Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission opened with a lengthy public discussion of the Rocky Hill NOI and several other active notices of intent; most large hearings (Rocky Hill, both Lake Attitash applications, 28 Haverhill and the Old Merrill Street NOI) were continued to the August 3 meeting as the applicant teams continue peer-review and planning-board coordination. The applicant team for Rocky Hill reported major design revisions (removal of constructed stormwater wetland features from buffer zones, building shifts, trail reductions, boardwalk and wildlife corridor mitigation, updated stormwater calculations) and expects peer-review responses in the coming weeks. The Commission also received a substantive project briefing on the 27 Kimball Road 40B proposal (build-to-rent concept), with discussion focusing on revised unit layout, added vegetative buffers, wetland impacts (including an intermittent stream, BVW and an IVW/vernal-pool check), and options being weighed to shift or remove units near the BVW.

Several final actions were taken. The Commission issued a Certificate of Compliance for work at 28 Lake Attitash Road, unanimously approved Negative Determinations of Applicability for Deer Island parking/trail improvements and for paving the driveway at 7 Birch Lane (the latter conditioned on erosion controls during paving and with recommendations for planting mitigation), and unanimously lifted an Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road after required riprap and erosion-control work was completed. Public commenters raised local concerns about driveway/right-of-way impacts and a cobblestone diversion at Lake Attitash, and commissioners emphasized monitoring, native planting and invasive-species management; the OSNRT committee’s invasive species management plan and a site visit to 3 Old Merrill St. (scheduled for Monday at 5:00 PM) were also noted for follow-up.