Okay. So, um I'd like to call the meeting to order for the conservation restriction committee for Thursday, February 12th at 7:05 um p.m. Could I have a roll call,
please? Um let's start with Selena. Selena Thomas present. Emily fine present >> in the room. >> No, remotely. >> Remotely. Okay. And Selena, you're remote.
>> Remote as well. Yes. >> Um, and Mike >> Mike said present. >> And Mike is in the room and Veronica Cal present remotely. And we also have our NCT
representative with us, Anna Wilkins. So she is present at the meeting as well. So um >> remotely >> remotely. Yes. Thank you. Um that's right. Let me Okay. I'm juggling
everything from my screen. I I don't have any paper. I didn't wasn't able to get that printed out prior to my getting there. So I might be a little slow going back and forth. Um but anyway um
uh the meeting is being recorded by TCAM and it will be uploaded to YouTube after the fact. Are there any other parties recording? All right, hearing none. Uh 1.3 topics unanticipated by the chair 48 hours in
advance. I don't have anything. Does anybody else >> is um is the discussion about the grants on >> I I had it on the agenda under review?
Uh no, let me see. Um 2.1 CR template, lease and warrant article, grants timeline, etc. So, I figured that's where we would talk about um the historic district commission. >> Okay. the state historic commission,
whatever. Um, so that's where I thought that would come in. Does that make sense? >> Yes. >> Is there any update on the um ownership discussion? I don't see that on here. >> Uh, that would be under the timeline.
Um, all of that. Uh, uh, I was going to cover that under CR template lease and warrant article. It's really under the warrant article. >> So, we'll talk about that then. >> Um, >> thank you. >> Uh,
so nothing really to add 1.3. Uh, 1.4 to review and approve the meeting minutes for 122. So, um, is there a motion to accept the minutes of 122?
Uh Selena Thomas makes motion to accept the meeting minutes from January 22nd, 2026. >> And is there a second? >> I'll second. Mike Qu. >> Thanks, Mike. Um any further discussion?
All right. Hearing none. Um the motion on the floor is to accept the minutes for 122. So, uh, Selena, how do you vote? >> Helena Thomas, yes. >> Um, Emily, how do you vote? >> Yes.
>> Um, >> yes. >> And Veronica Cell, yes. So, thank you, Emily, for getting the minutes out in a timely fashion. Once again, >> that nice. >> Thank you so much.
And I did I have been getting them stamped in and posted on the website. So if you go you should see all the minutes for the committee um that are up. Well, they're all up. You should see all the minutes for the committee. All right,
moving on to 2.1 the subcommittee reports. So what I thought we'd do here is um uh have those that worked on the conservation management plan go over that. Anna, I can't remember. I think there were two more documents that came
in today and I don't know if you got them. I don't think I forwarded them to you. Um, so, uh, Selena, if you can share your screen. >> Yep. >> The map, there was a map of the area that came in today to go with the
habitat management plan. And then the other thing that came in today is other under the second line of 2.1 which is um questions that Mike had about the historic commission um questionnaire or
whatever the word is that >> I need sharing turned on. >> Okay, that is from >> is the map from is the is the habitat map from February 6th or is it a more updated one? Yeah, it's from February 6th.
>> Okay, I do have that. Thank you. >> Oh, you do have that. Okay. All right. Thanks. All right. So, it's up to you, Selena, whether you want to share or not, but it would be good if you >> share. I just am waiting for the capability to share. It's turned off
right now, you know. >> Okay. Well, I have the ability to share. So, do you want me to bring it up? >> Up to you. >> Should I Should I bring up the document or should I bring up the map? Which do you think? think the document >> bring the document up. >> Yeah.
>> Give me a minute to to pop that up here. >> All right. Um going to move this over. Find the sharing function here. Oh, sharing is not turned on. Okay.
Uh huh. How about that? Um, TC Cam if you if you are there could you give one of us sharing capability. Um, I don't know if anybody's listening to us.
>> I don't know either. >> Should I go Should I go downstairs and see? >> Yeah, if you don't mind, Mike. I'm sorry. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Mike's there. I had backtoback meetings up until this
point. Well, a half an hour in between the last meeting in this one. So, I Anyway, >> yeah, no problem. >> Like, I got to I'll just >> Yeah, I won't be back in town till tomorrow. So, um
>> 26. >> Yeah. And I figured with all these documents to share, it'd be easier to do it at home where I have multiple screens. >> Yeah. >> I usually at home I have two screens, but here I just have the one. >> Yeah.
>> So, >> so if we get sharing turned on, I'd be happy to do the sharing from my end so you can look at your screen more easily. >> Yeah. Let me >> if we don't um everybody
>> maybe I Yeah, maybe I could read the um you know the the portion of it that or or we could just have one of us read it and and then
everybody listen there. I did send Dan one suggestion and the um he didn't change it although he sent me an email that he said yeah we should do that. So I just wanted to point that out. It it
was just some clarification about where nesting is and where um um protective cover and foraging area is. And really the whole property is
nesting area. And in in his introduction, he had said that the nesting area was on the sandy slopes, but okay, there we go. >> Oh, yay. Okay. Thank you.
>> So, we'll wait just one second for Mike to get back in the room. There he is. Okay. Excellent. Thank you, Mike. >> You're welcome. Selena, can you make it just a little bit bigger even though we have it individually?
That good? >> Yep, that's good for me. How about you guys there? Yeah. All right. So there in the in the introduction, what he was trying to do is was he was trying to show on the map and in the
description where is their nesting and where is their um foraging and sheltering habitat. And um he had originally said that the nesting was on
the sandy slopes, but there's nesting everywhere. um even going into the people's backyards on Horseshoe Drive. So So he was going to just fix that in in the introduction part.
>> Okay. So that's an edit. >> Correct. >> All right. Anything else? Um, I had noticed in the management area location he talks about the map, but he has the wrong
date. So, I actually started an email that I haven't sent to him yet cuz it was going through and I hadn't finished. Um, so I can add the nesting thing to my email as well. >> Okay, >> that was helpful.
>> Right. And so the date should be what? February 6th, right? Right now it's February 6th, so it'll just depend if we see anything that needs to be revised on the night. >> Um, where was the nesting thing?
>> Um, I think it's in the very first par. Let's The HMP will designate areas of foraging, sheltering, and nesting habitat for the two turtle species. Blah, blah, blah. And then let's see
maybe it's in the management details part I know. There we go. Existing under number two management details. Existing nesting habitat consists of sandy slopes. Um, and
it's sandy slopes, but also the flat areas um at below at the bottom and then up above the sandy slopes. Um, can he just put an as well as I'm sure he'll figure out how to say
>> or how about just saying how about just saying the nesting the existing nested nesting habitat um is throughout the property including the sandy slopes. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. We really can't. The the only thing is that the sandy slopes don't provide sheltering and they don't provide um vegetation, you know, um foraging. >> They are nesting only. But all the rest
of the property is provides all three things, >> right? >> And so he just has to indicate that, >> right? Existing nesting habitat is throughout the property. Um
or you or or it should say um existing what what do they say above? Um foraging, sheltering and overwintering. So nesting, foraging, sheltering, and overruing habitat exists throughout the
s site with the sandy slope serving as nesting quality and nesting habitat or something like that. All right, I made a note. We'll see what he comes back with. Um, >> yeah. Uh, the other thing I noticed here
in the objective section, um, he specifically calls out female blandings turtles during pre and post nesting, but I thought this was also the wood turtles, not just the Blandings.
The foragana will provide cover and food sources to wood turtles throughout their active season. during pre I don't understand that um well because the Blandings turtles mainly they come
out there to um nesting >> the pre- nesting movements they tend to go to that vernal pool and that's where they wait until they're ready to dig their nest then they find their place to dig their nest and then
they go back to the They don't hang around eating on land. >> Okay. I >> Whereas the wood turtles do. >> Gotcha. >> So, >> okay. >> I think that's >> what he's referring to. >> Yep.
>> All right. Um so did anybody see anything else that needed revision? >> I did not. for the sandy slopes. The only the bullet sign that says signs will be
installed at the edges of individual management areas to keep people out. I I think maybe it should just say to keep people off of the sandy slopes. Um
just so so we're clear that we're not saying people can't be there be at the at the site, but we want to keep people off of the sandy sandy slopes. Do do you want to say something about
authorized people? Because we who will be monitoring the t the nests and protecting the nests are people. >> So to keep non-p permitted people off
the sandy slopes or something like that. >> Yeah. Yes. So, I think currently there are signs out there and they say stay off sandy slopes or something like that. Um,
>> I feel like I had a picture of that somewhere. I'm trying to think where it was. And I think by adding the per uh permitted people sort of indicates to non to casual people that it's a really
important area and you need a permit in order to tread on these slopes. >> So this is what we have for signs currently out there. There's the stay off steep slopes and
then there's the ecologically sensitive area. No motorized vehicles. >> Yeah. >> Um could be authorized personnel only. That's always a
good one if you're replacing signs. I'm not saying you should use them, but >> actually authorized I think is better than permitted because uh I agree. >> When I've had my uh grandson along, he certainly isn't permitted, but
>> right. Authorized does sound better. Yes. Okay. So, do we want specific sorry uh specific wording or just
>> the signs will be installed? >> I think it's good to be general because then you can have it the the folks managing it can can be in charge of what it says. Um depending on the need
>> that keep people out becomes to to keep nonauthorized people >> off the slopes >> off the areas or out of out of sensitive areas. M
but also that bullet point is related to the the sandy slopes, >> right? >> It's in that section. >> So maybe to keep um non-authorized people off.
I I just the word out. I think >> some people who are who are sensitive to making sure that the public can still walk in the area.
Um they might look at that word out and think, "Oh, they're keeping everybody out and away." Whereas, you know, it's just some some word that's a little I don't know, gentler,
>> but it mean it means the same thing, but it's just >> Stein's more politic more >> for keeping unauthorized people off the slopes.
>> Yes, I think that'll work. off the slopes. Okay, then the first wash. Um the only thing that I I was thinking about um as time has gone by, I sort of
um figure out figure more things where it talks about the Japanese knotweed will be controlled by cutting sprouts every two weeks during the growing season. Well, as seasons progress, there may be less and less of that cuz there
certainly has been less and less over the past four years. And so it may not be necessary to go down there every two weeks. So >> as as often as required
to control. >> Yeah, something like that. Okay. So, it could say Japanese notweed will be controlled by cutting sprouts every two weeks during the growing seasons or as required or something like that. You
could say that too >> because in the beginning you probably want to do the every two weeks. >> Yes. um uh or as needed or whatever. Something like that. I don't know.
>> Every two weeks are as needed. >> Uhhuh. Okay, got it. We have that. keep people out again. >> Can well the same sort of thing to um to keep people off the wash off the
first wash. Um will be installed at the >> well the first wash is actually a slope. >> It's just that it's more vegetated. So the same sign would be applicable to both situations,
>> right? >> Yeah. >> So I just noted that it's in this spot too. So maybe to say um installed at the edges of the area um to prevent erosion and to keep
unauthorized >> Yeah. the unauthorized people off Lope. under upper flat. It says selected trees will be removed. Does there need to be anything that determines how the trees
are selected? Would that be just done at the time by going through you know the permitting >> looking at it? >> Yeah. Okay. Given everything that um is going on in
town with unpermitted tree removal, should we say selected trees will be removed um per permit application or something like that so that people know that you have to go to the conservation
commission if you're removing trees in a riverfront area. You could do a little preamble sort of like to to keep um
an overabundance of saplings from growing too big. Selected trees will be removed or to >> keep the area we've got that >> largely open. So, I'm just trying to
respond to Veronica's concern about like qualifying >> the selected trees piece. >> I think we've got that further down. >> Yeah. Later on, we have a bullet item number five here where it talks about
So, if we're taking a tree, it's going to require, you know, machinery of some kind. You could say as per bullet point five below selected trees will be removed. >> Right. I just don't want someone to stop
on that and and not realize that they really do need to consult with the conservation commission or whomever. Um, >> so should we add the conservation commission to this section five or do
you want it further up here where where was that >> in the upper flat? >> Yeah. >> Bullet point one you know I would say selection trees will be removed in accordance with bullet point
five below. >> Yeah, >> something like that. or will be >> five doesn't talk about going to the conservation commission first >> with so that in accordance with local with with local wetlands permitting and
bullet point five or something like that. >> Okay. So that's page three. >> We will >> three 3.5 or Yeah. I can just see someone pointing to that
bullet point and saying, "See, I selected the trees. It didn't say I had to talk to the conservation commission. I'm sorry, but that's possible to happen." >> There's also there's just a typo in the second bullet of upper flat. It's an
existing trail. >> Exiting. Yeah. >> You can only go one way on that trail. >> Yeah. Exiting wherever however way you're going, you're exiting. >> Okay.
And I I would say under wood pile um it's uh now a Asiatic or Asian bittersweet, not oriental. It's a that's a little that's the old way of saying >> not.
Um, well, I've been told that oriental is a term used to as an adjective for things, >> and Asian is an adjective for people. >> Uhhuh. Well, it's interesting.
>> And it was an Asian person who explained that to me. That's that's very very interesting because I've I've seen all of the stuff change over to Asiatic >> bittersweet but >> huh
>> I mean we could use the Latin name and then there's >> orulada >> and and put in parentheses just bittersweet >> invasive invasive bittersweet because there's one >> bittersweet sounds perfect.
then launch him. >> Got it. Okay. Sweet. So, do we want to add to five the conservation commission? Um, or I just put it with the bullet above about the cutting trees.
Um, yeah, this one's talking more about the wells, right? >> Well, I think it's talking about the soil, so not really trees. >> Okay. Scarifying. Um, >> but here it's talking about trees
being cut with chainsaws. >> So, maybe that's the spot to put >> um in consultation with the conservation commission. >> Okay. So, what page? Page four.
Okay, I have to ask why is the fourth year being skipped and NHSP approved. This is under monitoring notes number seven. I think the idea is that like by the third year things should start to smooth
out. >> Okay. >> And then after the fifth year >> it's every five years. So okay. >> Although it doesn't actually explicitly say that it's Oh yeah. And every
>> I think that's why the fourth year is skipped. >> Okay. That just see I didn't know if that was an oversight or if that was actually the way we wanted. So, okay. I'm good with that.
>> Right. And the he had said the summary report would be done by whomever the permit holder is um >> of each mono doing event. I don't know if we should have him explicitly say a
summary report shall be submitted by the permit holder to because then >> yeah, I think we should cuz it isn't clear >> who does that. I'll just throw this in from about the
bittersweet. The uh Native Plant Trust, the old New England Wildflower Society uses uh Asian bittersweet and Asiatic bittersweet and they're pretty much at the uh current in terms of the current thinking of classification and naming
and all that. So it seems that um Asian bittersweet might be a better better choice. >> Okay. >> Or Asiatic. Yeah. >> I don't you know I I have seen it both ways but I do see more and more people
using Asiatic and uh >> I went to a number of sites. I went to a number of sites and uh Penn State still uses oriental. Some of them do still use oriental, but I I go with Native Plant
Trust. >> I trust them. >> All right. Anything else? >> Uh the the only thing that I was like circling back to just uh I guess this Yeah, this this covers it. Never mind. I
was going to say, do we need to So, four mentions the chainsaws and the brush hog and everything, but five five covers that other the the 400 foot well zone. Yep. So, so yeah, that's all
set. >> The only thing I was wondering is should we put five should we flip five and four? Um >> Oh, yeah. Maybe we should put five or make number five four. So as people are
reading down, they see that management activities uh within the 400 ft >> may require their approval, >> right? >> And then I don't know. I I see it both ways. I
think it's okay. Either either way, I think it's okay. >> Then let's just leave it as is then. Yeah. >> Sorry. Not a problem. All right. Um, do you want to look at the map now? >> Yeah,
>> I think so. So, we left this kind of straight line from the horseshoe to the well out of the lower areas. Mhm. >> Because we figured that's where the road
will go, >> right? >> I wonder if he could put um what was it that uh the water department needed? Was it 700 square ft of >> 400?
>> Isn't that dash circle? >> So the circle is the property. But are you talking about the building? >> Yes. Yes. Yes. I'm talking about the building. um >> envelope. I I have to pull up the email because now I I don't remember the
number. >> I have the email. >> Oh, Selena, you're amazing. You're like a a you're like a um a fairy or like a good witch or you know what I'm saying? Like magical. That's what I'm trying to
say. Magical. It's much easier when I have these two giant screens to work with. So I think it's this the 75 ft by 75 ft. Right. So all right.
So, if we could have uh Dan put like a box where it's 75 ft by 75 ft and that dot is the center of it >> cuz I don't >> I agree. >> That'll give us a little bit of an idea,
>> right? I agree with that. Selena, can you pop us back to Dave's email minute? Yep. So that's the fence. Yeah. Most likely less. And Yeah. fence around the wellhouse.
This area would be about 7 acres. That's giant. >> Yeah. >> Oh, >> well, he's looking at the 400 foot zone radius. >> Oh. Oh, I see.
The final well will be where the test well is located on the survey plan. This well Yeah. So and then looking at the fencing 75 by 75, >> right? >> So I think that
>> we should put that on the plan. >> Yeah, >> I agree. >> Okay. And then the 400 foot radius area has limited access to human activity. And number five, but I think that gets covered
um in the habitat management plan. >> Yeah. >> What he doesn't Oh, but there it does say number seven. There would have to be a turtle plan involved because it says limited access to human activity,
but some of the human activity that has to be allowed is is the protecting of the nest >> access. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think I mean typically and I don't know if this is what he meant because it's not ex expressly put here.
Typically, it's like the human activity is like no um dog walking or horseback riding. Any animal that's going to leave waste behind that could contaminate water supply is usually a limited um
activity. Um and again like uh using C use of chemicals or prochemicals or anything that could have um you know those um uh sticky longlasting what is that you
um contaminants right >> so >> forever chemicals. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, so I think that people walking is okay, like, but we should probably get a
kind of a a better sense of what added layer he's talking about. >> It's the groundwater protection district bylaw. Let me >> So then we could probably infer what
he's talking about. He's probably okay with like hikers or the turtle folks doing the nesting stuff, but um he's not going to want um things that are going to, you know, human quote unquote uses that would
potentially jeopardize the water resource. In general, they don't like people mcking around on their watershed lands. I think though for the purposes of the plan, marking off the 75 by 75
and keeping that 400 foot radius there might be okay. >> Yeah. Okay. So, Selena, you're going to send an email about all those changes? >> Yes.
>> Okay. Um, this is the bylaw 1454. >> Are you showing it to us? >> Yes. Can you see it? No, we're looking at the management plan still. >> No, >> we're not.
>> No. Groundwater protection district. See that? >> Huh? Okay. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> No. I had another one up. Um I had the thingy up on my own cuz it was bigger.
>> So anyway, okay. And I had positioned it so I had you guys up. Anyway, never mind. >> Boundaries use regulations. >> Okay. >> Only uses related to the operation and
maintenance of the public water supply are allowed in zone one, zone two, and three. Conservation, outdoor recreation, foot Horse paths in zone two.
>> Yeah. So, we have to understand if it's zone one or zone two or three. What's the Well, >> I think Z Go ahead. I think zone one is the the whole circle thing on the map. Correct. >> Okay.
>> So, does that mean that we couldn't protect the turtle nest there? >> Oh, no. You're >> I No, I think I think that Well, >> uh did you hear him say that it was like subject to the turtle plan? >> Yes, >> I mean we're working on the h the
management plan for >> so I think that that's allowed. >> Okay, >> we can confirm though. I mean, maybe that's a question for him
>> because for zones two and three, that's where it listed conservation of wildlife >> was okay. >> Yeah. No, and and again like I think uh natural heritage is going to have
something to say about the species as well. >> Okay. You have it said there zone one and you have to go somewhere to see what the definition is defined in 310. >> Yeah. Yeah. Zone zone one is like
immediately adjacent to uh like shorelines or or anything any surface water that goes into a surface water reservoir drinking water supply for well sites. They don't actually I mean I'm assuming it's the 400 foot
around the wellhead, >> right? >> Um let's see. >> A zone one. Yeah. The radius required around a
public water supply well. >> Yeah. >> And it's it's the 400 ft. >> Yeah. Yep. >> 400 ft wellheads. protective radi for all their public water systems while we opening
galleries. Oh my gosh. Yep. So, they'll make an exception because of this plan, this habitat plan. >> Yep. Who's going to be doing that?
>> It it it probably me or Kieran. Um depending. I mean, you know, there's this whole hierarchy of who you can talk to as a selectman, in any event, um, and not be accused of
being involved in the dayto-day. Um, so I can go to the board of water commissioners, um, but not to the, um, water superintendent. Kieran can go to the
water superintendent because he is actually the supervisor of the water superintendent. So, um I'll work on this. I I have to get something from him too for
uh a housing trust project. So, anyway, yeah. And Kieran is really good at u navigating um the ins and outs of how things work management wise. So, >> okay,
I will talk to him, but it will be next week. Sorry. >> Sorry. >> Um All right. So, I have all of the items in an email which I'll send to everybody so you can
see and if I'm going to read it over after the meeting just to make sure everything is clear and then I'll send it and that way if anybody has a comment on an item that
you know something isn't quite what we meant, you'll all have it and can reply. Hi to Dan. >> Okay. All right. So, that's those two. Okay.
>> All right. So, um, anything else on the first half of 2.1? Let me get to my agenda. >> Nope. >> All right. The the next part is um the CR template which um Selena do you
want to talk to that? Yeah. So, I got the template from Miss Dian at NHGSP and I compared it to the uh the one we started with way back in
March last year. >> A year. A year ago. >> Almost to a year. Yep. Um and they're identical. So, we've been using the correct template. >> Yay. >> Yay. >> That's exciting.
Um, so I we we will when we get to 23 um look at this, but I had asked Selena to um put the the latest version that she had because she is our official keeper of documents and
she she has done the best job of keeping them in order and up to date. So, um, we have that on the lease and warrant article, um, on the special town meeting next. Is it? No, >> it's February 25th.
>> February 25th. >> A town meeting for my birthday. >> How exciting, >> isn't it? That's terrible. >> No idea this anyway. Yes. So, town meeting is on the
25th and um it has a 50-year lease. Um the wording is the same as in as far as the location I the identifying information in the warrant article is the same as the identifying information
in the lease and we went with a 50-year. There were a lot well some concerns from the board that Selena can talk to more. Um a concern about what happens if
um you know Tesa is no longer an organization in town, those sorts of things. Um but do you want to talk about the the ownership of the property more, Selena? >> Yeah. So just the short version of it.
Um, I spoke with the TASA board and we decided that um, we would prefer to stick with the lease of the property um, rather than trying to pursue possibly owning the Tesa fields. There
was a lot of a lot of moving parts if we chose to go the ownership route that we didn't have the answers to. So, we're happy with the lease and the 50-year lease will make it so that we can apply for grants. Um, well, we can apply for
them now. We're just getting rejected all the time because the lease is only 3 years and that is deemed too short. So, um, we're working on a slide to provide
the town with, um, why Tesa is asking for the extended lease. So, that'll be present for the right >> special town meeting. >> Good. And >> fantastic. >> And the idea is to put that in in Kieran's slide deck. And um,
>> he he could probably talk to it. >> Yes. He had said he would be the person speaking to it. We'll a bunch of us from Tesa will be there to you know answer questions if we are needed.
>> So that's that is good. So um that's the lease and the warrant article. That's the ownership piece. So any more comments on that? >> I like that. It it it's um hard to get your head
around what happens if you know if if we are selling it to them for a nominal amount and then what happens if they decide to sell it and anyway so I like the 50-year lease. I think it's a good
plan. >> So yeah, >> and then you would have 50 years to prepare for actually buying the land should you want to. Yes, that'll be somebody else's problem. >> Yep. Um, so that was that on the grants.
I have to um the the grant that we were looking at um the uh conservation I I always say it wrong, but um the the one to help you to conserve property >> assistance >> conservation assistance grant. Uh
there's a deadline of April 6th. I mean, it's rolling, but I think April 6th is kind of like a stoppage >> and then maybe it starts back up again. So, I have to um make an account for the town to go in.
It'll be the the town applying for that for sure and seeing what we can do there. I also would like to talk to Marissa about what the um what the uh Nasha River watershed is willing to as
far as maximum goes uh to help us out with things and um and we need a quote from Standillus for what for the um uh surveying. >> So uh so that's where we are with that.
It's it's midFebruary. So, um when I get back in town, hopefully the next two weeks or so till the end of February, I can get busy on working with Kieran and with Selena on what we're doing there.
>> Who who is going to find out about um the Dillis and Roy bill, the Max? So, that was on my uh things to do, but with Ryan being honeymoon. >> Yeah.
>> So, we're thinking closer to the end of February, we'll have that together. So, um >> and and can get applications in for things. Um I want I want um Mike if you
don't mind talking about your piece and then we'll come back to timeline. >> Okay. So uh I think our project is atypical of the kind of application or notification
project notification that um that they get. Nevertheless, since they refuse to uh answer email or phone call, um it seems clear that we should just submit it and then see what they say, see what
their reaction is to it. Um so I that's my wording. If uh anyone wants to change it, that's totally fine with me. Um I don't know if you had a chance to read it or should I read it aloud or what?
I I'd say go ahead and read aloud. >> Okay. The town of Townsen, the North County Land Trust, and Tesa Towns and Ashley Youth Soccer Association are developing conservation restrictions for a town-owned environmentally sensitive
area along the Squanakook River so that the property will be permanently protected. The North County Land Trust will be the holder of the restrictions. We the conservation restriction committee are in the process of securing funding and surveying the baseline
documentation report, the stewardship fund, etc. The Squanica Meadows Habitat Management Plan has been or will be submitted to the National Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the Massachusetts Division of Fish
and Wildlife, Fishers and Wildlife. The town leases part of the property to Tesa uh on which there are two soccer fields with a planned construction of a third field. There are no buildings on the property other than the one small soccer
one small soccer shed. As far as we know, there are no historical considerations besides habitat protection and soccer use. The town water department has drilled test wells for possible future sources of water.
Right. And smear email. Do we need to be a a little more clear about why it's environmentally sensitive or do you think that saying that um that we submitted that uh habitat
management plan to natural heritage is enough? I think I think saying that we've submitted it to NHSP is enough. >> Okay. >> Um I think um but what I would do is I
would identify the property along the Squanakook River. So maybe put in the map block lots um right right in there where the cursor is right there. that I would add that
um so that they could go and look it up and they should be able to see that it's priority habitat. I would think >> part of >> Okay, go ahead. I don't know how they operate but you
know um whether they would look at mass GIS or whatever but anyway go ahead Mike what were you going to say >> certainly wouldn't hurt the application is actually quite brief project name location address that's when that
information would be submitted >> town project proponent uh who Do we put for project proponent? >> Project proponent, >> right?
>> I think it's the town, isn't it? >> I think it is, too. I was going to say the town of Townsen. Um, probably select board or Well, it's the town of Townsen as a property owner. >> Okay.
And, uh, as I say, the actual, uh, application is is brief. Besides the the narrative, the brief narrative, um they want uh does the project um include demolition? No. Does the project
include rehabilitation of any existing buildings? If so, specify? No. Does the project include Does the project include new construction? If so, describe. And that's the bottom obvious. If you scroll
down at the very bottom is the answer to that possible future construction of water department pumping facilities if the property is used for a source of town water. >> So Tesa is building a small building.
>> Yeah, like a is it is like a snack shack. Yeah, it's a >> the structure for lightning or whatever the lightning structure. Is that part of the snack shop? >> Yeah.
>> Lightning pavilion. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> 40 by 40. Is that the right size? >> Is they don't care. >> It's in the warrant. If you go to the um if you go to the uh announcement about
the special town meeting and click on the warrant, I think it's article three in the warrant. >> I have um >> and and it it I would put that wording or something like that in there >> for this map or for the
>> just the map map block lot numbers. Oh, >> I got that for you. I gota um Oh, which which parcel do you want? >> I I would put them all in. Okay. So, 11
of them 35 is the >> and then we've got 113521 and then 113522 and 11320 and I would say off of Mason Road. Yeah, it's a right. You got it. Okay, great.
>> Okay, you got that. Yeah, those are the parcels. Oh, I'm so glad I was helpful once. >> You are, Anna. I I would also you have conservation
restrictions plural there Mike. >> Yeah, I got that. >> I would either I mean it's possible that we would do two that like we've talked about >> but are developing um a conservation rest I might put that
s in pens. >> Yeah. >> Or just make it a conservation restriction period and maybe not get that detailed. >> Yeah. these the I think Mike Mike's on to them. They they they really just want to know like are you messing with like a
historical structure or are you going to build on an area that is known for having archaeological or historical significance and they have their own kind of
you know inventory. Um since you know unless there's something that we really that all of us don't know about they're not going to care about this project. >> Yeah. >> Yep.
So I would remove the S. Did there were two places I think. >> Yeah. It was here and it was here. >> Yeah. So, right now I put it on like it has a strike through, but we can accept it all.
>> Okay. >> Can you can you send that to me? >> Yeah, definitely. >> Okay. With with the corrections and the additions. >> Yep. >> Yeah, that'd be great. Um, now
I would um prop project proponent names, towns, and towns and address. Okay. Should I make it attention to someone? Count town of Towns and attention to you, Veronica, or what? >> Um,
here's the thing. I'm not running after the end of April. So, if we're doing this right now, you're uh the town administrator anyway. >> I I think that would be the best thing to do. Yes. So you care. >> No, just say town administrator because
he's done in July >> unless he decides to come back >> and that way I'll get whomever it is. >> Uh >> is this official title town administrator or town manager?
>> It's town administrator and he's an interim town administrator, but I would just put town administrator. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I would I would also say so um the water department has
a well site. I wouldn't say has drilled test well sites. I would say the water department has a a well site >> well site >> for uh >> possible future use.
>> Yeah. for yeah well site on the property I guess or or >> there's a well site on the property for possible future use. >> Yeah, something like that. Besides the habitat protection and soccer use, the town water department has a well site
on the property >> and just leave off this or >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Or has a potential well site on the property. I don't know. It's a It's a well site. >> It's It's a well site that hasn't been built yet.
>> So, right. Maybe the water department has a well site that hasn't I don't Yeah, whatever. I think it's fine. >> Yeah, they might not look at that. I mean, go too deeply into that.
>> The water department has a well site on the property. Yeah, because it is a well site. It's not a well. It's a well site. >> Sure. >> Yeah, >> I see what you're saying. Yes, >> it's not a well. They do not have a well
on the property. >> Okay. And the f if we're done with that part, the final thing is that um we need to list any permits uh etc from the state or federal agencies. Do we have
any of those? >> We don't have the permit yet. It's dependent on the conservation restriction being done. >> Yeah. Not at this time. We can just put no permits, licenses, approvals at this time. >> Right.
>> That's all I should put at this time. >> Or does it say being sought? Well, we we're not we are not yet seeking. We are endeavoring to seek. >> We have concepts of a plan, guys.
>> We have concepts of a plan. >> There you go. But if you if we would have to list something, it would be the MEEPA permit or whatever, >> the um EOE EA, the CR from E O EA, but
that's not really a permit or approval or a grant, >> grant, a license, other entitlements, other entitlements. So we've listed >> so we TASA has that's one thing from NHSP.
What is this? It is a file number. So you could put NHGSP file number. Yeah, just put that. >> Yeah, that's a good idea. Yeah. >> And what's the file number?
I'm putting it in the document. >> Okay. >> And in instructions they they imply sooner you get this in the better and we can talk it over and finalize it.
>> Meaning who are we? Is that um >> the the historical commission they said the Sooner you get it in the better. And then we can go from there. That's quite the uh signature. Oh, that's great.
>> That totally says Jesse Letic. >> That's a great signature. >> How would anybody forge that? >> You find a fouryear-old kid and scribble. >> All right, you got me there. You got me
there, Mike. That would work. Okay. I would just say step towards permitting, right? Yeah, that looks good.
All right. So, I will send this to >> Nice job, Mike. Thank you for pursuing it. Very welcome. >> So next is what timeline
>> under 2.1? >> Yep. Ronnie. >> Oh, sorry. Um, as soon as we can present something to the select board and to other committees, uh, after the town meeting,
um, we will do that. uh and um and try to get a letter of support for the CR. We we already support the CR because we we put this committee together, but um
we can do that, but there's no way we can know whether a future select board will um sign once it comes back ready for local signatures whether they will sign or not. So the best we can do is get kind of a
letter of commitment of intent and to get support from the town and to get them to understand the importance of this. Um that's the best we can do. Um I think
unless Anna you know of something else on this. Well, if there's a affirmative select board vote and
um and what's what's be >> town meeting? >> Yeah. Yeah. Is the town meeting vote for the um the 50-year lease? >> Yes. Yes. Or the license agreement, whatever whichever one you're doing. Is
is the I wonder is there a town a way to affirm through a town meeting vote to proceed with the CR or to proceed with the permitting which this CR is included in?
It wouldn't be binding is the is the problem. Um I mean we could we could get a vote that way but it would not be binding. Um and um >> but wouldn't it be true that if the
conservation restriction doesn't go through then Tesa can't expand? >> Yes, that is true. So that is um something that hopefully will come out at town meeting and hopefully everybody will support that,
>> right? >> Uh that's that's the hope. Uh, I mean, >> so yeah, I mean, I guess I guess all you all we can do is all we can do and we can't look into our crystal balls, but I think laying the the foundation work
like you're saying um in terms of getting in front of all the boards, >> is that what you're kind of >> Yes. >> getting at is to do the dog and pony show better, >> right? uh phrasing um to you know
to to have people really understand the mutual benefit uh for both the town and you know the citizens. I mean I don't think politically it would be so here
here's the thing if Are you really worried about people kind of pushing back about this or is it just kind of a general like you know uncertainty
uh or or or cautionary >> for me it's more cautionary but in towns you can never predict >> um is the pro is the is the issue I mean you just can't predict
>> yeah to Um, it makes perfect sense. It really does >> to do this to to preserve the use of that property as it was intended to be. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So, and and with this in place, even if
in the future there wouldn't be a Tesa, I mean, we don't know 50 years from now, that could still be an an excellent site for recreation for the town or, you know, for outdoor recre um education or,
you know, it's hard to say what possible uses there could be. there are probably many that would fit the intent of um of that parcel, >> right? >> So that piece of the parcel. So to me
it's um pretty self-evident, but you never know and it's so dependent >> on who is on the board. So that's >> So all right. So Selena, do you have
thoughts about the the presentation part of this or concerns or um perspective to >> share about that >> outward political process or
>> um so we're doing the presentation, Tesa is doing the presentation for the 50-year lease. >> Yeah. >> That's not talking about the conservation restriction. It is just what Tasa needs the least for. >> Yeah.
>> Um, as far as >> doing the dog and pony show to the town, you know, all the different groups and whomever I can get in front of. Um, >> I think just talking about,
>> you know, this is what the process is going. you know, we're doing conservation restriction because of the habitat and like I feel like it could be a couple of bullet points and
then just answer questions. So, >> I think that's that's all it is. Um, >> and and so if we have townwide support for it, I I think it's um >> I think it the select board will also
>> go for it. >> Do you have um kids you can bring to town meeting? >> Cute kids with soccer balls maybe. Um, my kids are are older, so they're not
quite as cute as the little ones. I know. We got to get some little taste of kids to come in because you can't vote down anything with a cute kid, right? You can't. So, that's I I say that was
one of the best advice that somebody ever said is like, while your kids are cute, use them. I I like that idea. So, I will um >> I'll bring that back to my board because yes, a >> lot of them have younger kids.
>> Yeah, I'm telling you, you bring those kids to town meeting, you that is going to pass with flying colors and you can give them like a big cheer and like you're like, "This is the way democracy works, kids." Right, everybody? >> Yep. Anyway,
>> so that's that's the you know that's the the one um caveat, but timelinewise I would really I mean Anna, you might know better than me because you you guys haven't spent as much time on it as we have. Yeah,
>> we've we've spent a fair amount of time looking at how we want the conservation restriction to be, but you guys have to look at it too and and we need to, you know, come together on on that.
>> So, I don't know how your time is, how quickly the board's time is, that sort, you know. >> Yeah. So, Em and I have looked at it. There's nothing in it that is concerning to us blatantly.
Um I can bring so the next we actually just had a land meeting a land committee meeting tonight. >> Um but it was not on the agenda. We had other
>> lots of other things on the agenda. Um, our next meeting is in March and then we don't have a we ha we had a board meeting this week and we won't have one until April.
Um, we don't need the board vote. We already got the the land committee vote to accept it. So, we don't really need them to um I can send that out to them. I don't
think we need a meeting. I can send out a uh like basically the the version that we want to send to the state for review because honestly by the time the state gets done with it it's it may look a little bit different
than what it does now. >> So basically the board trusts us to craft the CR. um they they get one final look before it goes out it goes back for local signatures
but there's not really anything to vote on because we've already voted to hold the CR. >> Okay. >> And then once we get it back they there's like a procedural vote to accept but um it's
it's a procedural vote. It doesn't Okay, >> they've already basically voted to accept it. So, so that like the board uh gets the final and then they just formally vote to
accept and then >> okay, >> you know, it's official then they sign it basically. So, is it possible to get it to EOEA sometime in March? Would that be possible? >> Yeah.
>> Um, absolutely. >> And I know Selena, you said that they didn't want us to accept changes. Miss um Misty Merrill or whatever. >> Mianne. Yeah. She um >> she said don't accept changes. I think
the only thing we need to go through is to check we had some comments about we need to look at this particular thing and make sure it's accurate kind of I think we just need to go through our
comments and make sure things are all you know checked off. Um, so could what I think we should do is set up um a work session
um maybe in the next two weeks at some point and um and get those ironed out and and just work on this. just work on the um
on the CR itself and then uh and then make sure it's where we want it and >> um do we need to run it by um Miss
Deianne before we ship it or >> um I believe it goes to her. Yes, because she was saying that if we changed stuff in here, uh, like the
legalies in it, she would have to get it reviewed by her legal department, which is why she said to use her thing and change the facts, not the legalies.
Okay. So, are we adding a reviewer to this? Does it go to Misty and then to E O EA? >> I am unclear. I don't know if it goes to E O A and they have her look at it as
part of the like I don't >> I don't know the process. >> Well, I mean, you could send it to both um Sher Whittis and Miss Deianne at the same time. I think we should probably do that.
Um, and then they can sort it out. >> And this, who is this? Sher >> Sher Whittis is the uh the head of the CR review program at
Department of Conservation Services under EOEA. >> I tried to contact her. >> Yeah. Um, and we we never >> we never >> connected. It was serious um
uh phone. >> Yes. And then she was out of town and then I was out of town. >> And then I I just haven't gotten back to it cuz we were >> moving on. >> She knows me.
So, >> how how long approximately how long does it take um EOEA to to go over it and approve it? Well, once they receive it, you get a
tracking number and you get assigned a specific conservation reviewer. That conservation reviewer is the one that you go back and forth with changes on. Um, and typically,
well, I don't know. It the answer, the quick answer is it depends. the it can take anywhere from it's probably a month or two before you're going to
get some feedback the first round and then it's you know back and forth probably another month um clarifications there's usually a a phone call involved um or a Zoom meeting
to just talk through things Um and then it gets sent sent to the state legal and that can take six weeks sometimes.
Um so I would say you know all told probably six months worth of um back and forth and before you kind of get because sometimes legal comes back and says well we can't do this can't do that. It might be different with the NHSP model. I've
never done one of these conservation restrictions. So, I don't know how much um you know, I guess if you're sticking really closely to the script. Um maybe it'll take less time. Um but I would I
would I would put six months in your calendar. um and be pleasantly surprised or mildly frustrated at the end of that 6 months. I had um I've had a couple of
CRs take over six months. Um but >> so >> those were different models. Yeah, >> I think we have to have the habitat management plan done be because um in the CR we say that the
habitat management plan is attached. >> It's attached. Yeah. You also need a legal description of the >> uh the conservation restriction area. At least typically you do. We need the BDR
done. I believe >> I I think we did. >> I've always turned in a BDR at the at the same time. >> Really? >> It's a BDR, >> a baseline documentation report.
>> Yeah. So, Department of Conservation Services is not required, but I don't know about MEPA or the NHSP. >> So, we might be able to hold off it. It doesn't make sense to pay for a BDR
until we know we have the conservation restriction in place, >> right? And like typ and you attach it to the CR, you know, that's I think overkill personally. Um, and a
lot of times the the BDR references the final conservation restriction, which you don't really have until after it's reported. >> Okay. >> So, I it's I don't know if they if they insist on it, it's fine. we can,
you know, it it should be done, it should be done like very soon after or right before it's signed. >> Um, and sometimes you can get like right now with forced legacy, you can get you
can close on a property if you have a draft BDR. It doesn't have to be finalized, but the fieldwork needs to be done. So at least the condition the current conditions are captured. Um
yeah actually um looking at it a little more it looks like we just say that the BDR describes things. It doesn't actually say it needs to be attached to this. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> So it's just the habitat management plan which Dan has been really good about uh turnaround time. So I would think that would >> great >> come pretty quickly >> but but we need the legal description of the property too, >> right? And that's the survey. So I don't
you can you can I think I think DCS is going to be annoyed if you pass in a draft CR without the legal description. So, we should get the survey done and Marissa is ready to um she's been saying that.
Yeah. >> So, we should get the survey done um ASAP. It's a little hard maybe with the snow on the ground. >> Yeah. >> Um so, uh sometime in March though, we might be
able to. >> Yeah. Um if if we can get on um the schedule for that. >> Yes. >> So all right Grant Marissa I'll find out what she needs
for us to apply for that grant. So okay, >> you seem to indicate to me that they're just ready to go. They we don't have to apply. They've already approved it.
>> Marissa really is really looking forward to uh getting some some some wins, some conservation wins for that Marius daughter Greenway fund. So >> yeah, that would be great. So
>> this is definitely high on her on her list. >> All right. All right. So, um I'm going to talk to Kieran about um interface with Dave.
Um that's the water department piece. >> Sorry. I'm so sorry, guys. >> Um >> it's these 12hour days that get me right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Uh the grant um
the grant with NRWA um maybe Selena and Emily, do you guys want to work together on that and let me know because I think it's it's probably the town that needs to apply for that. >> Um and uh Selena, you know,
>> no, this is what I'm saying is that we don't have to apply for it. They just they want to know who to work with so they can can um pay them directly. >> I think it would be the town.
>> No, no, no. The like you want to pay Dillis and Roy directly. Yeah. >> Okay. So then um >> I think we have to wait for Ryan. >> Yeah. I think you could ask Marissa to work directly with Ryan.
Okay. And who do you think should ask that? The town. >> Ask Marissa to do that. >> Yeah, probably. >> Town. Ask Marissa. Uh, I will give her a call on Tuesday, I
guess, cuz Monday's a holiday. >> Um. >> Right. >> Yeah. And if she does need any like formal written anything, um, I can just let me know and I can
>> Okay. Do something. >> Do something. Okay. All right. Um, and I I also need to know is this I think it's the town of Townsen that is doing the survey. you know, the the even though the funds go directly to
Dillis and Roy, I So, let me see what needs to be done there. Um, regarding survey and working with Ryan. All right. So, that's on my February 17th list.
And then it's also to look at the conservation grant. That's me. >> Okay. >> Oh, you know, we had that question about the well and what was zone one.
He said it in mail. The 400 foot radius is zone one. one. Okay. >> So, it would be the making sure the turtle plan involved covers the um
>> zone one >> people being able to go into zone one to manage the turtles. >> Right. >> Okay. So that's water department zone one. Can people go in?
I think they can but that would be it you know as per the plan but I will find out for sure. Okay. >> So, all right. 2.3 on the agenda we
didn't need to do. Correct. >> Let me see. 2.3 review of CR. That is going to go to our work session. Um, and Anna, you can say whether you think you need to be there. I, you know, or not.
the review of CR content with North County. Um, we just talked about that pretty much, but >> I think we can track our changes if we make any and send our edits and comments. Um,
to Selena and and you guys. Um, but yeah, I I I don't know that I'll I'll need to Yeah, until we have the I think I think that's probably what I'd prefer is just to
um use Selena's most recent document. uh react to that, make any track any changes and make any comments, send it back to you all. Um if you know if you all agree with that um we're just waiting on the legal
description and attachment of the management plan. >> Okay. >> Is that right? >> Yeah, >> that sounds right. So do we need to sit and look at it together? committee.
>> Um, I I would probably I think it's probably going to go a lot faster and easier if people review it on their own and then bring specific questions or concerns to the meeting rather than us going through it like line by line. Um,
because that would take forever and probably is not completely necessary. >> All right. So, when would we like to have that meeting to do 2.3? >> Um, >> this is 2.4 and 2.3 rolled together.
>> Yeah. >> From today's agenda. >> Um, >> that's very efficient, Ronnie. That's that's great. >> So, um, for me, the 26 is too soon only because we have all this budgeting work and we
have town meeting on the 25th. Um, >> yeah. >> Uh, is March 6th too late? >> It would be March 5th is Thursday. >> Yes, that's correct. Um, or we we could
do the 26th, but I can guarantee you I will be fried. Um, >> yeah, I don't >> we don't want you fried. >> Thank you, Mike. Um, uh, I kind of like March 5th, but that's
three weeks from today, which pushes out our timeline further. But if we have it together and we have, you know, uh, Ryan seems ready to go. If I can get Marissa on board and talking to Ryan, we might
be able by the sixth to have some sort of idea at least of legal description. might be a little soon if he can't get out there to survey. I don't know. >> Yeah, I can send How about this? How
about if I review and send my updates by the 26th? >> Okay. And then um then if there's we can bring our
questions, concerns, discussion items to the 5th. Does that make on CR? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Is that okay with everybody? That works.
>> All right. So, let's um go with a 7 PM meeting on March 5th if that works for everybody. >> Yep. >> Next week's school vacation week, isn't it? >> It is. It is. >> Oh my. Okay.
>> Really fast this year. >> It did. Um All right. So 7 that will be our next CR committee meeting and it uh what I'm going to do is um updates
on water uh and grants on water and grants and then um work session on the CR and that's all we'll do that night.
>> Is that good? >> Yep. and and then hopefully we're we'll be in a place where we can target a date for for um first submitt. So that is Thursday,
March 5, next meeting. And we can spend the time while um I it's being reviewed uh doing our presentations to boards and things like that. just getting on the planning board agenda, getting on the
conservation agenda, um getting on, you know, the council on aging agenda, the the library agenda, I don't know who else, but pretty much everybody that we can think
of, the water department agenda, the board of health agenda, and just, you know, very quick, this is what we're doing and this is why this This is why it's important. >> Happy.
>> I move that we adjourn. >> All right. So, we have a motion to adjourn >> at 8:46. >> Oh, one of our longest meetings ever. Is there a second? >> Selena Thomas. Second.
>> All right. Any more discussion before we adjourn? If if not, we'll do a roll call vote and I will see you guys on March 5th and probably talk in between. So, um,
starting with Selena, how do you vote? >> Selena Thomas, yes. >> Mike Pod said, >> yeah, Mike Pod said yes. >> Emily Fine. >> Emily Fine, yes. >> And Veronica Cow, yes. The meeting is adjourned.