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Home / Meetings /July 6, 2026
Conservation Commission · July 6, 2026

Conservation Commission

The Commission considered multiple permit matters including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R–287.5 Elm St.) and an ADU at 3 Old Merrill St.; it issued Negative Determinations for 0 Deer Island and 7 Birch Lane, granted a Certificate of Compliance for 28 Lake Attitash Rd. (DEP 002-1284), and lifted the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road.

occurred Agenda PDF Minutes Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Issued a Negative Determination for 0 Deer Island (parking lot improvements, guardrail replacement, interpretive sign, and bittersweet removal).
Approved 5-0
Issued a Negative Determination with conditions for paving of the existing driveway at 7 Birch Lane (increase of impervious area by 864 sq ft) with conditions discussed by the Commission.
Approved 5-0
Granted a Certificate of Compliance for DEP File 002-1284 (28 Lake Attitash Road) for removal of existing structure and construction of a new single-family home (hot tub placement determined to be on gravel).
Approved 5-0
Lifted the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road after stabilization work (riprap and millings stabilization) was completed to staff satisfaction.
Approved 5-0
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE MINUTES

The Conservation Commission meeting focused on permit reviews and site-specific conservation matters. The large multi-parcel NOI for properties along Elm Street (265R–287.5 Elm St.) was discussed at length—applicants presented plan amendments, added mitigation (boardwalk, wildlife corridor, infiltration basin moved outside the 25' buffer), and responded to peer review comments; Commission members requested additional stormwater responses, details on the conservation restriction, and monitoring requirements. Several other NOI/RDA items were placed on the agenda, with many continued for further information and review.

The Commission took several final actions: it issued Negative Determinations for 0 Deer Island (parking lot improvements, guardrail replacement, interpretive signage, and bittersweet removal) and for paving at 7 Birch Lane (driveway paving increasing impervious area by 864 sq ft, with conditions), granted a Certificate of Compliance for DEP File 002-1284 at 28 Lake Attitash Road, and lifted the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road after stabilization work was completed. Significant discussion included stormwater and snow storage details for the Elm Street project, invasive species/invasive management confirmation (knotweed absent at 4 Lake Attitash), an abutter concern about drainage/diverter at 4 Lake Attitash Road, and a site-visit scheduling request for the 3 Old Merrill St. ADU proposal. Administrative items included review of an invasive species management plan template and an update on the 27 Kimball Road project noting vernal pool observations.

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

Points of interest

Major redesign and mitigation plan for Rocky Hill development
Major redesign and mitigation plan for Rocky Hill development
PRESENTATION
0:01:22–0:17:39 ▶ Watch
The applicant presented an extensive redesign of the Rocky Hill development NOI, describing removal of large stormwater wetlands from the buffer, shifting a building away from resource areas, trail reductions, mitigation measures (invasive species management, wildlife corridor, boardwalk), and a proposed conservation restriction; engineers reviewed revised stormwater controls and timing for peer-review responses was discussed.
Dispute over driveway work, cobblestone apron, and erosion at a lakeshore property
Dispute over driveway work, cobblestone apron, and erosion at a lakeshore property
DEBATE
0:49:50–0:57:01 ▶ Watch
A lengthy exchange between the applicant, abutters, and the commission over driveway alignment, a cobblestone diversion, and alleged erosion in the road right-of-way; a neighbor urged remediation and challenged whether work was on town right-of-way, and the commission continued the hearing for follow-up.
ADU in riverfront area: stormwater, mitigation planting, and scheduled site visit
ADU in riverfront area: stormwater, mitigation planting, and scheduled site visit
PRESENTATION
0:58:28–1:11:50 ▶ Watch
An applicant presented an NOI to add an ADU on a riverfront lot, describing a subsurface stormwater infiltration system, lawn-to-native planting mitigation, and sewer connection; commissioners requested a site visit and scheduled a walk for the coming Monday at 5:00 PM before continuing the hearing.
Volunteer-led trail, parking, and invasive removal work approved for Deer Island
Volunteer-led trail, parking, and invasive removal work approved for Deer Island
PRESENTATION
1:13:07–1:23:13 ▶ Watch
A volunteer stewardship group described a package of trail repairs, parking-area stabilization, guardrail replacement, signage, and invasive bittersweet removal at Deer Island; the commission issued a negative determination allowing the volunteer work to proceed and asked to be notified before workdays.

Motions & votes

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

@ 1:22:38 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0
Issue a Negative Determination for 0 Deer Island for the proposed parking lot improvements, guardrail replacement, interpretive kiosk sign, and bittersweet removal as presented.
MOVED · B. HIGGINS · SECONDED · M. FALLON
@ 1:33:12 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0
Issue a Negative Determination with conditions for the paving of the existing gravel driveway at 7 Birch Lane (increase of impervious area by 864 square feet) as discussed.
MOVED · M. FALLON · SECONDED · B. HIGGINS
@ 1:39:41 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0
Issue the Certificate of Compliance for DEP File 002-1284 for 28 Lake Attitash Road for the completed work (removal of existing structure and construction of new single-family home).
MOVED · B. MANSEAU · SECONDED · M. FALLON
@ 2:18:45 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0
Lift the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road based on completed stabilization work (riprap at culverts and millings stabilization) and staff site visit findings.
MOVED · B. HIGGINS · SECONDED · M. FALLON