Sherborn approves revised septic plan for 86 North Main Street moved outside 50‑foot buffer

The Sherborn Conservation Commission reopened and closed a continued Notice of Intent for 86 North Main Street on March 5, approving a revised septic replacement plan that the town’s agent said had been relocated entirely outside the 50‑foot buffer.

Agent Joyce Hastings reported that the applicant’s engineer moved the septic system toward the house so the proposed activity no longer falls within the 50‑foot buffer zone; presenter Leah Stucke described the revised plans and noted a portion of the existing patio would be removed to accommodate the shift. Hastings said she had conducted a site visit (without snow cover) and prepared a draft order of conditions taking that information into account.

The revised proposal includes four wetland bounds along the lawn edge in the 50‑foot buffer, a row of shrubs for additional screening and a seed mix of New England wetland plants on slopes between the septic and the wetland. Commissioners discussed referencing an outstanding enforcement action related to vegetation and invasive species management; the Commission agreed to include the prior enforcement order in the new order of conditions but to address the enforcement separately so septic work could proceed.

Agent Hastings clarified that the final planting layout for the 15 proposed shrubs may be approved by the conservation agent before installation to allow flexibility for field conditions, including working around an existing stone wall. The Commission voted unanimously, 5–0, to close the hearing and to approve the project with mitigation and conditions, contingent on receipt of the revised plan and completion of the enforcement action.

Next steps: the applicant must submit the revised plan and address outstanding enforcement requirements before full closeout of all conditions.