Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission reviewed and acted on a mixed docket of permit hearings, resource-area determinations, certificates of compliance, and minor modifications. The Commission approved NOI 002-1349 for 471 Main St, authorizing a plunge pool, retaining wall, pervious patio and native plantings with required erosion controls, and issued the Order of Conditions. A large number of RDAs and determinations were handled: the walk replacement at 54 Lake Attitash Rd was approved (with the applicant recused), a Positive Determination was issued for drainage upgrades at 15 Cedar St, and Negative Determinations were issued for work at 77 Whitehall Rd and 28 Back River Rd. The Commission also authorized a peer review of the wetland delineation for the ANRAD at 131 Haverhill Rd due to the parcel size and possible perennial stream presence.

Several Certificates of Compliance were granted (13 Merrill Rd and 12 Point Shore Dr) and the Commission approved a number of minor modifications to existing Orders of Conditions (77 Macy St, 101-107 Market St, Bailey’s Pond, and 8 Birch Ln). The Commission ratified an emergency certification to clear beaver debris from two culverts on Lions Mouth Road and discussed permanent flow-control measures. Public comments were concentrated on the 6 Lake Attitash Way proposal (concerns about filling an isolated wetland, stormwater management, impacts to a downstream ditch/stream, and requests for stormwater calculations and species/replication clarifications); that hearing was continued for further review. Commissioners requested species-specific invasive management plans where appropriate, and staff noted FEMA review of proposed Wetlands and Floodplain ordinance updates.