Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Great Barrington Conservation Commission met on October 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM. The meeting was called to order with roll call, and members present included Andrew, Andy, Ashley, Kate, and others. The commission reviewed two Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDAs) for work within 200-foot riverfront resource areas and ratified an emergency certification for hazardous tree removal. A scheduling change and a potential conflict-of-interest disclosure by a commissioner were also discussed.
It's 6 30. And I want to call the meeting at the Clear Bearington Conservation Commission to order. First, we'll take a roll call. Uh Andrew Mank? Andrew. Here. Andy. Here. Yeah. Yes. Ashley. Here. Yeah. I'm here. Pursuant to MGL 7C 30A, Section 20 F. After notifying the chair of the public body, any person may make a video or audio recording of an open session of the meeting of a public body. Or may transmit the meeting through any meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, the chair shall inform other attendees of any such recordings. Any member of the public wishing to speak at the meeting must receive permission of the chair. The listings of agenda items for those reasonably anticipated by the chair, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed, and other items not listed may be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the is there anyone in the audience that is recording not seeing anyone. So if it's all right with you guys, we'll just review the minutes when they're corrected and cleaned up at the next movement. Um item number three. Request for determination of applicability under the NAS Weapons Protection Act from John W. Field Tree Service Inc. on behalf of Rufus and Jill Jones. Property of 101 Alfred Road, map 33 lot 76. The proposed work consists of removal of John, I think it's 10 trees, not nine. Are you there, John? Yeah, I'm here. We're 10 trees, not nine. So of 10 dead or dying trees within the 200 foot riverfront resource area of Seacon Brook. Uh John, do you want to go ahead and make your presentation? Yeah, so uh the trees are nine of the 10 trees are ash, they're all dead because of Emerald Ash Bore. Um they're already starting to break apart and fall down into sitting areas and and whatnot. Um, and then there's one pretty good size dead sugar maple on the opposite side of the bank that leans for the house. So really it's all it's all dead trees. Um and we're only targeting the dead trees that could negatively impact uh people, otherwise they're gonna stay. Okay, and the commission did a site visit a few days ago. I think all of the members were there except the one except Kate, maybe. Um John, there was an issue about uh taking the stump out, grinding the stump, I believe, at the tree near the benches in the front yard as opposed to uh flush cutting to the stump of all the other trees, right? So my estimate is only to flush cut them all. We never I know we talked about it on the site, uh, but I never estimated stump grinding or anything.