doing tree work and I showed them rough estimates on where the resource areas were um using GIS data
and um they managed to get a list of what they are going to be removing. I'll I'll bring it up in a second. Oops. Um, within these areas. So, this is the list of trees within
wetland zones on plot Anderson road and north and south limit streets. Um, these are all of the species of trees as well as um the size of trees. So, they're working under an exemption.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. This is essentially under an exemption, but they do need to let us know and then you need do need to tell us how they're going to basically um I guess mitigate. So, they, this is Kevin, he continued to
say that all trees can be trimmed on spec to spec. All brush will be chipped into trucks and removed. All wood that cannot be chipped will be removed by log truck. Um he would also like to recognize there
will be under brushed clear as well. This can all be done with minimal impact on the environment. So that's their that's their notice to the concom. >> Has this work already been started?
>> Yes, they are working down there. >> I've seen them up there. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. Um, >> he's still out of >> there's nothing they can do or have to do to mitigate the invasive species from coming in once they cut those down.
>> Invasive species. Uh, >> usually when they cut trees down, something comes in to replace them and usually it's not good. >> I can only assume that they would just maintain these as open areas. Just ask them when you get a chance. Is
there anything about >> multi multip Oh god that we birds birds sprouting. >> Yeah for him. Do you know of any ways to mitigate
invasive species that doesn't add fill to wetlands? >> I wish I did. >> Like camping maybe. You >> didn't learn anything Saturday at the uh >> I didn't do any invasives. >> Invasives. >> Usually will make us wash our mats, our
truck mats or our crane mats before we put them in a new location so you don't bring them from one place to another. >> This is why we have him. >> Lake >> and contractors hate that. to wash the mats before >> either buy new ones or or wash them
before putting them in place. Yeah. >> Good. >> That should be standard for this. >> It is some places. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, do we actually need to approve this or do we just >> No, it's exempt. >> It's exempt. Okay. >> Yeah.
>> I think I think Michael um is new. >> Yeah. So, he wasn't necessarily aware of what he needed to do as far as letting us know. >> Okay. >> Um, which is why I had to reach out to him a couple times. >> Yeah. Well, they usually let you know,
but even if you say something, they usually ignore you anyway. So, >> yeah, >> those really nice um letters packets when they do the electric line. >> Um, so I was expecting something like that, but we
>> we didn't get anything like that. send it. >> See if there's any best management practices like Rob talked about. That would >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Truck under the ice in middle pond date May 11th.
>> Out there. >> Wait, what does that look like? Bring a crane in. They're gonna I guess the chief of police had mentioned they're going to use it as a training exercise. So, whatever way they determine to do it. >> Um. >> Wow.
>> Sure. They'll just hook it. >> Maybe a winch, cable winch or something. I don't know. >> Wait for the ice to go away and then just yank it out of there. >> Yeah. >> They may dive, you know, and divers go down. >> Hook it up. Divers have to hook it up. >> Yeah. So, that's what I understand. So,
um, yeah, this happened, um, January 22nd of this year. Someone went off of the north ramp, drove onto the ice alone with his dog. Um, and he went kind of
far out. Um, I think it was a couple >> guards. Yep. >> And it it broke ice. He got out, his dog got out. They're safe. Um and then it was reported two days later. Um police and fire then reported to mass EP and
EPO. So that's why we we didn't need to really get involved because all the right people got involved. >> Um the estimate yeah the tenative removal date is May 11th. I heard that they are going to float it. So I assume
that divers come down attach plastic bags >> and mushroom >> air. That'd be a good exercise. >> I've seen things where they blow like ping pong balls into cavities of ships. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And and it makes enough buoyancy to
bring them up. Yeah. >> Interesting. >> So, >> you'll get a ring size >> to date on our calendar. >> Yeah. >> We could take the town. >> Put the boat in early. doing >> bring the barbecue out.
>> What week is that? >> Sick days. >> Sweet. >> It's on a Monday. >> Yeah, it's tough. What was my >> Oh, that's a sickness. >> Go for a drive on the lake. >> Wow. Took his father's truck. Is that what it was? The other night. >> Huh.
>> It'll probably be on the news anyway. >> Probably was some kind of beverage involved with it. was dog drinking. >> Right. >> I told him, >> "Hey, buddy.
>> Let's go for a ride on the >> I got I got an idea." >> You got a few things, right? Anyway, >> oh, >> next item on the agenda, discussion and possible endorsement of Friends of the
South Lake Dog Park Incorporated. They were going to try to get somebody here tonight to speak to us, but obviously they didn't. >> They're going to have to have a notice of intent for that, right, Norm? >> Yes. >> Riverfront area. >> Right. So before endorsement on it, I
want to see what the >> that's St. West Road and uh >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's the address is uh >> I think >> 67 Hudson Drive. >> Yeah. That connects to >> it's 32. >> It's a connector through there, a new area, right? >> Yep.
>> They were going to donate the land for the road back to the town. >> Yeah. I think a dog park's a great idea, but I don't see where it falls under open space with a gate with a gated area that's >> right in riverfront area. That's really
not an open space. That's opposite open space. If they want to get open space committee involved with land, but it is open space for trails, I'd see that. But when Diane came to the open space meeting, she wanted the open space committee to be overseeing a dog park,
which is doesn't make any sense because it's a park. It should be park and wreck. >> Nobody wreck. >> It's not uh it's not open space per se. And if there's some open space out there, I could see, you know, having that in the management plan, but um
having a fence to dog parking is opposite of open space. >> It's it's active recreation. So it would it would be park and red. >> Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of the dog park. I think it's a great idea. >> I read through the whole thing and a couple things I found interesting was
couple places said no restrooms >> and it's like well if you're out there with your dog for a couple two three hours >> you'll make your own restroom pooping with the dog. >> It just you know we ran into that with the rail trail restrooms. Right. Right. Right. And now there's restrooms on the
rail trail. And this was proposed. >> There's still toilet paper on the rail trail. >> No expenses to the town. >> No toilet paper said >> no expenses to the town. But it also said trash pickup would be >> put into park and wrecks normal and we can't get our trash picked up.
>> Yeah. Right. >> So So there is there is going to be the >> there's going to be cops dispatched over there at 2 in the morning when the kid with the pickup truck decides to go over there >> instead of on the lake. I mean, there is expense to the town every time we add
something. Y um and it'll come slow but sure like it'll have to be mowed. It'll have to be the trash picked up and it'll have to be restrooms. >> M maintenance. There has to be maintenance. >> There's going to be maintenance. So to sell it is no expense to the town. That's like giving my kid a a toy that
takes dels. Free toy takes dels. You keep buying the batteries. There's no such thing as >> but I like I say I need to see a notice of intent and I told Diane she said of course they're going to do that because right >> we're in an area then we'd have a better
idea what they're proposing. >> Okay. >> So some of my other notes here say it's 32.8 acres 22 natural and forest river fund. Uh there will be approximately 10
parking spaces there for the rail trail. Good. Okay. Will be gifted to the town when the project is com complete. They will buy the land, build the dog parks. There'll be three dog parks.
>> Small dog, large dog, and older dogs. >> Four. Four. There's a puppy. First dog, puppy dog area. Also, four. >> Four parks. Okay. the first graders, I think they called it, four separate basically four separate fenced off areas
>> and the the parking area for the rail trail will be under a roof and their plan is to put solar panels on the roof and use that for revenue for maintenance of the project.
No CPA funds are planned, no tax dollars are planned other than what you mentioned. Okay. this fall under park and wreck. >> That's where we probably fall.
>> I would assume this would be a park and wreck. >> Okay. >> No, they they could use CPA funds if they >> if they if they wanted to, but with CPA funds, there's caveats and restrictions. >> Yep. >> Um whether they're good or bad, it just
depends. I just it if they do need extra money then there is some availability there. So >> I was impressed and intrigued with the list of people that they had as potential grant gfterters and intrigued as to
who's did that research and going to write the grants. We're not doing that and neither is park and wreck. I can tell you park and recck ain't doing it. >> Wait, they said that we were going to write >> we were going to apply for grant. No, the their package that you forwarded to
us had a whole list of people that they intend to write grants to, which means somebody researched all these different places you can get money and someone intends to write those grants. >> Okay. >> Who's the someone? >> We're not doing it. I know. Neither is
our existing park and wreck. Maybe they got someone that can teach us something. >> Well, a lot of towns have grant writers, so hopefully they in mind already. Friends of the dog park must have a grant writer. >> Maybe we can learn something from that >> attorney or somebody
>> I tried to get the grant written for the access to the rail trail behind the ale house and park and put me off that. >> Yeah. I >> So they are they are asking all the boards that they're presenting this
project to to do an endorsement. The first paragraph says, "The select board, the Southwork select board is pleased to express the support for the friends of the Southwork dog park and its efforts to develop a permanent community dog park, bike trail
parking, and sustainable recreation facility in Southwork, Mass." And it goes on, but they would like us to endorse that concept. >> Concept? Yeah, >> concept. Yeah. >> I haven't seen I haven't seen a concept. I'd like to see what the concept >> concept is having a dog park,
>> right? Personally, I would endorse it, but conservation, I don't think we can endorse it without having to see a plan. >> Well, in a riverfront a plan we haven't seen, but the concept of a dog car. >> Sure. >> Conceptually, it's good idea.
>> Well, maybe we can put our motion to say that we're we're >> philosophically on board. >> On board, >> philosophically >> on board on board, >> but we would need to see the details in the NOI. Yeah, I'll put the caveat in there. >> Another slippery word. Philosophically
on board with the concept. >> I'll make that official. >> I'm bad. I a >> Andy. >> Okay. >> Am I going to write that up or are you
>> that philosophically on board? >> Philosophically on board >> with the concept >> possibly. Okay. So, we're on board with >> All right. Next item on the agenda, response from the select board oncom
submittal of open space land management charter. >> I received a letter that I'm going to read. >> This is from the chair of the select board. I received the draft open space committee duties submitted by Sabrina
Pulu on Septe February 3rd, 2026. The open space management and planning committee was approved on 92324 and was based on a plea from then chair Chris Pratt and Dennis Clark. Reasons
cited to justify this subcommittee, Ben, were very similar to commentary included in your recent letter of 1526 as to the responsibilities of the committee in terms to support the conservation commission.
Committee was established in 2024 with five regular members and two associates and was satisfactory to then chair Pratt when it was approved. Based on your five letter, I brought this back to the select board to to declare the committee a permanent
committee rather than ad hoc committee as well as to seek ways to provide clerical support as requested. When members of the conservation commission appeared at the select board meeting in January, this board made it clear that the open space committee was
established to support the conservation commission as required by that commission and would be under conservation's guidance and its prescribed duties as the select board has no basis to determine what needs conservation might seek their support
on. The select board asked the conservation to provide a brief charter meaning charge of duties posed by the conservation commission and forward that select for to the select board for review and endorsement.
What I received instead was a proposed bylaw as noted in section three and again in section 10. The document appears to refute the subcommittee as authorized and is apparent declaration of the subcommittee shall be expanded to
by exeicio members increasing the associate members to three sometimes up to nine regular or associate unclear members and defy open meeting law by setting its desired quorum requirements
at various times. The conservation commission has also received clear direction from the select board that a separate ad hoc committee will be defined with a defined task was to be reestablished for the open space and
recreation plan uptaken and the open space subcommittee was recommended to be a key player in that committee and conservation approval with conservation approval. This document further defies the appointing authority of the select
board. Therefore, this document is not acceptable and will not be presented to the soil board. Thank you. Thank you for sharing your draft. She's referring to me here. That you prepared for the commission to review and edit that was
much closer to what was requested and is in sync with both the original argument for the open space committee and your 123 26 letter. I think it is much better basis for your next submission to present it to the select board.
>> I'd like to go back to the meeting that we had with the select board when I asked for an open space committee. The main reason I asked for it was for the open space plan and I said the open space plan was coming to do and that was one of the main reasons I asked for an
open space committee. >> So what she's saying there is not in sync with what happened at the beginning. We do have a solution to this though. Yeah, >> Diane came to the open space meeting and she said that the same three members on the open space committee can be also on
the open space committee that's doing the open space plan. >> So I mean that's a simple solution if they going to be on both committees. She said it's if we want to have two or three of them they want us to suggest who would be on that open space committee.
>> Doesn't make any sense to me either. But if that's the way they want to do it then you know we'll have two committees with same people on both committees and we'll have somebody from >> something about like yeah one of them overseeing the open spot committee or guiding them or something
>> we can uh you know we would have I would say you know no more than voting members would be what seven members that we >> well then there five which it was up to them to create I didn't ask for a certain number
they said they at this meeting they wanted us to come up with how many members from what different committees and we would have >> people who wouldn't be actually voting members that they would be liaons from different boards you know that would come to certain not all the meetings but
some of the meetings like we did at the last open space based plan that we did >> but you know if this would satisfy them to have two committees >> and we could still have our three people that are the best they already done so much research >> right >> there's already they already figured
this how it it's brilliant AI. >> Mhm. >> He put it in there. Okay, this is what our open space plan had been. This is what they're looking for in the future. >> And of course, everything would be double checked like the AI. That's all BER Valley Planning would do anyway
>> is use AI. You know, it's amazing. They can do the he can do the whole bulk of the plan just using that. and they had he brought some examples in that were you know just he asked them you know this is this is what we did the last few years now this is what they're asking for in the workbook what would you
recommend what would you recommend what would you change and they came back with recommendations changes and >> I mean they're they're already ahead of the game these three people are very smart right >> they all have their expertise in different areas and you know they
they're invaluable they to not have them participate would be just, you know, foolish on the town's part. And I think Diane realized that. So she said, "So you can if the conservation commission wants to recommend two or three of them on on that new committee,
>> then we'll have that." >> Okay. So we've kind of gone into the next item, which is discussion and recommendation of possible recruitment names for the newly created ad hoc committee open space. uh
and recreation planning committee. And to that there's a second letter that I will read to you now. Okay. >> All right. Uh again, this is from uh the chair of the select board. >> That's Diane.
>> Diane. Um in at the February 2nd meeting the board clarified the status of the role of the open space and planning management committee. It was voted unanimously to
rename the current open space planning management committee to open space land management committee. This committee will be a permanent committee as the land and its care remain perpetually. This is to avoid
confusion with the similar similarity name former of the former committee that was responsible for updating the last report. The open space and recreation planning committee is presumed that the OSLMC our committee will be an integral in the
task of updating the open space recreation report that will be is due in December of this year. We also discussed reconciling rec re reconstituting the separate ad hoc committee that would be mainly responsible for the update to
the open space and recreation report. This ad hoc committee will retain its former name open space and recreation planning committee. The select board would appreciate input from both the conservation commission and the open
space land management committee as to member composition of this OSRPC. Please consider which parties may be able to contribute most effectively in updating this report. From past records, this committee was comprised of anywhere
from 9 to 15 members andor contributors. Okay. So, they're looking for a revised charter and a list of names that we'd like to >> I just want to go back to something. When they said that the open space committee is going to be a permanent
committee, I said, "Well, how are you going to do that?" "Oh, we already did it." And I said, "How did you do it?" "Well, we voted at the select board meetings." "So, what means you couldn't vote at the select board meeting to make it not permanent anymore?" they could just you know that's and then somebody
from the space said Sabrina knows a way to do it to make it permanent so that they can't make it not permanent again >> so I think that you know if they really want to make it permanent and not just um use words you know act do some
actions and that would be the way to go because as far as I'm saying it's a permanent committee that's it was permanent last time till it wasn't >> yeah this will be the third term in >> but anyway I would going back to your point Norm I would say definitely
somebody from park and wreck would be we're talking about not we're talking about voting members not just >> correct >> you know 12 people that are you voting members would be >> park and w planning board I'm thinking I Diane I think she wants
to be on that somebody from the select board yeah Yeah. And you know they're talking about the agricultural commission, but I would say that they would be more of an advisory committee. What would you think?
>> Probably there's not too much that they would have too much saying. >> The APRs. >> Okay. Now, you were a member of >> That's just more information. >> The last one. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, does conservation want a member of
Iowa State? I would be interested. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I did ask Dave Spina if he wanted to be the planning representative and he said um he's really busy right now. >> Didn't say no. >> He didn't say no. He said if you really
need me. >> Yeah. Dave Dave was helpful last time around. He was the only one that was helpful. But I would recommend all three of the open space or whatever they're calling that committee now that >> right land management
>> land management and open space u this yes a longer abbreviation. >> I'd like them all to be involved that way that that they're a core group that's there the next time this comes around >> and they've already got a head start on it. >> Exactly. And they can continue to update
when things happen >> and they would be the citizens. You know the we had last time we had two residents on it and it would be have be three residents not board members on there. >> Okay. >> One, two, three, four. So that's seven members recommended.
>> I think seven would be something you could deal with having a quorum. You know that too many also stated in her letter about the number >> it's south space >> manageable having a quorum >> seven voting members and then many
associate members that we can >> associate as needed. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Anybody got any problem with that? Were you the seven again? >> No. Just a question. So there's two distinct committees here. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. Do they and they're the same people?
>> Well, three of them will be employed. So do they all meet at the same time >> for that purpose? >> And do they how how do they make themselves separate? >> Well, they'll have a meeting for the land management will have their meeting separate from the other people that don't have to go to that
>> and the land management people will go to the open space recreation plan meeting when they have those meetings. Right. So the responsibilities >> won't they have a form and violate right laws when they're at one meeting talk about the other meeting >> otherwise it's mean open meeting laws >> no
>> we get everybody working together >> there only be three of them >> everybody working together instead of working >> no no I agree with you having LMC and then the comm >> right so all discussion happens in one place with the representative agree
>> so the three of them are short-term term, >> right? And the seven is the long term. >> There's been some talk about the grant from the uh Pioneer Valley Planning and No, it's for Pioneer Valley Planning, but it's a grant from the land grants.
Is that what it is? What's it called now? >> Uh, >> but we don't know who's going to submit it, if it's going to be in time, and we'd have to come up with >> Yes. >> 10% of it. So, >> yeah. So, um, uh, I've been talking with Martha about this and Nicole, and there
is, um, grant funding up to $25,000 for to update your open space and recreation plan. It's reimbursed 90%. So, we would get if 90% uh, the quote um, not to exceed $25,000.
and Pioneer Valley gave us a quote for that service of $25,000. So, um, and it's a reimbursement. So, Martha said that she's going to start working on applying for that grant. >> Martha the secretary for the open
secretary for the open face and management. >> Management. >> Yes. Another committee not established, right? So, >> yep. So, she's going to start working on that. And Nicole said that we would get the 10% from the general fund or
>> if we get it. So it's the deadline is I think April 30th. >> Sure. >> And I think there's a caveat of it the actual work needs to be done by June. I don't know. It's all on the website and Martha >> Martha's working on it. She's >> dove into it,
>> right? >> Um if we get it good. If we don't um AI Okay. >> Yeah. >> Part of Valley Planning, I mean, I worked with them before and they were, >> I wouldn't say totally useless, but
pretty darn close, you know, because every time they don't know anything about our town, you know, they come and ask us, >> you give them all the information. >> They give them all the information, then they mess it up and send it back to us. >> But don't they guide you into into like the surveying and um public engagement?
They'll send a different person over every time that didn't know what the last person, >> okay? >> It's a public agency, you know, quasi quasi publish quasi >> and and if we get the grant, great. Don't don't get me wrong. Get the grant and we'll work with them.
>> We got maps out of them last time. >> Yeah. >> We did, right? >> Okay. >> Those are anywhere still. We the maps. Yeah. Yeah. We got them quite good. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I've got I've got the all the open space plan that we did last time. I got
the whole thing. >> All right. >> Used to hang on the wall, remember? We we pasted them all together. >> Yeah, that's right. So our recommendation is put in the form of a motion to our recommendation would
be to include Dennis Clark from KCON the three open space land management members select board member a planning board member and a park and recreation member. Yep.
>> Second to that. Dennis roll call vote. >> Chris a second. >> Norm. >> Andy. >> Unanimous vote. Now back on the charter. >> Never. >> What do you want to do with the charter >> for the open space? Uh I think we we
could uh table that until open space people tell us what they'd like to do for their charter. >> Fair enough. >> I'm just confused. So people just tell me what's going on. They tell me what to do. >> I mean, there was an application that stated responsibilities or things
that they should be in charge of >> when they >> they they had a list. When I went there, they already had a list of stuff that they wanted to do. So I would take that list and turn that into a charter. You know, they've already got >> stuff. There might be more on that than what the original
>> charters are a higher level than a list of projects. Well, it's responsibilities, >> huh? >> It's responsibilities. >> It's not. >> Yeah, but it's at a higher level. It's not a It's not a list of projects. >> Would say higher level. Could you
expound that a little bit? Normally, >> you a more general term further. >> Yes. They would be responsible to come to the conservation commission with land management plans to oversee management of the
>> chapter 61 properties. >> Okay. >> Properties, but like I said, they had a list of stuff already that you could just simply go by. >> Okay. A charter is a foundational document that establishes an organization, defines its purpose and
grants a it specific rights, powers, privileges from a sovereign or governing body essentially acting as its constitution like a city charter or corporate charter. Key me meanings of a
charter. foundational document, a legal in instrument creating and outlining the structure and functions of a body like a city gives grants or rights. Okay. >> I don't think we have the authority to
to do any legal charters. >> Okay. So, my document that I prepared I was at a higher level. Could it be a mission statement instead of a charter? the charter public. It's a legal
document. I don't think we >> I mean the DRC has a mission statement. >> Yeah, if it was a charter that would be that would be a permanent thing and that would require a bylaw. I would think I would think have to go through the legal channel to leave charter. >> It's a good idea. It defines it you know
specifically but not in detail. Bush is I think on the table. >> We can incorporate their goals into >> Why don't we table it to the next meeting and then we can find out more details what we can officially do with a charter and we'll bring up the stuff
that we already have that >> would constitute what would be in the charter if we do have that authority. >> I mean >> just define it. That's all. >> Are you waiting for something other than the end or >> Yeah. For uh one Hudson Drive
>> I didn't know he was here. So quiet over there. >> Where is it? Oh, let's do >> Well, no. Let's finish this one first. >> Come over to the table. >> Okay. I asked the question. What are we
going to where are we going to get the answer from? >> Uh the legal or council legal council. Oh, come on. Is there any precedent that um other >> do we have a charter for our >> Are there any charters other charters
are there any precedents for this that we can take from >> No, it doesn't matter whether there's precedence or not. We were asked to produce a document. >> Okay. >> The document that we gave them they rejected. >> Okay. Is is it a matter of what we call it? Is that's the hangup here or
>> that's why it's got to have a legal opinion. It's got to go to town council to find out what document they're asking for a charter. What is what do they really want? What what do we have to define by a charter cuz what Norm read was legal stuff and we don't have authority.
>> I I agree. I mean it it defines it. >> Can we just table it to the next? We got other stuff to to move on to. >> We have a motion to table this item. A >> second. >> We have a second. Roll call vote. Not bad. Senide.
Norm. No. Jerry. >> I have an I. Andy. I >> motion is pass. Moving on to the next item. We're going to go out of order. Which item you waiting for? >> The first of all business.
>> Let's go to Hudson and get just get him out of here. >> One Hudson Drive. >> One Hudson Drive. >> Appreciate that. >> And I would accuse myself. You need a motion to uh do that to rearrange the agenda? >> I don't think so.
>> I think I don't think we do. >> So, this is a request for certificate of compliance 2920410 and vote to release the $10,000 bond. >> Yep. This one drive um for additional
attic public storage incorporated. Um this is the asbuilt plan. So, uh, work on site has been completed within Kong jurisdiction. Um, and we're looking for the COC. >> Everything's a compliance.
>> Yeah. >> And that put that in writing. That was a compliance. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, we have, um, our professional engineer stamped it and our licensed land surveyor. >> Fantastic. >> So, I have not done a site visit for this because there's snow on the ground.
So, I'm just waiting for the snow to melt. Um, as far as the storm water, >> there's there's an asbuilt plant with an engineer substance. >> Is there anything in our order conditions that says they have to come back with something to get their
certificate compliance with >> for the storm? >> No, not specifically the storm. >> Okay. Well, then we then that's not our >> And we have and we have the asbuilt plan with a stamp from the engineer. >> Yeah. So, it's um >> we're just waiting on your site to have it done, right? >> Yeah. Okay.
Okay. Is it are we continuing it then until the snow is melted? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. Do you need another form for that? >> I don't know if that's continue though because it's not a public hear. >> We'll just put it on there.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> Don't worry about keeping yourself. >> No, that's okay. I get by the hour. >> There you go. questions for you later. >> Okay, back on new business item number
six, discussion of 159. What you're having? >> Um, I reached out to the engineer and I'm trying to set up um a time and day for a site visit. Clearly, there's snow on the ground. So,
>> what's that for? >> This is for 159 Bergkshire A. and it was the question on whether or not the work was um within a jurisdiction. We got some advice from Mass D to at least suicide visit to have a look at that um
that channel the un call the unsale trail. Um so once the snow melts hopefully we can get a site visit. If not, I feel like we can still see everything we need to see from the rail trail. So, at the very
least, we could walk along the rail trail and have a look. >> So, they don't know if they're they have to apply for a permit. What's the discussion on that? What what are we discussing? >> We are we are checking to see if that stream is jurisdictional because we got
>> Did somebody apply for a termination? Nobody applied, but we got advice from Mass D to go look at the stream >> and Mass D told LMC that they should do an RDA,
>> see if it's jurisdictional. >> Yeah. I mean, that would make sense, you know, just to go out there and we're not going to decide whether it's jurisdictional or not. >> And can LMC apply for an RDA on somebody else's property, though? >> That's surprising. >> They can. Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. That's I just curious. I didn't know that. Could I >> They did it. They did it before. Yeah. >> Right. Apply for an RDN. See what else is probably. >> You can you can absolutely. Yeah. >> You need to give that application to the owner. No, >> I would assume.
>> But yeah. >> Um but yeah, anyone can submit an RDA for any property. So >> Okay. >> So you got to have the LMC do that. Norm >> Oh, I don't know if they're going to do it at the last meeting. I had never heard of that happening. >> No, me neither.
>> He doesn't know that often. >> That surprise me. But >> so they might decide to do that knowing Dick. He probably will because >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> Let's get that resolved. You won't let him. >> Well, I mean, that's the first step, I
would think. >> Anything else? >> That's the big question at hand, really. I mean, >> yeah, because we that's been going back and forth for too many years. We need to get it on in paper in writing. >> Okay. >> I know at one point it was jurisdictional but the way
>> now I don't know. >> Okay. Next item. Discussion of seasonal trash removal conservation properties pawn conservation area preserve Gorge Lupinsky Preserve.
>> Yeah. So, I was asked if um we knew what we were going to do about um trash on these four properties from the building and maintenance. Um Steve um and so I'm here to ask if we should
hire someone to do those four properties for this coming season. Um, I'm also not sure if we still have the $1,500 for the trash removal in our budget. Uh, we have yet to
know our budget. U, this was requested in our budget for sure, but we didn't use that money last year. So, I'm not sure if they >> we can't answer that question until our question is answered. Correct. So, we don't How can we decide to hire somebody if we don't know if we have the money or not? >> Well, who does the other properties like
the boat ramps and things like that? That's Park and Wreck. Um, they are hiring I think someone for that. I don't know when they start. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> and Kevin Bishop do it. >> Kevin Bishop was doing it.
>> Yes, but he's in Florida now. He's gone. >> No, he's not gone. He's here. >> He's back. >> He hates Florida. Yeah. >> Went back last year. Said it was terrible though. >> Then maybe maybe if we maybe we need to hire him back.
Yeah, I'm at the vote. >> Let's find out if we have any money to hire anybody to start with. >> Okay, but that the question did pop up and it's a legit question. What are we going to do with the trash on those properties? So, >> and the dogs parked >> we'll put it in the charter for the open
space, >> right? That they have to do the trash removal. >> I mean, that is one aspect of it. So, I guess I don't know when we find out what our approved budgets are, but um I guess when I see that
>> we'll go we'll go back to it. >> So, how often would they be picking up the stuff? And >> it just depends on each property. Um weekly. >> Gravel Gorge weekly for sure. >> Yeah, Gravel Gorge I think is the one that most I thought we had somebody that
was doing that one of the neighbors doing that. >> Um I'm not sure if Bert does that anymore. >> North Pond's bigger than >> Granville Gorge. >> That's the big >> the expert over there. >> I think
>> there's a man that does it for you. >> The neighbor was doing it for a while. >> Yeah. I don't know who the neighbor is and I don't know if they Well, >> we have it in the budget. Can't we compensate the neighbor if they do do it? Um maybe
>> it's tough to that could be very hard to get that probably be insured and every other darn thing right to get paid from the town forms of ID and tax. >> What's that number? >> Full out a W9. >> It would need to be put into the system number W9 just like you said.
>> We'll table that till the next meeting. So we got to find out if we find out we can y >> but Steve but Steve said that he does not want to do it for build building maintenance. Um
>> no okay discussion for tree policy. >> Yeah >> I think we should have some trees. Yeah, >> true. >> We should ask. >> Um, this is coming up only because we have a lot of RDAs that come in. Um,
people who have one or two trees that they consider hazardous. Um, they call me in, I look at the tree, they want the tree down like now because they're scared of the tree. Um, and then I look at it and I say, "I don't think that's
coming down within the next." They want emergency certification, right? >> Sometimes they want emergency. >> That's the only way they can do it. >> Yeah. And this is the only way they can do it. >> Used to have Randy is the tree warden. >> Who's a tree warden now? >> It's um now Rich. >> So Rich should go out there, look at it,
and determine it. >> And he and he does, but there are other communities that do. They have a tree policy where um the commission allows the admin to uh give permission to remove like one, two, maybe up to five trees just depending on the the
community. >> You want to take that responsibility liability on >> li what kind of liability would it be? If you say no to somebody and the tree falls on their house, I >> put yourself in position of being able to say yes. >> This would allow
>> said I couldn't cut it down and down. >> Yeah, I already get those threats, >> right? >> But right now, it's not your responsibility. >> Responsibility. It's the commission's responsibility >> to have to h Well, >> we have a policy >> would be her responsibility. It would be her ability to say yes.
>> Yeah. He has the ability to say yes, but your ability to say I need to have someone else look at it. >> But the confusing part is what changed today that you need it down today. This tree's been here for 75 years and you
need it down today. What's significant? That should be part of the policy. What prompted the call today? >> Sometimes there is a legitimate >> by liking or exactly. Yes. You should have the ability to say yes.
policy that would she could go by to her actions. >> But all the trees we looked at today, bring that to us and we can take a look at it and see. >> Yeah, I had um I have East Hampton if you want me to bring it up on the
screen. >> East Hampton has >> guy who can get insurance. That's like, okay, I found out I can't get insurance. That's kind of I want to get my insurance. That's why I always I always put it off on the tree warden because if the tree warden's an expert at it, right? >> He says that no, the tree's in
>> perfectly fine shape, you know, to take it down, then I'm not going to be I'm not an expert at it, Sabrina. I don't know if you're how much expertise you have in >> I don't have a lot of expertise. I go by the tree warden. >> Yeah. So, I would stick to just doing emergency certifications with the tree
warden verifying it. I don't know why you'd want to change it. You'd take on more liability, responsibility, and and people being mad at you. >> I would hope that pe less people would be mad at me if I had the ability to
>> only if you told me they could cut it down. >> Yeah. >> A lot of people come in. >> The chestnuts are falling on my head. You know, it's danger because I'm getting in the head with chestnuts. >> I know. >> You know, I've had that happen. You >> I know. And when you said no, that's not or I'm walking on them and it hurts my
feet when I'm walking or the pine saps falling off the chair. >> So this is the East Hampton tree policy example. um to do something >> special criteria that would have to have
the criteria then >> you know if you saw an obvious problem like the tree rotten out or woodpecker holes or something >> this is just basically saying you can't just go >> even that doesn't happen overnight right >> running Hong Kong >> if a guste I mean, we've been doing good having
people cut permission to cut trees down over 10 years. >> People would just cut the trees down any better. >> Certified arborist. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Like you said, >> five trees. >> Well, yeah. Well, this is what we have
already. Yeah. as much of the >> but that would be an RDA as far as >> what's the mitigation criteria further down if it's an emergency and it needs to come down then that's one thing if it's just trees any tree diameter the plant
replacement tree requirement this sounds a lot like what we say though yeah >> we say yeah but they have said that they have to submit an RDA >> well not if it's an emergency emergency certification You just get the you get the tree warden. If he's not available,
you have to have an ar even if they come with an RDA. Sometimes you need to have an arborist to go out there, especially if it's we don't think it's a emergency. That woman with that tree behind her house was
look how long that took, right? I mean, it took forever. What's going on in the pond? Yeah. >> Yeah. It took years >> and you know >> she looked at it it was an emergency >> but she wanted to tell them to pay for it. >> That's right. A whole different
>> was like I'm not doing it. >> These people are hiring grains and that you know having people like Ryan come in or pretty much experts at it to explain what's going on. >> Can you get certified as a tree specialist? We get to >> go to school. We could have Sabrina
>> me >> be a certified tri. >> Yeah. >> Be a big pay raise. >> And you get a raise. >> And I'm not going to get paid more. >> Tell you that. >> I don't see any reason to change the way it
>> like they stand up. Like today we had three of them. We said okay all three of those. >> Look at the last. >> He used to be the guy by Granville. Remember he was Granville. of him. >> Yeah. Um, so that was a lot of years ago when he was talking about that pre >> because it was putting too much shade on
his house and it roof was uh >> getting mauled on. So >> yeah, that's right. We do make those decisions >> and he want he wanted us to pay for it. >> Made some tonight gentleman's trade. If it's an emergency is an emergency. If it's like
woollyadelged, it's not a true emergency. And they would come in with an RDA, you know, and do it that way. It wouldn't have to become because don't forget the emergency certification is good for 30 days. That's it. >> It's got to be a real emergency. You
have to do it for 30 days. >> You can't just >> We already have like, you know, Vista pruning and all that other stuff that it's allowed. >> Um, >> that's allowed. Well, >> you know, you have to follow all the rules, nothing within the 50 foot ball.
And then usually we have them plant a new one if they take one out. >> Yeah. >> Leave the trunk up. We don't >> we don't have a policy for administrative. We haven't >> That's what That's what I'm saying. >> Take the window out.
>> Instead of having them go through >> Yeah. instead of having them go through the process of an RDA for one or three degrees. >> Well, however, the emergency certification could be for the Is that what you're like more or less saying like, "Hey, these people want to
come and it needs to happen quickly." Wouldn't the emergency certification be the same thing? Yeah, the emergency certification is for something that is deemed to be like an emergency by by DPW. This is more for not so much
emergency. Um like so 11 Berkshire, he was worried about tree the tree branches and stuff falling at the house. He wanted it done like that week when I when I went out there. >> Yeah. Well, that I don't think that they
that's not an emergency. There's no reason they can't come with an RDA for that. Well, this was just me trying to streamline it because it's one of our >> I can do vista pruning like said, you know, that's fine. But as far as cutting a tree down goes, you know, we got to have >> they'll grab rip the stump out of the
ground. Well, nobody said I couldn't do that. You know, you have emergency certification. Yeah. >> Stump must remain. Yeah, if it was to like help you at all, I'd be for it. But I don't think I don't know if really changing the way this is really going to like like that is kind of going to give
more liability towards you, I think, or more risk. >> I won't have more or less liability. I It's all the same. >> But what I'm saying is like you either emergency certification or they wait two
weeks. Like worst case scenario, it's a month. You know what I mean? And then we they review that. >> And if you get the opinion of the official tree warden, you're kind of covered, right? >> People hear about you just without going just go down and tell them, "Well, Sabrina said it was okay."
>> I mean, this is what I ran across when I was in the commission when I first started. >> I never say that. >> Not you, but >> everybody on the commission that I work with before, right? Bob said it was okay or so and so so said it was okay. got to have it in writing. You can't it can't just be give people a verbal
>> Well, this would be this would be, you know, a legit application with me giving my approval >> without the commission voting on it. >> Yeah. >> You don't want to do that. >> I'm trying to I'm trying to streamline
things. Yeah. Because it's it's a very common thing. This is like the most popular RDA we have. >> Okay. >> You guys never really say don't do it. I kind of know what you're looking for. But >> if you guys want to keep that responsibility, that's fine. I
>> think it's a good idea. >> Yeah. >> You think it's a good idea >> to keep the responsibility open yourself up to potential problem? >> You're opening a can of worms. >> Well, that first paragraph says a hazard
tree is one that's identified by a certified arborist. >> Right. So if somebody comes into you with a certified arborist and says that tree is a hazard >> that that puts you in a difficult position. >> Yeah. For Yeah. >> Yeah. Just write an emergency
certification. >> Yeah. Okay. Fine. >> It's still have to go through a tree warden though because it has to emergency certification has to be >> somebody from the town has to >> authorize a DPW. But if someone calls her and says, "I want it down today."
Her answer can be, "Well, get a certified arborist >> to say it needs to come down today." Then we can go to the tree warden >> and he can sign it >> and they're not going to want to pay the 300 bucks to get a certified arborist over there. >> Or you can fill out an RDA for free
>> and wait a couple weeks. >> It's not for free. Um, and it does it takes longer than just two weeks because they need to they need to submit it within like they need to submit it within a two week time frame of the of the meeting because we need time to put
the publication in in the paper, >> process it, review it, have the meeting. >> So, and even like times like these, we have one meeting a month in the beginning of the year. So
>> for situations like that, >> but >> favorite question. >> Why? >> But yeah, I think it it might I mean I I get your point streamlining and
put too much on you alone is the direction the state is going and streamlining everything and uh letting people Okay. >> Their own inspections and write their own permits and
>> Okay. On to the next item. >> Review the draft of 74 college highway conservation restriction. We tabled this from last meeting so people could have time to reread it. We sent to you again.
Like to act on this one tonight. That's the historical society. >> Yes. >> Yeah. They read it end to end >> and this is not to like a final approval. This is approval from you guys before we send it off to the state >> state and they'll come back with a bunch
of different >> that you can raise cattle, pigs, chickens, but you can't allow overnight camping like just even low impact, but you can have a pig farm. >> It's just what a contrast.
It's specific nothing overnight. >> Yeah. >> Pigs can sleep over, >> not humans. >> Right. Well, unless the pigs. >> So, anybody willing to make a motion to endorse it?
>> Make a motion to endorse it. >> Okay. Andy made a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> Just made the second. Further discussion or debate? Roll call vote. >> What was this? I missed this. I'm sorry. I did. >> This is a historical conservation
restriction on their new property on 74 College Highway. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Dennis >> I cherry I >> have an I andy I >> unanimous vote discussion on associate members of the
commission update. I know that it was on the planning of the select board meeting >> earlier in just January. For some reason, that Zoom tape was never posted.
>> I don't think Did they have a That was a snow day. I don't know if they snow day. Okay. It's on tonight's agenda. >> Yeah. >> With with the slot board. >> Okay. >> But we have some documents from somebody here, don't we? Didn't I read that it has to go through the state
legislature that there has to be an approval? And >> yeah, >> there was an email sent that defined that >> there's there's two terms being thrown around, alternate and >> associate. >> Associate. So the associate um was on the agenda, but I think they
meant to say alternate, but I don't know what they said tonight. Um but Nicole asked town council um about an alternate member and an alternate member is a voting member and she said that um council said that we
would need to put forth a special act to appoint an alternate member that spec that um yes and a special act is when a city or town asks the Massachusetts legislature to pass a law that applies only to that
specific speific municipality instead of the entire state. So I had to look up what a special act was. >> Blackboard meeting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> we tried to do that to get the conservation commission elected, >> right? >> And voted the town meeting and went
through and then they stayed tabled it. >> Yeah. But this but this sort of thing and having an alternate for has gone through with other communities. It's gone through. >> Oh, really? >> Yeah. Yeah. So it be a voting alternate.
>> So yeah to be a voting somebody's absent >> they can come in s become part of the forum. We need that maybe >> Exactly. And so council gave me a couple of examples >> um and I mimicked that those examples to
create to create our own. You guys have a cop. Yeah, you have >> article 20. Um, so I I assume that Nicole is okay with us submitting something like this. Um,
let's see. Yeah. Do do you guys like it? Should we edit it? Should we not do it? Should we do it or an alternate number?
What did we we do Bob as an associate member? >> He's he's associate right now. So he's a non non voting >> but council gave us >> advice on how to get an alternate who is a voting member and that's the special
act. >> So maybe if we get the special act going to take a little while, >> huh? >> Could it be both? Not right now because we don't have if it goes >> I mean what would it >> if he goes through then I would assume we would bump him up to alternate.
>> Would it cost us anything or >> so time? >> So >> you got the time. >> Well I look at an alternate is stepping in for somebody else. >> Whereas an associate can be here no matter what. >> Right. Right. >> Well the alternate will be at the meeting.
>> I think it would just be not voting if all you were here. >> Yeah. Yeah, he's reading to discussions and things like that. >> Both can. >> Yeah, he can. >> That's why I That's what I was wondering. >> There's only six of you here plus me, >> right? Then I can break the tie. Yeah. >> Right.
>> But if appointed member is not here and you're short a quorum, then he can vote. >> Yeah. >> Well, that's better. >> What do we got to lose if we try? >> No. Doesn't anything back. >> Yeah. >> That way you can run along and you won't have to cancel. >> Yeah. Like I said, >> unless he's out too, you know,
>> or if we have four people and someone has to abstain, right? >> What do you think? >> Everybody else fell for it, too. Or >> Yeah. Yeah. The win-win really >> keeps Yeah, I got it.
>> I read it five times. I haven't >> hearing problem, you know. >> So, do we want to wait till we hear what the select board decided tonight or do we want to take that? >> I mean, I think we can make our decision tonight and then whether whatever. >> Would someone like to make a motion? How
do we word it? We >> It's right there in the paper. >> Just put it just like it says, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Like the one you read. >> Just like >> three times. >> Oh, there you go. Can we have a motion to proceed? >> I'll make a motion proceed. >> I'll second. >> An alternate member
>> with an alter and a second by Kevin. >> Roll call vote. >> I norm. >> Jerry I Andy I >> unanimous vote. Very good. >> Uh
public meeting on Cong Lake is scheduled for January 29th. It did take place. Chris did attend with his wife. I was not there. >> I was not there. >> Was not there. >> I was there at the two o'clock one.
>> Yeah. I got my times mixed up. >> Oh, >> but I heard uh from like management that they they thought it was both meetings were terrific. >> I wish there were more particip more public. >> Yeah. What did you >> But there will be more public uh invite
in the future. >> What did you take out of it, Chris? They have a good plan, but as far as developing everything, >> they will take care was it 65% if the plan gets approved. There's a lot of permitting. There's a lot of everything
else that goes with it. The town has to accept it. >> And then um it was a while back making >> end of a meeting. >> I get the gist of it. >> What are the strings attached to it? >> There's nothing.
>> There's nothing. It's it's they're going to put in a lot of work up front. >> Yeah, >> they already have. They they came in with all these uh depth stats on Great Brook showing the level of the base of the the brook and the base of you know
showing that it's down gradient as it goes farther into the brook coming back to the lake >> opposite of it's supposed way it's supposed to flow. >> Yeah. >> Well, >> so if you open those rear gates things are going to backflow into the lake. >> Wow. So it's showing need for that dredging. They've already done all those
stats. They have everything all done stuff in place. I was talking to Dick about it. >> Let us know. >> Massive supported. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Discussion of fall planting plan North Pond Conservation Area. Anything new to update there?
>> I asked um fire department about getting um that water pump and a generator. >> Yeah. and he said he might have a small generator or the chief said they might he might have a small generator and pump that should work to water the plants, but he needs to test the equipment and
he'll get back to me on that as far as um progress on the RDA. We're still kind of waiting for the snow to melt down a bit to before we do measurements. >> Figuring that this weekend I can get out there. I think because with the weather we're going to have it's going to be
melted enough >> like this weekend I was going to measure and once I get the measurements and drop a plan then I'll just is Connor's the one that's submitting the RDA so I'll just send to him and then hopefully he can get all that paperwork. >> Yeah, there's a couple things I needed
to update on the narrative that he commented on. >> Okay, good. There a tenative date on this one? think we need to get the RDA submitted >> wanted it to be around Earth Day
>> April. >> Yeah. To get like tears to come and plant thing. >> I won't be >> but I don't know if that's going to happen. >> It never seems to happen around birthday. >> No, I'd say that'd be a goal, but like we really be gone the week before that
this year because it's vacation Massachusetts. I'm usually gone that third week. this year. I don't think I am. >> Okay. >> All right. Discussion open space. We probably don't need to discuss it anymore. >> Oh, I think we did that.
>> Uh, no, because we already talked about the grant >> the table item on. We'll keep it on the table on the on the 485 Legiew Drive retaining wall. I have a short update
there. the we had asked our attorney asked their attorney if they were interested in developing a plan on how we handle these things in the future and they finally got back to me at the last Bufffield's mom meeting and their
attorney just got done with a massive trial and he hasn't done anything yet. >> I think it's true. Now, also at that uh conservation commission meeting, one prior to that, they approved uh the project at 4022
Mountain Drive, the lake fund property. Um it's just putting a second story on the footprint of the house doesn't change. It's just an basically an up addition. Still fencing proper or anything like
that. So, I have no problem with that. And that's Seattle update. Anything else from the conservation coordinator? >> There's a couple of things. Sorry guys, we're not leaving yet. Um, there is a possible violation at 292 North Lumis
Street. Um, let me bring up the the map so we can orientate. Come in a minute. Come. >> Okay. >> I got a lot of clicking to do. >> Okay. So, this is this is uh Granville
Road. This is North Lumis Street. And this is um the property that I'm talking about. Um there is let me bring up the DP wetland layer. So we've got we've got a brook that
flows through over here and then um possible bordering vegetative wetland over in this area. There is a um building right here. I think it's a garage. It was approved by building inspector in 2022. It's outside uh
riverfront and border buffer of border and vegetated wetland. However, if you drive by there now, they're doing some work. And this right here is that same building that was right snugged up against the tree line. Tree line has um
been altered back here. And it looks like they've put in some fill as well. Um it's it's probably within riverfront probably within bordering uh buffer of bordering
vegetative wetland this work back here >> like adding on. >> Yeah they're basically extending back pushing pill back >> and how close is that to the >> let me go back to that map so we can
have a look. So, this is that same building. Let me get a different aerial actually. One with no trees. Excuse me. Sorry, there's something like Okay, here we go. My way.
No trace. All right. So, this is that same building. Let me get a measurement tool and building right here. So that is 121 ft from possibly the edge
of the wetland. Let me take off that D wetlands layer though. There's like a distinct line here. I'm not sure what that distinct line is, but I can only imagine that wetlands right here. Upland is right here. And
>> it's probably a drop. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> so if I just scoot this out. So that's 100 feet right there. Oh, my my batter is running low. >> And then 200 feet is right around here from 200 feet from the
riverfront. That little curve. >> So he's staying out of the 100 but still adding looks like he's outside the 200 foot by about a >> Well, well right the house or sorry the building is that's not their house. The
building is outside the 200 foot. >> However, when you look now at the work, that's that same building. And I don't really see any trees behind that building. >> It looks like they've gone >> that pile of stumps is behind the
building. >> Back there. And now there's this new >> I don't know if they put Phil in or they just graded the area. I think that's Phil trees like four feet high. There's a big pile there, too.
>> Who's the owner? >> Um, I'm not sure. I can I can look that up. >> They have they have solar on the roof of the garage, so I'm sure they want to clear those trees out of there. >> Yeah, >> they're solar. Wow, you're very very
observant. >> So, yeah. You want somebody to go out there with you to knock on the door and ask them. >> Can we send them a a letter first to let them know and ask them to contact us for site visit?
>> Yeah, >> I can do that. We can we can do >> nice letter. Friendly letter. >> Yeah, >> it's been noticed that there's some alteration that possibly potentially could be >> Yep. in need of permitting or whatever. You don't
>> got I got it. >> Um, another update is our associate member. Um, I talked to town clerk about conflict of interest and over meeting law training. She said it would be good to do. So, and I get an email about that
and it asked me to sign up and then it was basically requesting a password which I never got. I guess everyone did this last week so maybe it's taking their their sweet time but uh >> you did. >> Okay, we can work on that. >> And then do I need to come into the town hall and
>> No. So, I don't think you do because I think all we all of your certificates that you get will get sent to to Christie. >> Okay. >> Automatically. Yeah, they do. >> Plus, I think they like to print them out. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> You do it online. >> Sure.
>> Yeah, they get sent automatically now. >> They're supposed to. >> Well, I I sent one in and she's emailing back. Got it already. Thank >> you. >> Yeah. >> You got anything else? >> Um,
yes. So, we just got Sorry. Sorry. That's >> just eat some candy. You'll be okay. Uh, and my computer just died, too. >> Nothing to read after. >> We got Yeah, we don't need any action on this now. Um, you have a packet in your
folders. This is from Martha, uh, Secretary of Space. >> Can you please read the cover letter and review the action items um that Comp is responsible for and let me know uh your comments.
I'd like to review or receive your comments by March 16th so I can draft up um a letter to um be approved on the April 6th meeting. This whole thing is due May 1st, but because of that
holiday, I just wanted to get it done. >> And that's it. One other thing that I can read into that's a letter from our chief administration officer Nicole Parker to all of the committees that involved the
chapter 61 conversions. Here's the letter. Pursuant to request for enforced protocols and in conjunction with the Southway 20 240 master plan, please be reminded that any and all notification
received regarding landowner intent of conversion out of MGL. Chapter 61 status must be stamped as received by the town clerk and immediately forward to the chief administrative officer. The CEAO
will review the documents for completeness. The town of Suffwick Southwick will not process insufficient conversion notifications. If found to be non-compliant, the document will not be
distributed to the relevant boards and commissions, but rejected and returned to the applicant to be resubmitted when fully compliant with the state regulations. Should that notification be found to be in compliance with state regulations, all parties will be receive an
electronic copy to present to their boards and commissions to act on relative to right of first refusal. If the individual board or commission committee responsibility to adhere to the regulated time frames regarding that notification and respond
directly to the CAO with their recommendations, the CAO will present the response to the select board to the board to approve on the matter of the right of first refusal. Nicole Parker >> Norm, do you know what the time frame is on that to get back to them once we get the
>> I've forgotten >> 21 days or do you know? I know it's compressed. >> Yeah, it was real short last last time. We didn't really have enough time to have a meeting even. >> It's good to see that they put that in the meeting. Anyway, >> yeah. >> And that's all what I have. Anybody else
got anything else they need to bring up? >> No. >> I'll take a motion. >> Make a motion. >> Did you not hear that? >> Yeah. >> Oh, okay. >> Do we have a second? >> Be all over it. >> Roll call vote.
That is norm. And I was just thinking, should I talk about believers or not? I don't have to talk about the believers. We're doing it all right. So a fever