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Homeowner says vegetable garden intrudes only inches into 20‑foot wetland buffer; commission delays decision
Summary
John Alcott told the Town of Southborough Conservation Commission his vegetable garden encroaches only about six inches into the 20‑foot no‑disturb buffer at Parkville Road; commissioners said staff reviewer Melissa believes the garden is inside the buffer and agreed to take up the matter again on June 4.
Homeowner John Alcott told the Town of Southborough Conservation Commission he believes a corner of his vegetable garden encroaches by only about six inches into the 20‑foot no‑disturb buffer established for wetlands at Parkville Road and asked the commission to close his order of condition.
Alcott said he used established survey markers and aerial photos to show the intrusion was minimal and asked for leniency rather than digging up a fence post and moving a corner of the garden. “It’s actually only in by 6 in at one corner,” he said.
Commission members explained that wetland delineations are based on soils, hydrology and vegetation and that Melissa, the commission’s reviewer, had written that one of the gardens sits within the 20‑foot no‑touch area. Commissioners repeatedly said they would prefer to see Melissa’s on‑the‑ground assessment before making a final determination.
The commission instructed staff to follow up with Melissa and to place the item on the agenda for June 4 so members can review the reviewer’s comments and the documentation the homeowner provided. No enforcement order or certificate action occurred at the May meeting.
