October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM Page 61 to 64 of 203 16 of 80 sheets 61 much.1 MR. ALPER: And I think the one thing2 concerning the GIS overlay and tagging of specimen trees3 or what have you, is that we would hopefully not just4 note where the 36 or 40 inch tree is but we'd say5 there'd be a process by which we could say, wait a6 minute, this one and this one are under the middle of a7 building, that's a problem. We can't do anything about8 it but this ones alongside a road where we can maybe9 adjust it.10 MR. PLOCKER: Sure. And just for the11 record, it's always been the applicants position that12 when in the field happenings, if there is an approval13 and we are in the field, we are committed to work with14 the town, whether that be Mr. DeFeo or anybody else the15 town chooses to discuss these issues to determine what16 the best species and best course of action is when we're17 actually in the field putting stuff in the ground.18 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Thank you.19 Mr. Wilkes.20 MR. WILKES: Umm, yes. Can you just give me21 another explanation for the deer fence credit? Just22 trying to understand it better. How you got to your23 number.24 THE WITNESS: There -- basically we say25 62 there are 212 trees per acre in that forest, that's our1 estimate of the highest density. Now, as I said earlier2 we use that highest density number from all different3 tree plots to calculate the potential damage or4 potential removal, because that made it look as bad as5 it could look. To be fair, if I was trying to encourage6 someone to spend a lot of money to do deer fencing and7 preserve a forest, I need to give that equivalent credit8 for the acreage protection and say those same makers9 have that same density and that's where you get to that10 number.11 MR. WILKES: Okay.12 And so when we're talking about where the13 deer fencing is, you're saying where the areas are going14 to be protected is kind of acting like a sponge, is that15 what you're saying?16 THE WITNESS: Yeah. Let me go back to this.17 Okay. Sorry again about that. Technology is a18 wonderful thing.19 In this deer fenced area as we're saying,20 within two to three, four years tops, this areas going21 to be heavily regrown with light growth, understory22 growth. Perhaps tree seedlings, shrubbery, flowers,23 etc. Remember, this area here that's being disturbed is24 being relandscaped with all native species of

ly regrown with light growth, understory22 growth. Perhaps tree seedlings, shrubbery, flowers,23 etc. Remember, this area here that's being disturbed is24 being relandscaped with all native species of trees,25 63 shrubs and native grasses and wild flowers. As they1 mature, and by the way, just going back to just2 reiterate, going back to an earlier question I believe3 by Mr. Morgan, you know, yes, we have drought, but these4 areas I suspect to be irrigated, which will give what's5 planted a good chance of survival. As the seeds start6 to grow in here and fill in this place with seedlings7 you will have more absorption of water because you have8 more plants. This is not a mathematical question, it is9 more plants mean more water absorption if it's on a10 steep slope. This area is less sloped, of course.11 That's the basis of the formula. The credit, as I said,12 based on tree per acre -- excuse me. Goes back to the13 cost of this deer fencing. This is not an inexpensive14 agreement for the applicant and as I stated earlier to15 Mr. Alper, I know of no other settlement, sorry,16 ordinance that incorporates anything like this. I am17 not saying they don't exist, I just don't know of any18 and I have asked all over the state.19 MR. WILKES: Okay.20 THE WITNESS: Does that answer your question?21 MR. WILKES: Yes, somewhat. Some what.22 Now, this is really asking the question that really23 doesn't have much of an answer, like you said, it's not24 done by anybody else before, so not much to go on. But25 64 what I am a little concerned about is that, I think Mr.1 Alper asked the question, about what is your2 recommendation, are they going to be able to do enough3 for the other areas. So those areas are really acting4 as a sponge, are we just looking at the rest of the area5 deteriorating without really doing much to help. What6 is the applicant -- what do you recommend the applicant7 do to maybe, I'm thinking about what you asked, as well8 as what are your plans, exactly what you recommended for9 them to do?10 THE WITNESS: Are you talking about this11 light green area on the other side of the deer fencing?12 MR. WILKES: Yes. Yes, on the other side of13 the deer fencing.14 THE WITNESS: That areas going to remain the15 way it is today. You know, perhaps somewhere down the16 road working with the manager, I can't say it is going17 to happen, all sorts of things can be

.14 THE WITNESS: That areas going to remain the15 way it is today. You know, perhaps somewhere down the16 road working with the manager, I can't say it is going17 to happen, all sorts of things can be done. But it will18 grow the way it's growing today. The trees that are in19 here, short of the species that I've already identified,20 such as American beech and ash, those trees are healthy21 in this area and in some cases some of the oaks in this22 area probably have another 100 years of life, you know.23 Most of them, other than ones that are infected, as I24 talked about, could live anywhere from 100 to 150 years.25