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Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission approves conditional permit for tree removal at 139 Vernon Road
Summary
The Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission voted unanimously to issue a conditional permit for tree and stump removal at 139 Vernon Road, requiring a legend tied to photos, color-coding of trees to be removed, and removal of hay bales and sediment before the lake is refilled; work must occur during lake drawdown.
The Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission on Sept. 23 approved a conditional permit allowing selective tree and stump removal at 139 Vernon Road, with conditions aimed at protecting the adjacent lake.
Alyssa Barroso, Wetlands Agent, said she visited the site and received a revised map showing which trees are to remain and which will be removed. Applicant Ronald Bisson described the planned work, saying, "the removal equipment will be a mini escalator," and that stumps would be removed, undergrowth cleared and hydroseed applied.
Commission members pressed for safeguards because the work is close to the lake. Member Michael McDonnell said he was concerned about placing hay bales in the lakebed. Barroso replied that "work near the lake will be done when the lake is drawn down." Chair Ross Lally asked for more detailed notes on the plan to make the record clear.
McDonnell moved to issue a conditional permit with two specific requirements: (1) the plan must include a legend that identifies each tree location tied to a photo of that tree, and (2) the permit note about hay bales must be revised to require removal of the hay bales and any sediment collected behind them prior to the lake being refilled. McDonnell amended his motion to add color coding (red) for the trees to be removed and to require that work begin after the lake is drawn down and be completed before water is returned. Vice Chair James Loersch seconded; the commission approved the amended motion unanimously, 4–0–0.
The permit requires greater clarity on the plan and timing to limit disturbance to the shoreline and to ensure that temporary erosion controls and any accumulated sediment are removed before the lake returns to normal water level. Wetlands Agent Barroso will monitor compliance under the conditions of the permit.
The commission’s action was procedural and included no change to broader regulation; it focused on site-level controls and documentation requested for the permit file.
