October 30, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

27 of 80 sheets Page 105 to 108 of 203 11/06/2024 03:21:43 PM 105 For individual trees, for example young trees that are1 planted, there is another deer protection method which2 are used on very young trees. And it's essentially a3 plastic sleeve that protects the tree from deer. Now,4 of course they will be planting -- they won't be5 planting trees like this, but you could protect the6 trunk.7 As far as plants such as shrubs, flowers,8 perennial grasses and so forth, they have not proposed9 anything, nor have I asked for anything, because it's10 not my purview of design. There are a number of11 methodologies that can be used to help prevent deer12 browse. One of which is a nontoxic spray that deer find13 to be unpalatable. They are far from perfect, but they14 have been used successfully throughout properties in New15 Jersey. From my own study, which is my own property, I16 have it sprayed monthly and my deer browse is17 nondestructive. I still have deer browse, but it18 doesn't tend to kill what I'm growing. So there are19 those methods that could be done. I'm not saying20 they're going to be done. That's not something that's21 part of my report.22 THE PUBLIC: So with that suggestion of23 protecting the plantings, why wouldn't you propose to24 plant some trees in a protected area? Why would you25 106 completely leave reforestation out of the game plan for1 the area that you're protecting with deer fencing when2 you're making a case right now to plant things without3 deer fencing that are completely available to the deer?4 THE WITNESS: The fundamental difference in5 what you're describing is, as the Chairman asked earlier6 in testimony, are there programs where we could buy7 seedlings for that fenced area, or get free seedlings8 was the term of art used, and there are such programs9 for that and the owner may choose to do that. But it10 will take, if you noticed, within three years I'll have11 growth in there. So I'd rather spend the money on the12 deer fencing of a larger acreage then spend the money --13 THE PUBLIC: Well, have you -- I'm sorry, I14 couldn't understand a word you used. Within three years15 you'll have --16 THE WITNESS: Three years I will have17 undergrowth in that area of deer fencing natively as you18 saw from other sites that I've studied and there would19 really be no need. Now, on the other side of that same20 coin, I'm not going to

ve17 undergrowth in that area of deer fencing natively as you18 saw from other sites that I've studied and there would19 really be no need. Now, on the other side of that same20 coin, I'm not going to suggest to the applicant that you21 take 12-foot or 14-foot trees, first of all to get them22 into the undisturbed area would be difficult because23 it's not something you simply carry. Secondly, nor can24 you excavate with a shovel easily to install them. I25 107 would do, in essence, more damage planting those trees1 in that area than I would gain as benefit.2 THE PUBLIC: In which area, the fenced area?3 THE WITNESS: The fenced area or even the4 undisturbed area. By definition undisturbed means I5 don't take heavy equipment into it. And to plant larger6 trees I must do that. To plant shrubs, etc. I would7 need heavier equipment to do so and I would, I would8 disturb the area which is violative of the agreement.9 Sorry.10 THE PUBLIC: So you mentioned a couple of11 things about the four-inch DPM trees. Generally12 speaking, when we plant trees would you agree with the13 statement generally it's two-and-a-half to three-inch14 DPM trees that are planted say for street trees or a15 backyard tree when a company comes in? And I'm not16 talking deciduous trees, I'm talking shade trees, I'm17 not talking about conifers.18 THE WITNESS: Okay.19 THE PUBLIC: So generally speaking, most20 ordinances require no less than a two-and-a-half to21 three-inch --22 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ma'am. Ma'am, we're not23 talking about ordinances. We are -- listen.24 THE PUBLIC: I'm asking his opinion on what25 108 --1 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: Ma'am, you mentioned2 ordinances --3 THE PUBLIC: You're completely interrupting4 --5 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: -- we're not talking about6 --7 THE PUBLIC: I'm talking a question and it's8 really upsetting to me that you're blocking the general9 flow of Q and A here. It's very upsetting to me because10 I'm asking him. He had a chart with four-inch trees and11 he stated, he made statements about that. I'm asking12 him, when trees are planted, generally, when people13 plant trees what is the DPM of the tree?14 CHAIRMAN BAGOFF: That's something different15 than referring to the ordinance.16 You can go ahead and answer that.17 THE PUBLIC: I wasn't referring to your18 ordinance. Okay. Thank you.19 THE WITNESS: I cannot speak to other towns20 ordinances, per se.21 THE PUBLIC:

e ordinance.16 You can go ahead and answer that.17 THE PUBLIC: I wasn't referring to your18 ordinance. Okay. Thank you.19 THE WITNESS: I cannot speak to other towns20 ordinances, per se.21 THE PUBLIC: Thank you.22 THE WITNESS: Diameter is what you're talking23 about. DPM, I don't know what that measurement is. A24 diameter of a tree -- first of all that's --25