August 4, 2011

Hey everyone!  Well today I am happy to say is the first day of seeing our progress actually come to light. Because of the brook, I had to apply for a special permit from the wetlands/conservation commission. This involved applications, filings, town hearings, and then the issuance of special conditions. These "special conditions" include having to place a silt fence barrier along the edge of the wetlands line, to protect the brook and everything within its banks from runoff and contaminates during construction. Also, a large D.E.P. sign with assigned case number has to be prominently displayed out by the road.

I'm sure my Grandpa Herzig would consider this elaborate process to be a "bunch of fuddy duddy!"

.... and so goes the silt fence installation.

The silt fencing was placed about 6 inches into the ground, then packed on each side with dirt for a solid footing.

 A couple minutes after this photo was taken, the excavator hit an underground bee's nest. The two guys laying the fence got stung.  Ouch!  I think we all ran until the coast was clear.

Resuming operations into the woods.  About another fifty feet of fence to go and then we were done.  I got the okay from the Southwick Conservation Commission representative who came out and inspected the site to be sure I was compliant with all the special conditions.