Conservation Commission Meeting - September 17, 2026

So, good evening. This is Jackie, Arlington's conservation administrator. The September 17th, 2026 public meeting of the Arlington Conservation Commission will be conducted in a room format consistent with state legislation that extends remote participation in public meetings until June 30th, 2027. The meeting is being recorded and the recording may be made publicly available. All materials for this meeting are available at the link which I will post in the chat shortly. Please note the Zoom chat feature may be used for questions and comments that contribute to the commission's procedures if it is used otherwise it may be disabled at the chair's discretion. Public comment period will follow each hearing. The conservation commission encourages attendees to ask questions and offer comments during public comment period. Susan Chapnik, the commission vice chair, will facilitate this meeting. Each vote taken during this meeting will be conducted by roll call vote. And Susan, can you please review the agenda and take attendance? >> Sure. Um, thank you, Jackie. Do we review the agenda or take attendance first? Does it matter? Um, I think either way would be fine. >> Okay, I'm going to take attendance first. Um, so Brian McBride >> here. >> Mike Gildiscane, >> present. >> David White, >> I'm here. >> Okay. Um, Chuck Terrone is absent. Nathaniel Stevens absent. and Dave Kaplan is absent. We do have a quorum of commissioners though, so we can proceed. Um Sarah Alero Franco is absent and um Eileen Coleman absent. Okay, I'm going to review the agenda quickly. Um we do have some updates. So participants who are here for some of the hearings who might want to listen which ones we're having. Um we'll review the meeting minutes and correspondence received. Um we have an enforcement order for 103 Thornike Street that's continued to tonight. Um three and four on our uh agenda. Potential flooding issues at 103 Thornike are similar. fishing line working group, water bodies working group, tree committee, uh SIMS conservation and administrators report uh request for allocation of funds for landscaping and conservation commissioner um applications for a position being vacated by Nathaniel Stevens. There are two hearings that are on the agenda. The first one was Zero Reed Street. that's going to be continued at the request of the applicant. So participants who are in the um in the meeting uh who are here for zero read street notice of intent that will be continued to what's our next meeting Jackie? >> The date >> I think it's October 1st. >> October 1st. So that one will be continued to October 1st. Um if you want to stay on this meeting and just listen you're welcome. But if not we'll see you then. Um, and the second hearing is for a notice of intent at 53A Park Avenue and several other addresses. Um, it's the Arlington colon lumber site in Arlington. And then we'll have an uh open form if there are any other um any other meeting businesses, new new business. And that's it for tonight. So, we're going to start with the meeting minutes. And what date was this? I'm losing track, Jackie, because we canceled a few meetings. >> This was August 20th. >> August 20th. Thank you. >> And these minutes were prepared by Jackie. That's okay. And I reviewed them. Um, but we'll look at them now and see if commissioners have any other comments. Okay. So I don't think it's showing the changes that were made. >> Oh, that's unfortunate. >> Yeah, >> but I know >> let me see version. I did review it. I know it was so long ago at this point. >> I did review them as well. There were a couple of though right there. There are two situations where there was just a misspelling. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Hole and hole. Yeah, there you go. Thank you. Um, these might be the the change version because I didn't do track changes. I just did it straight in the document. >> That's fine then. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, this looks right, right? Just going through that hearing was continued. There's a little bit of open forum and new business and adjourned at 9:10 p.m. >> Right. Um, would any commissioners like to make any further edits or make a motion? >> I'll move to accept the minutes uh with the revisions as noted. >> Thank you. >> And do I have a second? Who is that? David White. Okay, great. Okay, any other discussions? I don't see any, so I'm going to take a roll call vote. Um, Brian McBride. Brian, did you say yes? Oh, okay. Sorry. Um, David White, >> yes. >> Mike Gildisgame, >> yes. >> And Susan Chapnik says yes. So, those minutes are accepted. And we're going to go on to the next agenda item, which is um so correspondence received. Um Jackie, do you put a link in the chat for us for um any correspondence? I know that we did get correspondence on Thornike Place um which as as we know is being adjudicated by the um by OADR by D. Um so if anybody wants to review those communications, they should be posted. Um, and I don't think there was anything else of note, Jackie. >> Um, I added your comments about the um, six PPD queen own storm water testing and SVOT testing results. >> Thank you. Yes. So, we did get correspondence from myself because I wanted it in the record um, reviewing um, those results. I'm not going to discuss them now unless there's a question, but we could do it in new business if you want. Um, so we get through the agenda. Um, the I'm going to So, there's the discussion items are enforcement order. Um, I think I'll go to the enforcement order next and then I might skip through some of the other ones and go to our conservation commissioner applications and then back. Um, so enforcement order 103 Thornike Street. I know we got some materials just today which the conservation commissioners would not have gotten a chance to review, but I know we have um Chi Men here. >> Um if you could walk us through um what you submitted in in terms of uh compliance with our enforcement order. >> Yes. Uh I can give you a quick overview. I don't want to take too much of your time. So basically we asked the client to assembly a date of you know in order of what happened uh on the whole process. Um the project was first approved back in July 2024. Um I you know I did the plan and I represent the client on the uh obtain the order of conditions and they also got a CBA approval of the plan. um believe is sometime around August 2024 which is slightly different from what the conservation was approved. Uh unfortunately the uh order condition was never recorded and they sold the project to the current owner um and the current owner did not know about the order conditions. So they followed the protocol of u regular building permit process. They got they went to ISD, went to DPW engineering, got all their duck in the work and they start the demolitions um with the with the CV approved plans um and then you know later on they they got the season and disease order and also um the uh enforcement order and they realize they they are in violations. So um so unfortunately the the prior owner sold to the new owner and they did not know. So right after that they've been taking actions um and they um you know um recorded the order of conditions. they put up the D sign and um and I asked them to put in the order of you know the order of what happened you know when they get the building permit and so forth and they you know when they got the you know during the the the um construction process they got their building permit you know they went to the DPW got all the um submit the dewatering plans that got approved by town engineer and that's how they proceed with the constructions and you know um and then they find out they are in violation with conservation. So they take immediate actions, stop all work and at this time you know from the last hearing in between last hearing and now basically they want to make sure the site is all secured erosion control in good conditions. Um they haven't done any work other than you know just securing the site and you know keep the site in good conditions and all the um you know um the storm drain outside of the work on on the street they all have seal sack they they are they've been kept in good conditions the street been clean um so we just moving forward to the next step I have recently between the last hearing and and and and and today uh updated the zoning approval prints um that was uh revised per the uh order of conditions switching some of the print on on the um on the plan um other than that I don't think there was a big change the deviation between the um conservation approval and the soon board of appeal approval. There was additional overhang deck on the second on the on the first floor, second floor which is up above their open deck. So um drainage wide you know rainfall for on the deck they just you know uh um go through the gap you know the decking into the ground. Um there is a slight different on the permeable PA the area the size um and but the again they are designed as a permeable PA. So they so so the rainfall they infiltrate right into the ground. So h um hydraulics wise hydraology wise that pretty much no change the footprint of the building relatively stay the same with the roof area. So I don't think there's any um effect to the sizing of the um the the bio retention area and the grading. Uh I would have to do a little bit of grading change basically um cut it down a little bit but again we are not because the resource area on this side is really um land within front zone. So um we are cutting down the gray is not going to be losing any fresh storage as comparing to the uh approved plan actually it's going to be additional uh front storage. So we are ready to submit that plans to the commissions to the uh as request for modifications as part of this process and um unfortunately I I was trying to um I understand Mr. Morgan was out for some time, so was going to contact the um commissions, maybe do a site, you know, the agent, do a site walk or whatever, but uh I understand he was out and I just find out today he's going to be leaving the commission. So, um we are just going to find out the next step with the commission. You know, we schedule a sidewalk and um we submit the plans for the modifications. Um and I did look at the violation of the um uh the enforcement order on the on on the I mean a a number of them has been resolved. You know a few of them refer to the recording or the order of conditions and the DP signs and and so forth. Uh but again you know all the um erosion controls and everything else is in order. Um and then we some of the item is like pre-construction meeting and stuff like that. So we are we're trying to work with the commission and do a pre-construction meeting and moving forward and basically comply with what they're supposed to do. >> Thank you for the update. So, it sounds like you've addressed most of the issues in the enforcement order and that we're at the step of um doing a sitewalk >> and and evaluating um uh modified plans when you submit them. >> Yes. >> Before you can start work. So, Jackie, let me ask you. Um, Jackie Yei is our, um, administrator, our conservation administrator, and she's going to be taking over this these kinds of issues, um, when David's gone until we get a replacement. Um, so she'd be your contact uh, for this project. Jackie, do you know if you or David had been able to go to the site and make sure it was secure? um prior to this meeting or No, >> I haven't been. I'm not sure about David. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll have to ask him. I have not been out myself, but I think what we should do is have a site visit um planned so we could make sure that these the violations we talked about, the erosion controls, the dewatering, that the sign, not that we don't trust you, um but you know, we have to do our due diligence. um make sure everything is in order and then discuss while we're on the site what the modifications are that you'd be requesting >> okay >> to the permit >> and and just another thing is you know what they have been uh been doing is basically excavated down to uh where they can start driving piles um the site we we we know that it's soft soil underneath so the building is designed with pile support to the um to the to the main structure. So, um basically right now it's a bowl. So, you know, any rainfall is going is just sitting on on uh um in the in the excavation hole right now. So, I I I saw the um the next item potential flooding issue. I'm not sure what that is. >> Yeah. So, yeah, >> I mean that I suspect, you know, people see water standing there that that's what happened. you know, we have a hole excavated out and um if it's if it's rain, it's just sitting there. Um the water >> you are dewatering, >> we have not well we got a we got a permit to devoid it from the engineering, >> right? >> But um that wasn't submit to the uh commissions and we are happy to submit those plan to the commissions and um and move forward with that. And also uh what we have been doing is basically doing the um the foundation work. So the work up to date is really comprised to the original approved brands. So um nothing is de deviated from the original approved prints. >> Right. I was I see that Mike and Brian you have your hands up and I'll go to you in a minute but I'm a little confused now. So I thought at the last meeting you were dewatering. >> We did dewater at the u when we was trying to do the the prep work for the foundations um uh drilling because you know they can't drill without you know with the water sitting in there and the dewatering was done with the approval of the town engineer and when that was done at the time they was they was not aware that they have the conservation approval. So right after that we got the cease and disease order and we stop all work and working this process out. >> Okay. So I think we need to clarify um I wish David Morgan was here. We might have to circle back. But I we should have clarified. >> Okay. >> He is here now. We should have clarified that dewatering was allowed. We wanted you to cease and desist on construction. >> Okay. >> Um but anyway um let me go to Brian McBride. I think he had his hand up first, then Mike, and then maybe we'll ask David if he has anything else he wants to say. Brian. >> Yeah. Can Can you hear me, Susan? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, similar question. I'm just wondering I I know we had a safety concern about water accumulating in the bottom of that hole. I see the fence up. That's fabulous. So, that's a a relief in terms of safety. But, is there still water in the bottom of the pit? And I guess it relates to Susan's question. How can we get rid of that water for safety reasons? Um I guess we really have to pump it out because you know um the groundwater um is pretty high over there. Even we we I think we dig down about 4 feet right now. Um we are really hitting the the groundwater and in addition if there's a rainstorm coming you we really have you know maybe a couple feet of water standing there. So >> okay. So, so, um, I'm going to go to Mike Gilda's game now and we'll circle back on the deatering. Yeah. >> Just a quick note for which we'll probably take up later is that with the porous pavers, uh, there needs to be a a plan for vacuuming or sweeping on a regular basis. That's just a note for the future when we get that far. >> I would hope that we put that in the permit. Mike, but we'll have to check that. >> Yes. >> So, that's a good reminder. >> On the original um uh approval, they came with a uh operation and maintenance plan and the original design already have the permial PA. Um the Sun app of appeal approved plan the PA the PA area was expanded. So, the design is the same. It's just the the area is different. >> Okay. Thank you. But we'll check that mic. That's a good point. >> Okay. >> Um David Morgan, have you had a chance to go out to the site before this meeting? >> No. No, I haven't been since we issued the enforcement order. No. >> Okay. Was it your understanding that dewatering was going to be continued to be done or not? No, because uh Chuck, our chair, had said that we would want to make sure that the proper protections were in place for ensuring that, you know, as you drain into the catch basin, you're catching all the fines and the sediment and so forth that would be going with it. So, I think he wanted us to consider that as part of the scope. So they put silt sacks in. >> We put the seal sack in and uh the the water go through a filter bag before you even discharge into the seals sack. Um the plan was submitted I should I should actually submit it to the commissions. The plan was submitted to uh tongue engineer. It got approval from town engineer before the dewatering happened. >> Okay. Okay. So, in my opinion, I see a few things that need to be done, but um commissioners, you can tell me if if you see it differently or or Jackie or David. Um I think dewatering needs to be done because that is an issue for mosquito larve and just protection. So, um, please submit the plan to the commission. Um, but since you have the sils sacks in the filtering, I think that there is not a problem with de dewatering. Um, second, we need to plan a site visit for Jackie um to go out and anybody else from the commission who wants to see it um to to understand how the site is secured right now and what your proposed changes are. And then you need after that site visit um to give us the proposed changes um you know the the updated plan um and your proposed modified changes. Does that sound right to everybody? Okay. Um so I don't know how we want to set up a site visit. What's the easiest thing? Well, Jackie only works on Fridays right now. So it would have to be next Friday. Is does that work for you? >> Yeah, that works for Mr. Okay. >> I can accomodate. >> You can accommodate that. Jackie, what what works for you? >> Um I think next Friday is open. Let me just double check. >> That's the 25th. >> Thank you. >> Um yeah, let me double check. But I think anytime would work. Yeah, anytime on the 25th. >> Okay. So, why don't we make it in the morning? >> Yeah, I think morning is usually easier for >> for people >> other people, >> right? >> So, well, we actually try to schedule um per the out of condition. We're supposed to have a pre-construction meeting. Should we schedule that on the same date? um since you are going to be on site so we have we can have the contractor there and um go to >> Yeah. So that's that's part of the order of condition. So >> Sure. So it'll be to to evaluate the enforcement order >> to make sure that that's taken care of and then as a pre-construction meeting. >> That's fine. >> Okay. >> What time on the 25th? 9:00. what works for people. >> I know that Chuck usually likes it early. David Morgan has his hand up. >> I was wondering about scheduling the preconstruction site visit because Yeah, I was maybe I heard incorrectly, but I was thinking that there were changes to be >> Oh, that's right. And the changes wouldn't have been approved, so we couldn't do the pre-construction yet. Well, that's my quest. That's also my question too because we are only proceeding on the foundation work. There's no difference on the plan on the foundation works. So, we can proceed with the original plans >> until the modification. The modification is really just the the expansion of the PA area and the overhead um the above above ground deck. I think with the height of the groundwater that you noted and the considerations about additional uh pvious surfacing there, we'll want to hold off on the foundation work too. I think the idea would be we want to make sure that there's sufficient separation that we're not displacing groundwater with the foundation and then you know trying to infiltrate it on top of that heightened level of groundwater. You're going to have a lot of mounding around that foundation and at the >> points where it's exfiltrating. So, I think the commission should take a a close look at the groundwater levels and the you know plan the modified plans compare them and see if they work out. >> Um, was this was this building supposed to be elevated on piles or is the foundation in the ground? the the found well the the building is supported by piles because we have soft soil out there. Um and the because it's in the front zone, the front portion of the building is designed uh on gray with uh flow through panel, the uh front vent and the rear of the building is actually open uh supporting the second floor because um the way it was designed, we cannot have um any fill on site because we cannot have any loss of storage volume and that >> so you don't have a foundation like a concrete foundation like a normal house >> on the front of the building. Yes, we do have to do it on the front. >> Yes. Found. Well, I should correct that. It's a foundation but the um uh the foundation wall but below is has a deep pile foundations supporting it. >> Okay. So, it's it's not a 4ft foundation that um a traditional uh foundation that has to go down 4 ft into the ground. >> Okay. >> And since the groundwater seems so shallow, um have you I I think we asked you this once before. Have you looked at the um the separation and you know how high the groundwater is and whether you're going to be flooded all the time or this is going to work. >> Yeah. Well, the um the the ground floor is is is not uh livable space. It's only used for storage. So, it's designed that if a flooding event come in, the water can flow free in and out of the ground floor. all the living space is up on the uh upper floor. >> Okay, >> that's good for compliance with the building code and so forth. But I think Susan's question is getting at whether the exfiltration from the pvious surfaces or from the rain garden would have sufficient room to infiltrate before hitting groundwater, >> right? because otherwise it doesn't exfiltrate. >> Yeah. Well, the the design is up above the groundwater and we have a vessel of course under the uh pores pavement that's um I think it's almost like 12 in of crush stone. When it's rain, the water can uh filter flow into the uh crush stone reservoir layer and let that sit there for a period of time. Let it slowly infiltrate into the ground. That's that's how it works. >> Yeah. So, I would encourage commissioners to take a close look at those figures and make sure that the engineering is dialed in as tight as you can get it. I've it may well have the separation that's needed. Um that you know in in light of a not a conventional foundation granted but anything additional going into the groundwater there you want to make sure you're not running into issues in a neighborhood that's that's known to have flooding problems. >> True. Um let me ask you one more question Mr. Man. Um, did the town engineer review this um the the permeable pavers and the and the rain garden and where the groundwater is and the whole storm water system. I would I would think yes because we went through both conservation and um Sony border appeal process and I believe the town typically send it to the town engineer for comments. >> Jackie, could you follow up and check on that if we have any um town engineer comments in our project files? I'm not sure we do. Um, >> yeah. >> Yeah, but at at some point. Okay. So, I think we're we're circling back. Um, I think I'm going to take David's um recommendation to heart that the pre-construction meeting is going to have to be after the site visit because there might be other changes that we discuss or we might make a recommendation. So, um I don't know that we could do it at the same time, but we can do it, you know, shortly after that. >> Um so, let's do the site visit on the 25th. I know that Chuck prefers an early morning. So, could we do 8:30? Would that work? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Would that work for you, Mr. >> Yeah. Whatever. You know, whatever time we can come. >> Okay. 8:30 a.m. Does that work for you, Jackie? Okay. >> Yeah, that works. >> Okay. So, we'll do a site visit on 9:25, 8:30 a.m. And that's to review the enforcement order issues and also to discuss what are the potential modifications that you want to make so that when we do the pre-onstruction meeting, all our ducks are in order. Um, sounds good. And in the meantime, I think I don't know if we need to modify the enforcement order to allow them to do dewatering. It I don't think it says either way, does it? The enforcement order. Don't know if anybody has it up. I don't think it say >> there is a in the chat. the uh owner of 103 Thornike says there's no water on site now. >> Well, that's nice. Thank you. >> Yep. Um on the special conditions 51 is talk about any dewatering operations shall confirm to the following. Um basically we have to submit the plans to the commissions get approval before we start. >> Okay. So that's >> so just submit that plan that you had from the town engineer approval >> and then you can >> that's one of the violation on the enforcement order. >> Right. Okay. So you said you have that plan. It was reviewed by the town engineer. So submit it to the conservation commission. Um the agent or or Jackie um because David's not going to be here can can look that over quickly and give approval for dewatering going forward. until we get this enforcement order um all um fixed because we don't want to have a huge storm and then say, "Well, we can't do anything." >> Okay. >> Okay. So, we did that and we have a site visit and then we should put um you on the next uh meeting >> for followup and that would be either um that would be the October 1st. >> October 1st. Okay. >> Okay. >> So, we should continue to that meeting. >> Do we need to um advertise for the modifications? I'm thinking that I would I would have a plan be submitted so we can actually review the modification. >> I think you should have a plan. I don't know that you need to advertise for >> Yeah. I don't I don't >> I don't think normally I don't believe but I don't know if the town has that you know requirement. >> Yeah. Jackie David I don't think he needs to for a modification but what do you think? I I don't know >> if it's an amended order it would need to be advertised. But if it's a minor modification, see this is where we always get in trouble. We have to decide if it's a minor modification or an amended order. And in order to decide that, we need to know what are the changes. >> Okay. >> So, based on what you've told me already, it almost sounds like it's a minor, not an amended order. >> And so, Jackie's right. If it's significant enough that it's an amended order, then we do need to advertise. >> Yeah. I I think the original of condition cover for everything. >> Okay. >> Basically, >> and these are minor. Okay. So, um let's let's assume that's right. And if we get in into um an area where we think, well, no, this is getting to be too much and it's an amended order, then we'll have to do it at the next meeting. Um but we'll start out assuming it's the minor um changes. So, we'll continue this to October 1st. >> Okay. >> Um, and is there anybody um in the in the public who would like to make a comment about this enforcement order? I'm going to open it up to public comment, which is the chair's discretion on non-hering items. You can either raise your hand using the raise hand function under um the re reaction button or just wave and turn your video on. Don't see anybody. Am I missing anybody? David or Jackie? I don't see anybody. Oh, Francis son. >> Okay, Francis, could you um you can unmute yourself. >> Yeah, Francis is the owner. >> Oh, he's the owner. Okay. >> Uh go ahead. >> Yeah. Good evening everyone. So >> good evening. >> Uh I believe so we already done the last dewatering uh before the last hearing the last meeting. So uh during the last whole months I have track on site and I took a photo this Monday and uh I think chim already submitted. I believe no water on site now. So okay less issue. Yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you very much for reporting that. And if you did take a photo, could you forward that to the conservation commission? >> Yes, I think a chim already did. So, it's in there. Okay. The packet I emailed today has a lot of photo in it. >> Okay. I didn't get to review that carefully um because it came so late. >> So, um for the October meeting, if you could get the materials in a week before, if you have a revised plan, that would be helpful because then the commissioners have a chance to review it before. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. I'm going to close public comment and um can I get a motion from a commissioner to continue this meeting? This Yeah, continue this discussion. Sorry. >> I'll motion. >> That was David White. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> And that was Mike. >> Yes. >> Okay, great. Okay. Um Brian McBride. Brian, do you hear? >> Brian, are you there? >> Are you Are you saying yes? >> Frozen. >> Are you frozen? All right, I'll come back to you, Brian, because I need you. Um, okay. Uh, Mike Eldest Game. >> Yes. >> David White. >> Yes. >> Um, Susan Chapnik says yes. And can I get um Brian McBride? >> Yes. >> He put a thumbs up, so that's good. Okay, so we're going to continue this discussion. um on October 1st and you need to um submit the dewatering plan that you had from um the town and you're going to um submit a revised uh plans which will have some modifications and we're going to do a site visit on the 25th and we'll have some site visit notes from that at the meeting as well. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. All right. So, the other um report the other discussion items have reporting from working groups. Um I'm going to skip over that for the minute. Um and I'm going to go to conservation commission applications. We have two um potent two applicants >> for uh that that have shown interest in the uh conservation commission position. that's being vacated by Nathaniel Stevens and um Chuck and myself self have have interviewed some of them and David has interviewed them and Jackie I think you've met have you met some of them as well hopefully >> I met one of them yes >> okay all right so we have um Emily um Scarf here with us and we have uh Seth Federiel. So Emily, could you please just introduce yourself, why you want to be on the commission, what your background is, and we'll have commissioners ask you questions as they see fit. Thank you. >> Sure. Yeah. Um, hi. Nice to to see everyone and and meet everyone virtually if I haven't met you in person. Um, I'm a licensed landscape architect. Um, I've been practicing in the Boston area for close to 15 years and um, I work for a small womenowned business uh, in Boston and I've worked on a number of projects large to small, a lot of work in the public realm and I've also been on the other side of the conservation commission um, uh, guiding projects through the permitting process. Um I have a master's in architecture and in landscape architecture and when I was a graduate student I worked at the uh Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas uh working on the sustainable sites initiative and writing those guidelines. >> Thank you Emily. Um any commissioners want to ask any specific questions um of Emily? We did get your resume. So, so they have that background, Mike. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Quick question, Emily. Thank you for being here tonight. >> Yes, of course. >> What What do you think your strengths are in terms of the work the conservation commission does? What strengths do you think you'd bring to the story here? Yeah. So, I've lived in Arlington um I guess uh almost for six at least six years. And um I think I have a really good understanding of um the sort of nuances of um conservation and sort of the is put forth by the Commonwealth. Um a and I think that as a landscape architect, I have a really good um understanding of um ecosystem services and the different um you know factors that influence um what the the goals of the conservation commission are. Um and through my practice as a landscape architect, you know, um obviously plant material and specifying native plants and adaptive plants um has been a big part of that work. Um so I really think I have a broad understanding of um of what's needed to be a conservation commissioner in this town. And I'm sorry we're having a bit of a my daughter's having some sorry it's a meltdown. I'm very sorry if you can hear that. >> It's all right. Don't worry about it. >> Okay. >> We've all been there. >> I'm sorry about that. >> No problem. >> Okay. >> Any other questions for Emily? >> Um >> Brian Brian, sorry I didn't see. Yeah, go ahead. >> Yeah, sorry I lost my connection a second ago. I'm not sure if Mike's question covered this, but I'm curious if you've ever worked uh with projects that were uh near near protected areas and wetlands and what kind of specific project might have um exposed you to some of the Massachusetts or Arlington regulations. >> Yeah, good question. And um I can definitely say that I have worked on a number of different projects that are um you know near water resources um near wetlands um within the 100 foot buffer adjacent to the 100 foot buffer um near freshwater bodies um near coastal water bodies um and I've worked for state agencies um like Massport on projects um that are in these resource areas um as well as projects in the city of Boston and um Cambridge and some of the smaller towns on on the Cape. >> Thank you. >> Well, thanks Emily. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. And I'm going to go to um Seth Federsfield. And I'm sorry, Seth, I didn't get to to meet you because I missed that Zoom, but I get to meet you now. >> No problem. Happens to the best of us. Um nice to meet everyone. Thanks very much for having me this evening again. My name is Seth Bispiel. Um I've lived in Arlington for 13 years. Um I work my background is in climate change policy. Uh so most of my work has been for uh governments at the federal, state, and local level um implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation uh programs and policies. Um, I'm interested in joining the conservation committee um as a way to get back to Arlington and kind of blend my interest in um, you know, protecting natural areas and getting people involved in the environment as well as enabling sustainable development. Um through my work in Cambridge, I was in the planning department there and really saw the need to balance, you know, development, you know, particularly given the affordable housing crisis we have with environmental protection and making sure that we're being responsible with the natural resources we have, particularly in urban environments like Arlington, um where the natural resources we have are are really important. Um so I would bring um again you know a lot of experience working in that kind of government regulatory setting. Uh in Cambridge I worked with the zoning and development division um to help new development in Cambridge um comply with the conservation and uh climate change regulations. I helped to write the um zoning code for the green building requirements around energy and environmental requirements. Um I also both in Cambridge and at the state worked to help uh update the building energy codes. Um so I'm familiar with kind of that code language. Um and I also saw um oversaw implementation of the Cambridge climate adaptation plan and thinking about that how that fit together with development and um other services within the city. Um so I think you know again I'd bring to to the committee that somewhat higher level perspective of how all these pieces fit together um but with a lot of comfort with government and regulatory processes. I think I can work professionally um with the rest of the committee as well as with project proponents um as they go through the process. Um so thanks again for having me and happy to answer your question. >> Thanks Seth. Appreciate it. Um any questions from commissioners for Seth? >> Yeah, I have a question. Um, so have you been involved at all in the climate change um, initiatives in Arlington or this was in a different town? >> Yep. So um, both professionally and personally, I've worked with the environmental team in Arlington. So Dave and I go back several years and I know Fox quite well. >> Um, and so I've helped with the climate mitigation work that Talia has led, but also with David. some some of the climate adaptation work. Um, and currently I work for an organization called the Building Electrification Accelerator and we support cities and towns statewide with their climate change work. Um, so David and I were in a meeting yesterday around natural gas leaks in Arlington and and creative solutions to to getting off of gas for the city. So So again, familiar with with kind of cities across the state in that way. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, any other questions from commissioners or Seth? No. Well, I will say thank you so much for joining us tonight and the process. I'm sorry if it was a little disjointed over the summer if we were lacking getting back to you because there were a lot of vacations and summer is hard to deal with things. Um but the process is that the conservation commission after meeting you tonight and and reading your resumes will will come together and vote on um who they want to put forth as the full commissioner to replace Nathaniel Stevens. We do um have associate commission positions. Um, I don't know if you're aware of those, but what those are are it's very similar to a full commissioner except for the fact that you don't have as much responsibility. You're not expected to meet make every meeting and you don't vote, but you do have a voice and you do have, you know, specific projects or specific areas of interest sometimes that you spearhead. Um, right now we have two associate commissioners. one is our liaison to the tree committee and the other um is actually an agent in the town of Burlington and she brings a lot of storm water um expertise. Um but they don't come to every meeting and they do specific things um for us and they they really add to to our work. Um, so I I would just like you both to consider and and I'm not going to put you on the spot now, but if you could email us back the Concom and just say if if you were not chosen as the full commissioner, would you consider an associate position? Um, and if you could just email us back, that'd be great. Um, so that we understand that we you have a lot of talent, both of you, and you bring different um areas of expertise. Um, and I I wish we had two full positions open. Um, because sometimes we are we're looking for people and now we have two. Um, so so if you could follow up um via email and you can just send that to the concom um and don't email David directly anymore because he won't be here. Uh, but um, Jackie will be here and I'll I'll be spearheading this with Chuck Terrone who couldn't be here tonight. So, thank you, Seth, and thank you, Emily. And we'll tell you by the next meeting because we'll do a vote at the next meeting. So, we won't keep you hanging that long. >> So, we should email you tonight and let you know and then you'll let us know after the next meeting, which is on >> because we have to do a formal vote. >> I see. >> Um, yeah. So, but I'd like to know your position, whether you would be interested in just a full position or you're interested in either position. And um that would be helpful to us when we vote. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank you. And our next meeting is October 1st. >> October 1st. Okay. >> Okay. All right. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you so much for spending your time virtually. Yeah. Right. And at some point we're we're going to do at least one inerson meeting this year >> because we need to do that. So yeah, >> thank you. >> Good. And you're welcome to hang around if you have the time for the rest of the meeting. See what we do. >> Okay. So we're going to go back to the rest of the um discussion items. Um I think we can get through them quickly and get to our hearing by close to 8:00. So we have the um fishing line working group has not met. I am the liaison to that. So there's no update. Uh the water bodies working group David White. >> Okay. We are going to really miss David Morgan because he's a key a lot of things we do. We need to think about the next RFPs who work for next year. So we're going to have to pull together to make that happen. >> Okay. And um so it's a more work for us and harder work for us to do, but we're trying to pull it together. >> Okay. And I'm hoping that Jackie gets gets up to speed on those. >> I'm also thinking having one vendor rather than multiple vendors for things. >> Okay. >> Think about consolidate things might make it simpler as well. >> Okay. >> Though in the past we consolidated and then we weren't happy and that's why the vendor. So there's pluses and minuses there. So, how can he manage >> right now? I hear what you're saying. Um, yes. So, so we do need to focus on that. I I I like the model that we did. Well, you tell me if it's working. I know Brian um I mean Dave Kaplan isn't here tonight, but he was at least spearheading the uh man, you know, following the management of the contract for Spy Pond, right? you know, keeping on track on top of them and making sure that >> that they they did everything that was in the contract and >> deliverables, etc. >> Our next our next task is get the RFPs together >> probably by November. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. >> Um, >> one more piece of news. >> Okay. >> Okay. There is apparently a heron >> entangled at the reservoir. >> Mhm. I'm not sure. Well, there's a fishing line, maybe been a fishing line, maybe been mud, I don't know. But there was a big to-do and a rescue operation this week, including the placing the fire department, >> right? I heard about that. The fire department came out and so did the Arlington um >> animal control officer, >> the animal control officer um and several volunteers. And actually the the egret, I think it was an egret ended up spraying itself. Um, but it looks like it had a hurt leg. Um, so hopefully it will will survive. But there was some concerned >> Oh, you did? Good. >> Good. >> There was some concern about the um level of the water in the reservoir, but my understanding is we always drain it to that level. >> Always drain to the level. Yes. Always lowered the lowest level this time of year after the beach closes. >> Okay. >> And this year we have a additional problem. I think we have a lot of plant life um leaf pondweed that is sort of knotted rotted on the surface as well. So that's a different thing this year. Usually it's just sort of mud. This year we have plant materials as well. >> Okay. And is maybe that's something we should look at with the with the management evaluate the level that we should take the water down to or >> I think we should also look at how to do about the invasive curly leaf pondweed. >> Okay. >> Because we have that at spy pond. So what do we do? Do we treat it somewhere or do we not let it there's all sorts of comp complications and and the burers like the low level. It's good mud flats for migrating birds. Yeah, I've seen I've seen a lot of migrating birds there. Um depated. Yeah. >> Corant the what's that big corant? The really large one. >> It's a burning hot spot for migrating birds. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Well, thank you, David. >> Okay. >> Um and you know, I can help with that, too. I know in the past I've helped a lot with water bodies, but I stepped back. So, I can step back in if you need. >> We'll join you in again. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh tree committee leazison. Um Sarah is not here so we don't have an update there. Sims conservation um Brian McBride is there any update on that? >> No, we uh we were unable to pull off our meeting last week um due to scheduling conflict. So we're trying to reschedu for next week. I have I have to say I have new respect for Nathaniel. It's really cat hurting at a high level to try to get everyone on the same page in the same place. So >> hopefully on good luck. I do have one more piece of news, Susan, on the CPA and maybe a quick discussion. >> Sure. >> Um the the preliminary uh applications for CPA funding are due in about a month >> and uh with David leaving um I just probably we should get some clarity on who's going to be managing those applications, who's going to be submitting them, which which properties we might try to do some um applications for. My my hope is that the committee u sorry the commission would consider doing a couple um uh applications regarding some of our properties for enhancing uh oh I think we lost you Brian well if you don't come back I'll speak for you because I think I understand that you're looking at conservation properties for improving habitat and biodiversity university. Um, and writing something about that, >> right, >> David? Oh, there you are. Okay. Are you back? >> Sorry. My uh my connection is strange tonight. Keeps >> Okay. >> David. >> Yeah. I'll just ask David. David or Jackie, are do you know who's going to take over assisting with the CPA um grants writing or would it be the new David would have to do that? >> Yeah, it would be my successor. >> Okay. >> In the meantime, do you think Claire has or anybody has any appetite for helping? >> You can always ask. >> Okay. I met with David and Brian was that a number of weeks ago now to talk about the prospects and we had wanted or well rather we hit on the idea of doing something with the Massachusetts tribe at window on the mystic given the prior conversations we've had with them about that property and I just I want to encourage the commission not to move forward that until there's more community involvement and support. So, um I I think as long as if if you do choose to advance something for other properties, that that seems like a a great proposal to be overdue as Brian's highlighted many times and potentially the one that gets funded, right? So you can just hand that to whoever winds up in my role and they will be able to run with it. >> Talk about pond lane 2 is a priority project. >> That would be fantastic. >> Yeah. No, nobody else is going to be moving that one for a while. So if the commission wants to pick it up and and do something with it, I would be thrilled. So, Brian, are you still um taking the lead on maybe assisting someone when we get a new David to to write um a proposal for CPA funds for property? >> Yes, sure. I'm happy I'm h happy to do that. I think I just probably need a little guidance and this helps what we've just talked about. >> Okay. You certainly Cooks Hollow and Pawn Lane are the big the big swings I think that David David and I came up with a couple weeks ago, >> right? >> I you know, I have this personal desire that we should it would be nice to start a project to do some habitat uh work uh land restoration work on one of our properties like maybe it's Metobrook or something. Maybe there's a pilot we would do along those lines to, you know, put up a sign, improve the path, maybe have a a lookout or something. You very simple um as a demonstration project. I don't know if the committee commission has interest in that sort of um uh new new new kind of project >> rather than um something that we have some funding for like Cooks Hollow. Is that what you're talking about? >> Right. May maybe in addition to cook, maybe it's only, you know, $50,000 to do >> a little project, right? >> Yeah. >> A little demonstration project. That sounds good to me. >> Um, >> and the goats, too. >> The scouts. >> Goats. >> Yeah. Oh, the goats. Yes. Well, that's a good segue, David. That's a good segue because I know we're going to talk about goats. So, Brian, did you have anything else to bring up? >> No. Um just maybe one last thing. Uh so if uh you know David David and I have this rough format and I think we have some guidance Cooks Hollow, Pond Lane, maybe a small demonstration project. Who would who would I work with or David and I work with in the next three weeks or something until I don't imagine your replacement is going to be chosen in three weeks, David? And no, >> we have a deadline in four weeks, >> right? And the deadline is really just for like an outline. I mean, this isn't like the whole project, right? The first deadline is really just a kind of >> concept. So, >> two or three paragraphs really. >> Okay. So, I'd be happy to work with you on that and maybe we can loop in Jackie as she has time. >> Perfect. >> Okay. Yeah. Because I've written some before years ago. >> All right. Sounds good. And you can keep us and you can keep us honest, Brian, because I might forget that it needs to get done and you can email me >> and we'll meet >> a team team. >> Yeah, we'll meet. Okay. All right. Okay. So, now I'm going to go over back to David Morgan to talk about goat landscaping and anything else you want to talk about. >> Is this the administrator's report to follow? >> Sure. >> Okay. So I suppose we'll tackle any transition related conversation in the administrative report section, but um upfront on the goats, our recycling coordinator was just hired Charlotte Milan's replacement and um she came to me to meet the first day she was on the job and in our conversation she said, "Do you have any produce for a herd of goats to do landscaping for. I was overjoyed. I was like, "Yes, absolutely." Um, knowing that we've had them at a Sims in the past and it's been something the community enjoyed so much and uh really brought attention to those properties in meaningful ways. So I reached out to the woman who tends the goat herd and is a Lexington resident. We got together at Pawn Lane to talk about the project that's slated to happen there and she was willing to volunteer herd to come out and you know conduct a bit of vegetation removal. Um, I want to stop here and just mention that we have $90,000 in community development block grant funds for Pond Blain, which has just been announced is forthcoming from the federal government. So, we can count on those funds for the preliminaries. um our CDBG coordinator is going to be working out what exactly are eligible expenses and so forth. But I wanted to bring this question of making a donation to um the goat herd to your attention so that we might start off on the right foot with uh this woman who tends the herd and maybe be able to do more work together in the future. So, as I say, she's she's volunteered. has even signed a volunteer waiver and so forth. But I went and did some market research and figure out what these services generally cost and would like to propose that we allocate $2,000 from the stewardship fund that we jointly hold with the land trust to basically approximate what she could get paid for her time. So this is not something that you know is is being contracted. It's not subject to procurement because it is a volunteer job. But I would like the commission to consider pitching her that amount as a gesture being able to work together in the future and you know start off on the right foot. David, would that be for a one-time service fee kind of thing or is that more general uh participation? >> Yeah. No, that's a good question. Like what is the scope? So, she would bring oh, I think it's about a half dozen goats to Pond Blane. If we're able to, you know, get her on board for um the end of September and into October, it would be like a 3-w weekek stretch of time that they would be there. only certain days of the week, but they would do a good amount of land clearing. We inventoried the biodiversity on site with with the help of volunteers. I mean, I went out myself and did a whole bunch of cataloging of the plants and such that are there. And when we met on site, she said that they could eat probably 75% of what we had indexed. So they'll put a significant dent in the project that would give us a very meaningful head start on the pond lane project to come this fall. So, it's essentially site prep before we get into doing things like infrastructure work. >> Good. What plants would they remove? >> Oh, that's a great question. I would need to pull up my >> There's a huge FYIA that she says that they love. There's a large patch of poison ivy that they would wildly eat. Um, trying to think of what else. There's mulbury. I think that she said that they would touch those. >> Mhm. >> Certainly the, you know, saplings and grasses and things of that nature in the clearing in the center. She said that they would get lower branches on the other native trees, which could just be helpful for, you know, making passage, but generally wouldn't touch things that were um like a multiflloral rose that's in the middle of the property or >> God, what's the stuff called? Porcelain berry that's growing over it. So, it's a mixed bag, but in total, >> she said, or well, put it this way, by species, she said that it was about 75% of what the goats would eat 75% of the number of species that are on site. They're not, of course, all equally represented. So the biomass is, you know, different what they're going to take away, but it is a big clearing job that they'll perform >> and that would save us money to hire from hiring somebody. >> Yes. >> And also save us herbicides at at least at this point. >> Definitely >> because it's a it's a naturebased solution versus >> herbicides, right? get a little fertilizer out of the deal as well when those those we know that uh they're lacking in potassium um the soils there. So that could be helpful. But I think the money would be well spent simply for the community engagement around that project. the idea that we can build some buzz around that project, which has been out of the public mind for a while, you know, since we did >> definitely >> and um you know, start to build buzz ahead of like breaking ground doing the infrastructure work with the CDBG funds. I I think that alone is worth the expense. So suppose I rest my case. >> Thank you, David. Are there other questions? >> It seems like a small expense overall for some benefit. I'm just usually don't pay volunteers. I don't know what that >> So we usually pay them for materials, >> not for their time. >> Materials, not their time. Um, and I I I am, you know, supportive of this, but legally I'm wondering what we can do because this is a fund we have that pays it does. It is a volunteer fund. >> It's used to pay supplies, right? And and physical things, not labor. >> Not labor at all. >> Um, and not donations, right? they went to pay receipts, you know, like like a scout troop said, "I need five, you know, $250 worth of lumber to make this trail, you know, that's where it went." Um, so David Morgan, have have you had a chance to ask town council if we could do this? >> No, I haven't. >> No, you need view the agreement too with the land trust. >> Right. That that I think will be the next stop. I I think the question is whether it meets the commission's approval and if we have that in hand then we go on to find out what the parameters of the agreement might be. So, you know, I'm I'm suggesting a vote on the uh donation and if it runs into some kind of hurdle down the road, whether it's the land trusts rules around how to use that fund or town council's concern, >> it can be brought back in front of the commission to, you know, change the scope accordingly or, you know, just pick a different cat, >> right? I saw a comment from Elaine Crowder that it could be, you know, earmarked for goat supplies or something like that. And then >> that might be a way to do it because then it's it's supplies. It's a it's for its materials for the purpose of this volunteer doing this volunteer project. >> Yeah, that that's a helpful insight. We we talked that herd tender and I about the expenses related to keeping a herd. They're pretty low surprisingly, but um >> Mhm. >> you know, this I I think this would put a pretty meaningful dent in her overhead. So, we may well be able to work with her again on a volunteer basis for having sort of >> provided for the herd. Yeah. And created goodwill. Yes. Um any any other >> CDBG might be used for this at all? >> No, I don't think so. I so I met with um Mary our CDPG coordinator today and our conversation like like I kind of described at the top was about how to decide on the right category for >> essentially reimbursement right for the grant expenses >> and the federal government prescribes those and I don't know if this kind of activity is covered in there. I mean, we were we were actually going for more recreation uh themed categories because of the eligibility of doing infrastructure work like the water connection for irrigation or making paths to have people walk on and so forth. So, edged in a different direction. >> Um, >> you have another question, David? But just note that we raise money for the funds from volunteer donations. We say it's for stewardship activities basically materials. So um if we somehow frame it as some sort of material support rather than time support would be a better deal. >> Seems like a good way to frame it. >> Yeah. supporting the goat herd to do the job of what we would hire, you know, somebody with with herbicides to get rid of, right? You know, a landscaper or whatever. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. Um, can I get a motion from a commissioner then? Because we can't accept a motion from David. He can request it, but we can't we can't accept it. I move we try to find somebody to support this gold activity on okay on this property. >> Okay. And whether it be the ALT fund or another avenue. >> Yeah. >> And do you want to put a dollar amount on that Dave on that motion, David? >> I think David mentioned 2,000. I to frame it as a >> somewhat material support for the activities >> for for and and for Pawn Lane and potentially other activities. Okay. >> I'll second that. And you'll second that, Mike. Okay. Um, any further discussion? There's only a few of us, so there's not much discussion. Um, I'll take a vote then. Brian McBride, >> yes. >> Okay. Um, Mike Gildisgame, >> yes. >> David White, >> yes. >> And Susan Chapnik says, yes. So, I don't know where that leaves us. David Morgan, is is this the this drop in Jackie's lap or do you need somebody somebody else to >> um figure out if we can do the ALT funds? Okay. >> Tomorrow morning. >> Okay. >> I will at least start the ball rolling to >> Okay. compare the ALT requirements with what we just voted on and >> okay, >> potentially even put it in town council and just copy Jackie so that if he makes a decision, we'll be off to the races if it's an approval. >> Yeah, we'll all get on the same page in the morning. >> Sounds good. And and Jackie and the office has all the contact information for this person with the herd anyway, correct? >> Yep. Yeah, >> okay. Thank you, David. Um I am going to um delay your administrative report, David, um which might be lengthy because we're going to talk about your transition and go to the next go to the hearing first so we're not keeping um the public and the applicant waiting that much longer if that's okay with you. >> Absolutely. Yeah. Thanks. >> Okay. So, um the the first hearing was listed as a notice of intent for Zero Reed Street. Uh this was a continued hearing and that the conservation commission was going to hold um to consider a notice of intent for a single family home. However, um the applicant has asked us for continuance. So, we will um continue this meeting without opening the hearing. I I need a uh commissioner to make a motion to continue this to October 1st. >> So moved. >> Thanks, Mike. And can I get a second? >> Brian. >> Brian. David. >> Okay. Brian seconds. Okay. Then I'm going to take a vote to continue zero re street to October 1st. David White. >> Yes. Brian McBride, >> yes. >> Mike Gildescape, >> yes. >> And Susan Chapnik says yes. Thank you. The next hearing is D number 091 0379. The notice of intent at 53A Park 1337-1339 1341-1347 and 1349-1357 Massachusetts Avenue and Zero Park Avenue. This is commonly known as Arlington Coen Lumber in the town. We're holding this public hearing to consider the notice of intent for paving an existed parking area with the addition of on-site storm water recharge for roof runoff at 53A Park a um etc. those I I just said all the uh names of the locations and the areas proposed to be altered uh under the wetlands protection act and our local bylaw include bordering land subject to flooding riverfront area to Millbrook buffer zone and the adjacent upland resource area which is the buffer zone in our town. And who do we have um with us tonight to present this meeting? I see a hand raised. There we go. Um, >> hi. Good evening. >> Is this Lim Limhood? >> Uh, yes. Um, for the record, my name is Limhut Tiff. I'm an engineer at Ghost Mid Press and Ringwall, GPR for short, and I'm here tonight as a representative for Arlington Coen Lumber. Uh, I see that Bob McNamera, the the owner, is also here tonight. Um, so let's see here. Um, do I have permission to share my screen so I can pull up the uh the plan? >> You should be able to li >> All righty. >> Is that right, Jackie? See, try it and see if it works. >> Yes. >> Great. All right. >> Can everybody see the plan? Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yes. Thank you. It's a little small, but >> uh let me see. Zoom in a little bit. >> Yeah, >> there you go. >> That's better. Thank you. All righty. Um, so I believe I was here um, oh gosh, I think >> was a while ago. >> Quite a little while ago. Yeah. Um, I was here before in in uh, in an attempt to to ask the commission as well as the the town um, to consider allowing us to repave an existing area, the sliver of land that my cursor is covering uh, hovering over. Um we have gone back and through research confirmed that you know in order to actually get permission to repave this section of the existing pavement that belongs to the town it would require you know town vote and therefore have opted to um ignore or discount that area outside of the scope of work that we're proposing to do uh for the project. Um so to to sort of recap what um we had talked about last time is that um you know this area over here um located at the back of these buildings is an existing uh parking area that's been there for very very long time. Um it has since you know been degraded and topped off with gravel a few time just to you know to have some sort of a solid surface to drive over. Um this is an area where there is currently no on-site storm water management or treatment of any kind. So any wa storm water runoff that you see you know following the contour uh really from this point of the the driveway and going down as well as all the roof runoff from all these abuing buildings um they all sheet flow onto Mil Brook that is located on the north side of the uh the site and and parking area. M >> um currently there is a spot right about where my cursor is. Um that is been eroded you know due to long exposure of sheet flow and and storm over the years. Um that area you know there's been some attempt to try to fix it but more or less is a problem area and you know continues to be a problem area for a very long time now. Um what we're proposing to do is we're proposing to um essentially peel off the graded asphalt and repave the surface um so that we can get rid of the problem of you know sheet flowing sediment on and discharging it into the brook. Um, additionally, we're looking to peel back, you can see my cursor, this section here where you have an existing retaining structure of some sort that's holding back parking. Um, provide um an actual curbing, concrete curbing, and restore this section and provide some planting uh to act as a a uh vegetative uh buffer strip. um as well as a way to create a physical barrier between the park vehicles and the resource area. We're also looking to pick up the roof drain and roof ramenoff from these two buildings over here and putting them into the subsurface um tanks. Um they're called our tanks. Um, we selected these because they they fit well in and for for an area that we're trying to have vehicle load over. Um, they're they're relatively shallow and, you know, they're they're essentially plastic carton boxes that you can drive over. So, they're they're strong and they're shallow, so it's making it a lot more easier to work with in an area where, you know, we're relatively close to the, you know, the water. Um so we have sized these to capture and provide storage for 1 in times the roof area of these two buildings. Essentially um you know taking out as much runoff as we can from what's currently contributing to the sheet flow problem going into the brook itself. Um, so you know, we're reducing the site total impervious area while providing a way to treat clean roof runoff to remove TSS as well as phosphorus nitrogen before discharging it back into a stone apron and a stone diaphragm at the area where we've had erosion issues for um that's the extent of the project. Um I'm more than happy to answer any questions the commission may have. >> Thank you. Um I appreciate that. I have some questions, but I'll go to David White has his hand up and then Brian. Go ahead, David. >> I was going to ask about snow storage. Well, I believe right now snow storage for the most part is just, you know, they're pushing snow to the back of this location over here. Really anywhere they can really anywhere they can fit snow. Um, not a whole lot of room to work with to be honest with you. >> On site, >> not in the stream definitely. >> Yeah. So, so we would put a condition to make sure that the snow doesn't get pushed into the stream. And um if you have snow storage on site and you run out of room, you're going to have to truck it off because it can't get put into the to Milbrook as you know. >> Understood. I would ask that approval condition would be appropriate. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, Brian, >> yeah, sorry, my connection has been coming and going, but my um my familiarity with the site is that the parking is in general on the Park Avenue side in the lot at the top right of your diagram. Um, >> oh, we lost you again, Brian. Brian, you're going in and out. So, we heard that you had a question about the parking and it's in the top right. >> So, we missed we missed a few a whole a whole uh discussion. Try again. Try again. >> Okay. So, sorry. Um I'm my big question is are you adding parking spaces beyond what's normally in the top right of the diagram? >> No. >> Okay, that was my concern. Thank you. Mike. >> Yeah. I was wondering that area by Milbrook uh which is has had erosion problems in the past. How is could you say more about how that's going to be stabilized? >> Yeah, of course. Um the area currently because it's been eroded for so long. Um it's you know if you tried to walk over it is just silky lom material. Your foot would sink in that area. the subbase with that would have to be excavated out. You know, we're not peeling a whole lot, but just getting out all the muck. Um, and then putting down rip wrap stone um so that that area can stabilize or long-term um discharge point from the uh the two set of chambers that we have on site that's you know dumping back water um out to the brook. Um so that essentially creating um the rip wrap apron armoring so that we don't have erosion problem um in the future. >> But that area wouldn't be paved over. >> No, it would be stone. >> Just stone. And it would receive the flow from the two tanks. Is that correct? >> The the flows are coming that are coming from the tanks are overflows. The the pipes are set at a high elevation. So it has a chance to, >> you know, uh, retain and infiltrate water and and overflow once it's full. Once they're full. >> And any overflow would go to that area with the rip wrap. >> Correct. >> Mike, I have a question. Oh, there's David Kaplan. Yay. Hi, David. I was hoping you would show up and help us with the storm water. I have a few questions, but I'm going to let you go first. Oh, I can't hear you. Maybe you're muted. >> We lost him. >> Did we lose him? Oh, no. That's terrible. Well, I'll wait till you come back. Oh, no. There you are. I still can't hear you though. I don't know what's going on with your connection. All right, I'll come back to you, David, when I can hear you. You just shout out. Okay, feel free. Um, so yeah, you're trying to reconnect. Okay. Um, I did have a question. So the the um the two infiltration units that you're using are just getting storm water from the roof or are they also capturing storm water from the paved areas? >> They're only for the roof. >> Okay. So where does the storm water from the paved areas go? Does it still just go sheet flow? >> It still goes sheet flow. >> Is is there anything we can do about that or not that you understand? You see where I'm going with that? Because pavement can have some, you know, chemicals that are harmful to our wetland environments and it's nice to kind of capture them and trench drains or somewhere before they could just go sheet flow directly into Milbrook. >> Um the answer is yes. Um there is potentially more we could do. Um the problem is we generally tend to try to keep flow coming off of a roof. um you know separated from flow coming into a pavement. >> Sure. Because it's different. One's cleaner than the other. Right. >> Right. Right. Because roof runoff is considered um clean discharge. >> Right. >> Um that way you're not dealing with you know um trying to pick up the TSS that would potentially clog up the system uh later. um >> you know, in order for us to consider trying to capture anything on the surface, you're looking at, you know, uh a capture structure that has a 4ft sump in order for us to get the TSS removal credit because we're discharging into uh critical resource area. Um so you know it would be in a a separate set of chambers um to get that address. Um what we're doing currently is already a reduction to you know the existing runoff just by reducing the total impervious area on site on top of infiltrating you know the roof area for these two buildings which you know if you're looking at it from just the parking area as well as all these separate buildings. associated with this project. I mean we are taking out a big chunk you know roughly about 40% of the area and then capturing treating it and retaining that area to mitigate for the you know the runoff that's currently sheet flowing uncontrolled. >> Okay. Um, I know I I I'll have to do a little digging on this because I don't remember what it was, but I know that that a project um similarly in where they were repaving their parking lot on Dudley Street in one of those businesses, we did have them put in a system to capture the um the parking lot uh runoff so it wouldn't she'd flow to Melbrook. Um, I don't remember what that system is and I don't remember the number on Deadly Street. Um, so I'll have to I'll have to go investigate that myself. But I do have a few more questions while you're here. Um, the you show some trees next to the brook in that is that the reveated area you're talking about? >> Yes. >> Okay. And what are you proposing to put in there? So, I actually had a chance to speak with the uh the landscape architect that was working uh currently working with the owner. Um okay. What when he looked at this area and you know, he basically said, "Well, realistically, you probably can only get two trees in there and okay, the other three will have to be shrubs just because of how limited the area is." >> Okay. um you know he he recommended um red maple and uh tapello um as the replacement tree or the proposed planting and then just you know three smaller shrubs or midsize shrub I guess um to act as a physical barrier for that area. Um >> and then some are you lman seed some seed or some low grasses or something. Okay. >> Yeah. the the organic in that area will have to be scraped off I have to imagine just because there's invasive in that area >> but yeah scraped off new loom seated and you know go from there >> okay um oh David it's raising his hand maybe we can hear him now Dave Kaplan no still can't hear you oh No, technical difficulties. I'm going to go to David White who has his hand up. >> What invasive do you have there? >> I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question? >> What invasive plants do you have? >> So, he's asking if you have invasive species in that area where you're looking to replant. >> I believe we saw a few Japanese notwheat that popped up in the photos. Oh, >> well, that's a big problem. >> It's going to keep coming up. So, there's going to be have to be some control of that. Maybe cutting and um dabbing or something if you can. We'll have to see because the roots are going to be in there. Yeah. >> Yeah. We'll we'll work with the landscape architect to >> Okay. >> figure that out. >> Okay. So, we do have certain limitations on using herbicides right near Brooks. Um, but we so for example, no aerial spraying. If you need to use them, it has to be cut and dabbed so that they're >> injected >> used in a very right limited fashion so they don't get into the water um in the resource area. So, we have some controls on that when we get to to discuss that a little further. I I might need a site visit because it's hard for me to picture um where everything is. I've been by there, but I I don't think I've ever walked in the back. I know David White has um in the past. Um >> my neighborhood, >> right? I also have My other question was, have you um had the town engineer review the storm water um systems? Because we we want to make sure there's enough separation between the bottom of the stone underneath the chamber and the groundwater. So, infiltration works. We have not um the system the bottom of the system or both system um were cited based on the elevation level of the brook adjacent to it because we're so close >> um I believe at the time I try to maintain 2 feet of separation between level of the water to the bottom of both these systems >> right >> um just >> is that listed somewhere do you have a storm water report that shows that or is that just on here and I can't see it. >> It's unfortunately it's not on here. Um, >> okay. >> It I I think I do show bottom of stone right there and elevation 147, >> right? >> And the reading for the water was elevation 145 >> 145. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And that's how I we cited the the chambers. >> Okay. >> I I think I Oh, I can hear you now. Yay. Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to test it. >> No, please, please. I was just talking about storm water and separation from the bottom of the chambers, and I would love you to to uh butt in. Go ahead. >> No, I I I like where the conversation's going. I think it's good that it's two feet. I mean, I think this is maximum extent practicable and we're getting roof runoff in there. I think it's going to vary based on the seasons. So, maybe some seasons it'll work better than others. There may be some variability in that two feet, maybe more, maybe less. Um, but I think, you know, it's designed the way it's designed, I think, works for me. >> Great. Did Did you have any other questions, David, about the project? >> Yeah, I did actually. It's like since I haven't been to this site, I don't have an idea of how much width we're talking about here where that stone apron is. that's going to take the overflow from the So I guess my question for that point is that is that where all the sheet flow is sort of concentrating from the parking lot as well or is that just where the pipes are going to be outleting from the storm water structures? >> It's both. is both sheet flowing from the existing site and um that's where we're designating the discharge point because everything else dumps out to there. Okay. So, so all the parking lot runoff is sort of parrowing to that point. That's not it's not just sort of diffusely, you know, falling contributing perpendicular to the bank evenly throughout the width of the parking lot, right? It's it's all being coralled to this stone point. >> That is correct. And and admittedly that is mainly due to this big chunk of retaining structure that's on site. >> Water sheet flow you know starting from here going towards >> and you know some of it will hit that structure and is getting picked up or you conveyed >> by that structure and then dumping out to that that low spot. >> Um unfortunately is creating a shallow flow. >> Right. And you're recreating that condition with the proposed cur Irving. >> We are. Yes. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, I guess I think it's this is a tough engineering call because you are, you know, I I guess I'd like to see sheet flow kind of more diffusely go and then using that planted area as kind of a buffer and sort of a polishing before it falls into the brook. Um, but if everything's being coralled to that point, I guess I'm a little bit um, you know, to see bank turn into stone, you know, if it if it needs to. Yes, sure. But, you know, if there's a way to sort of bioengineer it or redesign it in a way where the sheep flow can maybe that could put like sort of a a swale detail running parallel to the brook and have it overflow kind of the natural area. But I again I don't know the width that you're working with. I don't know what kind of engineering it would take to do that to make um to reduce that discharge point, you know, from one concentrated point to spreading it out through the entire width of the parking lot. I think uh >> I think that's the the biggest concern that I have with with the consideration like that is that you know mass storm water handbook generally asks that you try to maintain existing drainage pattern especially if we're discharging to a critical area. If we're, you know, taking an area where we have concentrated flow and that's where it's dumping out to a resource area currently, I would be hesitant to try to spread that across uh a longer stretch of area that wasn't happening before. Um, you know, we're talking about an area where you have a um, sorry, I'm blanking on the word. we have a regulatory uh floodway that we're in. Um you know any changes to a regulator uh regulatory floodway is uh is generally a big no no. Uh so we try to avoid doing that if we can help it. Um but I do see your point of you know allowing it to sheet flow into a buffer strip. Um but you know the buffer strip itself is only about 8 to 10 ft. Um, so it's not it's not like we have, you know, a 25 foot strip that you typically see for trying to get a flow dissipated and properly spread before, you know, before it reaching the resource area. Um, that's our primary concern. Yeah, I guess, you know, I think it's the best of we do want to armor the slope or at least design it in a way that's not going to continue to erode and and destabilize. And I'm just not sure if there's another way to do it other than stone to to bioengineer it or do it in a way where it's going to um at least keep some of the natural character of that bank rather than seeding it with breath. Um, I'm also wondering I'm also wondering if it would be helpful to have the town engineer look over this and see if they have any suggestions um about that or anything else because it is a complex site. It's very tight. Um, I would feel more comfortable I think if the tan engineer looked it over as well. I do like David Kaplan's idea about looking at naturalizing that area if we could. Um to me it's almost like I was just down on the Mystic River looking at some of our um outflows there that come from streets up beyond Mystic Valley Parkway underneath the parkway and they discharge right into um the river Mystic Mystic River and um when it's done right there are um there is rip wrap and there is stone, but there's also plantings around it um to help um naturalize the area. So, but I just don't know if we have the room here to do that or not. Is that something you could look at um Limhoot um to see if if there's any way we could do a little bit of naturalization of that area and still get the benefit of you know the the water not like just rushing through there. >> Um we can certainly take a look. Um, generally speaking, the the the bofiltration area that I believe David is referring to, uh, generally has a certain square footage. It has to be met. Um, if you're trying to go that route. Um, a u mainly for the fact that, you know, you still have sheath load that we're dealing with. So, you still have to have stone in order to slow down the water first and foremost. and then B having sufficient area to plant something in it. Um, you know, on on, you know, once you slow down the water. So, uh, I'm not really sure. I have to take a look at it a little bit closer to see if we actually have the area to do something like that. Um, it might be the case where, you know, we have to cut back a bigger a bigger chunk of that area to to fit something in. Uh we can we can take a look at it. >> Yeah, I mean I'm not I'm not sold on my soil idea. Like you said, I'm not sure we have the size for it and and just redoing the drainage patterns. I thought that was a good a good point you brought up. Um but yeah, just taking the curse off of that. I I don't have a scale in front of me, but I don't know how wide that spillway is going to be, but sort of taking the curse off of it and planting around it in a way that softens it and, you know, creates a more naturalistic surround. >> Um, at least it >> Yeah, it's a good idea. >> And my other question too, I had just a quick one, but we're ready to move on. Um but if we're not please somebody >> um David Morgan is your question about this or something else. I have a comment about the swale idea which is >> okay >> just that >> stay on that for a minute then >> this area is in a heat island and so you know with the addition of pavement right there we're going to need to be very attentive to drought and heat resri plantings and to the extent that you can add shade back there in such a site beautiful but we're already contending with the uh spatial constraints and so forth. So, I wouldn't expect terribly much to come of that. Just wanted to tip you off to direct the landscape architect to consider those things as they're putting together a planting plan. >> And there looks like there could be one tree near there anyway, which might help a little with shade depending where the sun is. Okay, Dave Kaplan. >> Yeah. And and I'm not sure. It seems it's a pretty busy site. I imagine there's a lot of vehicle traffic and the fact that so much muck has built up at that discharge point. I assume there's a lot of sort of sediment that's generated or flowing through the site. Is that is that a safe assumption? >> It it is and and mainly has to do with the fact that this is an area where you have a degraded asphalt surface. So loose asphalt is constantly being sheet flow washed off and and continue to kind of you know spill into the resource area. Um that's which is why we want to make sure it's paved properly so that you actually have a smooth surface so that mud tracking and stuff like that is not you know making sure that the parking area is not a problem in of itself essentially. >> Yeah. And and I understand your constraints on, you know, the the TSS side of the maximum the storm water standards just based on the site constraints and then degrading and how to corral it and put it into a collection sump working with some other. Um, but I was curious if you would be willing to consider, you know, additional source controls, regenerative air sweeping. I noticed that was put in to the O andM plan, but if you would consider four times a year instead of two, I think that could, you know, help with the lack of TSS removal and opportunities on the site. Um, help a little bit with source control. >> I'm I'm sorry. Um, I just turned up my volume. I couldn't I was having a hard time hearing you, David. Um, could you repeat that? >> Yeah. I just I was wondering if you'd be willing to consider um additional sweeping maybe four times a year instead of two. I noticed that was in the on&m M. I think that could help out with you know a lack of opportunity for TSS removal from storm water management structures and help out a little bit with source control. >> Yeah, of course. I think I think that's always an appropriate um you know ask. Um yeah um I would ask that it would be made into an approval condition. Um, I think street sweeping is something that if you have a freshly paved area, you generally try to want to keep up with if you can help it. Um, so that's not a problem. >> Good. Thank you. >> Thank you, Dave. Um, any further questions from the commission or I'm going to open it to public comment. Don't see any. Okay, I'm opening this up for public comment and if anybody who is here from the public wants to share a comment or question, um you can raise your hand in the react button on the bottom of your screen or you can open your video and wave to me. Um, whatever works. So, let's see if I see anybody. Do you see anybody? Any I don't see anybody. Is there? No, I don't see anybody. >> Okay. So, I'm going to close public comment. I'm going to go back to the commission if there's any further questions and then I'm going to summarize what we've said. Further questions? No. Okay. Um, Limwood, I I thank you for this. You you were very clear in what you're doing and in your answers. So, I appreciate that. It's It is a complex site. Um, I'd like to do a site visit. I'm going to ask Jackie Ye to help us set that up. Um, and I'd like to ask for town engineers review of the storm water. Um, and I' So, those are two things. Um, I'd like you to um define, we usually have this, we require a definition of an area on the plan where you're going to sto store snow. Um, if you could just highlight that. Um the uh so the town engineer review the snow storage uh site visit um consider the source control which we've said we can put into a condition of of additional sweeping and then um if you could look into softening the uh the outflow the stone spillway. see what what you can do with your landscape architect to get that a little more naturalized without sacrificing um what you need to do to make sure that we're not getting erosion in that area and we're we're slowing down the flow a bit. Um do those those things make sense to you? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um and with that, would you um would you like to request a continuence to our next meeting? >> Yes, please. or the meeting after. I don't know how long it will take you to respond. >> Um hopefully pretty quick. Um okay. >> When is the next meeting date? >> October 1st. >> Yes, I believe we should be able to respond in that period of time. Um hopefully everybody's available to meet uh before before that meeting as well. Meet on site. Um >> right. because I I'd love to if I have a chance or an opportunity kind of provide some of the answer during that sitewalk without discussing it just >> No, it makes it easier. Sure. Sure. I'm Dave Kaplan, I'm going to put you on the spot. Are there any times during the week that you're available either early or late because I know it's it's challenging for you to make site visits. >> Yeah. Um, see, uh, Blen, were you thinking of having it sometime next week >> or the week after, I guess, because Do we have two week? Yeah. >> Or weekend? >> No, >> that that's harder for >> Okay. >> a lot of people, but um next week if he's going to get the paperwork to us a week before the May next meeting, >> right? or Yeah, that's true. >> Um, Susan, can you hear me? >> I can hear you. Yes. >> McNamera. >> Oh, okay. Did you have a question, a concern? >> No. No. Um, but we opened our business at 6:30. >> Oh, wow. Okay. >> So, and I could um happily meet everyone there as early as possible if you'd like any day. >> Okay. Thanks, Bob. I appreciate that. And I will I've listened to the commentary here. Just if I could just a couple things. >> Sure. Sure. >> Um the building 134947 which was the ORIc store for a number of years. We've owned um since the early 80s, we just last June bought the building 1341 um 47. And we don't own the building on the corner which is where the UPS building is, UPS store. So we have a runway or an easement across for access. >> Okay. >> So in the past the the snow plowing particularly has been troublesome >> because we didn't own the property. The previous owner >> um basically just pushed it anywhere. And so this past winter which >> we um pushed everything straight all the way to the back and then removed it. >> Okay. it was taken out with the smaller the couple small storms we had but the two big storms we had in January and February we trucked it all out >> thank you >> and and Limhot's you know drawing here the scale the challenge I think just looking at this from practically is that the flow goes to the back right behind our old building so the the grade the natural grade all the water flows in that in that direction u behind 1349 Massav >> okay >> and It's very limited for we can fit as we're planning on 10 spaces. Uh part of the reason that we really want to get this paved and cleaned up is that it's kind of haphazard right now with tenants. Um we're re redeveloping the building and hopefully we can get it so that it's an orderly parking system, but there is not a lot of space between the edge of the brook and the building. Um >> Okay. >> Right. And so I think practically speaking the plan the way he's on along the Mill Brook side. I think he's done as much as we could possibly do. Um and then and and prevent the water fizz from flowing in as it's just it's just there's no no barrier right now except for a couple pieces of granite curb, right? So, >> thank you. >> But anytime I mean I can move all of you there and we can walk. It's not a not a problem at all. So, >> thank you. I appreciate that. Um Dave Kaplan, what's your availability? Um, I could probably do like 2:30 on Tuesday. Would that work with people? >> The 22nd? >> Yeah, the 22nd. >> Okay. >> 2:30. >> Okay. I don't know if Jackie can do that, but um >> No, I can't. But I think it's okay if you guys go without me. >> Okay. Yeah, I I can't make it either, but go ahead. >> And Mike, can you make it? >> I can. I'll just have to change another appointment. That's not a problem. >> And Dave, David White, >> 2:30. >> Can you make 2:30 on the September 22nd? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Um, and I'll see if if Chuck can can make it. He may not be able to, but we can at least get a few people there. Um, so let's let's make it 2:30. Site visit 2:30 for September 22nd for those of us who can make it um on site. And who should we meet there? Should we meet you, Bob, or >> Yeah, I'll be Yeah, I'll be there. I would >> Yeah, you can be there. >> Yes, definitely. >> Okay, great. That would be helpful to answer questions directly. Okay. >> If you're walking or if you're going to park, I would suggest parking in >> Lumberyard parking lot and we walk right behind. So, >> okay. Okay. And um let's see what else do we need to do. So, oh, I'll need you Limh who to to send the the storm water specs to in the plan to our town engineer um who is um do you have that information or do you need it? I guess Jackie can follow up with you and give you that, right, Jackie? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. So, you'll be coordinating with Jackie Ye from now on because David is leaving. Um, >> yes. >> And and she'll help you with this. >> Understood. And I just want to say that the storm water memo um as well as all the details associated with the actual system. It's already on the plan or within the application package already. >> Okay. >> So, application package and onm, you know, we can definitely get that over. I'll coordinate with Jackie. >> Okay. and yeah, with the plan and and have him review it, that'd be great, Jackie. If you can tell them that we're trying to get this on the next by October 1st, if if there's any way they can review it by then. I know they're very busy, too, but you know, we don't want to delay things. So, if that's it, then I need a motion from the commissioner to continue this hearing until October 1st. >> So moved. That's Mike Gildis Gang. Do I have a second? >> Who is that? >> Brian. Okay. >> Brian. Okay. Brian. All right. Any further discussion? I don't see. I'm going to take a vote. Dave Kaplan, >> yes. >> David White, >> yes. >> Brian McBride, >> yes. >> Mike Eldiscane, >> yes. >> And Susan Chapnik says yes. So, we will see you on October 1st. We'll actually see you before that for a site visit and then on October 1st. And you know the materials for that meeting need to get to the conservation commission's office a week before for supplemental materials. >> Understood. Thank you very much everybody. >> Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Good night. Now, okay, we're going back to our agenda and we're going to head back to administrative and take it away, David. I'll keep it short and sweet for everybody. It's past 9:00 and we're not in the mood, I'm sure, for lengthy, heady conversation about very logistical things. But I've prepared a memo that addresses I hope everything that the future agent will need to take on of course as well as the planner role. So here I'll just briefly it was in the meeting materials for this meeting on drive but some of you may have missed it because it was added later. So I'll just walk you through it quickly and we can touch on the concom stuff. Um it's ordered by I'll just say hierarchy of importance. Um so hazard mitigation plan for example is ongoing. It is the topmost thing that needs to be done within the planning sphere. That's not important to you. It's just an example of how this thing's set up. So um I go through all of the planning projects that are in the department currently. Some of these pertain to concom um the Metobrook Park and lower Milbrook survey is one that uh Brian was wondering about in relation to the CPA uh application that we were discussing earlier and details can be found there about the uh contract amendment that's ongoing with Wesley and Samson to add $15,000 of stream stabilization analysis and concept design to their scope. Um the Milbrook model update is another one that lives with Weston and Samson. That of course is the hydraulic model that they maintain for us and um a heads up that the vendor there wants to do a review of that with engineering and conservation and any other interested stakeholders. So that will happen probably in the fall or winter. uh may or may not need to wait for my replacement. Priority flooding analysis. Here is the proposal to reroute Milbrook over by Colonial Village and all the details are included there. Um just skipping down to talk about the storm water ress update. This is something I've been working on with engineering to bring the town bylaw and regulations for storm water in line with conservation commission's regulations and so forth. Um I I think that's enough said on that one. There is a separate section for construction and capital projects where we touch on Cooks Hollow and Pond Lane, both of which we discussed in the CVA context. So, look there for information about where those projects sit. Very briefly, we got 140K for Cooks Hollow from CPA. we're not going to be able to use that funding because we didn't get MVP awarded and so that might just get turned back or repurposed or whatever. Up to you. Well, up to planning, but since you have a stake in it, you can chime in. Uh pond lane there, of course, is the money that I described earlier. Uh the other pieces here don't really have terribly much other than to do with uh Concom. We discussed the window on the mystic earlier. uh Mlin and actually this one does have a brief update that we're again working with Won and Samson to install a trash rack at the outflow so that it's easier to maintain that pipe that gets buried and um clogged all the time and causes all the headaches with the water levels and concern about flooding and sort of damage to the plant life on the shoreline and so forth. So, um, hopefully that will help again one that's slated for years end potentially get it installed by then. And now I'll just skip all the way down to concom. You have your own special section of course separate from the other boards and committees that I've staffed. Wetlands permitting is the bare bones, you know, crash course in basically just you have to do permitting. What a surprise. There's not terribly much to say about that. There's a lengthy section here on aquatic invasives and water quality management. This is all of the things to do with the water bodies working group and it goes soup to nuts from our budget to the kinds of invasives that we manage in the locations that we manage them uh the working group members, the contracts and vendors that we work with, who's responsible for tracking those details, so on and so forth. Um, so everything is detailed here. David White, you are more or less our leader in the working group. So I I nominate you for the point of contact. And here is where we talk about the aquatic management contract that we discuss in the update section. >> Thanks. and uh some other finer points, contact details, etc. Mount Koboa is a Concom project. We've decided not to touch it, so I'm recommending no action for the time being, but pick it up when you so desire. I go into the conservation land stores program, the pink plants campaign and um here is just you know working to sort of revive the traditional land stewards program and then work with uh army on coordinating the pink plant installations around town. SIMCR. That's what uh Brian gave an update on earlier. It's just basically working with Brian to make sure I keep a schedule with those folks and they're on target. And I think this is the last one. Yep. Talking about the uh bylaw and rags updates. Since we were midstream on those, I wanted to make sure that um we're tracking changes, developing language to suit what has been proposed, and fundamentally we're just getting the stakeholders back together um to finalize those updates and issue the new rags. One important piece of this is updating the bylaw. Last town meeting, you might remember, a bunch of the content I had submitted for revision was deemed out of scope given the way I'd written the warrant article. So, a better warrant article suiting the remaining changes needs to be refiled with town meeting this spring. And then we'll just iron the rest of those things out. Um, Susan, Jackie, and Nathaniel if he is so brave and willing. So, um, that is what I have written down for the commission. I wonder if there's anything glaring out of this list that I have missed. I see Mike's hands popped up already, so hit me with it. >> Well, first of all, I want to say congratulations. This is an excellent piece of work. It's thorough, it's clear, it's well written, and I think it sort of is the Bible for the next uh agent that comes in. But I just wanted to congratulate you on a really well done piece of work. >> Thank you. Glad to hear that. Yeah. Thumbs up from David, too. I I'll just tell you real quick that the transportation planner that we had uh before we hired the new one prepared sort of this template that this was 20 pages long and I keep razing him that I got to like twice as long as he did. So he was he was here this this evening. We were just having that conversation. So I Yeah, trust it is as thorough as I could possibly make it. >> Yeah, it's great. Well done. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I appreciate it, David. Um, you know, we've been through this transition before and it's always painful, but um, this will help make it a little less painful. So, I really appreciate you spending the time um, documenting everything. Um, and you will be sorely missed as as I've said before. So, >> thank you. I'm going to miss you a lot as well. >> Really enjoyed work working with you, right? But you'll still be in town, so we'll still see you around, right? >> I'm in town. I might even pop in for a meeting here and there on new applications and say, "What's going on with this?" >> You never know, in in five years, you might be a conservation commissioner. >> Yes, I was thinking that. >> Stranger Things are definitely happening. >> You never know. Nice. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other um comments or questions from David? >> Okay. Um and David's last day is tomorrow. He promised me he's going to be in the office. If anybody wants to um say their final goodbyes. Okay. Um so the Yeah. Um lost my agenda, but I think we're pretty much at the end, right? Where'd it go? >> Yeah, >> that's what I get for having too many screens open. >> Okay, >> Jackie, would you mind sharing the video of the meeting with me? Sorry, I was a little later than I thought it was going to be. Hopefully I didn't miss too much and saw Reed Street was on the agenda. >> We did it. We continued Reed. We continued Reed. So, you didn't miss it, which is good. Um, and you got you got in on the one I was hoping you would help us with, which is great. Um, that was the Arlington call number. So, thank you. But yeah, if you want to hear the rest of our >> Yeah, I'll share it with everyone who was absent at some point and ask ask people to do well in forms if they missed the hearing. >> Yeah, thank you. Um, and I think we're up to the end where there's any new business anybody needs to anybody has to talk about. No. Okay. So, I will accept a motion to adjourn if we're ready. >> Move. >> All right. Mike second. >> Second. >> All right. And I'll see everybody October 1st. Well, I'll see you before that at the site visits. Hopefully some of you >> at some of the site visits. Okay. Thanks everybody. >> Take care. >> Take care. Bye.