The Gloucester Conservation Commission voted Nov. 19 to approve a Trustees of Reservations project to remove and repair bog bridges at 481 Western Avenue, conditioning the order of conditions on a botany survey to be completed in spring and on the use of black locust for sill timbers.

Ned Darling, representing the Trustees of Reservations, said Natural Heritage notified the applicant that the timing for a botany survey must wait for spring re-emergence of a data-sensitive plant and that the project team will submit their ecologist for Natural Heritage approval. He also told the commission the project has found a supply of black locust for sill timbers in the wetland.

Commissioner Jackson moved to close the public hearing and to approve NOI0283076 with the condition that the botany survey be completed in spring and that results be reported to staff before work begins. Commissioner Cook seconded; the motion carried on roll call. Commissioners discussed adding Natural Heritage conditions to the order of conditions and the standard multiyear monitoring requirement.

What’s next: the applicant will have the botany survey completed and submit results to the conservation agent in spring; once Natural Heritage approves the ecologist and the survey results are reviewed by staff, the commission’s condition will be satisfied and work may proceed under the issued order of conditions.