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City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire
/
Conservation Commission
/ 13 Sep 2023
City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire
/
Conservation Commission
/ 13 Sep 2023
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From YouTube:
9.13.2023 Conservation Commission
Description
9.13.2023 Conservation Commission
A
Hi everyone welcome to the september 2023
uh
meeting of the conservation commission.
The.
A
First order of business is approval of the august meeting minutes.
Does anyone have any edits to make.
A
Yeah, I have a question
um
on top of page three, when we were doing the
um
not the power plant.
B
But the other one,
um
sorry
um
uh
it talked about a vote and I voted no on the project.
But.
B
Apparently, on the
um
the cup there was the fill and dredge, and that was second and then the cup.
B
uh
67 bridges: court: okay
um
at the bottom, the the description.
It said that
um
lynn.
B
And brian had recused themselves and that the vote was a unanimous 5-0.
But I don't remember.
B
Voting in favor of it at that point and then voting against it in the phil and dredge section.
B
And I don't remember those guys were accusing themselves and they didn't recuse themselves.
B
From the phil and dredge- so I was like this, so I'm wondering if there was a cut and paste that.
B
Went into the wrong place, yes, I haven't recused myself from anything so far, yeah and I was like.
C
Why would they recuse themselves someone from one half of the issue and not the other so anyway, that.
B
um
And I thought I voted against it on both and I was just you know, a seven one or six.
B
Six months, we might have gotten that wrong in this.
So anyway, that was my only edit.
Do you have.
A
Any other edits I wasn't there, so I don't have any edits.
Yeah, oh make a motion that we.
D
Approve the
uh
the minutes for the last meeting with the recommended changes.
A
Discussion no ready to make
uh
ready to vote all in favor.
A
Going to recuse myself.
A
uh
Moving on to the next order of business.
A
The wetland conditional use permit applications new business,
uh
the first.
A
One on the agenda is 90.
Fw hartford drive is anyone here to speak to that application.
E
Stop yeah.
I have to I'd like to recuse myself, because I know one.
E
Of the owners for the 90 or 90 and 18.
okay.
A
If you would just state your name for the record,
uh
yes, ash chicory, 90, fw hartford drive.
Thank you.
A
Occasion90Fw and we'll revisit it for 80..
Both you guys are voting.
Okay,.
F
Go ahead!
Yes, so so I'm here today just to basically explain the the tree on my property, so.
F
um
I had the chance to talk to
um
kate when she came to my house and she showed me one of.
F
The website that you use for to look at the delineation of the line so eye-opening, but.
F
um
That's what I I used right there, so what I did was those three that you see.
One of them is a shed.
F
um
And
um
the shed itself came with the house when I bought it back in 2015.
F
um
So the trees I took them because, with time you know, a lot of these trees are just they're.
F
The root show they're leaning, some of them were peeling,
uh
so starting from the side.
F
um
Those trees they were like huge pine.
They started rotting out the point where they become.
F
Top-Heavy- and they were probably, they were massive, like probably like 80, easy, huge and.
F
um
Very close to the house and my neighbors house as well, and you know, as a homeowner and I said.
F
Dad same thing, I'm like okay, if that tree's false and every I'm an anxious person by nature, I'm like.
F
If that tree falls, there's three any of these three fall, they hit my neighbor's house right.
F
There, so I did that because they were also in in bad shape.
A lot of them have destroyed out and.
F
The cluster you see there I had, I have a better picture, but
um
on on a usb stick,
um
one of them.
F
The tree had a like a crevice in it as well, so one of the secondary one so and it was basically.
F
Leaning on this side, so that goes, it goes to my neighbor julian's house.
That close, so I took the.
F
Measures here over there there's also on the side there's a tree that was already taken by.
F
The previous owner, I had it,
uh
I have it there as well.
um
He said that fell on one on a bed of.
F
Vegetable that he had back then so he took this out, but I added it there.
So that's for the side.
F
So next to the shed there's, there was a beech tree where the beast trees.
There were big branches like.
F
Huge branches, one of them fell on that shed, it wrought it out and then the other one had a crack.
F
So you could actually properly see the crack all the way down.
So I took this out as well, because.
F
Then it had some mold and I don't know what I I you would call it, but it was a lot of just black.
F
And green on it, but it was just cracking so it would have split and fallen this way so because.
F
We are out there, we play a lot, you know our little kids, we play a lot there.
We go in the back.
F
um
I took that as well and then moving along there, so the cluster that you see at the underside.
I.
F
Did measurements about like 38 40 feet from the wetlands line and the last one?
Actually I have.
F
An updated measure of it, the last one on the back there, that's about eight to nine from the from the.
F
Line
um
so the moving to the left on the picture,
uh
the trees that you see, one of them had it grew.
F
And then became two and then had a hole, so this leaned on this one.
So I took this one out as well.
F
um
And then, lastly, this one, the last one, is about 38 40 feet from that line.
Going this way, the last.
F
One
um
there were, there was a tree before that came down.
If you were there, you probably saw.
F
The roots there was like a big root over there that tree that came down took this.
F
One,
uh
the one before it and this one it just went right on it, so I took it out as well, so.
F
uh
Safety reason my neighbor has a very expensive playset on this side and their house on this side.
F
Is way closer than mine, so those big trees they go, they go.
um
The other reason is there was a lot of.
F
um
I found out it was like burning bush around it and a black zone, so it was such a canopy that it.
F
Just like, I think it suffocated the whole section itself where
um
I guess I took other pictures, but.
F
If you were there, you saw some of the trees that were still protruding out rotten out and there.
F
Was still a lot of cleaning that had to be done because it fell over time.
One of the things we.
F
Want to clean that up is because, in the winter for example, years ago we used to be able to snowshoe.
F
Right through because if you look at the shed behind the shed, I still own 100 feet all the way.
F
Back we used to be able to go, it was bushy, but we would go in the past two or three years because it.
F
Became so clustered with branches trees and it was burning bush we couldn't even go back.
I actually.
F
Went back once with our neighbor he's playing his ankle because of a lot of stuff that was just.
F
There so I took the
um
this burning bush.
You know they grow really fast, so I cut it down, but it came.
F
Back within a year and a half or so and then box on those things wrap around the tree.
So when I was.
F
Taking them out, I saw that there were other stumps there.
So I remember the owner previous owner scott.
F
What I was talking to you when I bought the house, he said he took some down because they came down.
F
Right and then
um
point of reference for me, if you look at my neighbor two houses down, that was.
F
My reference because my his lawn goes about 80 feet, past mine, so going you know whatever.
F
Scott telling me so we have the wetlands it's way back there.
That's why he was able to do that lawn.
F
um
So that was always my reference, not just me many other people of you know the wetlands.
F
Being back there, so even the water line, if we go, we have, you have to walk, probably like 40.
F
50 feet to see some things if it accumulates so my take on that is probably you know.
The line is.
F
Probably a bit further out, but I don't know, but that was my gauge my neighbor at I believe 70.
F
In terms of why you know, we all thought: okay, we're fine, but looking at the plan, I'm like.
F
Okay, so we are a lot in the buffer, but what can I do?
You know as a homeowner to have what.
F
I call reasonable enjoyment, while being able to just you know, go through and kids don't get.
F
Branches, or you know, one of my friend called one of the three a widowmaker is what he called it so.
F
um
So that's why I'm here just basically to get what I want to do is part of my plan is to you.
F
Know I'm not building on it.
I just want to get that whole mess cleaned up, because there's so.
F
Many stuff, like I say I have other pictures I have on a usb stick that I took, but they are.
F
Still, I'm hoping I could save two of the trees.
There are nice trees, but they've already rotten.
F
Out I mean, if you need, I could send other pictures as well, but what I want to do is basically clean.
F
That area, so we could walk there and eventually, basically just put some fill in there and just put.
F
Like you know, blueberry, bushes and stuff, like that,
um
but that's my that's why I'm here and I think.
F
Part of your packet, you mentioned the shed, so I bought the house in 2015.
The shed came with it so.
F
Know not my my favorite type of shed, but it's something I can use.
But I.
F
um
If there was any permit for this before me before 2015.
so again, you know I'm here the.
F
The logic is the safety issue, those pre-posed for you know family myself and my neighbors and then.
F
Cleaning up the area as well, because it's just it's still a mess right now.
So thank you for that.
A
um
We'll now take questions and then see what you have to say: go ahead.
Allison.
D
um
Are you employed yes and, and what is your job, if you don't mind, I'm an auditor, I audit hospitals.
F
Okay, so so you have had no training as an arborist.
No, no!
No!
No!
It's very difficult.
D
For someone, without any training, to look at a tree just because it looks a certain way and.
D
Decide that it needs to come out.
Okay, so really a licensed arborist is the one that evaluates a.
D
Tree particularly in a wetland buffer to decide whether it's a dangerous tree or not right, okay,.
D
And we have some images that seem to indicate that if that shed did come with the property.
D
It wasn't located on that spot, but at any rate, what we think is that you really need to have.
D
A wetland delineation and that you need to work with the wetland scientist to see how.
D
You're going to make amends for what happened here.
Okay, I I once and I have questions on that.
F
um
If anyone knows was the woodlands always had wetlands was it built in the wetlands?
Do you know.
D
It well, the houses were built out of the wetland, but in the buffer in the buffer.
Yes, a lot of the.
D
Houses are actually in the buffer and if you look at the line, that's that's drawn there.
That is.
D
um
Not as accurate as it could be now, you may not have done as much damage as.
D
It seems according to what our documents say.
If you can get a wetland delineation.
D
And it says that there was less damage done, but we have a 25 foot, no cut buffer and the.
D
Other thing is that when you look, it doesn't have to have standing water in order to be a.
D
Wetland right, okay, it's it's got to do with the soils and the plants that I understand that yep.
D
So, that's why you need to have a wetland scientist come out and delineate your property to see where.
D
The wetland buffer is and where the wetland actually starts so and then you need to make.
D
Some sort of a reparation for what was done.
Okay, a question I have is
uh
when this was
uh
how old.
F
Is this map for the wetlands the the boundaries, because, if you mentioned delineation, are you not.
F
Sure the line is there.
Oh, that's what I'm saying.
I'm saying that these are as accurate as we could.
D
Be with doing a massive drawing regarding where the wetlands are and the wetlands were.
D
Originally delineated by the association that put in the homes right.
But if you translate.
D
That to the map, it may not be exactly accurate.
So that's why I'm saying go out.
Have it redone.
D
See what it is right, okay now, is that something the city would do, because it's still purview.
It's.
D
Something that you would do as the homeowner you need to have that done on your property.
F
um
But the jurisdiction is yours right, so the city has a city-wide wetland delineation map.
That was.
G
Last done in 2003 that
um
usually, if we have smaller parcels like homeowners coming in that.
G
um
Might not be able to use a wetland scientist or afford a wetland scientist.
G
And we feel that the map is accurate, we let them use our own city-wide wetland.
G
Donation, but in recent years we feel that some spots of it have not been as.
G
True because wetlands have changed over the last 20 years, so we're working on a city-wide update.
G
Right, but in this case and in the case of a lot of applicants, they feel that the wetland has.
G
Changed and when we were out walking on julian's property, we noticed that it did look like it might.
G
Be a little bit off, so it might be in your best interest to hire a wetland scientist unless you.
G
Would like to continue using the citywide map and and based on that.
So if I understand well.
F
Is it like any time you operate within a wet, a wetland or a buffer?
You need a permit anytime.
F
Like anything, you do any tree or anything right, any ground disturbance, any ground disturbance, so.
F
um
So in the woodlands where I am, you know where most a lot of the houses are in the buffers.
F
um
Anyone who does tree work will need to talk to the conservation board and get a permit.
D
Correct if they're within the, if it's in the westland buffer, if it's in the buffer.
F
Okay, that's good, because I have spoken to some people who said you know they did talk, but they.
F
Took some trees, but again you know, I think the education is key right.
A lot of us don't know.
F
um
Like myself, but I think you know I think kate said there would be like a a city-wide education.
F
On on the wetlands and uses, I think that's what missing our neighborhood has changed a lot.
So I.
F
Was thinking that you know on our end, we have a you know, a grandfather, reasonable use of of land.
F
um
But you know: if people don't know they don't know, that's the problem.
So in order to.
D
Take advantage of any kind of grandfathering you would have to come in front of us right because.
D
We know what's reasonable and, what's not so, and the woodlands association did have all of that.
D
In a charter when that whole area was developed, and so I don't know if the you know, the committee.
D
Changes, and so the people that are there are not as familiar with what's going on, I think.
F
That's that's the thing I don't think there's more familiarity with it.
um
So, in terms of
um
you know,.
F
If, like you said, if I believe, there's something that's not safe, I have to call an arborist correct.
D
Yeah, it verified okay,
um
if it's in the wetland buffer, if it's in a buffer, okay, so.
F
um
No owner can take an action without consulting an arborist if it's in a buffer.
F
Correct?
Why is the three false the whole that's different right.
A
I mean it's already down all call the city tell them that there's a tree, that's fallen and it.
D
You need to take it out, yep, usually in those cases a lot of residents that know they're in the buffer.
G
Or in the wetland and have a tree, that's fallen, we'll call and we can go out and walk the site.
G
With you, or have an arborist from the city come out with us just to beam if it's safe.
G
Or not and usually we'll have a plan of what to do with the tree and if it's sort of already in.
G
The wetland in the resource, sometimes it's best to just leave it as is for habitat, but if it's.
G
A safety issue, or really it's in someone's yard, then that might be a difference.
So what about the.
F
Trees that were taken by the previous owner already that's, where around is burning bush.
F
um
The same thing, so I'm off I'm on the hook for these as well like they were like four.
F
Or five that were just surrounded by this bushes that took out the the previous on our ticket.
Yes,.
F
I know see it's only when what I did is I cleaned that area right and then we have these trees.
The.
F
The big one that you saw over there that I took then it kind of opened up, because I took all the.
F
Brush out, but then I saw the other stumps that you know scott told me back then he took out so.
F
Am I in the hope for these as well or the first step is to just do a delineation?
First, basically,.
A
I I mean, I think the first step is to do a delineation and see you know where that line.
A
Is and then that determines what is something that we need to respond to and what we do not right.
F
And and- and that applies to you know, I'm asking questions so I can actually you know people I've.
F
Spoken to actually have started to share the map with them as well.
You know, I think one of.
F
My neighbor was taking trees, a couple of trees and ask him as well.
I shared a map with him so.
F
I think he said he spoke to peter about that as well, so yeah, I think a lot of people who.
F
Don't know that will be a first good step as well.
So delineation is basically the property.
F
Owner responsibility- basically yes, okay, yep, okay
um
and a permit is required anytime in the buffer.
A
And and same thing happened for like if a shared is being put, you know in the back or anything.
A
So let me know what you think about it that I conditional use permit separate would have.
A
To be done for the shed is that right so for if you would like to do a shed that's in the buffer.
G
um
You would need to come in first for a building permits which you get after you go through the.
G
Conservation commission for a wetland conditional use permit and then the planning board, but.
G
Anything over 18 inches requires a building permit, so a shed would need that, including the fact that.
A
It's an after the fact, because the shed's already there yeah correct you, definitely need a wetland.
G
Conditional use permit for that, I'm not sure about after the fact building building permits.
G
I'd have to ask the building inspector about that.
No, I'm yeah!
I'm asking this because, like you said.
F
You know
um
I I do have some other trees in the back there.
That, like I said I took pictures that.
F
Are just completely dead as well so and they're they're big,
um
and I think another thing is the.
F
Delineation first and then trying to find out, I mean I don't have to be an arborist to tell you.
F
This three is dead is dead, but then, if I need to I'll just get someone involved as well and just.
F
Say you know there's three because I think in the woodlands- it's not just me.
It's like women's wise.
F
You know why I talk to people, there's a lot of people doing that, but probably don't know.
F
So yeah, so that's that's all I have on my ending well do we have any more questions go ahead.
H
um
I was just going to add: you can and can't do in the buffer.
Is you can't bring in soil.
H
Either any kind of fill without coming for a conditional use yeah, I understood.
F
That so I want to clarify that
um
um
so the delineation.
So once I get the.
F
Delineation, so I just bring back or just do a walking session.
How does this work so?
What.
A
After we're done with questions, we'll we'll make a motion likely to postpone, but we'll.
A
See and we'll discuss and we'll decide kind of what the next step is for you, so we'll get there.
A
um
Any other, do you have more questions?
No, I think that's it.
Anybody else, questions.
E
I guess just a question of clarification.
Just it sounds like you're talking about these trees that.
E
You see that look dead or those trees that are there right now that you're concerned about or yes.
F
There's about four or five of them that you know you look at them, they're dead and some of them are.
F
Dying so
um
I probably should have them looked at as well, so there's additional trees that you want.
E
To take down eventually, but not now, but you know if I need an arborist to tell me that I'll just.
F
Get one well, if they're in the wetland they don't get cut at all, don't get cut at all, don't get cut.
F
At all so yeah, I think they are, you know waiting to get off from the line they are still inside.
The.
F
Buffer but they're, probably like 10 15 feet and so but yeah.
Okay, that's good to know
um
um
uh
dead.
B
Trees,
um
they call them snags when they're still standing.
um
They serve a very important ecological.
B
um
Component of a good ecosystem, so if you're in a forest- and you think oh, I should cut down.
B
The dead trees,
uh
no, that's not the that's, not the good, a good thing.
So I understand if they.
B
Were close enough to your house or whatever you'd be concerned, but that's part of the reason why no.
B
Nothing gets cut down because what I was not talking about a forest, you know those are you.
F
Know I always think of reasonable use of property right.
So I always say: okay, it's in my backyard.
F
If it's a danger, if we are hanging out there, if that thing is dead, it might fall.
You know.
F
What's the reasonable approach right, I'm not saying if I go further out, this is away from.
F
Everything it's fair game right, it falls, it falls, they fall all the time.
I'm just saying.
F
The one that you know for around there and it falls and cracks someone's.
You know: property.
F
Or something so that's, that's the one I'm talking it just when I was out there.
It didn't seem like.
B
There were any trees near the house that, at all I figured they were probably in the forest area.
F
Yeah yeah, not the house, but on the tree line right now right, but that's important to have.
B
um
The diversity of living- oh, I I get it you know, I'm I'm worried about.
I'm all about that.
F
It's just to me: I've always look at it as a safety condition.
So I don't know right and I think that's.
A
Why you come in front of us for conditional use and we try to balance our vision of the.
A
The conservation and the ecological approach versus property use, which we try to do.
A
I'll wait for you yes, so hold on we're not done yet we're gonna.
A
um
Get them if there's no other questions.
Can someone make a motion allison I'll make.
D
A motion that we postpone this
uh
application until we get the cycloneation and the.
D
Wetland delineation and the restoration plan, the second okay, so discussion, so we're going.
A
To discuss and then we'll make a vote and then we'll come back to you sure, yeah, okay!
um
So how.
A
Do we feel about doing a wetland delineation prior to coming back, and at least a first.
A
Attempt on a restoration or do we want the next session to be a work session?
No, I think that if.
D
He has a wetland scientist come out and delineate that he can also have work with the wetland.
D
Scientists to come up with a restoration plan- okay and should come back with to us with that.
Okay.
A
What do people feel about that?
I mean it's also up to the homeowner if he wants to continue to.
I
Use the existing mapping that we have, I think that would include more trees as part of the yeah.
D
Right so come down to how much that costs and restoration costs are and all that stuff.
But.
I
But it should be his his choice.
[music]
Okay, so the motion is postponement
um
to return with a.
A
Wetland scientist certified delineation map and a restoration plan that you've worked with the.
A
Wetland scientists to do or to use the line that is presented in our maps now right and.
A
Still consult with a wetland scientist to provide a robust
um
restoration restoration plan that.
A
Likely, well, we don't know based on where the new line will be, but it will be based on that.
A
Line and not a different delineated line right that makes sense.
Okay, so
um
good with discussion.
A
Ready to make a vote all in favor.
Well, I wonder if there's just any more guidance, we could offer.
E
But what we mean by a restoration plan?
Okay, like just to kind of set you off on the right track,.
E
Sure does anybody want to start well, I mean I just think we should put some bounds on it right and.
E
So the idea right is that, from our perspective that there's been this pretty significant impact.
E
To that buffer area right, which is protecting the wetland,
um
and so the idea is to try to.
E
Recreate some of those functions that were lost by cutting down all of those trees, and you know.
E
So it's now kind of in your court, then to sort of think about.
What's how can you do both right.
E
How can you create something that's going to provide a little bit of that protection for the wetland, but also meets the goals that you have right for the property and for your use.
E
um
So, for example, we'd like to see in those restoration plans some indication of what.
E
Kind of planting you could do that.
You know yeah.
I did mention some like you know.
I was looking at.
F
More like some native species, like you know, I was looking at blueberry or even blue battles.
F
So something you know ferns or natural, so yeah, so the the plan, the map would show what species and.
A
Wear and quantity, and just you know showing where it would all be spaced out and trying.
A
To get to an area of new planting similar to what was removed right,
um
however, obviously.
A
The function of a large tree cannot be replaced by you know a sapling,
um
but trying to keep that.
A
In mind and that's where the wetland scientists can help, you too, do you have anything else to add.
A
On that allison or barbara, something a little bit tangentially related is the fact that the.
D
Shed looks very unstable to me and it looks like a hazard if you're worried about things.
D
Falling down it was, it was a big branch from that b street that basically bought it.
So, yes,.
F
That's what happened?
The concrete has sharp edges and there were nails coming out so wet concrete.
B
um
The blocks that it's sitting on, oh
uh
they're, very sharp, those are very sharp edges and I was.
B
Like always worried about the roots, but I was like this is the bigger.
This is what I.
B
Would worry about?
Well that's what happened when the tree fell on it, the big massive branch just.
F
Literally fell on it, so it kind of moved it too.
So yeah I had to be out there for like two hours.
F
Clean up so yeah cover it with something if you've got kids out there yeah anyway.
Oh definitely.
A
If you are going to be coming back or
um
after the fact conditional use permit for.
A
The shed potentially thinking about moving it into another location where you, if you.
A
Are concerned with trees falling on I mean it should not be that close to the wetland anyways.
A
um
But anyways, no, nothing!
You have to decide on now just something right about when you're.
A
Thinking about that, after the fact, yeah there's no trees that can damage it.
You know the big.
F
One was right there, so that's the one, that's gone so
uh
yeah if it can be moved somewhere.
A
Else outside the buffer, just things to think about when you're, considering that permit so.
F
But if I want to this last question, if I wanted a shed there not say like a real shed, you know.
F
uh
What's
uh
like, like a new one, not not the one, that's currently there yeah that sits on.
F
Gravel, basically, you know
um
yeah, no, not right now doing it, but you know just for future use if.
F
I'm thinking I need something you know bigger, like you know, all around neighborhood in the woodlands.
F
You'll see those big sheds as well, so could that be, you know worked with because it would be like.
F
A gravel base and stuff like that it would be a conditional use permit that you'd have to see.
A
It would be based on a lot of different factors: closeness to the wetlands size.
What the base is.
A
um
Whether there's a spot for it to go outside the buffer completely or at least further away.
A
It would be based on a lot of those those factors as well.
Okay, any other
uh
guidance.
I think that.
A
Looks good, I guess I'll just offer to you that you know because it was you know large woody.
E
Trees that were cut down to just be thinking about are there ways to recreate some of that that tree.
E
Habitat that forested habitat- and I it may not be your priority- I never realized, but you can.
E
Just think about, if there's anywhere, to recreate some of that yeah I mean.
Definitely, you know like.
F
I said you know that's in my mind as well just to agree in that so cool all right ready for about so.
A
Delineation and a restoration plan all in favor or oh yeah, well against.
A
Okay, all right, thank you very much.
Thank you for your time.
A
Probably I wonder if you can do all that within a month.
Yes,.
D
All right he does come back.
We need to also discuss the fact that extending the grass is not.
A
Okay next is 80 80.
mine's blank.
Oh there we go.
A
uh
Is 80 fw hartford drive?
Is anyone here to speak to that application.
J
I am julian fry hi, hello.
um
If you'd like to present your.
A
Project, if you want to call it or just anything additional, you have to add yeah sure.
J
um
Obviously it parallels what you just heard from ash.
um
You know our
uh
my wife and I initially had.
J
Put this in a total of like five
uh
pine trees, like ash said all 60 70 80 feet high.
um
We had.
J
Put that through our homeowners association, we thought that was,
um
you know, covered us.
J
From an environmental standpoint, the desire to do so is we are trying to put up solar panels.
J
um
We're actually getting the roof done sometime this week and then trying to put up like 30 panels.
J
So that's where we were coming from,
um
but yeah I mean I would echo everything you just heard.
J
From ash in terms of the safety, it sounds like we're now at a point where: how do you.
J
um
Kind of make that buffer better, but it sounds to me like some of the precedence been set here.
J
And until we really identify where that line is
um
you know, I'm not sure what we would cover here?
I.
J
Did add in mine, it was after the fact and for what it's worth kate has been outstanding to work with.
J
um
You know just kind of high level our thoughts- I obviously won't read it here.
But and again I.
J
Think it's going to come down to where what the wetland scientist says.
The soil scientist.
J
Says in terms of where we, where we go from here, but just to give you an understanding.
J
Of kind of what we're thinking in terms of a restoration plan, this might give a little.
J
Bit more context to where our head is at, so I would absolutely welcome kind of you know.
Are we.
J
Along the same lines, anything you could add, you know I had some questions around the removal of.
J
The stumps and you know versus kind of like a rain garden installation again, all that seems.
J
Kind of moot to me until we get in that subject matter expert to help provide that guidance, but.
J
um
I kind of put it back to you guys in terms of any additional.
J
Steps help anything in terms of where we are today, questions go ahead, allison.
um
I I like the.
D
Fact that you referenced the the antsy arborist, how you plant or transplant that's good.
But what.
D
We'll need when we have the restoration plan is the number of species the size of the species.
D
Where the species are going to be planted, so we need a little bit more information than.
D
That which I would imagine again will be derived from where exactly that line is right, correct, yeah,.
J
Okay, that's helpful.
Thank you allison anything else along those lines.
A
A lot of the same stuff you heard for the.
A
App, I don't know if there's anything additional minus the shed right.
E
One thing that occurred to me, just looking at the site, was just you know where you've got.
E
Those really large trump or stumps right, even if you do you know, grind them down and lay down more.
E
Soil you're still gonna have a hard time.
I think planting new trees or even new shrubs right, close.
E
To those old tree stumps, so you may get some professional advice about that.
The advice I've.
E
Heard is that it's really like six to eight feet away from a stump that you would need to plant.
E
Something a new tree
um
because, like underground right, there's a crazy amount of roots that are.
E
Going to interfere with any new any new tree roots, yeah yeah- and you know, I'm hesitant to.
J
Even pretend to talk about whatever phil would that would be?
I don't know if it's a you know.
J
Sand or silty sand or whatever it is,
um
but yes, we, you know, we understood, as your best bet would.
J
Be to actually remove the stumps all together versus grinding them out,
um
but I can't pretend.
J
To be a subject matter, expert on that, I think it could still be difficult because I think.
E
Below ground, there's still going to be some root matter, that's left, but something to think about.
J
Then yeah, like I said just in an effort of time.
I don't know if I have anything.
That's.
J
um
You know any additional content to provide to you guys at this time.
Okay,.
H
Okay,
um
someone want to make a motion I'll make a motion to postpone.
H
um
For the
uh
to the october, I don't know conservation, commission meeting.
H
I don't know the date.
I don't have the date either.
So, if that, if a month is enough time.
D
To have the delineation and the restoration plans yeah.
D
uh
Yeah, I think it it certainly would I don't know how difficult it is to find the
uh
the scientist.
J
um
But I believe that would be enough time for us.
Yes,.
G
I don't think so just postpone until you want to just postpone until you've.
A
You've got that and then we can put you back on the
uh
no you're comfortable or.
A
Just get it on yeah just get it on yeah.
I need to again okay from my preference.
J
Yes, please, okay, so postpone to the october meeting I'll.
Second,
uh
any more discussion.
A
Okay, all in favor.
A
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
H
Okay, next on the agenda, we have 810 mcgee drive.
Do you have anyone here to speak to that application.
K
Well, I don't think mine's gonna be about trees, so that's good
uh
lynette rogers, I'm representing the.
K
Homeowners, I'm the contractor, so we are
uh
just replacing an existing deck in the same location.
K
Basically,
um
except for just adding a stair coming down to the backyard within that same footprint,.
K
And removing on the side of the house, you guys had all been to the property and saw where everything.
K
Was and currently the footings are not to code, and so we're digging like to dig down to see how.
K
Far down, they should be four feet down and they are not so we did do a test on one of them just.
K
To check it and it wasn't so, we will need to dig new footings back there, they'll be actually less.
K
Footings
um
right in the area where the main deck is because we'll be doing a bigger frame, so a.
K
Bigger frame to hold the load for the deck instead of the two by eight, it is now so be a two by.
K
Twelve or two by ten, I can't remember what it was on top of my head, but that's pretty much the gist.
A
Would you considered what you're putting underneath the deck as of.
K
Right now we weren't putting anything underneath.
K
um
It's there's nothing there now, there's just kind of some rocks
um
some things like that.
I.
K
Did talk to the homeowner about what we had discussed when we were there, and you know if.
K
They wanted to put like gravel or other rocks down there for drainage, underneath that would.
K
Be a good option to do and that can be put in after the fact, because, basically, what would.
K
Come out of the where the footings are currently would just take out the existing shorter, smaller.
K
Footings and they'll be being putting
uh
easy tube, so they're not concrete they're, already pre-formed.
K
And they're separated, so you don't have to have heavy equipment back there so that they can be.
K
Manly put in because they come in separate sections, so that's why we do them that way.
K
So one person can handle them instead of having heavy equipment onto a property and destroying.
K
The the grass as you drive across so just from a homeowner's perspective, I like that look anyway, so.
D
Yeah, so just
um
the other recommendation is that you put in wetland buffer markers.
D
I think they would probably go right where the fence is located in the backyard.
D
So you could potentially mount them right on that fence that exists.
Oh just while.
K
During construction, the the buffer so say, yeah the permanent, oh permanent one, yeah they're.
A
They're like little, what are they like this big cape they're like herds they're a little black.
L
Little markers- oh okay, yeah, I don't know if you can just attach to a fence and yeah, usually.
D
To encourage drainage underneath the deck putting crushed stone yeah is a good idea.
That's what I.
K
Was recommended to them as well, so they would just have to add that to their after the fact.
A
Any other questions for the applicant.
A
Motion.
D
Okay, no, no brian, is not voting.
Oh who's, ruining you, oh.
A
Okay, so abby you're voting.
You are not voting right.
Okay, don't mean to be so pointed, but.
D
I can't make a motion that we recommend approval of 810 mcgee drive with the two.
D
Stipulations, one being that crushed stone is placed underneath the deck area and that.
D
um
Delineation markers for the buffer are put along the fence in the back safe from that awesome.
B
Discussion.
H
It's just going to say you might want to.
I don't the homeowners aren't here right, no they're, not.
H
um
Just lighting and things like that, and they do have a little area that has lighting out back.
H
um
By the fire pit that they keep in mind that they are in a natural resource that really gets.
H
Disturbed by lighting, so oh but yeah, I think they had.
That was an old one that they had.
K
Said that that the previous people had there, so they actually repurposed those rocks and actually.
K
Used it as that, like a buffer there, because it used to be a fire pit or something that's.
What.
K
She had said anyway, while we were there, I never went back there originally, so my focus was just.
K
Looking at the deck looks like there still is a fire pit there.
I think yeah yeah yeah a different.
D
Resorts and chairs and yeah so just to be, and was there string lighting what kind of lighting string.
K
Lighting yeah, okay, I can tell them that yeah yeah and the same thing I didn't ask when we were there.
A
What the lighting was on the deck yeah?
That's my that was my question right lighting on the.
A
Deck there was no lighting.
Is there anything on the house?
That's there's yeah, there's a there's.
K
Light on the house that lights on to the deck like flood lighting or like a flat yeah, it does have.
K
um
Actually, I can look on the the picture of it, but there's one by the back door.
That's right.
K
Underneath that short section by the the slider- and I think it's just like a regular light, not.
K
A floodlight yeah, I think, just like yeah, just a regular yeah, it's a regular light yeah, I'm pretty.
K
Sure it's not a floodlight okay yeah.
If that would just be something you could talk to the homeowners.
B
About oh and during the site visit when I set a switchback stair, I misspoke totally.
I meant.
B
More like an l where it would come down, and then I yeah, I know it's over to the right more so it.
B
Wouldn't interfere with the door, but anyway yeah it's been really important, but I just thought I'd.
B
Clarify ing the problem ready for a little one, other question:
um
you're, probably installing.
I
Composite decking on this vr: do you know if those are butted up together or if there's a you know.
I
Gap in between each we use the concealed fastener and actually the tiger claws that maintain that.
I
Gap quarter inch gap yeah just from a drainage perspective, underneath the deck, if you're putting.
I
Crushed stone down there exactly, I can't get to it, it doesn't respect but yeah.
The gap is.
A
Then it would also be impermeable, so that would be a whole nother right, yeah yeah.
I.
I
Wanted to make sure that we were talking about
uh
yeah, we do a picture frame deck and then we.
K
Use the concealed fasteners and then the tiger claws in the field to maintain that spacing yeah.
A
Ready for a vote all in favor against okay, all right.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
So.
K
Planning board would be the next step.
Okay, correct: I can send you an email
um
with the.
G
Playing board details and how to apply to that so you'll have to do another hard copy application.
G
um
And I'll send you an email for the date of that it should be next month.
G
um
I believe they are the second or fourth thursday, so I'll, let you know exactly what.
G
Date, that is okay yeah.
I know they have one next yeah.
I think next week is maybe what.
G
Theirs is so maybe it's a third thursday, okay
um
and then I'll.
Also, let you know about the.
G
Wetland boundary markers that we were talking about, so those are sold from the planning and.
G
Sustainability department, so we can type in yeah, send me a little what it looks like yeah I'll, send.
G
That to the homeowner so be like.
This is what you need to have perfect.
Okay.
Thank you all.
Thank you.
A
All right next on the agenda is 390.
Fw hartford drive.
Is there anyone here to speak.
A
To that hi, I'm sarah hi, can you
uh
first and last name sarah cook great.
Thank you.
M
So I'm here to propose
um
installing a patio.
So, as you heard from our neighbors.
M
um
It is in a buffer zone
um
which I'm glad I sat through that session.
We recently bought the home.
M
um
And so I wasn't aware of some of those restrictions, so it's good to hear.
I think.
M
Education in general, beneficial for our neighborhood,
um
but there's currently a.
M
Deck we had to cut away part of it.
There's some structural rot on the beams that run perpendicular.
M
To the back of the house that were honestly in pretty dire shape and was pretty concerning our.
M
Kitchen floor was a bit warped from it,
um
and the damage was happening where the deck was attached.
M
To the house
um
and that corner of the deck was, as I mentioned, also held up by a carjack.
M
um
So the deck was in rough shape and we needed to access along the house.
So we could start that.
M
Structural repair immediately,
um
and so we are the houses in the woodlands.
It's a very wooded area.
M
um
I wanted to kind of lean into more of the cottagey woodland feel so, instead of replacing.
M
The deck we wanted to do a patio
um
you'll see in in some of the pictures I'm proposing
um
having.
M
A foot and a half inch kind of rain buffer of gravel.
There is some of that along the front of.
M
The house and the side so continuing that along the back and then starting the patio from there.
M
um
I also where the generator is in this corner is where the sub pump comes out.
M
Underneath there so you'll see on my proposal, basically adding a bit of a rain garden in that.
M
Section where that sub pump flows out,
um
the house also lacks gutters, and so that's.
M
Something that we are planning to add gutters and have it also drain into that rain garden.
M
um
That might take us slightly longer, because once you know it looks like there might be some rot.
M
Along the top of that that needs to replace before we can attach gutters
um
but you'll, see here on.
M
The plan I've got the rain garden kind of off.
In that right hand corner of the proposed patio and.
M
Then there is a nice
um
kind of flower garden with some native plants that you saw in that picture.
M
Before of the deck right on the edge, I want to expand that to kind of curve it out into the.
M
Patio a bit just to give it more of like a natural, organic feel
um
and then we'd have stairs the door.
M
It's only like maybe a foot and a half, but we're gonna need two stairs right now.
We've got kind.
M
Of just a temporary step that was originally in the garage that kind of goes down into the patio.
A
I want to tell you that I appreciate your putting things down on paper.
It helps us to.
D
Visualize, what it is that you're proposing, so I I think it looks very good.
I had to pull out.
M
The old mild graph paper, my college days to do that, so I'm just glad it was appreciated.
H
Go ahead barbara,
um
so I yeah that I I love the drawing, and
um
so I also appreciate the idea of.
H
The rain garden
um
I, having worked at one marine gardens before I'm a little concerned that it's.
H
Very close to the house
um
I haven't,
um
and so one of the things so the prior people had installed.
M
um
Almost like a fake little river type feature in the house with a.
I think there is a water.
M
Feature buried in there somewhere,
um
so there is kind of already a little bit of a natural divot.
M
I was going to kind of push that a little further out from the house and then add plants along the.
M
Side of it, but if you have recommendations on a specialist I mean we just bought the house and.
M
There's a lot of repairs, so I'm trying to do a lot of things myself, but I would appreciate any advice.
H
Is it a a foundation or a slab in that area of the house?
Nope, it's a bunch of kind of large river.
M
Rocks, I would say that are kind of in that area already, and the sub pump tube is fairly long.
So.
M
I was gonna, maybe put a few rocks over it and and just kind of let it go all the way out and then.
M
Have the gutter kind of go to that area too?
The only thing that's a little challenging is there's.
M
The garage door, you see that path, so I do kind of have this narrow space and I was thinking about.
M
Maybe just closing off that section of like access to the patio,
um
but yeah do you have other advice.
A
Is this so the sump pump you said is coming out there?
Is that, like, like a like a tube, that's yeah.
M
That's how it's a tube like this, that's a pipe, probably 12 feet long.
So how far is it?
Is it going.
A
From like the house out into the yard, is that pipe about 12 feet right, so are you starting the rain.
A
Garden at 12 feet or is I was gonna start it
um
a little bit closer to the house,
um
because I was.
M
Gonna have the gutters drain out down into it as well.
I wasn't going to cut the hose any shorter.
M
I was gonna let that kind of continue out,
um
but can I the gutters you can run out further if you.
B
Would like them further away from your house, so you could take.
You could take a gutter line out.
B
And come out around where the sump pump comes out, and then it gets it further away from the house.
B
Yeah, I think the worry is we just don't walk water.
We don't want back into your basement foundation.
A
If you're already also having that raw issue underneath the deck so just keeping water further,.
A
Away from the house, I think yeah that was kind of a little concerning to realize how long that hose.
M
Was- and I think the prior like it was just under the deck- I don't know where it was draining yeah.
H
I was just going to say that we have done situations where people have.
H
um
Had flooding in their basements as a problem, if you have a sump pump, I'm guessing there must.
H
Be some water getting in underneath there was honestly since they've they've done a lot of.
M
The patchwork along the house and all the water along there has stopped coming in.
We, the bulkhead.
M
Desperately needs to be replaced
uh
when we bought the house there's just a tarp over it and I closed.
M
For inspection, they had actually nailed the tarp to the side, the house, because the bulkhead was.
M
So bad, so we need to replace that that's next, but right now the only water getting into the.
M
Basement is from the bulkhead, so I think we at least stopped that piece.
So you you would just.
H
Wanted to, I would recommend at least 10 feet 10 in the basement, for both the the downspout and the.
H
Gutter pump, okay,
um
so the rain garden would be 10, start 10., yeah and then on the
um
the city website.
D
For the conservation commission, we have resources listed there and I believe marine gardens is one.
D
Of the yeah soak up the rain, yeah and they'll have diagrams.
So I don't know if you're familiar.
H
With how they look and yeah so yeah and I've seen them in like the larger commercial scale, where you.
M
See now in some of these kind of complexes, have those rain gardens well, there's a lot of drainage.
D
That's put underneath it to make sure that the plants aren't just sitting in water all the time.
D
So, just so that you know that okay, yeah I'll check out those resources and just a stylistic.
B
Thing
um
a lot of people come in with square jackson, square patios and whatever rectangular.
B
um
You seem to really appreciate or an organ, an organic feel to things
um
just just from your.
B
Drawing
um
and you could even oval out like the top left corner of the you know, you could just.
B
Smooth that out and make it more round, and then it looks it I just from a landscaping thing: it.
B
It feels more organic and natural than having these geometric shapes carved into the ground.
B
um
And it's anyway, so that's nothing you off to it.
Yeah and you know, take into consideration even but.
B
um
A lot of people don't even think of that yeah one thing so we're those on this deck so where.
M
Those stairs come down on the left hand, side, sorry closer, like, on the left hand, side there is a small.
M
Slab of concrete, I think it is probably too large for us to try to get up, but it's also a little bit.
M
Taller than like the level of the patio- and so I was just gonna- leave it and just kind of have to.
M
Step on it, because it's maybe like three or four inches higher than where I'd want the patio to be.
M
um
Which would kind of prevent us from curving that out?
I don't know if there's.
B
Oh, I was thinking.
Oh, I was thinking.
Oh yeah, sorry yeah.
I see that yep, okay, yeah, okay, well,.
B
Then it would follow a line and that would make sense.
Okay, all right.
Are you asking if you could.
A
Like cut that down or remove it, no
um
because I don't I mean I'm doing a lot of this myself and.
M
I think that's, I think I think everyone's just gonna have to step over that.
That's a concrete.
M
Slab, I'm sure you can be really free, you put more and put a blue stone or some other kind.
B
Of flat stone on it, just to one cover up the concrete, if you don't like the look and to.
B
um
Make sure it doesn't look like the brick where it would.
um
You know somebody could.
B
Like catch their eye and think it's the yeah, I see what you're saying it's probably about.
M
Like two feet: deep and maybe like three three and a half feet wide, so it's okay, so the size.
D
Is from where your patio is going to be so it's three and a half feet wide.
D
I was thinking that you could just put you know some large stones on it to make.
D
It look a little bit more natural, but it sounds like it's way too wide to do that.
Yeah and I was thinking about maybe putting like plants on it too.
Just in pots.
M
um
Yeah but then I lose like that's the entry there's already this pebble path.
That goes.
M
Through the yard- and so that's kind of the access point- and I love the native plants.
M
That are in that little garden part.
So I want to expand that and not disrupt it.
So
um
I don't know.
M
If there's a way to kind of avoid getting around that yeah yeah, you work with what you've got yeah.
A
Any other questions
um
just to be clear about this.
You know proposed plan.
Drawing that you have.
I.
I
Just want to make sure we're all on the same page here.
The work to be done really includes just the.
I
The patio slight expansion of the garden bed- you know just above the patio and then work.
I
On the rain garden, all that other stuff, so the native ferns, that's all already existing.
M
That's just what the the lot looks like: it's not changing at all.
So if you look at that, one.
M
um
The one with the image where I just kind of put the blue box on where yeah.
So, if you look at that.
M
That's the only section that is being modified, just the blue box.
How are you
um
is machinery.
A
Having to get back there,
um
nothing large, because we're gonna do it ourselves,
um
we were gonna rent.
M
The I don't know it's compactor.
Yes, I think we were going to rent one of them.
Yeah yeah.
M
um
But I was gonna, dig it out myself!
Sorry, it's not that big of an area and, like I said we've got.
M
A lot of other repairs on the house, we're kind of trying to save money on so no it's something it's.
B
Definitely something you can do: yeah yeah it'll take a while watch your level lines.
Yep and yeah.
A
Do we have any other questions?
Yeah go ahead, all right, it's actually awesome, but.
H
um
Yeah, so for maintenance, so for both the poorest pavers and the rain garden.
We usually ask that.
H
There's some sort of maintenance plan just for, if for you, but also if you were to sell it.
H
um
So something that would indicate how to take care of the porous, pavers
um
and and.
H
The rain garden so yeah I'll need to look into it a bit more
um
because I need to do a little more.
M
Research on on the rain gardens
um
appropriate maintenance.
I imagine removal removal of any of.
M
The invasive species we've got a lot of that thorn bush in our neighborhood, as ash was mentioning.
M
um
Are there other things that really come to your mind that are a concern with the.
M
Maintenance allison.
Well, I think that it's not just maintenance, but it's that you have to make.
D
Sure that you've got enough of the the aggregate beneath it in order to allow it to drain through.
D
Okay, so
um
if you could have some sort of a you know, for the planning board anyway, attach.
D
um
Something that talks about the maintenance, because after heavy storms and things or if.
D
Aggregate gets moved out or if it gets clogged with dirt, it's not going to function.
The way.
D
It's supposed to so that's what we want in the maintenance plan, just what you're going to do.
D
There and then how it's actually going to be built like a cross section, and you can find these on the.
D
Internet that shows here's your porous paver, and these are the layers underneath it that.
D
Will allow it to drain properly, okay, okay, so those two pieces of information for the planning board.
A
Maintenance for the pervious pavers,
uh
I'm sure it's probably on their website.
I mean whatever.
B
You're, using I'm sure, there'll be something that you can take for the maintenance of that.
A
Any other questions like to make a motion.
A
I can't do it I'll make a motion to recommend approval to the planning board with.
D
um
Two stipulations that they add a cross-section.
D
Of the course pavers how they're going to be applied and a maintenance plan.
A
uh
Do we also need the wetland boundary?
Yes, wetland boundary packers, which were you listening.
A
To the yes, I heard about the placards, I'm okay, with the like, where the line is because we're.
M
Clearly in the buffer zone, I'm not trying to do anything in the wetlands, so I'm not going to do.
M
The wetland scientists yep- that's fine
um
yeah, so your stipulations are the three.
The maintenance.
D
Plan the cross section of how the porous pigment is going to be laid down and the relevant boundary.
D
Markers: okay, the maintenance one for the pavers or the pavers, not the rain, and the red card.
Okay, cool.
B
um
We're trying to get people to start marking the wetlands, so any petition that comes up before us.
B
Is now we're now doing this with the markers?
So, if you're wondering like why, you know I'm not doing.
B
Anything
um
that's we're asking all going forward.
That's going to be sort of the new policy correct.
B
Yep did we have a so that's that explains why we're asking for the markers.
A
I had a second, I mean I seconded it: okay, any further discussion.
A
I just like to allison already said this, but I I appreciate the the drone out plan.
It's.
A
Even though it's with just good old, you know graph paper, it's it's very helpful.
A
It doesn't need to be anything fancy so appreciate that a lot and the thought.
A
That you've put into it in terms of the vegetation trying to keep it as it is now.
B
Like the multicolored vegetation transition, yeah pulled out my colored pencils too.
A
Okay, ready for a vote all in favor, okay.
Thank you very much.
Thanks.
A
Okay, other business, paul's path, trail clearing project.
A
We got, we got a letter here from from the mayor.
A
Saying that he
uh
he supports your project, so I think we just need an official vote.
Now.
Is that.
G
Yeah, I think after we discussed after the sidewalk.
I know we sort of did a vote out there, but it's.
G
Not really our ability to do an official vote out in the field without the full commission with us.
G
So we thought we'd just come together again at a regular meeting and do an official vote.
G
um
I know not all of us were there, but I think a majority of us were if you want to just do.
A
Like a really quick overview of the project, and then we can discuss it, I guess one more.
A
Time and then go through the vote, if that's all right with you, yeah
uh
of course go ahead.
A
If you want to state your name for the record, my name is ian cook.
I am a boy scout working on.
C
The eagle project and I'm working on creating a path doing it.
I think I still have it yeah.
C
I'm working on creating about a quarter mile path over not.
C
On wetland territory, but over on the new railroad system or the
um
realtor system.
C
Right, yeah, that's it!
It is off of ocean road to the right and it's connecting with the rail.
C
Trail, that's where the entrance will be so you'll be able to access it through the rail trail and.
C
We did be able to fit about five six cars over on the two parking.
C
Points which will be more parking due to the new expansion of the multi-use rail trail.
C
So that's kind of the overview of the project and I'll just be cutting down minimal branches.
C
Not anything big trees and just kind of navigating through the land to create a nice walking trail.
C
The trail access point is there: it is a little steep so I'll be putting about a couple beams.
C
To make some steps, so it's not as steep of an incline for people that have a hard time getting.
C
Up those territory or terrain and
uh
paul's path that will be the sign for it.
It'll be a.
C
Gravel not a concrete base and of course, that's land.
So it's just a gravel fill for the post.
C
And the pool study is what kind of inside this project for me, which showed me this land and how.
C
I should be able to utilize it, and this is one of the things that was deeply expressed in this.
C
Pool study is that it should be used to have a trail on it and that's what gave me the idea.
C
And, of course, with the new
uh
trail that they're going to do, they've cut up very wide.
C
And they're putting more parking spots so, for I know it's
um
flipped, but for three and four.
C
Are the two places on whether it be parking in my trail is about.
C
um
I'd say a couple hundred feet from our parking space: four.
C
And just pulling a trail just removing limbs moving
uh
small shrubs, not anything major.
C
Breaking debris out of the path and kind of organizing the shows there, and there won't be.
C
Any mulch or wood chips, you know just be just a very lightly impacted use to make a drill.
C
And that is actually we discussed on that we're not going to be marching mulching for that anymore.
C
And then trail maintenance would have to me, and kid are going to talk about that.
A.
C
Little bit before to try to see if we can get an outside party and have the scouts maybe to.
C
Try to reach into maintain the trail
uh
after the project, I'm not supposed.
C
To maintain it myself because then to be like I've done it for the rest of my life, it's just supposed to be one of those things where I I give the project away.
C
So that's the quick overview of my project.
H
Brian can vote because I'm going to recuse you're going to recuse yourself, okay or or.
H
Yeah right, okay, the next question: when you have a question, we have a question too, because I wasn't.
E
At the sitewalk
um
I had a lot of discussion about bikes.
Where did that land will bikes, be.
E
Allowed on this trail, no bikes and that'll just be create a sign or something there.
Others gonna.
E
Be steps too there's so many steps.
However, I don't know, I don't know I've seen that not stop anybody.
G
It could be an invitation all right.
We have not let bikes go on because it's a recreational path.
G
Right and it'll be right off the rail trail, but I know if I mean steps up to it, maybe at.
G
All that'll discourage it, but we can put up signs made from dbw that say: environmentally.
G
Sensitive area like please keep off really sensitive spots.
When you guys went out there.
E
Did it actually did it cross the wetland, as we were kind of anticipating that the trail did.
D
Minimally, there were some places where it might be a little wet, but it was.
It was.
D
Pretty good, it was around the wetland area and there were already those were already crossing.
C
And that's why we're not building on the coexisting trail now that the neighbors.
C
Have made we're going to let that kind of resume and kind of regrow itself gotcha just.
B
Does anybody remember
um
for the for the insurance?
You know, there's that berm and there's a there's a.
B
Big tree to the left from like the photo we just saw,
um
but I think if I remember correctly, you go.
B
Up and then down a little bit is it possible to maybe shave some of that
um
burn out a little bit.
B
So you have fewer steps, so it just sort of goes up to a level.
I feel like having more invasive.
A
Doing that, don't you think I don't know because now you're cut like I mean I don't even knows.
B
That, but you know it could be like the root like outside.
Okay, that's what I thought, but.
A
I was but it's a good thought.
I was told to ask yeah.
I think that starts eroding on the way down.
C
From that there are lots of roots because there are trees connecting through each other.
Okay.
A
And that area from I'm, assuming it's going to be paved but or maybe not, but up until where your.
A
Steps are is already pretty disturbed.
Anyways I feel like maybe putting in those steps is.
A
And along the path, there's
um
bar plier like a way further down further down, there's a long.
C
Barbed wire and that's where I chose that place because there's no barbed wire and if I did was going to cross there's just wetlands all on that side.
A
Okay, so we want to make a motion motion to approve second discussion.
A
Ready for a vote all in favor ryan, you're voting, sorry barbara's, recusing herself.
Oh I'm sorry.
B
You're also voting yes, sorry, I should have said that.
Okay, it's all in favor, great okay!
Thank you.
A
Very much, thank you.
Thank you.
Good luck!
Sorry I just you should have advertisers
um
trash cleaning.
B
Days, you might get more in the neighborhood.
Even you might get some people yeah all right.
A
Out of business, non-public meeting date,
ah
okay,
um
so I know last time in the time before we.
G
Talked about setting up a date after we had had that work session with the planning board.
So now.
G
We're sort of shifting focus for the time being to doing another non-public session about potential.
G
um
New conservation properties to look at
um
so we were thinking, try to get that in sooner.
G
Rather than later and peter- and I just picked a preliminary date, which is the date we already.
G
Have reserved for backup meetings, which would be next month, the wednesday after our meeting, which.
G
Would be october 18th and that would be 3 30 p.m.
The normal meeting time in conference room a so.
G
October 18th right, but if, if that isn't a date that works for a lot of people, then we can do.
G
Another doodle poll- I think we just thought you might be tired of doodle polls for the time being.
G
I love doodle balls, but that's preferred.
I don't know that date doesn't work and that's that's.
Okay,.
G
And we were talking a little bit this morning in our pre-meeting about potentially having someone.
G
Come in to talk more about the specifics of you know, best best methods for conserving land and the.
G
Best ways to go about it, and I know the subject of dover was brought up because they have an open.
G
Space committee that's been doing a lot of work buying conservation land.
So, if we're able to we.
G
Might try to get someone from their committee to come and you know talk with us or give us a brief.
G
Presentation, I have my notes from the meeting this morning yeah and they had a great meeting today at.
G
Noon, I don't know if I know allison saw it and I think barbara was on there, but it was really.
G
Informative about what they're doing so, that would be really nice to have them talk to us.
G
But if that date doesn't work for everybody, then we can find another one.
Let us know when you have.
G
A chance to look at your calendars, tdr transfer of development rights is what they were talking about.
D
This morning, which is another way to get land conservation, either money or into conservation.
B
Talking about the 18th, who does it know.
A
Does it not work for?
Does anyone it's like a.
G
Wednesday throw or they need to look at their calendars.
A
I think it works sound like it works for everybody, yeah, okay, okay and then.
G
We can schedule that for now and then I'll be in conference roommate not here, so we can do it or.
G
Sort of more privately and it won't be broadcast yeah me too think all right great.
um
Can I ask.
E
A question about that
um
you're also on.
After with your discussion, whatever you, oh okay, yeah.
E
Oh no just about this yeah, the meeting yeah
um
for like any future land conservation.
It's.
E
The idea that it would be like portsmouth-owned planned like would there be a land trust involved.
E
I guess I'm just wondering if there's anyone else to bring invite from that perspective, maybe we can.
G
Bring someone from cell, I know they.
They really want to do a lot more outreach with municipalities.
G
I've heard so maybe we can bring someone from them yeah they have a new land agent.
E
Laurie summers, who I mean, I think she probably would come if we want.
I don't know if that's.
E
There's different strategies right in terms of who owns and kind of monitors the easement, but.
E
Land trust can be super helpful in that respect.
Yeah interest can be really informative.
The.
H
Problem, too is so we don't have sizes that they're interested in okay yeah, but it's but.
H
They can be really helpful, otherwise information, and maybe there would be some that's a good point.
D
Well, I think that peter had spoken to I'm not sure who they who peter spoke with, but.
D
We were looking at like important lands for protecting our water bodies, so were there was.
D
The conservation that could be done upstream that would then drain into that water body and.
D
So a couple of those were identified.
I can't remember peter, who was that you had met with.
M
Get up allison, I don't know if it was somebody from car or someplace else, that.
D
um
Someone that you had met with where you discussed the fact that there was.
D
um
They were looking to protect actually
um
land that drained into.
D
A water body like protecting sagamore creek like a watershed, protection, the watershed protection.
D
You don't remember how it was.
You spoke to peter you're young.
I don't.
N
Know I don't know what you're referring to if it was a specific property or more of a.
N
um
More of a planning approach, I thought that it was a specific property, but there.
D
May have been others as well that we were talking about the children's home.
N
Oh
um
because of the drainage that comes off that piece of property into sagamore, creek.
N
Yeah there was a couple properties that come down into sagamore creek, one of them.
Well, we.
N
Probably shouldn't name them, but the one of them was a long sort of like banfield road but kind.
N
Of landlocked, they didn't have access to the road, and then
um
that was the probably the most.
N
Likely one because it wasn't really developable easily,
um
but that you know that's the approach.
N
We've taken in the past has been to just look at what's out there and available in the city, but.
N
um
In talking today, it seemed like it might make sense to talk to other communities that have done.
N
This land trusts are a little different because they have a different
uh
sort of way.
They go about.
N
Doing it and they have bigger parcels, usually, and they might have more money sometimes but.
N
Other communities I mean, I think, one of the things that we lack is an actual committee that.
N
Focuses on this full-time, you know we're trying to piece piecemeal it in as a side thing and I'm.
N
Not suggesting we need a new committee, because there's not a lot of people trying to sell their property like some communities where there's a lot of people trying to sell it.
So they have enough.
N
Support to for the community to do the work, but
um
I think getting a presentation for one of those.
N
Communities would be helpful because then you'd get a sense of how they do it in those communities.
N
That have more of a process with a more active volunteer committee, but at the same time, even.
N
Even just looking at the properties, we started to look at before and revisiting it.
Maybe after.
N
Hearing from people we'll have some ideas on how we want to go about moving taking the next step.
N
You know we have some funds, we put aside some funds, there'll, probably be more funds identified.
N
In the cip, again or at least pushed for
um
they only have more funds coming in 2024, we got the.
N
Ones from 2024 that but the 2025, the 2030 cip, I think, also identifies funds and then I think.
N
There's a gap of a year or two and then add some more so the idea is to keep money going in, but.
N
Right
um
but no sense in letting it go in and just letting it sit there.
We need to find some projects.
N
Yeah, so the thought was rather than just make a list of projects and start like we did before.
N
See what they do in other communities see if they give us any kind of ideas that we want to follow.
N
And then continue forward, and I think it almost has to be sort of a regular group that does it.
N
um
I think if we did that kind of meeting we had talked about a non-public, but I don't know it.
N
Wouldn't need to be non-public unless we're going to talk about specific, specific properties, yeah, so.
N
um
We could talk.
We could talk about that when we plan the meeting, but.
D
Thank you yeah.
Well, I think that that quite a few members that weren't here when we originally.
D
Looked at the properties, and so I think that it would be helpful to have this next meeting.
D
Review what our thinking was and the fact that we had reached out to certain
um
people.
D
That own the property
um
or we could evaluate, gone out and evaluated the property on foot.
D
Looked at the lands to see what what we thought might be be valuable for us to try to protect.
D
So I think that that would be useful to those of you that haven't been here for a very long time.
D
Have do you all have copies of the pool of study.
D
Because we're looking at like interconnecting properties as well so like if there's a piece.
D
Of property that is vacant and next to a pool of properties, so that that would.
D
Potentially make a much larger area that we could protect.
That's something that we consider.
D
As well, and that's actually how we picked the properties that we were looking at originally.
D
You're on, oh, I wrote you and asked you to send me how to register.
Okay.
E
Sorry, I didn't, I didn't see that yeah I had three little pitches.
I went and I put it all in an email.
E
Too, so I'll just go through it really quickly.
One is
um
just an invitation to this discussion group.
E
That barbara and I both participate in it's called the coastal conservation roundtable and it's.
E
um
It's been going for, I don't know eight years or something, but it's kind of represented us from the different conservation commissions in the seacoast area.
E
um
Initially had been sort of like one rep from each conservation, commission and now.
E
That it's virtual, the idea is that we could, you know open that up to a larger group of people.
E
um
So you're welcome to just like pop in and see if it's of interest this this next one has.
E
A focused specifically on flood disclosures like how to ensure that you know, as a property is being.
E
Bought or sold owners are kind of informed, which has a lot of relevance.
I think to also the issue.
E
That we care about around wetland
um
status so that might be of interest.
That's one pitch any.
E
Questions about the round table group, I noticed that was that the one that there were realtors.
D
Involved as well yeah yeah, so this realtor who's coming who's, she's, she's, great she's, like.
E
I just have a little pre-meeting with her.
um
She has a lot to say and I think she could be.
E
A real ally for like kind of spark, a little bit of change among the industry, although she's not.
E
A big fan of the legislative approach- that's going to be part of the discussion, but
um
so.
E
It'll be good it'll, be it's a very like kind of informal there'll, be some good back and forth, and.
E
Not like a it's not like a formal instructional thing, it's much more of just a discussion group.
E
um
Being
uh
virtual meetings, you know if those are recorded and posted anywhere so.
I
You watch them at a later date, or is it no?
No, they do sometimes get recorded just for.
E
Note taking, but I think because we really want it to be like a very candid discussion.
E
Sometimes it's a little yeah.
You know people just share whatever they're struggling with.
E
um
No, it's not, it doesn't get posted and I'm just wondering about the quorum thing.
H
Oh geez, I'm so sorry to bring it up yeah.
I didn't even think about it.
N
Go back on it, we're gonna!
I hate.
D
I hate sorry, I mean we can't just be individuals participating what if we don't even talk, but we.
E
Always like shopping for just watching friends together like or you know, it's.
H
Maybe there won't be that many people going anyway.
So, let's see what happens.
G
Yeah, I don't know a good way around that.
um
Unfortunately, if you're not deciding.
B
Pacific, maybe you could change your zoom name and have a black screen.
It's not recorded right.
E
All right, what's what's pitch number two: okay, the other two were just kind of some outreach.
E
Opportunities just folks looking for kind of a partner within portsmouth, and one is around this.
E
Pollinator pathways concept: it's a group.
It's like a national group, there's a connecticut.
E
Group there's a new hampshire group and the one in new hampshire is based out of the kingston.
E
Conservation, commission,
um
I happen to just meet them at an event and they're, like oh you're, from.
E
Fort smith, would you want to like?
I was like,
uh
and I know some of you are maybe much more sort.
E
Of well-versed in the gardening world and maybe have more personal interest in that topic.
But.
E
um
I think the offer is, you know, they'd be willing to kind of come and do a little pitch for us here.
E
um
And then they're kind of looking for like a partner, and you know for person to be named as a.
E
Partner, it's essentially just having a liaison and then an interest in hosting like one event a year.
E
um
And you can imagine some fun things like you know.
Indian partnership with the library is what I.
E
Was kind of had the image I had in my I carry the brunt of the you know, hosting and promotion and.
E
That kind of stuff I'd love to have a presentation.
In fact, I think it was the durham conservation.
D
Commission that I had written over a year ago because they had, I can't remember the gentleman's.
D
Name, but they had someone that is very big on these are the pollinating plants that you want to.
D
Encourage these types of insects and how to help the insects that are beneficial in your yard and.
D
um
I I can probably look up his name, but the I actually attended that meeting and.
D
It was wonderful having this person that was so knowledgeable.
I think he's a professor at delaware.
D
University, maybe or maybe a retired professor, but at any rate
um
yeah I'd, be really interested in.
D
Having kingston come out and talk to us about it, okay, that's something we could dedicate that.
E
Kind of time, in one of our meetings, we don't do a lot of presentations.
I think it depends.
E
On what yeah it is, I know, and it's hard to know right yeah.
So it's like a week ahead.
E
And then the final one was also sort of an offer to do some sort of a like a green lawn care clinic.
E
Some folks at unh extension are kind of sort of piloting some new methods to kind of promote more.
E
Sustainable, you know lawn care practices.
I think it's kind of if they were promoting, no grass lawns.
D
Right yeah, that would be really good.
I mean you know let the clover grow kind of thing, yep about.
D
Pollinators grass is dead zone yeah.
Have you have you seen it lynn?
No, have you because well, we used.
H
To do it, so I don't know how much it's changed.
Maybe it was kind of about that.
I mean that was.
H
Sort of the first step was reducing the size of your lawn and letting it grow.
Long and and.
H
All that that would be nice,
um
so they used to talk about that.
I'm guessing they still do.
Does.
N
It make sense to have it more in the spring yeah, because people, if you do it now, people are just.
E
Gonna forget it, even though, if they're interested yeah, although this is the best time to think about.
H
Maintaining your lawn too yeah, I really hate the commercials that come on this time of year, though.
D
All these things that you have to do to your lawn, you know, and it's and it's all really bad stuff.
So.
E
Let's start planning now for a spring event.
You know, you know, get on calendars and things.
H
And then so that made me look up yeah ted's
um
nofa right.
It was scheduled for october.
H
The end of october and it's been canceled or postponed or whatever, so so this would be.
H
Great, if he doesn't, if it doesn't happen in and that doesn't happen in the spring, this would be.
E
Let me do a little ask a little bit more about whether we like the messaging around it and then.
E
Yeah consider that'd be great.
Yeah sounds good.
It could be a fun little like if we.
E
Did the two of those you could see them going together as like a little series that we do.
E
With the library or something yeah, they do a lot yeah yeah, but I was like oh, I didn't want.
B
To foist another thing on the library you know, but I think jessica would know better.
E
Than us, but like, I think they liked, I think they loved it yeah, especially if it's a city.
D
Yeah cool all right, thank you.
Anybody else have any other business.
Okay, meeting adjourned.
