Bolton wetlands commission delegates Montessori school walkway permit to agent with erosion controls

The Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission on July 22 delegated final review and permitting of a walkway project at the Hans Christian Anderson Montessori School to the town’s wetlands agent, voting 5–0.

Wetlands Agent Alyssa Barroso told the commission the application proposes clearing vegetation and installing a paver walkway from the school building toward a waste receptacle within 100 feet of flagged wetlands, and that the proposal includes no wetland disturbance and 0.01 acres of disturbance within the upland review area. Head of School Cailyn Freeman said the route was chosen to avoid a septic leach field and that the walkway "would actually be graded upwards due to the steep drop-off to the leach field."

Chair Ross Lally asked whether work would occur within the wetlands; Barroso said all work would be at least 20 feet from the wetland boundary. Commissioners also discussed construction details such as sediment excavation and base material for pavers and agreed professional excavation and appropriate base are expected. The commission’s motion to delegate the application to the Wetlands Agent included a requirement that erosion-and-sediment controls be added in accordance with state requirements.

The motion was made by Member Michael McDonnell, seconded by Member Diane DeNunzio, and carried unanimously, 5–0–0. The delegation means day-to-day permitting and enforcement details will be handled administratively by the agent rather than returning to the full commission for final action.

Next steps: the Wetlands Agent will implement the added E&S conditions and issue or close the permit consistent with the plan on record.