The Conservation Commission voted unanimously Sept. 9 to continue a contested wetland delineation at 26 Rice Road to Sept. 30 while awaiting guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Peer reviewer Dave Burke told the commission that his field work did not identify continuous hydric soils connecting an upstream wet area with a culvert beneath Thompson Road and that, in his view, the channel did not meet the regulatory definition of a protected intermittent stream. Conservation Administrator Linda Hansen said the town was seeking state guidance on how prolonged drought conditions should be treated when making that determination.
The matter is also connected to an outstanding enforcement issue. Chair Sean Fair said construction performed since an earlier 2018 approval may itself have changed site hydrology. Property owner Adam Stack told commissioners he had repeatedly provided the studies they requested but still lacked a final determination.
The commission also conditionally approved a stormwater permit for 15 Pequot Road pending Board of Health approval, issued a certificate of compliance for 149 Woodridge Road and approved a septic-system determination for 15 Wheelock Road.
Commissioners took no action on a proposal to install an electric bear-deterrent fence around beehives at Cow Common. They requested additional safety information before considering the proposal again.
