Conservation Commission Meeting

The Conservation Commission held a long public hearing docket dominated by a contested Notice of Intent for 29 Lake Attitash Road (DEP 002-1360). Applicant and peer reviewers debated stormwater measures, high seasonal groundwater, and whether MassDEP stormwater standards apply to a single‑family lot; abutters raised concerns about off‑site runoff, a culvert under Lake Attitash Road, parking and staging during construction, tree removal, and invasive plants. After extended discussion and conditions requested by commissioners (environmental monitoring, a performance bond, long‑term monitoring, erosion controls, plant list revisions and 25‑foot markers), the commission voted to approve the NOI and issue an Order of Conditions.

The commission also considered several shorter matters affecting riverfront resources. It approved Boston Gas’s Chestnut Street NOI for a pressure‑relief valve (requiring erosion controls and catch‑basin protection), issued Negative Determinations (RDAs) for a proposed raised planter and driveway repave at 465 Main Street and for the City’s Pond Street milling/repaving (with silt‑sack protections and waived municipal filing fee), and authorized the safe removal of the Upper Millyard pedestrian bridge by crane with mitigation measures in place; members emphasized minimizing in‑bank work and readiness to deploy debris containment if needed. The board granted a three‑year extension for the 39 Poplar Street Order of Conditions to allow continued invasive‑species work. Public comment focused on flooding and stormwater concerns around Lake Attitash, protection of the culvert and mature trees, construction staging/parking impacts, and the desire for clear erosion‑control and monitoring conditions.