Conservation Commission Admin Meeting

The Conservation Commission met virtually on August 3, 2026. The bulk of the meeting consisted of continued hearings: the multi-parcel NOI for properties on Elm Street (265R, 277R, 281, 287, 287R, 287.5 Elm St) was discussed in detail — peer review letters from VHB and BETA remain pending, revised plans were submitted, and the Commission requested BETA attend the next meeting. Commissioners and the agent discussed long-term maintenance (an O&M plan) for a proposed wildlife crossing, restoration of 11,031 square feet including conversion of mowed BVW riverfront area to meadow, invasive plant removal monitored by a third-party, and the status of a conservation restriction (applicant indicated it was not yet prepared). There was also discussion of DEP guidance on degraded riverfront determinations and a request that BETA be present before an OOC is issued.

Several other NOIs (29 Lake Attitash Rd, 4 Lake Attitash Rd, 28 Haverhill Rd, and 3 Old Merrill St) were continued to the September 8, 2026 meeting at the applicants' requests. The Commission approved a Certificate of Compliance for OOC 002-1343 at 26 Merrimac Street after review of an as-built plan showing the concrete retaining wall completed, noting only a small deviation in flood-compensation grades. Administrative matters included a discussion about meeting 21-day hearing deadlines and updating the local NOI checklist on the Town website; the WPA fund and its eligible use for MACC trainings were briefly noted. No public comments were recorded in the minutes.