no. Anybody else has come in? So, it's time to bring to order. And over inland Wetlands and Water Forces Commission meeting for July 5th, 2025. really the first three agenda be don't even really need to be addressed. Why don't we just skip down to approval of the minutes? Make a motion to approve the minutes from June 2nd.
I'll second.
Five. Again, it's nothing. Five, six, seven.
Oh yeah.
All those in favor? I Okay, I got the five six nothing there. so jump right over to Joe with he's got quite a huge items here.
Yeah, a few few permits. The first one was 92 Bunker Hill Road. They're building the guy wants to build a house. It's like it's a property. It's at the top of the hill, Bunker Hill Road. it's an old hay field and I guess there's like part of the hay field as wetland. Like it's always been a hay field, but it's just wet there. So, that's why I had to get a permit. But basically, they're putting the septic system in, but it's kind of wet there. It's not wetlands, but it's wet there. So, they're putting a curtain drain in like first to see if it can be a suitable site for the septic system.
So, they got to do that. I got to wait like 6 months or something and test it again, see if it dried the area out enough and then and then if so then they can build the house there. But not
wasn't a dry spot.
I guess I don't know. I didn't know
really partial to that wet spot.
Well, but why if it's wet? Why isn't it wet? Like
Well, it doesn't have it's not wet enough to change the soil characteristics. Like it has to be like wet enough to create wet enough where it was concerned.
Yeah. So there's like a section on the lower end that was delineated and everything and then the septic's up further but it's it's still kind of wet anyway there. So it just doesn't like soil that doesn't drain well
cuz I mean it's at the top of the hill. It wouldn't look it doesn't really look like a place that would be a well
an issue. Yeah. most probably poor draining soil. the other one was a pre-built shed permit. It was replacing a slightly smaller shed and going in the same spot. He was looking getting rid of that shed and putting a new shed in place. That one was pretty straightforward. and then two notices of violation. One was a 280 Route 6. The guy used to be somebody else's. He bought the property. He was clearing land. and he's going to build a house eventually and he just had the whole block cleared looting in the upland review area. luckily got my letter before he got like right up to the brook but so there's like a little buffer there. He's going
to plant some trees and then try and remediate but there's no reason to clear that much. So have them restore a section of that to provide a low buffer to the intermittent stream. over there. so there's that one. And then the next one was down here on Kan Road. That was just last week. They were doing a paved driveway with an upland review area is a big big section of driveway. and the driveway guys are doing they're kind of known for trying to sneak in and sneak out without getting any permits. So, we had Jay Tuttle. He was the call before you dig. He would get the notifications and they even forward them to us so we could get on them to get a permit because they needed one, you know, like a driveway apron permit and they need one from me in this case. so I'm going to have to I just sent the letter late last week, so I haven't heard back yet. But
so how how would that go? I mean,
I don't know. It was It's weird cuz I was looking at it like cuz the the driveway there was an addition to the house that was put on like 10 years ago and the doors it's like the I don't know if you have a road like this. This is the house. The old garage was here. They put a new garage here and the wetlands are over here but the doors to the garage go out this way.
Okay.
And that's what So for years they were just driving on dirt and then the old paved driveway was over here. So when I saw it, I was like, "Oh, why are they paving there? It's the side of the house." Like, "Why didn't you pave the side of your house?" But then I saw the garage there.
So it's like they needed to. So it's like, "Well, I don't know what, you know, at first I was like, maybe they can remove a portion of it, but it looks like there's enough there to back a car out." So I don't I don't know what I'm going to have to talk to them.
Yeah. That's
might just be have to be how it is. Well, how sensitive is that area? Like is it like it's good water or
Yeah, I mean there's a a wooded buffer where the stream goes. The stream crosses like it's close to the property up here where there's an existing paved driveway and then it kind of goes this way.
Yeah.
So, this area is within the 100 foot, but it's not it's not like right up against it. There's a forest in buffer and they just like pave right up to the edge of the woods and it kind of slopes down and eventually goes in the stream. But that's it's like
there's enough of a buffer there.
But he he needs a permit but if he probably will come in, you know, come into our commission and
Well, it's not actual. It's still up on review. It's all up on review area. So shouldn't need to come before the commission unless the guys want him to.
Oh. Oh, okay. You should you should have at least notified you.
Yeah. It's the kind of thing that you want to discuss before they do it. You know, like how far what are you going to do?
It doesn't seem like when I'm looking at it doesn't seem like there's much they can do about it. I mean, what are you going to do? I mean, if he's going to have a pave
Yeah.
garage.
Yeah, that makes it makes more sense than pavements. Like some people just pave a big section because they don't want to mow or they want to park 10 cars there or something. So, you know, that's where you could have a little more pull like why, you know, you shouldn't make it as big as you're making it. But,
right. Yeah.
I got different.
So, yes. So, I think those are Yeah. This month's approval and violation. Now, was it a previous meeting where you got a permit for one Sunset Lane where they're putting that deck on? I I just see the ZBA public hearing notice coming up. And I look at this house that's really close to the lake and then they're putting this big deck out there and they is that have they already come to you?
Not yet. They I was kind of waiting to see what would happen with the ZBA.
Okay. Yeah.
Because I didn't want to make them, you know, pay for the permit if the ZBA was going to deny it. And I'm not really I'm still trying to figure out what the best course of action for that is cuz it is really close.
Then again, it's permeable. If they do like a gravel base and it's just a wooden deck, it's, you know, it's not like I I wouldn't want a patio that close to the lake for sure.
Yeah.
But
well, see, they got the wood already, you know, all the wood is sitting out there ready to go. Okay.
I think this is this is one of these after the fact kind of things.
Yeah.
But so I'm interested how that plays out with the ZBA, too.
Yeah. cuz it is pretty close.
It is. It's real close. And I think it's I don't know. I looked at the aerial photos and I think it might be a little closer than it even says.
The denial letter says proposed back is 6 feet from the Andover length high watermark.
I think it might even be closer than six. Yeah. Where the spec is 50.
Oh yeah. So shall not be within 50 ft of the established water. Oh wow. It really that's a new standard. Is that the one that's furthest down me by the dam?
No, that's right up by center.
Yeah. Okay. Was that house the orange house for a while there?
Painted it red now. That big house, right? If you're going down lakeside, you're like looking right at the house or does that sunset keep go over to the left too? Sunset goes over to well depend which way you're walking as I'm coming towards town hall that's off to the right sunset that you know goes from lakeside down to the lake
just that short stretch right it's not long
it's pretty hard to hide moving giant shed right next to the lake in that Yep. I know. I still It still makes me think of how, you know, so many people don't either they don't know that there's permits required or they don't care.
They don't care.
You know, a lot of people don't really know. I think
it's all I got. I mean,
when I first moved into town, I was just in my 20s and I didn't know very much. And I
when I joined,
I remember cutting trees down and it's like, I wonder if I should get a permit for that.
It would have never even crossed my mind. I got on the commission.
Yeah. When I joined Windham's wetland commission, I had no idea what an upland review area was or anything. It's like being
Right. Right. Intermittent streams, too. That's another thing I a lot of people I don't think the intermittent stream even registers you know as far as they're concerned that's just drainage you
and it could be it kind of depends like
sort of definition and all right other business the review of the bylaws That was a good read.
Yeah, I was really That was impressive. That's so much easier to read than the other one. I read the other one. It was It was And then I read yours after you said it was a much better read.
So I make a motion to approve by law as amended. Second.
All those in favor?
I election of officers. Well, I didn't see Brad's hand go up.
Sorry. I say I
Brad, did you vote for the minutes, too? I don't know if you had your hand up virtually.
I meant to so Yes.
Can we do officers without being in here?
I think so. I don't see why not.
Yeah, Megan. yeah.
And we could approve the bylaws because we talked about them last month
and then and need everybody here to vote on
right. So, we're good on that.
And she said in her text that she wasn't coming and she was fine with the bylaws and stuff.
Her fine would be in the chair. She was asking if you were still planning on being an alternate, but
I Yeah, I I would still be on an alternate. I realize I need to get some training, but I would still stay on as an alternate year. Is that remember last month when we were talking?
Yeah, it was different, right? For some reason the alternates are three years
or three years then the regular seat is two years.
with regular commissioners two
and then chairman I think what we have is chair and vice chair one year.
Oh okay.
Yeah that's where the bylaws are every year.
I don't know it doesn't say vice chair but it does say the chair but I'm going to assume both. I have a meeting to say.
Can you keep going as a a chair or vice chair?
Yeah, you just have an election every year.
Keep doing it. And well, you did this.
Yeah.
When I was looking, I had I didn't see anything in the bylaws or the town charter for switching between a regular member and an alternate. I think as far as I know the commissions do it in the meeting.
But did you did you send the you the slate of all of us willing to reup to the board of selectman? So
I did not I think Megan sent something to the town clerk and
but that's probably just for her.
Yeah, right.
Yeah. So, we need something. I thought I thought we needed to send you know for all the people that are going to stay on the commission that they to stay on and just send it to the board of selectman and I would have I would put Megan in as a regular and Bill is an alder on that and everybody will be happy
and you chair and her vice chair
yeah probably the election of officers and then just send them one
I guess all the updates so
kay
I assume
do and then you send the notice.
We want the notice to
even actually my thing ran out at the 30 of the June. I noticed
Well, I'm just saying if we're electing Brad, I mean, you you want us to just go through this election and then have them just send something to the
Not Brad. I'm sorry. Sorry. I'm sorry.
You knew what I meant.
I know what you meant.
Is that the way I mean? I'm asking you. I don't know.
It'll work.
Yeah.
Depends on the chairman if you know like if you wanted I would send it if George or
Okay. He'll take care of it because I know he's in and out of here anyway. So most likely will run into him. You don't even have to go out of your way, right?
What's that?
The select. Oh, wait a minute. That's the select. Is that
Does this all have to go to the select me? Is that what you're
Yeah, it would go to them.
It shouldn't be just
I think then they'll add it to the agenda. There's
because there's other commissions that have to get that were
Yeah. So, we could just send electronic like an email kind of thing, right?
Yeah. It gets sent in at the town clerk and then she'll probably pass it to the board like I don't know that's what the way it works in the board of selectmen they appoint the members of the commission so we have to send them who the the people are they say okay looks good and that makes it official
yeah okay
but so are we going elect have a vote on who we want to be chair. I think we should I make a motion that we elect Duncan Feith as chairman of the in the wetlands.
I'll second it.
All in favor?
I
All right. The same for Megan.
I'll make a motion that we select Megan as vice chair. I'll second it. Choose to commit.
All those in favor?
All in favor? I
Okay. So, we'll
And then do we have to And so the rest of us like do we have to do anything for him because he's switching? You and I are staying.
Yep.
You're switching. But I mean, do we have to go through this?
I think you should put a motion in for the record to point to move Megan into a regular new to the alternate if that's what you want.
Yeah, I think we we probably should because I mean technically
it won't hurt. It can't.
Right. So technically,
right, we might not. If we didn't want say Jed to be a commissioner anymore, we wouldn't vote him on.
Right.
Oh, so you want to vote on each person?
Is that the way it works? I mean, if you want to be J. I mean,
no, I don't think we
No, it's just for switching, right?
Yeah. Yeah, it's just switching.
Okay. All right, let's do that. U,
but it's up to you.
You're good.
Yeah, I agree. Let's just do that. Okay. I'll make a motion that we make Megan a regular member and we make Bill an alternate member, essentially switching rules for those two people. I second.
All those in favor in
favor I
those are all done.
Check.
So you we don't have to the rest of
you have no choice.
You have I the planning is only here. We need
you kick me out.
No. That's what I mean. What if there what if there was a commissioner that had bad attendance or something, you know, or just had a bad attitude or whatever or wasn't
Well, I don't think you could do anything about a bad attitude.
Okay.
If Duncan really didn't like me, would he kick me off?
I don't think so.
No, I I didn't know either.
Because you would kind of want,
you know, a variety of people. You don't want to just
He could go to the board of select then and they would appoint you.
Yeah.
They might have the power to remove some board.
I think they do.
Yeah. I do.
All right.
Yeah.
Okay. That makes sense.
You better have some food. Yeah.
Next regular meeting.
I'm not
Monday, August 4th, 2025 is our region. And I wanted to let you know that I'm not going to be in town.
Wow.
Fine.
Another one alternative.
Go to the all dead. Don't come.
Yep. The only alternate. And I got five regular members in an alternate.
Make a motion we journ.
Second. All in favor?
I the new record.
Good job.
That's good.
Should spend a lot of time there watching people jogging by Facebook and I gota go to a meeting. I got to leave.