REVISED Conservation Commission
Continuances were granted for Notices of Intent including 7 Old Merrill and 2 & 13 Merrimac St.; the Commission reviewed a new NOI for 5 Albion St. (retaining wall) and continued review of 31 Newton Rd. (single-family home with stormwater management issues). A proposal to remove trees at Batchelder Park for a scenic view (reduced removal number and mitigation plan) was discussed and tabled for public notification.
The Conservation Commission's August 5, 2024 meeting included multiple continuances of Notices of Intent: 7 Old Merrill was continued to October 7, 2024, and 2 & 13 Merrimac Street were continued to September 3, 2024. A new NOI for 5 Albion Street (removal of a failing retaining wall, deck removal, and reconstruction of a recon block wall with proposed plantings) was deemed incomplete—waivers, an updated plan showing limits of work, and a structural engineer report are needed; a site visit was scheduled. The Commission also continued review of the NOI for 31 Newton Road (construction of a single-family home with driveway and bioretention within the 100' buffer); DEP technical comments remain to be addressed, some wetland flags need rehanging, and a stormwater peer review was recommended.
In administrative and final actions, the Commission approved a Minor Modification for DEP 002-1321 (63 Elm Street) to upgrade tank top piping sumps after a site visit found the work in compliance and no changes to grading or runoff. The Commission ratified two Emergency Certifications: removal of a hazardous tree at 19 Lakeshore Drive and removal of compromised trees at Patten's Pond; the Patten's Pond discussion noted poison ivy overgrowth and that an RDA will be filed for removal work. The Batchelder Park scenic-view tree removal proposal (originally up to 50 trees, reduced to 35 with a 1:1 mitigation planting plan) received discussion including requests for broader public notification and outreach and was tabled to the September 3, 2024 meeting for further public notice. Public comments included concern about the number of trees proposed for removal and requests for additional mitigation and notification; project representatives described site conditions such as the failing retaining wall at Albion Street and stormwater controls proposed at Newton Road.