Commission approves seawall rebuild at 206 Route 87; selectmen approval required

The Inland Wetlands and Watercourse Commission approved a summary ruling allowing James Blair (Jim Blair Landscape and Design LLC) to rebuild an existing seawall at 206 Route 87 in the same location and footprint, subject to conditions intended to protect the lake bed and shore.

Staff member Savannah told the commission the proposal does not change the seawall's size or location. She said construction will be performed during lake drawdown and described temporary access paths, silt fence and straw-waddle or compost filter sock installation in the lake bed, limited excavation of about 12 inches where the existing wall will be removed, and storage of stone and lumber on plywood and tarps to reduce disturbance. Savannah told commissioners the work will create roughly 2,000 square feet of disturbance during the removal process and that the rebuilt wall will include approximately three vent pipes about 4 inches in diameter.

The draft conditions require that the activity obtain approval from the Board of Selectmen and be discussed by ELMAC, with the more restrictive approval taking precedence. Staff also specified that heavy machinery is not to be used on the lake bed, that waddle material be free of invasive plants, and that inspections be triggered by rain events of 3/4 inch or greater. The ruling sets construction windows during lake drawdown: October 15–March 15 in even-numbered years and November 15–March 15 in odd-numbered years.

A commissioner moved to accept the summary ruling and the motion carried; the record shows the vote was "all in favor." The commission assigned responsibility for implementing the erosion-and-sediment-control plan to applicant James Blair and required notification to the commission of any changes in responsibility.

Next steps: ELMAC and the Board of Selectmen were expected to review the activity where required; the applicant must follow the erosion-control and inspection schedule before work proceeds.