The Town of Lakeville Conservation Commission opened a public hearing Oct. 14 on a plan to remove and replace a septic tank and piping at 4 Court Circle, then voted to continue the hearing to Oct. 28 so the applicant can obtain a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) file number.

The project filed by Richard and Deborah Hanson proposes full removal and replacement of the septic system and construction of a multi‑tiered patio within the 100‑foot buffer zone of Long Pond at 4 Court Circle (Map 56, Block 4, Lot 23). The commission’s acting chair said the DEP file number is required before the commission takes a final action because DEP often provides state‑level feedback that can affect local conditions.

"They oftentimes what will happen when an applicant files with us and they file with DEP, they will give their thoughts on how the state views the project," the acting chair said during the meeting. The chair added the commission has in the past received information from DEP that changed how the commission would have acted had that information been available earlier.

Commissioners moved to continue the hearing to Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Police Station; the motion passed. The commission also noted a DEP number had not yet been assigned to the Hanson filing and agreed to reconvene after the DEP assignment so members can review any state comments before issuing a local decision.

No final approvals or denials were made at the Oct. 14 session. The continuation preserves the commission’s ability to consider DEP input, and the commission noted that applicants cannot finalize DEP-ordered conditions or proceed to construction until DEP issues its own order of conditions, which comes after local action.

The matter is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Lakeville Police Station.