Conservation Commission 9 2
The Conservation Commission accepted August meeting minutes via motion, with one member abstaining. Speakers discussed prospect Farm maintenance, noting Rick Davis' work at month's end and Michael's upcoming involvement. regarding Jackson Falls bank stabilization, the Commission approved a proposal proposed by SPEAKER_1: the Commission will commit to funding up to $45,000, with the remaining approximately $45,000 requested from the town via warrant article. The Commission will also investigate potential grant funding. a public meeting is scheduled for October 5th at 6:30 p.m. to present the plan, funding proposal, and gather input. The Commission has already spent approximately $18,000-$19,000 on engineering for the project. Other business included a resource inventory update and discussion of a potential erosion issue at a private property, where speakers advised the concerned resident to contact the town. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYiVB4sP678
Good afternoon. >> Good afternoon. >> All right. I think we go ahead and get started. Uh through here the August meeting minutes. >> I'll make a motion to accept them. >> I'll second that. >> Uh any discussion or do you want a moment to review? You weren't here then. >> Uh no, I did I did read them. Am I allowed to vote on this if I'm not there? I can, right? >> I smart would abstain. >> Yeah. >> I'd like you to abstain. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh any other discussion? >> I'm good. >> Okay. All those in favor? >> I. >> Uh Mike, you're going to abstain. >> I'll yes, politely abstain. >> Uh I'm telling you rather. Mike, you will abstain. Uh Prospect Farm, I spoke with Rick Davis uh yesterday morning and he will be up there at the end of the month. >> End of September? >> Yep. Um and kind of just doing the similar thing. Um I don't know I have not heard if >> Michael? >> Yeah, if Michael is going to be out there before or something. >> I'll talk to Michael tomorrow. >> Okay. He called me today. >> Does he have stuff that he's already cut? Or trim that needs to be moved before Rick gets up there? >> There is I I haven't There was. Some of it got moved. I haven't seen the extent of it, but I think that he was in the game either when Rick was up there with um the equipment, it would be easier just to load it on the equipment and pull it out. >> I would agree. >> Yeah, I'll talk with Michael tomorrow. He called me today. I was just going >> And some of it he may not be able to mow it that close to the tree anyway. >> Right. And And wasn't it last year that someone did groundwork, hand work? >> Yeah, Rick did. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if he said that out loud. >> He did. They did it. Last year in particular, it seemed like they did an excellent job. >> Yeah, I I made sure I >> Yeah. >> told him how much we appreciate it. >> Yeah, it was excellent. They really set the precedent like for Michael to go and see him go up there and see that. I can mow with this. >> Okay. Um Other than that, I don't have anything. On prospect is >> I'll touch bases with Ian, who's the new ED, just to make sure that he and Silas know that they're responsible to mow. Yeah, but feel then to check the water bars coming down from Hall's Ledge. >> Okay. Yeah, that was my only other >> Yeah. >> question. And I'm a little delinquent, but uh one of the volunteers wants to get some signs out for the old um cellar holes that are on trip. I needed just find some time to do the background so that we have the right information to put on those signs to put up there. >> There used to be little plaques. >> Yeah. >> I don't find >> There's There's one at the orchard, but I don't think there's any plaques left on the sites there. >> Well, there actually there should be a a write-up. >> Yeah. >> There's already like a >> I just need to look at it. >> With a spreadsheet and write up all the the like the jazz we pulled together for each of the different locations and then we voted on how we were going to do the wording. >> Do they want to put them like on the higher ones as well? Like the one that's there up by Hub's Loop or just like the lower ones? The orchard >> All All of them. The only one that they really don't have any that I've seen any history on is you know where the orchard trail is of course the other way is the forest service. >> Mhm. >> There's a cellar hole off on that access road to the log landing. I don't think anybody's ever determined what that's what what the history of that site is. >> What site was that? >> When you go out on the what we call the spur >> Harter Spur >> Yeah. I wonder if Dexter Harding did that interpretive trail with students like years and years ago. I wonder if that was part of it. >> Maybe he didn't go that high. >> I don't think he I don't think we went that far cuz I did a a number of walks with Dexter, Lucy and others. And um we did the full boundary of Prospect. And bushwhacked down to um Fallen Leaf Road. And I just I can't I can't pull up the >> I think if you look at the forest management plan, it has that one as unknown. >> Mhm. Okay. >> I I'd have to go back and look, but that's my recollection. >> That's fun. That's good. >> I think the other five are are tagged as new. >> Yeah. >> And I There's a little bit of that history now as preface for this book as well. >> I was trying to see where you had I'll look on the Google Drive >> Yeah, I >> There might have been a folder. >> I I think you're right. I just haven't had time to go back and look. >> How do you access that? >> I can send >> I'll send >> you can If you can resend that. >> I will share it. >> That's about as far as I get. >> Okay. >> Okay. Anything else for Prospect Farm? Okay. Jackson Falls, I met with the select board at their last meeting and presented the uh drawing uh plan drawings and the uh cost estimate. Um They said it looked interesting and might support having a public meeting for to to discuss it and also we discussed sort of the funding of it and um I think they were leaning towards the Conservation Commission trying to find some of that out of funds that we have available to us and I think that can be part of our discussion public meeting or if you want to uh discuss that now. I There is the I mean we have funds in the in the money market account which I think would be more appropriate than using the land use >> Yeah. >> change. I would agree with you. >> Mhm. Um >> Do you know how much residual we have in the wildcat fund? Because that one, if I recall correctly, we had to still maintain the the principal like the 12K. >> Yeah, it's I I I think we've done a good job of spending most of our balance every year, so but I can check on that. >> Is there a I mean, I know it was a quote based on what we asked for, so it's probably what it costs, but for the sake of conversation, is there something in between? I don't know. Was it 86,000? >> It was 86. >> I'm just wondering like if is there discussion that we could have that's like, well >> Well, I could be only less stable. >> You know, I mean, I could be getting a truly about stabilizing the thing cuz 86,000 for what if that doesn't engage at all and they're just like, what? And then I'm like, well, there's just other things that I mean I don't know. I'm just throwing it out there. >> Um Yeah, I think part of that could be if it were to be opened up for a bid a bid process. So, if we were to request bids and use this as our >> Mhm. >> as the plan sort of our baseline and see if other people would feel comfortable doing that work or if there's other options. >> Yeah, I was afraid we were going to get asked that question like someone like just like, well didn't you >> It's enough money, I think, that the bid process would kick in. The other thing is for the public meeting have as much of the money answered as you can. Where Excuse me. Where would come from? How much? Just so those are the questions that people are really being they're interested in having good, solid answers. >> Do we think the head of water resources ideology would be willing to come? >> Yes, I think he would. >> Yeah, so I I asked him if he was available to come. I think if we schedule the public meeting to occur with our next meeting in October, he's available for that. >> Awesome. >> Um so I I guess if we just want to say schedule the public meeting at 7:00 or 6:30 and >> I would suggest that we schedule it maybe on a night that we have our conservation commission meeting. >> Yeah. Yeah, so next October 5th. >> Yeah. >> Uh and and Sean is available that night, so >> Let's go with it. >> Okay. I just checked my schedule. Um >> I think if we put it out for bid that uh we we should we should be clear that we're looking for somebody with experience because you can get anybody that can bid to go on and do the job. Of which I mean, this is the one that was recommended to us. I did do a background check. >> Oh, yeah. I don't know. I don't have a problem with it. I think people are just cynical and you know, somebody just doesn't like the idea and that's the first thing they throw at you. >> And I don't think there's a fast track here for because it's enough money that I think people would like to know. I think we can pick our contractors. >> Yeah. >> Who we want to consult with. >> To uh Dick's point, should we try and figure out the partitioning of the money tonight or can we do that by email between now and next month? >> Uh I think we can have a discussion now and >> Yeah. >> Uh I don't have uh a current balance for the money market account, but the last time I talked uh to Julie, there was probably enough to cover the full amount. But, I don't know if that include if that was uh I don't know how those funds were separated and if that included land use or if that's in a separate account. >> Mhm. >> And all those So, uh I can I can verify that with with Julie. And Bob uh Bob Thompson said I mean, we don't need to Well, I guess that's the question is do we ask do we want to ask the town to help pay for this or do we believe in it enough that it it needs to be done and we don't just spend that money. >> Or I don't think we should just spend the money >> I don't think we should just spend the money without consulting the town, but I think that in the presentation to the town, we say, "Look, we've got the funds or we've got, you know, a large chunk of the funds. We think it's important work and we would just like the, you know, the town to give the go-ahead for the interest to whoever shows up at the meeting, interested parties, uh to say, "Yes, we want to do this." >> Yeah, I guess I thought about the money and did it that much, but maybe with that should we discuss the things that we feel like that money could be better spent on or items that we feel like the residents or the town would be less willing to help us do. You know, with our with money. Like if if we can get the town behind something like this, it would be great to not take the money that we have to do it. >> But I I think going back to Dick's point, I think Dick is right. We're going in to make a a proposal as to how we think it should be done. After we get input, we might change what we did, but that's the function of the town meeting. And my recommendation would be to go in and say that, you know, the estimated cost is, you know, roughly 80,000, whatever it was, um, you know, with inflation, it may be as high as 90,000. Conservation Commission will put in half of it. We're retaining the other half because we do have other needs that will come, including potentially more work at the falls. And we need some input from the town. And so we because then it would become a vote of the town at the March meeting. So we're asking the town to come up with 45,000. >> Right. Yeah, I like that idea. >> That's I I think, uh, diplomatically, that's the way to Mhm. approach it. >> Yeah, I just didn't want to have it be like, we have 86,000. Like who's going to vote and go like, yeah, you know what, I'll give 10 bucks. Like there's >> That's not the end-all, be-all for the Jackson Falls. >> No, but I guess, you know, my point would be is this how our money that we have in our accounts is supposed to be spent, it should be spent. As soon as we start doing it, we kind of set a precedent on anything that happens related to anything like that. Like, oh, Conservation Committee has money, they pay for that. I'm just I'm not saying that's right or wrong. I'm simply saying, is that how our money, and the way that we get money, is that the best way to >> The only place that >> take our money out, how do you get it back? >> Uh the only place where I think that makes a difference would be if we need to also tap into current use fund. In which case the RSA is specific about what that money can be used for or not be used for. >> Mhm. >> And that's we can't change that. >> And the RSA says we cannot >> I believe it says we can, but I I'd want to go back and read it again as to just simply tell you what I think. But my my take is because it's on town property a conservation project, but we should check that. Because if we're making an offer to cover something for which we don't have the full funds in the money market, then we can't take it from that, then we we'd essentially be in a bind. So we can look up the RSA. >> And we have a town driver right here today. If she would like to have input in this discussion. >> What? Into Jackson Falls? No. >> Um Did you hear the question? >> Well, we have the public here. >> Did she hear the question? Rephrase the question. >> I'm listening. >> I hear No, we're just wondering how the public will react to uh the idea of spending, you know, $90,000 uh for bank stabilization at Jackson Falls. >> I would love to have an opinion and know about it and understand it. Knowledge will speak. >> That's a serious thing. >> From like Yeah. >> Well, we're projecting to have uh an October meeting on the subject. >> Penny, the the challenge is the town did a little bit of work years ago in moving some of the boulders, but we're getting the erosion. When they redid the bridge, >> Yeah. >> it's probably going to increase the erosion a little bit more because the piers, I mean, the the abutments that go out are going out further. They couldn't follow it. But it is If you've been down there, it's chewing away, and it will cut through where all the trails are. So there's a need to hire a professional that comes in and And we've had a plan already developed by a hydrogeomorphologist >> Yeah. >> to essentially restructure what was done before, but probably done better because before it was the town just came in and moved it. >> Right. >> And, you know, they they did a decent job, but that's not what they're professionals. So the estimated cost, we already have it from somebody who does this kind of work. It's 80-some-odd thousand dollars to go in and sort of restructure to help prevent further erosion. That's That's basically what's what's at stake. >> And give my people the opportunity to learn and understand. >> Yeah. >> And get behind the project is >> Which is the part you need >> I guess my only other funding source because this may be something that there would be grant funding that seek out, but I don't want to make making a decision contingent on finding finding grant money. And then that would What portion of the budget would that offset? Like our commitment would be half whatever balance remaining covered by grant money and the town. Does that seem like a logical >> That would be a good structure there. It >> would be. If we could find that money. >> Well, and that's kind of when we when when when Emily and I were going through the FEMA process, this would be the kind of project that they would have given funds for. 2 years ago. But >> And we can pursue that, but I think what you need is still for the town to vote because you you I mean essentially you've got a pool right now. All we need is one more big storm and stuff is really going to be damaged. So, if you're just sort of chasing potential that you have no idea where the potential is. If the damage is greater than the cost to repair is going to be a lot higher than what we're looking at currently right now. Um normally under scenario like that is the town will vote it in if we get the grants, then the town doesn't need to spend it. >> Right. >> But to get people's hopes up and have no idea even what grants you can chase. >> Right. >> Chasing at this point is a little bit of pie in the sky. >> Right. Well, and I I think presenting it as a we would like to have this work done next fall. >> Yeah. And there's urgency to it. >> Okay. Um I don't know if we if I missed this, but did they ever do the I just hate that I have this question be asked and us not be able to answer it because we use it as a reason for rational behind why the erosion's going to get worse. Did they ever show the engineering of the modeling of the change in the wall? Like I still can't believe that all this stuff happens and we don't know what that looks like. Like how how do you design something around this situation? >> damage is already been done before they even did the bridge replacement from the last two major flood events. So, you know the potential for that to happen without even the bridge replacement. So, it's an interesting question, but it's it may increase that potential, but we know we're not talking about potential. We know what's happening when we get major events. >> And I think where the work is occurring is further down >> Yeah. >> the the river. So, it we're not going directly impacting that particular thing. >> Mhm. >> No, it's just something something that we've used as a like a catchphrase to say that why we have to be aware of it. It's just like it comes up all the time with the change of the channel and all this thing. I'm just asking. If someone was asking us again like that the person in the room that says >> Mhm. >> Well, did you What's the Is that happening? Is this really going to happen? What's the extent? What did the town do? Did you guys research it? How did they get away with doing it without it being researched? Has it been Do we understand? >> I think you got some pretty simple answers there because the big rocks that were moved out there before they moved, you're seeing the erosion channel that's already cutting through where the bench is out there. You know, it's it's not hypothetical. You can go down and take a look as to what's happening. >> No, I'm not saying that. I I know that's not hypothetical. >> And that happened before the bridge replacement. >> Yeah. I guess I would just be careful using the change of the bridge in the conversation if we don't know that that's >> I would avoid that aspect and just say we're dealing with what's happening. >> Right. I mean, I'm not saying it to be argumentative as much as the person in the room who would find the thing to push the button. >> Cause it's it's nature nature happening. >> But, I I think we have to be feel comfortable answering the question. We don't know if this will solve any problem that a 200-year storm or something will just overtop. >> Yeah. Probably most likely slow down the damage that the 200-year storm Yeah. >> Right. I >> Yeah. Best case scenario. >> I mean And and I guess that could be a question we ask Shawn is that you know, what what level of storm protection is this up to? I But I'm I'm certain he's not going to guarantee >> Yeah. >> I don't think he could either. >> How could anybody expect that? I mean, Madison got what? 7 in in >> Yeah. >> an hour or something crazy in some areas. >> Yeah. So then it just >> Other areas got four. >> And it just becomes a decision by the town, by the people of the town, like is it worth putting this money in and they have to decide is it worth it not knowing like how much do you value >> the vaults. Exactly. >> And and that should be >> the discussion. >> is okay, we this chunk of money is it worth it to What are we going to save? >> Yeah. >> Well, the town made a decision a long time ago because there was a proposed hydro plant there. Which is why it got put into the wild and scenic. So the town obviously valued the Jackson Falls or wouldn't have gone through that whole effort. >> It's what Yes, I I Yeah. The town is interested in Jackson Falls. >> Do you think that we should invite DOT to the discussion because >> Well, this money that we're proposing to spend what percentage is, you know, is it going to save 75% of the erosion? is it going to save 50%? Is it going to save 90%? Uh is it going to be a washout in a another major flood year? >> I guess you could say the other one if you spend $115,000, does that get you to the next level where you feel like he's like that would stop >> everything. >> You know, I mean >> The one The one thing is pretty clear that it will happen because you can see where it is. Just the trail comes down and it's really close all the way down. Uh if you want to protect your trail, it gives people access from the upper part to the lower part of the the falls in the upper part of the falls there. Um you have to do something with that right bearing buffer. If you're willing to give up a trail that connects those pieces, then But other nature do what it's doing and if it wants to go toward the road so be it. >> I wonder at what point would DOT actually get involved where they're like >> I think DOT gets involved on a different issue and that is is we Once we finalize some of this, we put together the final proposed Jackson Falls Management Plan, cuz DOT is probably going to be necessary relative to the parking because that part of Route 16 B is actually state road. It is not town road. >> No, I guess you My point is let's just say that like if we did nothing and it takes out the the trail and then after the trail it keeps coming. At what point would DOT say, "Okay, that's too far. We need to stabilize this." >> It's a theoretical question. I don't know how we could answer that. >> Well, that's what I'm saying. Should DOT be involved? It's like well maybe DOT should be involved because the conversation is about >> Well, the state of the state >> comes the road. >> But But right, the state will be involved anyways because there's a required permitting because what I mean >> involved in a like actual meeting >> We just chunk the money cuz >> That's right. >> Yeah, that's correct. >> They can stop, you know, we can put the band-aid on now or we could not put the band-aid on, but if no one does anything and it goes after the road, DOT's definitely going to do something. They're going to put a band-aid on it. What I'm saying is, do we say, "Hey, we want to do the band-aid?" >> Yeah. >> You there like >> But I But I I think we're looking at if there's erosion at that level, the DOT needs to come in. We're We're talking about something that's totally different. Cuz that's gas funds. >> Beyond the right of way I think they'd be Mhm, it's not ours. >> Mhm, it's not town property, right? >> Yeah, no, I I get that. But I I guess that would be Is it wise to spend money if we don't solve the problem and then it becomes DOT's problem? And we have now those funds have been wasted rather than waiting for the inevitable catastrophe where someone else has to step in and do something. >> it like really right or I mean I'm just just just >> Yeah, or they just or they just throw a bunch of crushed rock down there and and the path is gone. >> Yeah. >> Cuz that'll take care of the road, they don't care about the path. >> True. >> We know that the path is a true risk. The road is hypothetical risk. >> Yes. >> Then we can hypothesize total disasters where it takes the road and the houses. Um I I think we're going a little bit far here right now in getting too concerned about the 0.01% issue in front of us as opposed >> That could be a hundred years down the >> Yeah, cool. >> Yeah. >> Really? For >> All right, yeah, or I mean you could just set the road back. Or that we may get enough salt in there from something that is still building up. >> Yeah, that's what I mean. You just don't know. I'm just throwing it out there. >> Well, I guess we feel good. We can schedule a public meeting. We can have We can ask these questions to to Shawn. >> I I We got to go back to Mike's question. >> Yeah. >> Which is did we agree on how we would propose the funding? >> Well, I think Ben's going to look into what we have available. I mean, you could email it to us uh if you wanted to take a shortcut before the next meeting so that we would have you know, good information in front of us for that. >> But, I don't think an email vote is legit. >> I I just think to get the balances. >> Okay. But, if we're going to vote on what we're proposing here today per Mike's question, we have to vote in public. We can't vote via email. >> No, no. I wouldn't Just to get information before we vote. >> Your concern is that we have to have how we're paying for the say, if we pay for half up front, we have to agree that we're we're reporting that from before our October meeting so that >> I I'll make a motion as follows, that um we will propose that the Conservation Commission will um put in 45,000 for the project. And the remainder would be a request from the town to put in up to 45,000 because they will need to vote on it as an article. And the Conservation Commission will pursue to determine whether there's any grant funding to reduce the cost of both the Conservation Commission and the town. We will pursue. >> Can I ask a question on that? What if the town says no? Could it come up with the other? >> And decide We have to decide what we're going to do at that point. >> If you cuz you didn't say up to us, right? You said 45, so it could be >> Okay, 45. >> Yeah. >> And if when we take a look at the funds we can't, we don't have sufficient, we can't do it. You'll still be meeting, but we're going to run into a problem here because we have to tell the public what it is and post what it is before that meeting so that they can see it in advance. >> Right, in fact, they need to know the amount that isn't covered. >> Correct. And my my my So, I put that motion out. I'll need a second, then I'll come back and try to remedy that problem. >> So, the proposal is the Conservation Commission pay 45,000, remainder to be paid by town via warrant article. >> Well, we'll have to say up to because the town will not vote on an open-ended number. >> Up to >> I'd be flabbergasted if it did. >> And we think we have 45 in the money market that we can spend. >> Well, if it turns out that we do not, we will know before, and then we would actually take a look at holding the public meeting in November so that we can come back and do it properly. >> Okay. >> So I made the motion. I'll second that. >> Okay. >> So This is just saying that we'll come up with 45,000 up to 45,000 dollars to cover it. >> And we're asking the town for the up up to another We're asking for 45,000 from the town expecting the cost to be approximately 90,000. And that has a little bit of built-in cost overrun which many construction projects do. We have a bid just not unusual in a bid you could have a cost overrun. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, there is a a contingency around that. >> 15% >> And I think Brian, to your your question about what if the town says no, I think that probably tells us something. >> Right. >> Yeah, if people are like we don't want to spend 40,000 dollars to save this trail. Yeah, I think that's >> I just didn't My concern was that we had committed ourselves to the full >> Got you. >> by saying like well, they didn't come up with it, so we are. I just >> Got you. >> That's normal. >> Well, I think that's after we >> Yeah. >> before we had a you know, a hearing would uh give us direction of whether to say hey. >> Because because what what you have Brian in front of you is if you go and tell the town well, if you vote no, we'll fund the rest of it, but then you burn up the rest of your money for which you probably need for other projects there. >> Mhm. >> Uh then you have no money at all. >> Mhm. >> And they will vote for that. I mean, that's what everybody would vote for is let them pay for the whole thing. >> Exactly. Yeah. >> And then that puts us in a bind because we're expected to manage up here, but we have no funds to manage. >> Right. >> We we don't want to do that. I wouldn't >> I wouldn't either. >> Okay. Any other discussions or Ready to vote? Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Opposed? >> Okay. >> It's a lot of money. Everything costs lots of money. >> For construction projects, I don't think that's out of line. >> Oh, no, no, no. I don't either. No, I don't Yeah, I don't either. >> And I did check with Yeah. Folks as I as I mentioned before because I I was the chair of the committee with them in the negotiation. I've seen a number of these funds and I've seen what the the cost are for these kinds of things. This is You know, you you're hiring a specialist. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Um And he's a one He's a small operation. more information >> a big firm or someone to quote off of. >> How do they get that information? >> They have two other people I think like what the state has just just crossed my mind. I'm like Let's ask them. But obviously have to be after the fact. >> And we don't have to cross that bridge. >> I just didn't read I haven't seen anything that I would be like, "Oh, that's what you'd be working on." >> Um Yeah, I'll I'll research that. Okay. Any >> But I would also point out when we go to the town is not only that we're paying at 45 but we've already spent and paid for the engineering. It's not like we're out of the blue. We've already spent 18, 19,000 on the engineering. >> That's part of the presentation. >> Yeah, I'd just like to look at that. the engineering everything >> Okay. Um moving on. Grazing? Anything? >> Uh only that I met with the new executive director at ski touring and was going to bring up the cuts then with him, but we had a really long meeting about other things, so I'm planning to follow up about the future sheds with him. >> He will struggle because with with the time for this fall. I can tell you that right now. >> Yeah, I didn't Yeah, I got that impression. >> Working with the forest service and getting the bridges qualified and through is has been a nightmare with the forest service. >> The town's done a great job keeping it accessible >> Yeah. >> to all the areas that they're mowing. It just seems like they really I remember he was talking about poison ivy and >> Yeah, I was back there the other day and it seemed like poison ivy is I don't know. Like >> And then they've been really on top of the mowing. It's I know a handful of people guests, just random people who've said they've been out on the mystery house loop like I didn't believe it. I was like, "Really?" >> And Nessel Nok is really signed >> Oh, yeah. >> a lot of that. Yeah, it's a combination of the Jackson snowshoe trails. >> Yeah, they really have. They've been They've had horses on on trails out there. >> I Yeah, horses on them. >> I walk it frequently. >> 20 years now. >> It's a neat trail system, actually. >> It is. Community garden? >> Well, irrigation still isn't functioning. >> Okay. Since the >> Since well, they cut the lines when they set the tank out there. But we had a hose and a wrench. But what's happened is I think the one of the valves must be gone in the in the timer. And the box that's buried. So, I think we're going to need a new timer for the hose, hook it up, and then maybe and still use the hose above ground, but the town guys have gotten in the habit now of like the hose up up to the library, so I can bring it back. Yeah, so I've got to call the gym. And um I guess we'll send it to the gym. Um the loading. >> Jim, I know. >> Yeah. Cuz it's been I've been asking for a couple of years now. >> Yeah, I mean seems kind of weird that >> I know. I think I need to get a new I think I need to stop by. >> You could just go to the swap. >> Yeah. >> You just say what you had before and >> All right. >> what was taken away and >> I can do that. >> I mean >> Yeah. >> They got a fire station out of it. >> Yeah. >> You could get >> It was so funny they >> your water line back. >> in two places. Apparently, they replaced the line, but nobody hooks it up. So, we're kind of like I can't even do what you try to stop me from doing. I think it's going to have to be cut. I'm not sure. >> Yeah, I mean it seems like >> Yeah. >> I don't know what that is. >> At least we've been having water this year, so it hasn't been past credit. The library was good because they let us use their timer. >> Mhm. >> So, then at least we you know, we made it needed so we could use the timer and put the hose out, which came in handy cuz we had water in the garden for the spring. Yeah. >> Okay. >> natural water >> Okay. Um Wildcat River, so our last month of river monitoring is well all happening in September and then the data will be submitted to the state and they release their report later in the fall. That that will come their final report will come out I think usually in December. I think that's when it came out last year. And then we've received a letter to the commission. It was submitted to the town. Is that what you're here to discuss? I also received a letter from >> even know if if it was on the agenda or not. I just wanted >> We read it. >> Is this the the annual one? >> No, there's there's one from Anne >> Garland. >> And then I also received the letter you had sent. So if you'd like to have that included in the our meeting minutes. >> Sure. Sure. And the letter can be shared, of course. I know the select board has it on their agenda for the 15th. >> Okay. >> And they're hoping DES they will pass the DES fee there. >> Okay. Can I ask if this Penny's letter is similar to or is it the same situations as or different? >> No, it's it's more general. >> Okay. >> How is it that the water gets diverted into the pond and then it doesn't go anywhere? Because it's dry from where the pond is. >> Um no. Well, if you recall the letter that we sent to DES, we raised a number of issues. Issue number one was the water withdrawal rates in the winter for snow making. The second one that we raised was the main channel is actually what's the water's being diverted So we've raised that issue with DES. Um and then the third issue that we raised was with sediment. And the sediment issue is actually both the state and town. I know at the What's the one selectman meeting before? I can't remember which one. The selectmen have now cited Black Mountain. Um but they have given them sort of a caveat that if they clean up their act, then the fines won't be in place. But the fines are basically 200 bucks and 700 bucks for the first and then 500 bucks a day afterwards or thereabouts. Um so we've raised all three of those questions in the response that we sent back to DES at that time. Um The one thing that I would note is and I hope Anne is and I have gone back and taken a couple of those and taken some pictures as well. There's no question that the that the main channel is actually pretty much dry. There's a few pools in there. If you have a heavy rain then it overcomes the new burn that he's built there, but to me that's illegal what he's got going on. We've raised the issue with DES. We know that there's illegal stuff going on between them and DES now. We're not because it is legal, I don't think we've seen some stuff, but I know the selectmen have said that they've gotten some correspondence back, but I don't know what the correspondence has been between DES and the selectmen. But the issue that's raised here about the diversion I think is correct. The only warning I would give is this means that somebody walked on Eric's property to take these pictures. That's illegal. >> Cuz it's posted. I saw that. >> Yeah. Uh it doesn't change the fact when you're going into um sniffing on somebody's property, you need the permission to do it. I took some photos, but it was at a I took those photos from Route 16 in the right-of-way. I did not and you can get a better picture of the way that this was done, but but that is a challenge that individual could have from Eric that would be problematic for this individual. And I don't know whether your pictures were taken on it his property or not, but you do want to be careful about doing that. That's my advice. >> Um I'm going to be going to guess >> Even if the town wants to go, they have to alert the DES, I believe, has to alert that company here. >> What if you're a guest at the end? What if you're a guest at the end? Maybe Ann stayed. >> Um >> I'm just saying anybody could stay there and get pictures all you want. >> He's got big He's got a lot of lawyers. >> I My pictures also include um extreme turbidity from Davis Stream Brook. Um and very clear photos of Davis Stream Brook mixing with >> Okay. >> Great Brook in the color, you know, during rain events. So, we've got the turbidity from Davis Stream Brook and then there's the normal tannic acid color water coming down from Great Brook. It's quite obvious as well as photos of the stream coming in by the ranch house, but Yes. >> I have other photos. >> But this is I mean, it's a legitimate question what's in this letter. The reasons I say that is we put that into DES as a major concern. >> Can One One of the things under the their dam permit is that it was always supposed to be the dam the the water isn't supposed to be the level of the pond for kayaking and swimming and all that is supposed to be lowered during the summer. It says it in that. >> I I don't I mean, yeah, I um I don't know because of You know, when we first moved here, we all used to swim up there. And then the bacterial level, from what I understand, got so high. That was probably because of who raised pigs that were right up there, logging and so on, which is not atypical when we get runoff from animals that um And so, then that would have I believe the there was shut down by DES because of the bacteria count. And that would have been in the '80s. They used to all swim up there. You guys swam up there. We never Yeah. Um I don't I'm not familiar with what you're talking about, so I can't. >> It's mentioned multiple times if you go look in the folder for Whitney's for that property that they bought. That it says quite explicitly that the dam level is supposed to be lowered in the summer. >> That could be. Um and then it's a question of whether that is a requirement that is between them and DES or whether that is just an internal policy. If it's an internal policy and now that Eric has bought it, he could change the policy at will. I don't know what >> Yeah, it it was it's listed on the DES information. >> I I'm not familiar with that, so I can't. >> Folks, I have to go. >> You have a quorum. So you can still vote. >> You want to >> Yeah, vote me out. >> See you later. >> I appreciate the time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Our next meeting will be at the regular time. >> Which Which also, Dan, when you're taking the water samples right at the bridge, um you want to make sure that you're doing it in the road right of way, not on his property. >> I'm aware about his property, so >> I only say that because of And he was as you know, he got pretty adamant with us about who flagged the wetlands, which we were all clueless about, but >> Um Yeah, so I I think I don't know. I You know, the other thing we could do is just contact DES and just tell them that we've continued to observe that that byway is still dry all summer outside of you know, a major rain event and we'd like an update on how how it's proceeding. I mean, it would be a question. >> So, you're concerned about dam safety? >> It was cited as an issue that could be pursued separately from the uh letter of deficiency. >> It's ranked as a non-hazardous dam. Um I think your your greatest threat if that thing burst would be number one is you get a settlement load, which is pretty typical when that happens. Um how much damage? Probably the first place that would see the damage would be Eagle Mountain, of course, would be my guess just from the bottom of water. If he ex- and I I I'm going to guess that he's probably going to need to do this, but I'm just guessing, is he's probably going to try to increase the volume of that so that he can do snow making in a more legitimate way and I suspect that's what is between him and DES now as he tries to get up to DES's um Obviously, if you have more water stored there, then you may move from a non-hazardous to a hazardous situation. But usually hazardous is based on how much water is there. If the thing breached, how much would go? But he does not have an emergency spillway on that, for example, on that dam, which is why when it was filled, it was going over the back. >> There is a bedrock spillway. >> On the dam? >> Yes. >> Whereabouts? >> As you're facing down. >> So, you got the dam and then on the left-hand side? >> Left side is an overflow. >> Then the question would be if it's earth then it's pretty problematic. Usually a overflow would be smooth. So that it would not erode when the water is going through it. >> I'll inquire. >> Yeah. I don't My recollection from swimming here is there is no real overflow. There There might be something that allows it to vent there but if it's earthen um water moving through earth, we know >> very well >> very quickly. But usually on dams it's going to be something that structurally is not going to erode when it's being done. >> Um all right. Well >> But we could write a letter to DES and just say, you know, we have continuing concerns there. Um the main channel still continues to be dewatered. And we'd like an update. >> What When is that select >> Select the 15th. >> I mean I I think select The select board has requested DES attend that meeting, correct? So I think that would be the time we have that discussion, so. >> But I don't know when I'll be available. >> Yeah. Yeah, they have requested that DES attend at a select board meeting on the 15th at 3:30, so. I I'm not sure if I'll be able to be there but I will make an effort. So thank you. Um And and your letter and and I I'm I'm going to assume that Anne's letter cuz it was also select board uh submitted to the select board will be presented at that meeting. >> You want to talk to Anne Garland, right? >> Who's Anne Garland? >> Yeah, on the pictures. >> Um selectmen meeting is at 3:30. >> Yes. >> All right, Seth Tyler. >> There will be a Zoom option. >> It's my wife's property, that's it. I'll see how excited she is about it. See if Anne first selected it. >> Stevie Nicks. >> Uh yeah, I got the perfect present for you. >> Um anything else on Wildcat River? Okay. Um letters will be going out to easement holders this week. Have you been out to overlook it all? Have you seen all of the logging that is >> No. No. >> That's >> I was going to say >> It's Yeah, Burgess Highland. >> Yeah. >> There's Yeah, I I It's posted. I looked at the permit. It's just logging. >> When did it start? >> Uh it's been going on maybe like 2 weeks. >> Okay, that's the trucks that have been coming down. >> Yeah, it's >> Huh? >> Yeah. There's been a couple a couple of the easements that we monitor. They've had So, several of them have had some some logging >> going on. >> But the conservation easement >> allowed them to do the logging. >> With a lot of logging. >> The first time they cut heavy, and then they cut heavy probably >> Well, just something to tend to over there. >> Yeah. >> The lower section of the Burgess section that comes by our house was logged pretty hard >> Yeah. >> at one point. >> Yeah, that was I don't know, that was 10 15 years ago now. >> Yeah. Anyway, just so you're aware. >> Yeah. You can see it's posted right by the fire pond. >> Mhm. >> But read the easement first. >> But if it's allowed >> Yeah, yeah. And it's following you know, proper then, so be it. Um Do you have any thing for wetlands or Dundee Forest >> Do you have any updates on the resource inventory? >> Yeah, um I'm a little behind, but I'm mostly there. I just I wanted to raise a couple questions here. First off is the assessment that was done by Upper Saco Valley Land Trust the best that I can tell was basically an update that was done in 2022. This does rely on the New Hampshire Fish and Game's State Wildlife Action Plan. Which is a premier tool that a lot of those use. The State Wildlife Action Plan was updated in 2025. So, it is actually relative to looking at lands relative to wildlife value and so on and so forth. And when I look at Upper Saco Valley Strategic Conservation Plan and they are having a meeting I think in September or so. >> Yeah, September 24th. >> Yeah, September 24th. And I'm going to check I may just check with Kate before then. Um their priority areas do not reach up as high as Prospect Farm area. Whereas when you look at the State Wildlife Action Plan, I'm just giving this as one example. Um this is what I've been trying to just overlay. I mean, these are tools in the end we decide what we think is is best for the town. Um for example, the 100 acres that sits up at Prospect that's the private parcel to them is rated as real high within State Wildlife Action Plan, which makes all the sense in the world. Because upper Snake River doesn't priority area doesn't reach up quite that high. It doesn't flash the same way. So, there's a few things in there that's a little bit of cross talk. And if you remember when we got the prospect management plan approved by the town, we had actually made a recommendation that that definitely should be a priority area. And we know that that was contested years ago. We don't need to go through all of that. So, there's a couple of those things that I'm just trying to chase out and and and get squared away. I think, you know, they getting this like the soils maps and the geology, a lot of that stuff is just you go to the state GIS, which is basically what upper Snake River Valley is. And we we can put those in. It would be almost a rehash of what was out there before because a lot of that hasn't really changed in a big way. But then it gets around to what are the recommendations that we make. I mean, you can explain the situation that's out there. And let me give you just a few scenarios to take into consideration that we don't need to decide on today, but for example, Jackson has a problem that's it's looking for more housing. At the same time, you want higher water quality. You have steep slopes. You have, you know, soils that can't take a lot of septic systems. So, the town has a soil base uh septic as opposed to like 1 acre is and and you know, and my recommendation on that one would be is you'd either recommend that the town still maintain that strategy. The same thing, the town has a river conservation plan and it has stuff about what's supposed to be enforced relative to sediment runoff with construction, etc. Um we know that the town was a little bit slow in implementing the sediment control of the black. I mean, they're into it now. Um and that's partly because we raised another raised the question with the town as to we can't enforce this, but you do have a law on the book and it needs to be enforced. So, our recommendation is in the in the natural resource would be here here's the conditions you have. A number of these things the town had was preemptive in developing a park. They had to do that to get the the wildcat into the wild and scenic. It had to demonstrate that it had some you know, money in the game as well as just getting a a designation with nothing else attached to it. So, those you know, the two parts would be and I think for the most part the town has you know, good zoning out there. It's a matter of making sure that those don't get changed because they can get changed. If your master plan sends you in a different direction, then it becomes problematic. You can see this in the housing commission that's looking at why can't we open up the forest land for housing. I went through this when they were trying to put the bypass in around North Conway and the route they were going to do was try to when you when as a town when you plan poorly, then you look at whoever else's lands are available. They were going to put the bypass around the mole mountains through our forest because there's nothing there. That was only a result because the town had done poor planning up to that point. You have to be very careful and particularly with this administration of opening up Pandora's Box about uh you know, starting to sell off forest service land to meet a need out there. The these are the kinds of things that it's not hypothetical anymore. I know that the housing commission is is exploring with the the forest service county use some of the land which is Well, if you look at out west the current administration is willing to sell off national parks, BLM land, forest reserves. The list is long. I mean, they basically want to privatize everything that's that's publicly owned. So that'll be part of what we need to discuss as we get into recommendation section when we get there. The resource base, I think most of you know it. The soils, the slopes, and so on and so forth. So that's and I will I don't know what people have other thoughts real quick because I'll try to put in some draft recommendations and then we'll need to be discuss those and so on and so forth before we finalize the resource inventory. And some of it, like what Upper Saco has, is it's been they run it through a formula. So you don't actually have the base data, but I can access like slopes and soils and that sort of stuff. And some of it they have, but some they do not. But it's the same database that the state weather action plan would be using as well. >> So areas be um highlighted as areas as of high interest to them in terms of as a result of the natural this natural inventory? >> Oh, yeah. And then same thing is if you want to preserve water quality, you have to be careful about, you know, your zoning laws relative to what kind of development, how, where it's going to take place, which is the septic, the suburban runoff during construction, etc. And the town has fairly decent zoning that's >> What about trails and that sort of thing? >> The trails were put in and Mike, you were going to do the cultural part and give it to me. >> Yeah, so I did uh I did contact historical society to see if they had just something already existing. And they came back and said, "All of our things are in storage and we don't have time right now to answer your question." >> And there is some stuff out there actually that's online. >> Uh I was going to >> In the historic district. >> Oh, yes, right, right. And that's what I kind of That's mostly what I was like looking for if they just had something easy that was translatable that like mapped out the historic district. Um and when I asked that question, they basically said, "We're just we're busy moving the building." Or I guess the building was already moved at that point. >> It's a small town. Sure. >> Yeah, they're they're they're busy. So, I was going to uh I was going to ask again um to see if they just had something easy and digital. Um now that it seems like they're getting >> Well, I'll go back and get them to the finish line. >> I'm happy I'm happy to help. >> And we do have what you what you've got here, what they did for the town in their original, which was not the 2022, but it was the was derived from pre-2020. They they cuz the 2022 was an update. And I believe what the town has on record here in their resource inventory was from the inventory They didn't have >> Yeah, this is this is something else, but yeah. >> Yeah. For the cultural component, what would be most helpful? Something text-based or something map-based? >> Um >> Or both? >> Maps, you know, it's like pictures worth a thousand words. But I think also text-based. We we do have a historic district here in town. Um the other stuff that's probably of interest is um you know, we have a number of historic buildings like the Ham House, etc., that are not in the hit in the historic district. >> Mhm. >> And you know, that's the function of an inventory is to list out what the town has. >> I know when you go up Green Hill Road, you have to go up and climb Iron Mountain. That was last little funky building that's half dilapidated was one of the original schools. They used to be six or eight schools. That's past that building. >> Yeah, maybe I'll ask Ann Killian as well. Yeah, I think she would be a good resource for that. >> And Alice Pepper's book is a good >> Mhm. >> summary of a lot of that. >> Mhm. Um Okay. Um Looks like we're moving along there. I I I'm like looking at the I've seen various versions of this and like Eaton's research it they they have it all on as a as a website, but it's just using all of those land trust resources and then state state maps. >> Yes. >> They're they're not generating a lot of new stuff, so >> No. >> So, you didn't see nothing. >> And actually she she sent uh she has sent to me and I can cookie cut out the Jackson. What I can't cookie cut out, but I'm not sure that we really need it is if you threw it into GIS, you could actually start to generate some statistics, but a lot of that stats exist that haven't changed that much. You know, like what percentage is slopes greater than X percent, etc. >> Mhm. Yeah, I mean they the Maybe I'll reach out to them and see if they have a hard copy version of this because they do have some narrative narrative >> I've already I'll get back in touch cuz I've already communicated >> Great. >> communicated with Kate. >> All right. Um I just have a couple of other small things. There's a volunteer fair October 22nd at um I can't remember if it's at the library. Yeah. to bring uh volunteer organizations in Jackson and I think kind of use it as a recruitment drive. Didn't really generate anything from it, but if anyone's interested in participating on that, it's October 22nd at the Whitney Center. So. See if we can get additional members or just more visibility. And then the library will also be working with um New Hampshire Saves to have a winterization energy saving workshop in November. I said I would would help promote, so. >> When is that again? November 7th? >> 17th. >> 17th. Through the library. So. >> How do you help >> Promote that? >> Whatever they want >> Is telling the people >> Tell Tell the people. >> They'll They'll go out in our community minutes. Um That is That is everything I have for tonight. >> Uh I have one quick new business thing. >> Oh, okay. >> And that is I had uh someone that lives in town uh concerned about some work being done at with next to theirs. Um a lot of uh material sediment. It's a building on a steep slope. And uh after it rains, uh a lot of that material coming down onto their property, coming down into the road. Um so they We're This is um up Jackson Highlands on a Northampton Ridge. And so I recommended uh talking to the town inspector, maybe writing a kind of a formal letter, that sort of thing, taking pictures from the road. Um and so the person um I don't think they said that they had uh seen the town inspector there and briefly mentioned things, but hadn't seen any changes, and then they'd sent me some pictures. So I said I would bring it to the meeting and um I went up and looked at one point, but I don't really know what I'm looking for as well as someone like Brian Wood or perhaps Ken. So um >> Yeah, if you want to call me leading >> Yeah, I might be able to give you give you the address and >> I think But for greater efficiency, they actually should be bringing that to the town because the town has ordinances and it has policy. We We cannot enforce anything. The town is responsible for both checking on those and enforcing those things. So the pictures should actually be going to the town. >> Yeah, I think I think she was >> I mean, it's good to alert us so we can support, but that's it. >> Yeah. >> Um >> I think Yeah, I think she was maybe looking for some help as to whether or not what was being done was you know, against town codes and things like that. But yeah, no, you're right. Um >> You can go read the zoning laws. It's all pretty straightforward, actually. >> Yeah, but it's hard for people to dip People off and I've never known anyone dip their toe into the I don't want to be the person pointing the finger. They just By doing that, the hope is that maybe you'll tell somebody. And this is just happening cuz it's supposed to happen anyway. >> Yeah. >> But we have like what like what Ken said, we have those things in place. How long have I been on the board, Pam? How long have you been on the board? How often have you seen the things that we talked about at company meetings be enforced or and then they black >> Plan is a little different because >> Well, somebody could draw a >> DES is required to notify us and to get our input. >> Right. >> And that's what we were talking about all along. >> Well, I mean >> And I think it's good if people are spreading it out. You should go tell the selectmen, but I think it's good if you tell your neighbor and tell someone that's on the board that tell the selectmen that's on the board that just get the word out. >> Yeah. I'm I'm friendly with this person. I just think they felt more comfortable. >> Yeah, and that's how I usually find out my information. People just >> But you can point out this I mean, on the chapter and verse we put in that letter to DES relative to what the town's zonings are. >> Mhm. >> Because we also sent that to the town the same time. >> Okay. >> Um just so I make sure we don't forget about this. We are going to be hold holding a public meeting to discuss this plan on October 5th. I'm going to say 7:00, 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. is that? >> We should probably shoot for 6:30 and that way we can just have our meeting be shorter. If we do 7:00, it's a long meeting and then another >> Yeah, okay. >> I mean, I don't want to >> 5:00, yeah, 5:45. I mean, we can If if if it's preferable, we can do that prior to holding the meeting. With that >> It might be harder for people to make 5:30. It can be tough for everybody. It's >> Okay. So, public meeting October 5th at 6:30. >> I think that's fair. >> And then we've got to have something that they can look at in advance. I would suggest that we make the design plans the response to the request. We would be discussing and I think that there was an emotion that we're recommending as a conservation commission to move forward. The conservation commission is going to put up X dollars. I think we said 45. And um we would be that this public meeting would be also to see the town put in the remainder. >> Mhm. >> And so that people come with some knowledge. >> Mhm. >> I always hate walking into a meeting of which I'm trying to catch up to speed. >> Right. >> So, you put it on the notice and refer people to the website. >> Yeah. >> So, what you're saying? >> Yeah. >> Otherwise, you're going to be pulling up the picture and so on and so forth. >> Yeah, I think you want to have the information out there and make sure it's I think almost worse is when you think you have all the information only to find out you go to a meeting that has moved ahead of the last information I left you. So, you go there thinking you're going to discuss something that's already been decided and you're >> Right. >> This is what I thought this was for. >> Yeah, I I think the only guidance that I've gotten from the New Hampshire Association is that it is we don't go into the meeting with a decision already locked in with the place. >> Mhm. >> Uh for that purpose. So, I will get the notice out on e-news and include uh the design plans and the quote. Yeah, and so we'll do that. >> And the Conservation Commission would be putting up 45 and they would be a vote by the town whether we would put up the other 45. It's a sounding board if everybody came in and said great idea. Then you probably have a good chance of getting it passed if everybody showed up and said this terrible idea. >> So, that'll go out on e-news ahead of time. >> Mhm. >> So, it's another this is like this is your first sounding board. And we'll see who shows up. >> Okay. >> And if you can send me any engineering stuff, that'd be awesome. If you have that. If you have it. >> And the only I'll ask if there's any additional materials. >> Yeah. >> Um okay. So, I guess we just need to have a motion to >> And say that Shawn will be there. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's Shawn will be there. A motion to schedule a public meeting for this at 6:30. >> I'll make the motion. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> I'm going to say Pam. >> Getting on the board. >> Pam's getting on the board. It's quick. >> All right. All in favor? >> Aye. >> Opposed? >> I'll abstain from that. >> No. Okay. >> And then our next meeting will be October 5th, regular time. And is there a motion to adjourn? >> Wait, may I make a comment? >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Public comment? >> Any additional public comment? >> Any? >> Thank you. >> Motion to adjourn. >> I'll second that. >> Uh all those in favor? >> I. >> Opposed? >> All right. Thank you, everyone. >> Thanks, Ryan. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Benny. >> Thanks. Thanks for coming. >> Ben, when you send in your view app, do you put in any other comments because you >> Do you have the address? >> Yeah, this property. >> Um it's going to take me a minute to figure that out. >> I don't have the exact address. I tried to >> I tried to scroll down with the number. >> I don't have the address off. >> Yeah, let's turn this >> Get out. >> Yeah. >> Cuz there's one quality and there's one quality. >> Um it just would be an observation. >> Since it's not a test site, >> it's a it's above and below that. >> Um there wouldn't be >> That's true. >> There's a general comment >> on the Insta. >> Insta. >> Oh, that's