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Templeton conservation commission continues snowmobile-club RDA over landowner and DCR coordination
Summary
The commission continued a Request for Determination filed for trail improvements and timber-mat stream crossing proposed by the Colebrook Snowmobile Club, citing missing landowner permissions, MassDEP questions and limited field access due to snow; the club may pursue a temporary permit or a later NOI for permanent work.
The Town of Templeton Conservation Commission on Feb. 17 continued a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) filed on behalf of the Colebrook Snowmobile Club for trail reconnection, removal of about 20 dead red pines and installation of timber mats over an intermittent stream on Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) land.
George Andrews, chair of the commission, read the application and noted MassDEP’s questions about the number of trees proposed for removal, the equipment to be used and whether the timber mats would alter the stream bank. Commission members said they could not make a comprehensive, on-the-ground determination while snow still covered the site.
Club representatives described a staged approach. A representative said the tree work would be “handwork” and that the trees targeted were mostly small, standing-dead red pines. Michael Weatherby, introduced as a club representative, told the commission the club “have enough timber mats to lay down that an excavator could walk on top of those without disturbing the banks.”
Club members reported they have written permission from one private landowner identified in the discussion as Graves but said they had not yet secured MassDOT or full DCR landowner authorization. Commissioners and staff stressed that a negative determination under the Wetlands Protection Act could still leave the applicants responsible for obtaining written landowner permission and any other agency approvals.
Commissioners discussed options: continue the RDA while staff and the applicant pursue landowner permissions and DCR input; require conditions limiting equipment or staging; or have the applicant file a Notice of Intent (NOI) for permanent stream-crossing work. The commission noted that a temporary permit (if issued) could last up to three years under existing practice, potentially covering additional winters while the applicant pursues a permanent NOI.
Because site access was limited by snow and key authorizations were outstanding, the commission voted to continue the RDA to a later meeting and asked staff to contact Mass DCR for clarification on landowner requirements and any hazard-tree or archaeological standards that could affect design.
The commission advised the club to provide clearer documentation of landowner permissions and equipment specifications before the continued hearing.
