Conservation Commission
Approved the NOI and waivers for 92 Lake Attitash Rd (replacement single-family dwelling within existing footprint) with monitoring and O&M conditions; ratified Emergency Certifications allowing tree removals at 12 Pinewood Rd (up to 16 trees) and 124 Pleasant Valley Rd (7 dead ash trees).
The Conservation Commission met virtually on January 6, 2025. Continued hearings included 31 Newton Rd (continued to Feb. 3) and 26 Merrimac St (continued). The primary substantive hearing concluded was for 92 Lake Attitash Rd (NOI 002-1344): the commission approved waivers and granted the NOI for replacement of a single-family structure within the existing footprint, with conditions including monthly environmental-monitoring reports, site visits after 0.5 inches of rain, a perpetual O&M plan for the new pervious patio, and a requirement at Certificate of Compliance to demonstrate that floodplain grades were not changed. An abutter spoke in support of the project; commissioners referenced prior site visits and review of floodplain impacts during the discussion.
Administrative and enforcement actions included ratification of two Emergency Certifications: one for 12 Pinewood Rd allowing removal of up to 16 trees within the house fall line (conditioned on filing an NOI or RDA after-the-fact and submission of a planting/mitigation plan by the Feb. 3 meeting), and one for 124 Pleasant Valley Rd authorizing removal of seven dead ash trees verified by an arborist as a hazard. The minutes of December 2 were approved and several matters (including the South Hunt Road enforcement/order and other hearings) were continued to the February 3 meeting; commissioners also discussed scheduling an administrative meeting to elect a new chair and vice chair ahead of the next regular meeting.