Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held its August 4, 2025 meeting primarily to consider wetland permit actions, certificates of compliance, and emergency tree‑removal certifications. The Commission approved Notice of Intent 002-1351 for 15 & 22 Cedar Street to replace roof drainage and connect to the existing stormwater system discharging to Back River; during discussion Commissioner McCarthy raised concerns that the proposal may not meet peak discharge standards and recommended a peer review, but the application was approved after members weighed project urgency and funding constraints. Several applications and enforcement matters related to site restoration and compliance were addressed: the Enforcement Order for 12–14 South Hunt Road was lifted after staff site visits confirmed functioning stormwater controls and plantings, and a Partial Certificate of Compliance was issued for that site with a two‑year monitoring requirement.

The Commission also approved Certificates of Compliance for 24 Old Merrill Street and for a matter recorded as RCOC 002-1120 for 128 Kimball Road, and granted a fee waiver for RCOC 002-1120 (8 Birch Lane). Two emergency tree‑removal actions were affirmed: the emergency removal at 61 Haverhill Road (three hazardous red maples) was supported by unanimous voice vote, and the Emergency Certification for 14 Merrimack Street (removal of ash/elm trees affected by emerald ash borer) was ratified with the explicit condition that an after‑the‑fact NOI be filed to address mitigation and bank stabilization concerns. Other items (several hearings and requests) were continued to the September 2, 2025 meeting; routine administrative business and an upcoming administrative meeting were also scheduled.