Lakeville conservation commission continues several wetland hearings, issues septic approval with erosion-control condition

LAKEVILLE, Mass. — The Town of Lakeville Conservation Commission on Sept. 9 continued three resource-area hearings to the commission’s Sept. 23 meeting and closed a separate septic upgrade hearing, issuing a Negative 3 Determination with a condition to install erosion control to mark the limit of work.

Commission staff said the continuances will give applicants time to supply missing filings, maps or DEP file numbers and to answer commissioners’ questions about restoration, timing and public notice.

The meeting began with a report on 52 Clear Pond Road, where the commission found on-site excavation had occurred under supervision of a wetland consultant, leaving large excavated holes. Mark Minton, conservation agent for the commission, said the applicant has not yet submitted the commission’s requested restoration plan. “You need to tell us what you’re gonna do for restoration, and we will either agree or not,” Minton said. The commission voted to continue the item to Sept. 23 so the applicant can provide a restoration plan and fixed reference points for the wetland delineation.

A separate notice of intent for work at Crystal Waters ponds (filed by the Crystal Waters Anglers Club) proposing invasive vegetation management using herbicide and algaecide was also continued to Sept. 23 after the commission confirmed the matter had been re-advertised because the prior filing used an incorrect address. Commissioners discussed seasonal effectiveness of herbicides and algaecides and whether fisheries would be affected; commission members reported that Brad Chase of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries had told them he had no concerns because three dams limit fish access to the pond system. The commission requested a representative attend the Sept. 23 meeting to answer outstanding questions.

The commission also continued an ANRAD (Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation) for 15 and 17 Harding Street to Sept. 23, at the applicant’s request, to allow the applicant to obtain a MassDEP file number before the commission proceeds.

On a separate matter, the commission heard an application to replace a failing septic system at 132 Bedford Street. Will Connelly of Field Consulting Engineers described the proposal: “We’re proposing a 1,500‑gallon septic tank, [a] 1,000‑gallon pump chamber, and an infiltrator quick four‑chamber bed,” he said, adding most proposed work would be outside the isolated land subject to flooding and in existing lawn areas. Connelly said the Board of Health had approved the system. Commissioners requested a clear limit-of-work and erosion-control detail for the low side of the site.

After discussion, the commission moved to close the hearing and issue a Negative 3 Determination on the septic upgrade with a condition that erosion-control (for example, a silt sock) be installed to define and protect the limit of work.

The commission also reviewed and approved the minutes of its June 24, 2025 meeting.

The commission scheduled the continued hearings for 52 Clear Pond Road, Crystal Waters ponds, and 15–17 Harding Street for its Sept. 23 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Police Station, 323 Bedford Street.

Votes at a glance

- Continue: 52 Clear Pond Road to Sept. 23, 2025 — motion carried (voice vote). - Continue: Crystal Waters ponds (notice of intent for invasive vegetation control) to Sept. 23, 2025 — motion carried (voice vote). - Continue: ANRAD for 15 & 17 Harding Street to Sept. 23, 2025 to obtain MassDEP file number — motion carried (voice vote). - Close hearing and issue Negative 3 Determination with condition (install erosion‑control to define limit of work): 132 Bedford Street septic upgrade — motion carried (voice vote).

Why it matters

The commission’s continuances underscore recurring procedural issues the commission faces when filings lack required documentation or MassDEP file numbers; commissioners said DEP input can affect merits of a filing and asked staff to consider a policy to automatically continue hearings missing a DEP file number. The septic approval clears a public‑health repair while conditioning work to reduce the chance of sediment entering nearby resource areas.

What’s next

The commission will revisit the continued items at its Sept. 23 meeting at 6:30 p.m. Staff and applicants were asked to supply updated plans, restoration details and any outstanding DEP documentation before that hearing.