Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wetlands Buffer Permitting topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission approves order conditions for 60 Pumpkin Lane project after public hearing and abutter concerns
Summary
The conservation commission closed the public hearing for a notice of intent at 60 Pumpkin Lane and voted to issue order conditions, with required bank replication plantings and specific erosion- and storage-related conditions after concerns from an abutter about wetlands and equipment storage.
The Charlton Conservation Commission closed the public hearing and voted to issue order conditions for a notice of intent (NOI) filed for 60 Pumpkin Lane. The proposed work includes replacing a deteriorated bridge, building a retaining wall and patio, constructing a 10-by-16 shed, and installing a small floating dock and stairway to improve lake access.
Applicant-presenting materials and plans, reviewed by commission staff, showed proposed work within the 100-foot buffer to a border vegetated wetland. The commission’s agent said the bridge work will disturb roughly 8 linear feet of bank and recommended a replication planting of New England wetland shrubs (e.g., blueberry and witch hazel) between flagged units 34 and 35 to compensate for the bank alteration.
An abutter, Maria Capuano of 54 Pumpkin Lane, objected to parts of the proposal and said “that entire area is wetlands” and expressed concern about storing fuel-powered equipment and driving equipment near wetland areas. The agent said she validated the wetland delineation performed by a wetland scientist, would condition the permit to restrict storage of fuel and to require erosion-control measures and pads as needed, and would require post-work stabilization and reporting. “If that's the case, he's going to be parking a vehicle that contains gas. So there'll be no gas. It's going to be empty or there will be a pad,” the agent said when describing conditions she would add.
After commissioners asked clarifying questions and the agent confirmed she had measured setbacks in the field and planned conditions for the irrigation system and the shed on piers (no full foundation), a commission member moved to close the hearing and issue order conditions. The motion was seconded and approved. The agent said she would write the order conditions and expected to have the permit ready by June 30, 2025, giving instructions about erosion controls and contractor signage.
The permit will include specific conditions for bank replication planting, erosion controls, restrictions on fuel and vehicle storage within the buffer, and other standard conservation conditions. Work may not begin until the order is finalized and issued.
