Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission heard several public hearings and administrative items focused on local wetland resource management and project compliance. The Commission conditionally approved the Notice of Intent for 2 and 13 Merrimac St (NOI 002-1330) after reviewing peer review comments and imposing a set of special conditions addressing stormwater O&M, a required SWPPP, revisions to construction sequencing and temporary sediment management, Chapter 91 licensing, and an invasive species removal/monitoring plan; two waiver requests for work within the 25-foot no-disturb zone and for an elevated building 35 feet from the water were also approved (with two members abstaining). The Natural Heritage Program comment was noted that the amended project will not adversely affect state-protected wildlife habitat, and Japanese knotweed removal and monitoring were required as a condition.

Other permit actions included approval of a waiver and the NOI for 5 Albion St (NOI 002-1336) with a special condition requiring two rows of waddles on the slope; the Planning-related NOI for 31 Newton Rd was continued to a future meeting; DPW’s request to withdraw NOI 002-1331 for 13 Newton Rd was approved without prejudice. The Commission issued Certificates of Compliance for 11 West Whitehall Rd (RCOC 002-342) and 425 Main St (RCOC 002-1155) confirming completed work in compliance with prior orders. The Commission also reviewed Town Forest management recommendations from ONRSTC, voted unanimously to support them, and agreed to send a letter of support to City Council. Staff updates included ongoing enforcement monitoring at South Hunt Road and outstanding stormwater review, and several emergency tree-removal certifications were approved on the consent agenda.