Commission sets continuances, issues several COCs and a Negative 3 septic determination

The Conservation Commission used its Jan. 15 meeting to resolve several Certificates of Compliance (COCs), continue others for additional work, and to issue a Negative 3 determination for a Title 5 septic upgrade.

For SE83-2270 (Channel Point LLC), Kieran Healy of BSC Group recounted prior approvals, a denied extension after unpermitted vegetation cutting, and partial completion of required plantings and invasive control; Healy requested a continuance to May to allow newly planted plugs to establish and to submit further documentation. Chair David Bernstein asked that BSC submit the management plan the commission originally required by March; the commission continued the item to March 15, 2026 (motion carried 7-0).

On SE83-2337 (Edward Stone/Brundage), the homeowner said trees were removed to access the site and to protect a leach field; CA recommended replacement trees and the commission asked for oak plantings rather than non-native dogwoods. The commission continued the item to May 12, 2026 for planting of oak replacements (motion carried 7-0).

For SE83-2339 (Susan Wojnar), representative Dan Ojala said deviations included relocated gravel areas and a rinse station; CAD calculations showed a net hardscape decrease of about 380 sq ft if gravel within drip trenches is excluded. CA requested a matrix showing the square-footage changes and removal of erosion controls; the commission voted 6-1 to issue the COC pending that matrix and removal of erosion controls.

The commission voted to issue COCs for SE83-1153 and SE83-856 with an ongoing condition for survival of plantings on SE83-1153 (7-0).

On a Request for Determination for 236 Long Pond Road, the commission accepted CA’s recommendation and issued a Negative 3 determination for a Title 5 septic upgrade pending a revised plan (motion carried 7-0). The applicant agreed to revise a plan note to reflect that two cesspools will be used as drywells for roof runoff.

The commission also considered an amendment to SE83-2493 (Irene Holmes) to replace an elevated stairway with in-grade steps after the ZBA denied a setback variance; the plan includes a small portion within NHESP habitat and the commission approved an amended OOC pending NHESP comment (motion carried 6-1). An abutter, Timothy Walsh, expressed concern about proximity of the steps to his property.

Several items were continued to allow applicants to supply additional documentation or plantings; the commission emphasized that required management plans, planting survival conditions and area calculations must be submitted before final closures.