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Conservation Commission · April 6, 2026 · 6:30 PM

Conservation Commission

Commission selected Beta for the wetlands peer review (and VHB for stormwater) for the Rocky Hill development (DEP 002‑1362); issued an Order of Conditions for the power‑line NOI (DEP 002‑1356); approved ANRAD/ORAD determinations for 27 Kimball Road and 28 Haverhill Road; and authorized a Stantec stormwater peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road (NOI 002‑1360).

occurred Agenda PDF Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Select Beta for wetlands peer review and retain VHB to perform a stormwater‑only peer review (Rocky Hill, DEP 002‑1362)
Approved (unanimous)
Issue Order of Conditions for Notice of Intent DEP 002‑1356 (power line project)
Approved (unanimous)
Approve ANRAD/issue ORAD for 27 Kimball Road subject to specified conditions (wetland delineation, vernal pool condition, stream notation)
Approved (unanimous)
Approve ANRAD/issue ORAD for 28 Haverhill Road with specified exclusions (exclude snow‑covered flags I‑65 through I‑71; note Bordering Land Subject to Flooding not confirmed)
Approved (unanimous)
Authorize Stantec stormwater peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road (NOI 002‑1360)
Approved (unanimous)
Amend peer‑review contract for wetland reviewer (Thor Ackerley/Williams & Sparagis) to add an additional site visit, require a written follow‑up report, and attendance at next meeting (29 Lake Attitash)
Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
Issue Certificates of Compliance for completed projects at 49 Kimball Road and 5 Brielle Way
Approved (unanimous)
Authorize amendment to existing monitoring contract for 0 & 14 Mill Street to extend construction monitoring through the construction period (additional monitoring up to agreed cap)
Approved (voice vote, unanimous)
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE TRANSCRIPT

The Amesbury Conservation Commission held a virtual meeting addressing multiple pending applications and peer‑review selections. The Commission selected Beta to perform the wetlands peer review for the large Rocky Hill development and asked VHB to be retained for stormwater review only. The panel issued an Order of Conditions for the power‑line Notice of Intent (DEP 002‑1356) and approved ANRAD/ORAD findings for two separate parcels (27 Kimball Road and 28 Haverhill Road) with conditions and specified exclusions after reviewing peer‑review reports and field findings.

The Commission also dealt with several procedural but consequential items: it authorized Stantec to perform a stormwater peer review for the single‑family 29 Lake Attitash Road NOI and amended the wetland peer‑review contract to add an extra site visit and written follow‑up in response to abutter concerns about stream/streambank mapping. Certificates of Compliance were issued for completed work at 49 Kimball Road and 5 Brielle Way, and monitoring for the 0 & 14 Mill Street project was extended to cover the active construction period. Public commenters raised concerns about stream classification (perennial vs. intermittent) and potential impacts to buffer areas, driveway/access encroachments and stormwater/runoff; Commissioners required follow‑up field confirmation and additional peer review where relevant. Ongoing enforcement at Lion’s Mouth Road and requests for erosion controls were discussed and a site visit was scheduled to inspect observed erosion and milling material in wetlands.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Selection of peer reviewer for Rocky Hill development
Selection of peer reviewer for Rocky Hill development
DEBATE
0:01:51–0:28:24 ▶ Watch
Commissioners reviewed three peer‑review proposals for the large Rocky Hill development, debated scope and cost differences (including potential overlap with the planning board’s stormwater peer review) and whether reviewers should perform site visits; the applicant asked to state a preference but the chair limited applicant input. The commission split responsibilities and approved one firm for wetlands review and directed another firm (to be amended) for stormwater review to attend hearings.
Power‑line NOI: revised maps, conditions and Order of Conditions issued
Power‑line NOI: revised maps, conditions and Order of Conditions issued
PRESENTATION
0:30:43–0:43:41 ▶ Watch
Applicant presented revised erosion‑control maps, updated wetland estimates and a construction pollution‑prevention plan for overhead power‑line work; the commission and its peer reviewer discussed required erosion/sediment controls, environmental monitoring frequency, prohibited materials, span‑stream handling, and NPDES-related planting suggestions, then issued the Order of Conditions with added conditions.
29 Lake Attitash: wetland/stream status debated; extra peer‑review visit ordered
29 Lake Attitash: wetland/stream status debated; extra peer‑review visit ordered
DEBATE
0:58:50–1:31:18 ▶ Watch
Peer reviewer presented field findings for a proposed house at 29 Lake Attitash and noted isolated wetland and an intermittent channel; prolonged public comment disputed the channel’s perennial/intermittent status, and commissioners voted to amend the peer‑review contract for an additional site visit (including the adjacent abutter’s parcel) and requested the reviewer to report back at the next meeting.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:28:06 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
motion to approve the beta quote wetlands portion only and the vhb stormwater portion including a visit to this hearing to discuss it with us once complete
MOVED · COMMISSIONER MOORE · SECONDED · COMMISSIONER MORI
@ 0:43:00 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
So moved.
MOVED · COMMISSIONER MANSELL · SECONDED · COMMISSIONER MCCARTHY
@ 0:43:50 · OTHER
Approved 4-0
So moved.
SECONDED · COMMISSIONER MOORE
@ 0:57:25 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
Motion to approve the ANRAD subject to those conditions.
SECONDED · COMMISSIONER MOORE
@ 1:11:02 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
motion to approve this stantec proposal to review the stormwater
@ 1:34:20 · CONTINUE
Unanimous
We're going to continue this until May.
@ 2:16:02 · CONTINUE
Unanimous
I just want to make a motion to continue.
MOVED · BOB · SECONDED · UNKNOWN
@ 2:20:47 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
To issue a COC?
MOVED · COMMISSIONER MCCARTHY · SECONDED · COMMISSIONER MANSO
@ 2:21:30 · APPROVE
Approved 4-0
Do I have a motion to issue a COC for that property?
@ 2:22:31 · APPROVE
Voice vote (those present)
All those in favor of accepting the minutes, the draft minutes as issued, please indicate by saying aye or raising your hand.
UNDER · Administrative · Draft Minutes (1-5-2026; 3-2-2026)
@ 2:22:58 · APPROVE
Voice vote (those present)
How about March, those of us who can?
UNDER · Administrative · Draft Minutes and Invoices
@ 2:46:19 · AMEND
Unanimous
All right. Can we have a voice vote on an amendment that right now is up to 15 monitoring reports.
@ 2:54:19 · OTHER
Unanimous
Motion to adjourn, Mr. Chairman.
MOVED · COMMISSIONER MOORE
UNDER · Adjournment