meeting will this is a lake management meeting we will come to order at 7 pm and I'll meeting is recorded anybody else recording the meeting needs to notify the chair that they meet >> lift is requesting >> you have anybody any guests
>> no guest >> he's on >> yeah and he's recording >> oh he's recording okay >> yes make a note yes recording Okay. Yep. Got it. Okay. All righty. So,
first first thing is attendance and I will do that. Norm Chver >> here. >> Mike Kums >> here. Malcolm Bay is not. Mike Debay >> here. >> Dick Gran's here. >> Scotty Graves >> here. >> Eric Mueller >> here. Paul Murphy >> here. Paul Yoka >> here. Long
she's here. >> Okay. And we are ready to go with the minutes. And the there was a I passed out some reason page two didn't uh reproduce properly.
So got uh additional copies here. Any comments, questions, concerns, changes? >> I had no comments. I I read the first part at home on the second page. I don't
see anything on that either. So >> I recommend we >> motion somebody >> is the motion. >> Norm it norm. >> All in favor. >> Opposed abstain. Unanimous.
>> Okay. And I'll go down. Norm Chver. >> I. >> Mike Kums. >> Hi. >> Uh Mike Deet. >> Hi. >> Dick Ran. I Scotty Graves. >> Hi. >> Eric Muller. >> Hi. >> Paul Murphy. I O yok >> I >> Okay, affirmed update. Norm
>> short one. Uh we had an RDA for removal of two trees at 162 Bshire A which we approved. >> Dick got to witness the tree coming over the house. That was quite >> they had a crane or
>> Oh yeah, I bought that sucker. >> I'm glad it didn't miss. Well, we discussed two other items that are on our agenda, so I'll wait to hold comments until then. Uh, and Sfield Concom did have a meeting, but they did
not have anything on the agenda that had to do with the lake. It's the concom update. >> Okay. No late involves. Gotcha. All right. Uh, next is
Empic. and pick. We uh did our uh annual report to the select board and planning board last Monday or this past Monday. Uh it went very well. We're well received. Uh the high point of the night is that
we've got 13 of the 24 lead organizations reporting, we've got 12 completions that will be done by June 30th of next year. another dozen the year after. But we expect that'll go up as as more
committees make commitments. And that's the mic update and I will >> I will send you an update. >> A CRC update. Do you have any Paul? >> Um no. All we had at the party was party.
>> Okay. So we'll get back together and continue on from that. Any more discussion about um the beaver dam removal? >> No, >> nothing yet. >> Okay. >> That's gonna have to I'll have to talk to their board.
>> Yeah. Can you confuse me? >> Yeah. When they start meetings again, we will >> Oh, okay. All right. You got to wait for the meetings. >> Yeah. >> All right. Hope I don't know. That's uh they're busy. >> They're busy being >> busy busy uh building. One thing that
would be helpful Yeah. >> before I have the discussion is some idea of the cost involved and how many times a year. >> I think I think you guys should ask that because it in other words if it's the town doing it the town he has to be paid
prevailing wages. If the CRC is doing it it's whatever you guys come to an agreement. >> So we need to stay out of it >> because otherwise it would be only prevailing wages. Okay. So, if you can check on that, give
John a call. And I I would think we should plan on probably four or five services, right? In a season. In a season. Maybe a half a dozen worse. >> How many times did we have them down there this year? Do you remember how fast? >> How many? >> How many times we've been down there
this year? Three. I think we had and we used the DPW for we gates. >> Yeah. >> He only did the Connecticut stuff that I >> Right. We'll continue to use DPW for the Wegates. >> Five times between Connecticut and Mass >> because you had Connecticut one time, we
had Kane three times and we had Massachusetts how many times? >> Half a dozen. >> Yeah. Worst case is a half a dozen. >> I think that gives you a a target. a dozen visits. Okay. And moving along. Uh I put that
early. So the next thing is the chapter 91 um forms. And what I did is I included >> chapter you don't mean chapter.
>> Yeah. LPP forms and the so I included the Mass and Connecticut. The front side is the the permit, the back side is the the information that they get sent in the letter. So you need to look at both.
Uh we did have one comment so far about not the not being able to put the number um the three inch high numbers. >> Yeah. on the there's no there's no on a
boat lift >> right >> at the end my recommendation is just to simply >> where it says boat lift >> yeah just strike that >> y >> yeah strike boat lift >> yeah both on the mass and Connecticut >> you always put that sticker itself just
to wrap it around >> do that it's just >> it's the location is the thing because it ends up about this long >> y >> there's no way to get it on there >> put it on the dock but But not on the right. Right. >> No, that's a good thing.
>> And I don't think anybody puts them on the boys, but that's okay. >> They are they they >> I know there's a closer, but you don't see them on there. >> You know, we've had a lot of the a lot of the buoys have not even been permitted in
the past, you know, they just appeared. Um, so next, uh, but any other comments on that besides the eliminate the code number on the, uh, lifts?
So, are we are we good? Do we want to make the recommendation to go with what we've got now minus that the lift? >> You think that people will need to put them on all the boys? >> No. If you got a problem with putting it on a lift, it's not going to fit on most
boys. >> Sure. Styrofoam floats. Some of them you just they don't stick anything to these. >> Yeah, I would say let's I would agree. Let's scratch the the need to put them on a buoy. >> I mean, reality is you need one clear one that you can read. >> Know where you are.
>> You know where you are. That's all for >> the point, right? >> All right. So, scratch the word buoy. Also, >> that's the objective. and moorings. >> Okay. >> So, we we have >> swim float >> swim float outboard end of dock. That's it. Right.
>> Yeah. Take the boy off >> and take the the uh >> location code. >> Yeah. Because the moing got the same problem. No place to put it. >> Right. >> And the whole idea is to be able to know where you are.
>> Right. On the water. >> Okay. So, I think it'd be nice to have a uh vote to say, you know, we concur with as we just marked it. U
all right. So, take a motion from somebody. >> I'll make a motion. >> So, is this something we push to conservationist and then it's going to go to normal? Right. >> And you were the one, >> right? It's just that we we have concurred as a group. >> Oh, that's okay. So we have a motion
Eric have a second >> I'll second it >> might be >> and all in favor >> opposed obstain that's unanimous >> okay I'll run down the thing
>> we have >> norm ran's eyes I Scotty Graves >> hi >> Eric Mueller hi >> Paul Murphy >> hi >> Paul Yoga >> hi >> okay we're good affirm currently. Moving on,
move to the next page, which is the hydrella project. Now, we just got that report. I do have, if anybody wants to look at, I do have the color maps, but you can see the white dots um
on the >> very small areas, >> very small areas. >> And and so they mapped the uh invasive species back Oh, that was what the first one. There's a date on it.
>> Yeah. >> So, the first Right. So, the early season survey was on the 29th of May. >> Um, then they did a hydrillaa survey on the 2nd of July >> in front of your house. >> And then an August hydrillaa survey on
the 13th of August. >> Yeah. >> And very little, you know, >> Rick's corner. >> But that's great. But >> that's good news, >> right? But it only is that way because we're treated >> treated, right? So you have the the final report and you
have the they do have uh you can see there's some verbiage at the front of it talking about what they did and and all that stuff, >> the treatments. >> So it's kind of an FYI, >> right? But it it does sort of illustrate
how much you have to stay on top of it. Oh yeah. You know, unlike, you know, our other invasives where we treat once a year and we're all set, the hydrillaa, >> we actually have to be on it twice a year. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. >> Well,
>> or or possibly three if it if that what it takes, right? >> Right. But clearly at least twice a year. And yes, it's small areas because >> we're keeping it. >> Because we're keeping it because if we weren't, then >> all of a sudden you areas to treat. >> Yeah.
So, and then then so if there are no other questions on that, the next thing is the NRCS uh canal and Great Brook restoration project. Yeah. >> Uh we have a teams meeting tomorrow. I will be there. You're going you're going to make that one. >> I think I can't make that one.
>> If you can chime in, you know, you can come in remotely. Uh you're going to be there. I'm going to be physically here tomorrow for it. >> Is that 11:30, right? >> 11:30. >> 11:30. That's >> 11 11. You'll be late from 11:30.
>> Okay. Um, and what you have here is the minutes from the last one. What I just handed out is the uh agenda for tomorrow. The few pages that I because I just got it. It just came on the email. Now, >> say, can I get one of those for me?
>> Um, did I? Okay. I don't Maybe I got one asked you one. >> I don't think there's one to norm. >> Oh, I'll get them here. >> I didn't get one in the mail. At least I had one until this afternoon. >> Thank you. >> I gave you one.
>> Okay. Anybody else need that's going to attend it tomorrow or not? >> Okay. Um and I have been sending them just just as an update. I sent them all kinds of information on uh the fact
today I finally got the original design for the wear gates on Canalbrook U and I emailed that to them. They there's a a repository where you just upload it to it so everybody can see it, everybody that's on that committee. Um
and I've sent them all kinds of data. I also sent them the uh Connecticut assessed valuation of all the waterfront homes. Um are we are working on the mass
one the our what do you call assessors were busy with this re-evaluation but what I did is I took that data and Elaine is working on that. She's um one of our tax
work off people. She was looking for additional work. So, she's she's doing manually taking out every um home. And I gave her the list. And I also gave her the the one that has all of the roads and the codes for the
LP so it make it easier for her. >> Yeah. And so she's going to go in and give me a tally of each road and what is the value of the properties and that way we can also determine what is the value of the taxes collected on those properties, >> right?
>> Because it's very current. It's brand new assessment. So that will go there too. So I they already have Connecticut. Um, the other thing she's going to do is update what I did several years ago, which was the value of call it the value
what it would cost for for flood conditions at 229.5 ft MSL, which is the FEMA flood number. and I went through a painstaking process to identify what structures
would be damaged um in Connecticut and Mass uh where we think septic systems are and that's all you can do is say and we think they're kind of in this area um and that's more applicable to that's only applicable to Connecticut right now
because masses on on sewers with the exceptional corner of North Pond and they're all high over the water they're not So at any rate, um that data I've compiled, she's going to update it now based on the new
assessments. >> So that'll help. >> And it's it's it's septics, but it's wells also. >> Yes. And wells, right? And the other thing the other thing that we have to get and I've asked um economic
development is what is the other impact? What do the lakes bring to the town, to the business community, the the tournaments and everything else? What do they what do they spend? Uh and
actually what's going to happen I I was having a discussion with u couple people about that. They're going to ask Pinter Valley Planning to get involved because they have kind of like a formula for doing that and it would be better to have somebody who knows, okay, the right
questions to ask, right? And then we fill in the blanks. So, they're going to see if they can get DVPC to kind of run that and that'll give us a much better uh estimate for what is the financial
impact to the town that the lakes bring to it, what kind of dollars. So, that's that's what I've been busy on. Lots of lots of hours on that. And then,
um let's see. NRCS that's pages that was 24 through 30 and then 159 Berkshire update starts on 31 and that so what I what I did was talk with
Mark Stinson who's the circuit writer DP um very familiar with what's going on there and he very kindly I had heard of other maps that were available and he uh went and looked on
this mass mapper and sent me a couple of examples. He also sent me the link and then I went on that and I get got these maps that you're looking at. If anybody wants to see the color ones, I have them here. Uh but you can see that this if
you look at each year in the upper leftand corner. So in 2001 it was fully forested and then as you look you know 2005 it was still fully forested and then you go
to 2013 and there's a whole area that's been cleared. >> It's now all sand. And then you go to 2019 when that overflow occurred and you could see there's there isn't a there
isn't any anything that's green >> in that whole area. It's all sand including it went right down and and stripped out everything that was down in the corner uh that was wetland and
hydric soils and everything. So what we we continue to ask for here is a a cease and desist be the issue because if this is not a matter of if it's going to occur, it's when you know if
>> Yeah. Yeah. If if it happens, you get a bad rain in the middle of winter, >> we get heavy rain. It happens. >> Yeah, it happens. And when the ground's frozen, got no place to go except into the lake. So, at any rate, I don't know if we want uh or if you have anything.
Did you have any discussion about it, Norm? >> We did. We read your letter into the record. >> And we asked for the plans. We've received the plans and it's on our agenda for Monday night.
>> Oh, good. And the plans just a the plans are a very cryptic and b they don't appear to be being followed because if you look where the work is going on
>> looks like they shifted the the stream to the north. >> Yeah. >> I haven't looked at the plans yet myself. So yeah the plans are are like I said cryptic at best. Okay. And and we've recommended in the past
and in here again that there is a third party that oversees this work, not the person who designed it. You know, that's Fox in the hen house. you know, you need should be as um Nicole Parker has said,
our CEO has said, for any of these projects, there should be a third party uh that's paid for by the one that's doing the work and they oversee it and they report to the town, >> a disinterested party.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Great. Oh, yeah. Absolutely. So, I don't know if we need any other vote on this right now. Um, sounds like it's Hong Kong's got it on their Monday agenda. >> That's good. >> That's good.
>> And I think we need it's well past the the growth period for any anything. >> Yeah. >> There's nothing going to grow now. So, stop, you know, do not do anything else. And I think we need to insist on a uh a
real design and permit if it's going going to be a detention pond there that should be permitted. We had to do it for the one that's across, you know, on the Oldtown Beach. >> Yep.
>> So, I mean, it's only fair. Well, it's correct. Yeah. So I do you think we should have a a vote to concur with what's stated here? >> I don't think it would hurt.
>> We can, >> you know, uh it's our position and I did talk at length with um what he called Mark Stinson and he says you know when it after it happens then
they can get involved because it's too late. In other words, statute of limitations. >> But when the when we have an overflow and it winds up in the lake again, people will get involved and then it's fines and everything else. >> Wonderful. After the
>> Yeah. After the fact out of the barn, >> right? After the horses left, we'll shut the door. >> We'll shut the door. Right. So, I think we should have a motion to concur with this um with the letter email. and it's
it's in everybody's hands, you know, all the all the different uh parties involved. So, anybody concur with that? Anybody want to make a motion? >> I'm going to make a motion. I'm going to
ask a question. Didn't Didn't this get written based on a vote we already had on this? >> Yeah, this is summarizing the latest information. to do for us. >> Yeah, this is summarizing the latest information that we got from Mark Simpson. >> Oh.
>> Uh which is all these maps that that show what what uh happened. And it truly violated our stormwater bylaws. By the way, >> once you get past one acre of clearing, you have to have a storm water permit.
So obviously that never happens. >> Yeah, I know. I'll make a >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. I second. Scotty. >> All in favor?
>> Opposed? Abstain. >> Unanimous. Sorry, I could go down the >> All right. >> Norm Chver. >> Hi. >> Mike Kums. >> Hi. >> Uh, Mike Deet. >> Hi, >> Dick Ran. Hi, >> Scotty Graves.
>> Hi, >> Eric Mueller. Hi, >> Paul Murphy. I >> Okay, confirmed. >> Good. All right. Next. >> And let's see. Third party or sub. All right. I didn't
look this up. Eric, hold on. Let me just catch up with my own notes here. Scotty. Okay. So, next thing is the draft notification, um, which Eric's been working on. Anything new on that?
>> No, I uh exchanged some uh back and forth with Doug uh and we kind of agreed, you know, we'll we'll pick it up in January. >> Okay. >> It's just, you know, there's so much going on the year and I don't think we're going to have any algae blooms right now. No, we're thinking >> we're thinking it's we're thinking it's
safe to to wait until January let things quiet down. >> Yeah. >> And they are very busy right now. Slug for >> So it's >> and it's also budget time. I just got the >> Yeah. >> the package for budgets. >> Yeah. So it's >> all right. I think that's a good idea. >> Y
>> All right. And I mean I I have a draft thing that he and I have been through twice and you know so I think my guess is we'll do one more round and then it'll be time to show to to show it to a wider >> wider audience. Okay. Um
>> and and make sure we discuss you know because that that procedure specifies specific people as being responsible for specific things. Yeah. >> So we want to make sure those specific people are on board. So yes, I get it. I'm responsible for that.
Um, okay. So, 157 Feeding Hills Road is the next thing which starts on page 42. >> Yeah, I haven't followed that. >> Um, and that's another one that's an accident waiting to happen. Um,
hurricane of 55 took out the bridge on Route 57 on Feeding Hills Road, right by that spot. It also at the time put water in into the building. So now these three buildings have been added in the flood
zone which you can see in the maps. >> Um >> and I'm just I don't know my I don't know exactly where 157 is. Is this >> that's great. So is so this relation to the
lake is what I'm trying to >> it's on great brook >> it's down >> which is which is supposed to be made up >> but is also carries a lot of water >> right but but today I'm just saying today this is not this isn't really part of the lake today right
>> but but NRCS is working on restoring that flow and and so now we're going to add buildings that can plug the >> Okay, got it. Okay, I was just I was trying to I was trying to going to spend millions. >> Yeah. No, I was just trying to piece together, you know, why is this on our agenda? I see that.
>> That's why. >> Okay. Got it. >> So, at any rate, the buildings are in the flood zone. They should have been >> should not have been allowed to be built. I do not believe there were any permits taken out to build it. >> They were never permitted. Right. From my understanding.
>> Yeah, that's my understanding, too. and they are perfect targets for plugging up the bridge um that goes under Feeding Hills Road and that carry I have seen the water come over onto the pavement in
on Feeding Hills Road during rainstorm heavy really really heavy rainstorms so we've already been looking at uh that's on the target for eventual replacement to meet the current storm water standards you know the the the larger
storms and it would probably be if I had to guess it's probably going to be twice the width that it is now and it will be certainly a lot deeper than it and higher. I would envision that they would raise the road in that area uh to give
it more headroom to get water out of there. And a lot of that will come out of what happens with NRCS. They're going to come with recommendations for any orphases along the way. there are several along along its path that have to be fixed. So, at any rate, uh just to
bring everybody kind of up to date, we uh we discussed this item at our meeting too. >> Okay. >> And I I read the letter to the record. According to Dennis Clark, >> yeah, >> the gazeos are effectively not in the
zone because they're on stilts. They're above the high water mark. >> But if you look at just just think about look at the ones that are houses that are on stilts on the coastline and on
rivers that go into the into the drink. >> He's more of authority than I am on the subject. That's all I can tell you. >> I guess what I'm a little quizzical about is they're unpermanented structures, >> right?
independent of independent of whether they're in the flood zone on stilts, not on stilts. They're unpermanented structures. I'm trying to understand how well >> that's outside of conservation. Yes, >> conservation approved this years ago. >> I mean, that could be a problem.
>> Okay. Conservation approved >> what? >> Because they're on stilts. >> Because they're on stilts. >> Okay. But but but they have no they had no building permit which is not conservation's job. Right. >> Right.
>> So it would seem that somewhere >> the buck should stop someplace. >> Now if they have a request to put some ramps in >> right >> for handicap. We believe that should come back to concom. >> Yes. I agree. Okay. Yeah.
>> Because those are are are definitely in the flood zone. And another piece of information that surfaced, which was new information for me, was that Hurricane Diane caused North Pond Dam to breach.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Correct. >> Yeah. And North Pond emptied. >> Yes. >> And it was the result of that that caused the bridge to go out. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, that won't happen again. >> True. Now, there may be another hurricane that brings lots of rain, but
the North Pond is not going to empty, >> right? The North Pond plug isn't going to wash out, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. It's I mean, it's >> that's highly unlikely. >> It's still It's still a It's still a sand plug. >> Yeah. >> You know, Right. But there's an awful
lot of a lot of sand. >> Wasn't that a sand plug in 55 when it washed out? >> That's correct. Yeah. More than Could it happen again? >> Yes. There's more there now than >> like that being downstream of the lake. >> Yeah, but I mean it's now kind of a hill beyond there that wasn't there in 55.
>> Yeah. Because they moved the upper part of that land down into the lower part and filled it in. >> Right. >> And put the houses up there >> and put the houses there. So, we hope that there's enough um it certainly is
above the 229, but the hurricane hurricane Diane went well above 229. Well above >> Yeah. >> One of four feet. >> Yeah. >> By the way, al along with the bridges you're talking about the new bridge
you're putting in. I don't know if anybody's seen it yet. I just noticed it the other day because I haven't been around, but when you go down Phelps Road >> to the Corey, you take a left like you're going to Graanby, they shut that road. >> Yeah, >> because they're replacing that bridge had all that. >> Yeah.
>> Construction markers going on also. >> Okay. So, that's what is going on. I suspected that's why >> it said >> they replaced one of them. >> Yeah, I believe it said the bridge is being replaced if I remember right. >> Yeah, they replaced one already, but this must be the second one then. Yeah. >> Okay, that's good. That's good news.
Um, all right. I think we I don't know if we have to do anything on that, make any recommendations. I mean, from a from a safety standpoint, putting some I I haven't seen what kind
of stilts it's on, you know, whether they kind of propped it up uh and I made the comment. >> I mean, it to me that seems like code enforcement, right? there's a building. >> Yeah, it's if there's a building per if there isn't a building permit, I think that's a problem. And if there is a
building permit, then presumably there's a design that had to be approved. >> I know that they have been talking with the town beyond because they didn't get building permits. Yeah. But I'm not aware of any um solution to it. >> Yeah. And and they also did not have
handicap access to them either. And the other thing that came up, this was the previous building inspector had shared that um the access to those buildings. Well, turn it around the other way. The access to restrooms from those
buildings, there's so many feet you have to be within a restroom. Um and those did not meet that code, that part of the handicap accessibility code. And so, uh, and what Norm just brought up is very
valid is once they put ramps up, those are now in the flood plane. Anything you build that takes you from the ground to the floor of those buildings. And originally they they had a couple there's two or three others if you one
of the color pictures that I have some other funky things that are down there like uh uh >> but I would think that if the if the stilts are what get you out of the flood plane problem surprises but okay let's just say that's true then I would think
there would need to be an approved design >> of those >> right that you know that with an engineering stamp you know a PE stamp saying, you know, this meets the following, you know, whatever whatever the requirements are that that this
design meets that and that then that's submitted to the town. The town issues a building permit. The building inspector inspects as it's being built, you know, all the >> normal code issues, not they're not lake management issues. >> No, we just don't want to be >> code issues. Agreed. It's a code
enforcement. Yes. >> Yeah. >> What was the purpose of those things since I've never been in them? He was going to use them for for dining areas. >> They put them up during co where they started them. >> That's when they started >> and they were putting up so they could
have large groups separate from everyone else. >> But then the issue came up because I was part I I heard this one is that the other problem that they have is parking. If they allow those to be populated, they have to depopulate
the main building. kind kind of like what happened with with uh 141 Kong. So if you if you increase over here outside, you know, you let them populate the outside uh
>> then right your your parking only allows you a certain number of patrons total. Period. If you add more patrons here, you have to take patrons away there. >> Right. And so that was an issue that was brought up by the uh building inspector. >> Again, code enforcement. Yeah. Right.
Right. Just further information, Scotty, they were originally the concept originally was open air gazeos, >> right? Right. >> They're now totally enclosed. >> Totally enclosed building. >> By the way, they're all
much larger than originally planned. >> Oh, yeah. >> And that was an accident. >> Yeah. >> By the owner. >> And they And they were not and and >> and they're not permitted. >> And they're not permitted. >> But aside from that, they're fine. >> Yeah. Yeah, you're right though about that size. They they grew a lot.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> They're probably getting taxed though. >> I don't know. >> All right. So, um the mass D TRC meeting is tomorrow. We're going to intend to attend. Um there's usually about 10 12
people on that. Uh from bar engineering, NRCS, he's back. He was at the last one. um the engineer that kind of oversees all this and there's usually three or four people from PAR engineering and we
have three or four people from here uh either Nicole will probably attend or uh Naen the assistant CEO and so bless myself
Mike Debbay Norm Chver um Sabrina may or may not I don't should kind of plan on it. >> And Eric, if if you can >> Yeah, at the moment about an hour >> about an hour. >> About an hour.
>> Yeah, maybe I can make it. We'll see. >> At the moment, I thought at that time, they're interesting meetings. Um, they get into some good nuts and bolts. If you want to read about >> uh the reports,
>> here's the agenda for it tomorrow. You have the minutes from the last one. >> Okay. >> Um, you know, clearly in the spring things will things will speed up. >> Oh, yeah. Because >> right now it's not the time to be in the brook, >> right? Um,
and the other thing we had was a meeting with Mass D and TRC, uh, which was they this was a public hearing type venue and there were probably out here in the audience maybe
half a dozen about about a half a dozen people in the audience and then couple online. >> Yes. and and we were here, Eric, myself, weren't you with that one or no? >> No, I don't remember. He he was okay.
And so what this does is it we were we were confused to be honest when we heard this they're going to have this meeting. And so then I provided a lot of information about what we've already done to improve the water quality uh
stuff that I I spent like two hours on the phone with Matt. >> Yeah. >> Going through stuff. >> So we kind of before they got here, they got a lot of data and a lot of information about what we've done so far. What this does for us, there's a
process, but it opens us up to more S319 grants. You have to go through the process first. Now that got changed uh the S319 which I got three of them for the town. Um but the process has changed
for the S319. So you need to do this ninstep. I think it is. >> Well, well that it's in it's a very interesting thing because they basically come to us and ask how do you want us to go with this? Do you want us to go with this with this ninestep process or the
TMDL approach? And um from all of the and we don't know a lot about this >> and from what we were able to glean from our discussion the ninestep process seems to give the most flexibility to the to the town for how to how to go at
things >> go forward >> you know and and and it opens avenues of potential funding. Yeah. They don't they don't come with funding, but it creates avenues for funding. So that we the requirements for the S319 grants have
changed and apparently if you don't have one of these plans now you can't go after the S39 funding. >> It's like step one. >> So so you know I think we will need to circle back with them. Um you know with the Yep. you know we want to take you
know your your ninestep approach. Yeah. >> Right. we take your ninestep approach instead of the TMDL approach. And um and yeah, you know, let's you know, we're we're very happy to to have additional help. One of the things we talked about
briefly is, you know, are there are there measurements that we're currently not making or would be challenging for us to make that would be useful in getting later funding at that they could potentially take on. And so there there
was some rough discussion of that. You know, we the fact is we have a lot of a lot of measurements already. So, you know, I'm not sure they realized how much was here until they got into it and was like, "Okay, yeah, you guys have already done a lot of what they would normally
do." >> But there were questions asked like I'm like, "Yeah, we never measured that." Um, and so potentially potentially could do that. My biggest interest would be um measurements that enable us to open up
funding channels to do things >> for future project needs. >> Um but as as I as I said to them, look, you guys, this is another set of eyes looking at this. >> Maybe you come up with something we haven't thought of. you know, this is,
you know, we kind of laid out the priorities that we've been talking about for a long time, like, you know, like the idea of getting funding to uh to be able to dredge the shallow coes. And one of the things they told us about is that has actually already happened in the
eastern portion of the state. >> One of the counties actually got themselves a dredge and they have state employees who run the dredge and they're doing exactly what we would like to do here. >> Yeah. So, you know, at least there's a path there, you know, how'd you guys do
that? Um, >> so, and I've sent them a lot of at their request. I have sent more information. Again, they want to know economic benefits, a lot of the same information that we're sending, you know, sharing with NRCS, right? >> They're looking for the same thing
because they want to know what's the bang for the buck. you know, if we invest, if we help you get grants to do X, Y, and Z, what does it mean? Right? So that, you know, so they, you know, they did indicate that there's actually
sort of a a a statutory requirement, a legal requirement, um, from through the Clean Water Act. You know, the Congam Lakes are officially identified as impaired waterways. And because they're impaired, we're
required to do something to ameliate that. And so we're like, okay, that's fine. Somebody want to pay for that? Yeah. >> You know, so, so, so there is a thing we can tap here. And it's, it's a different
channel, you know, we haven't, and I'm serious, may, you know, maybe they'll come up with something is isn't on our list. You know, we have a list. We kind of know what we think should happen next. If they come up with something else, great. Or or if they just help us grease
the skids to get something funded, that's also great. >> Yeah. And this process is is part of that. You know, this ninestep process is part of seeking funds and being being eligible to first you have to be eligible to go. And that's this the
wrinkle that got put in a few years ago. Yeah. Um, and it's >> all about the protocol. It's all about protocol, >> right? Yeah. Right. So, so now basically if you don't have one of these in place, you're you know, you you that's a ticket to the dance for S39 funding. If you
don't do that, you don't have a ticket to the dance. >> Well, maybe we've been chasing the tail for a long long time now. We need to get to the front of the horse. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm with you. >> Have they did they imply or have they have plans places they've already done this with or is it
>> No. So the so I I think I think there's a lot of things that are kind of unclear to me. Um and I get the sense that some of this is in flux meaning some of this is somewhat new >> for them
>> for them. And so I don't I don't mean that the whole concept is new. I think the legislative backing for this concept a lot of this is at a federal level goes back quite a few years. So legislation gets put in place, but there's no one to do any of that work.
>> And now what's happened is they've started to actually over the years build up a group that's actually capable and outside engineering firms who are capable. And so I think those handshakes are starting to happen and and we can
potentially be fairly early in this. >> Yeah. >> Um you know what will this net us? I don't know. >> Yeah. We'll have to see. We'll see. But this TRC is is a is a big outfit and got a lot of lot of different capabilities
that they can bring to the table if they so desire. In other words, if Mass C is willing to continue funding them to help us. And that's kind of it's it's a kind of like a two-way street. >> And it's it's I believe it is not lip
service. I think they really want input from the local communities that they're engaged with. You know, sometimes you see these things where it's required and you get the sense that it's lip service. >> You got to check the box >> that I I don't get I don't get that sense. I mean, I I think they really
want they really want the input, you know, and they did they did tell us about things that they got involved with where they were very unhappy because they moved it along and then the local community was like, we don't want that. >> They dropped the ball on it,
>> you know. So, they were they were like fully engaged and then the whole thing was shut off >> and so they they don't want to do that again. So they're they're reaching out early on and they're glad to see that we're very engaged in all this. And so you know it so I think we've been able
to tell them the story pretty clearly that look if you engage with us in something >> it's not going to fall apart. You know we're we're going to have the backing. And one of the things that was a good example of that is the funding of the Allen treatment.
>> Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's like, okay, you know, that real money >> got put in and it really happened, right? It wasn't just talk. You know, the town did it, put money into it, made it happen. >> So, so that's a, you know, we we have a
track record of achieving stuff, not just talking about it. And and that also drove us into the discussion about the dredging the the muck out of the coes because we we collectively agree that you alum is useless in in shallow water
because it's washed away by wave action and by wind action. And so the only way you can fix that if you want to get the phosphorus out is you got to remove it. >> Dredge it. >> And that's how we got into this discussion about dredging. And then they offered, yeah, you know, this has
happened at XYZ, whatever that place was. >> So, and they've got they're a good source of contacts, too. They, you know, they've been very helpful in providing contact information. >> It'll be interesting to see where it goes. You know, I'm I am really
interested to see how did that >> how did that county in Massachusetts get that to happen? >> Yeah. >> You know, how' they get the funding for that? How did that happen? because that's kind of exactly what we would like here. >> Sure. >> The the same kind of a the same kind of thing.
>> And at one time our when u John Belis and Nick Ba were trying to get a like a couple of dredges assigned to district two, Mass District 2 and have
that was the thought process, right? uh have them own them, manage them, maintain them, and be the ones that use them >> so that you have people who know what they're doing and can because they always require maintenance. And you have
to certain things you have to be careful of, >> you know, otherwise you can destroy them. And you don't want to take a multi-million dollar piece of equipment and hand it off to somebody goes, I don't know what that thing's for, you know. >> So, I think this was a a really good
info share. I felt that uh you know we we talked after the meeting was over for quite a while too. We just kind of were yakking about some of the things we've talked about in there. >> Yeah. So I think the picture the picture that we talked about is a picture look
there's multiple ways this could go but one of the ways that we were talking about is Masot has the dredge. They have the people who maintain the dredge and then basically because we're not the only lake with this issue, right? >> And then the lakes apply
>> and you get in >> say, oh, you know, okay, you know, so the we can do so many dredging projects next summer. Where are we going to do them? And then we apply just like other lakes apply and we'll win sometimes, we'll lose other times. And you know, if
we could go at, you know, two coes a year for a while, >> that'd be phenomenal. >> We could make a real dent. >> And we've already prioritized, you know, we've got all the data that the Army Corps uh gave us. >> Yeah. That that that's the other thing
is the reality is we kind of have a leg up. So if this happens it's like you know you talk about shovel ready >> all that all those measurements that everybody needs to do before they can do the we did all those >> so if you know so so if if that comes up it'll be like okay oh yeah prioritize
>> but you guys need to measure volatile organics got that >> done that >> you got you know but you guys need to measure you know what's the you know what's the total burden material we have that you know it's you know all the all the pre-measurements are done so it's like >> and we gave them copies I I um sent I
emailed all that information to them already. >> So, right. So, if you get a dredge in here, >> we're ready to go. >> We we can occupy them, right? >> All other people >> once you get it permitted, >> right? And then, you know, and then I would be I would be very happy to help
other lakes, you know, here's here's what you guys need to do. >> Yeah. So, anyway, does anybody have anything else? I gave you a few things that um just an FYI. The last four pages
there are clips from the newspaper. Um one on wreaths across America, another one on it's upcoming is the Evers Source is having a a public hearing and that's on the uh where is that? What's the date
on it? >> 18. >> December 18th at 2 PM. And it's also a it's a hybrid Zoom meeting. So, you can jump on if you're interested in what's on there. And then the last one is that
there's a special town meeting is being planned for January and it's some other things are being added to it already. this here it was one subject uh but they are looking to to pick up a couple other hot topics >> so anybody have anything else
>> yeah December 1st is come and gone how many docks are still on the wall >> I don't know I don't know one thing I asked >> No boats open >> yeah what I asked what I yeah you know the other day I >> there's a water skier out there though every day
>> it was down I was down past the south ramp camp and there was a a vehicle and trailer down there and a car next to it. So, you know, there were two people out >> on a on a boat and there was ice. >> Yeah, >> it was already ice and I said, "Oh, good
luck." >> Yeah, he was out there today. >> Yeah. >> I actually talked to him the other day. >> Did you? >> That water's cold. >> Yeah. >> I asked him, "You got to be dressing up extra special." >> Yeah. Right. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> I have a dry suit. I can do that.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. this supplier I had in Northern Michigan, that guy would water ski, he lived on the lake, Northern Michigan, he would water ski into December. >> Oh my god. >> It was like and and he said, "We have a very simple rule. If it isn't stiff, we
should be skiing on it." >> Okay, >> that's good. >> I remember I did it on Thanksgiving one year and it was pretty nippy. >> Pretty nippy. >> Anything else? No. No. I did ask you as
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I what I did I sent a an email off to uh Mike Wescott. He's one of our sergeants >> uh who we work with on a lot of lake projects. And I asked him is it does PD
have what do you call it? A drone. the drone >> that they could fly >> the perimeter of the lake with the drone >> and then they'll know they can GPS locate them >> and once we have a GPS location we get
them on the map and say okay that's that house >> you know um so I I haven't gotten a a response but I'm glad you I'll ask him again follow up with Mike >> well in the last week I saw I saw a lot
of docks on South Pond come out of the Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'm not quite sure why everybody wanted to wait till the last second. Like, okay. You wanted to be as cold as you could be when you did that. >> Pointing away in the water to take them out. Yeah. >> Okay. >> I'm playing golf in Florida and here comes this massive drone with a
fertilizer tank on the front. >> Oh, wow. >> Spraying spraying right from the drone. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Huh. That's a big drone. >> Yep. >> Okay. Do we have anything else? Anybody >> make a motion to adjurnn?
>> Yeah. Norm. I'll second. Eric. >> All in favor? >> Opposed? Abstain. Good night. Have a nice Christmas.