October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM Page 69 to 72 of 203 18 of 80 sheets 69 MR. CARDOZA: Okay. That's appreciated.1 I believe you also had a slide referencing2 the percentage of seedlings that you expect to fall into3 the fenced area. After, I don't know how, was that a4 projection after a certain amount of time?5 THE WITNESS: I'm not certain I had a number6 of seedlings.7 MR. CARDOZA: It was towards the end of the8 deck.9 THE WITNESS: Okay. Let me move to that.10 Again, my apologies for not numbering these. Let's see.11 Probably this slide you're talking here?12 MR. CARDOZA: I believe so.13 THE WITNESS: Yeah, as part of the landscape14 plan that is currently proposed, and mind you, this is15 somewhat fluid in terms of some numbers, these numbers16 may increase, the speciation, the specific species are17 not ironed out in stone yet. But they are looking at18 using, as is pretty common in developments, you see19 flowers put in the ground. You see shrubs put in the20 ground or perennials. Most places use Bermuda grass.21 Your typical lawn, one of the greatest weed infestations22 we've ever created in my opinion. They aren't going to23 be using a lot of them. They are going to be using24 native plants, native ground cover. That's what I said.25 70 They're proposing 2166, I don't know the exact number1 we'll end up with, but it will be at least that. And as2 they grow and spread they will create -- go to seed.3 And as they go to seed they will spread throughout the4 area. That's the goal. That they become nursery stock,5 if you will. You're not digging them up to move them,6 don't get me wrong, but they're going to become nursery7 stock by seed. One of the advantage of native plants8 over nonnative plants is that native plants will seed9 themselves. Many nonnative plants don't seed, because10 they're hybridized and can be sterile. These will seed11 and spread, which is what we want.12 MR. CARDOZA: Okay.13 So with these native plant additions,14 repeating that a little bit of Mr. Wilkes questioning,15 is there a way to project how much we can expect16 seedlings falling in an undisturbed area versus the17 fenced area or, you know, outside of the developed area.18 There's no way to, you know --19 THE WITNESS: It will depend on the20 direction of the wind, the strength of the wind and21 where the animals choose to go.22 MR. CARDOZA: Okay.23 The proposed deer fencing, how far

y to, you know --19 THE WITNESS: It will depend on the20 direction of the wind, the strength of the wind and21 where the animals choose to go.22 MR. CARDOZA: Okay.23 The proposed deer fencing, how far will it24 extend into the ground?25 71 THE WITNESS: The posts?1 MR. CARDOZA: Yeah.2 THE WITNESS: I would have to look at the3 spec sheet that is attached. I just don't have it in my4 head.5 MR. CARDOZA: And the fencing itself?6 THE WITNESS: The fencing itself doesn't go7 underground, it goes to the ground.8 MR. CARDOZA: All right. Perfect.9 So as mentioned it wouldn't interfere with10 animals that didn't burrow?11 THE WITNESS: No, burrowing animals, I mean,12 chipmunks are going to walk through it. Fox,13 woodchucks, they're going to burrow under it. It's not14 designed to stop them. Deer don't burrow that way.15 They will push but this fencing is stiff galvanized with16 cross members and they're not going to get under that.17 That's why it's used. Other animals they're not --18 small animals are going to have no problem transferring19 through this area.20 MR. CARDOZA: And then in reference to deer,21 or I should say in reference, I believe you mentioned22 one alternative to deer fencing, which would be deer23 hunts, which is obviously more invasive, any other24 alternative that the board or general public should be25 72 aware of and how did you come to the determination that1 this is the best option?2 THE WITNESS: It's not the best option. The3 best option to control deer purely on a control basis,4 not a recommendation for this application, the best5 option to control deer is a combination of hunting,6 which reduces population, deer fencing, if you want to7 regenerate the forest and potential deer relocation,8 which is extraordinarily expensive, very stressful on9 the animal and not all that successful in my experience10 of reading. However, this is the best option that I11 could come up with, professionally speaking, for this12 site with all the limitations that go with it. Housing13 density nearby, neighbors, trying to anticipate the,14 shall we say, disaffection with the deer hunts in South15 Mountain Reservation, I've never seen that be a very16 popular option. When it's on large private property,17 that's different. But this is the best option I could18 come up with in the time of negotiation.19 MR. CARDOZA: Thank you, Mr. DeFeo. I20 appreciate it.

option. When it's on large private property,17 that's different. But this is the best option I could18 come up with in the time of negotiation.19 MR. CARDOZA: Thank you, Mr. DeFeo. I20 appreciate it. That's all my questions.21 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ms. Kapferer.22 MS. KAPFERER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.23 Mr. DeFeo, I have a couple questions about24 the beginning of your presentation, the study you have25