Sharon wetlands commission approves septic plan at Calkinstown, tables large Weeds Dam building proposal

The Town of Sharon Inland Wetland & Watercourse Commission on Jan. 12 approved a septic replacement plan for a property at 120 Calkinstown Road and conditioned the approval on the applicant not draining a proposed hot tub on site.

Don Najdek presented the application for the addition and attached garage that had previously been approved by the commission, and showed a designed replacement septic system required because of the new construction. Najdek also reported stump removal for trees that had been taken down without a prior application and said any hot-tub drainage would be taken off site. Commissioners said erosion-control measures must be in place prior to and during all phases of construction. On a motion by Commissioner Larry Rand, seconded by Commissioner Scott Schreiber, the commission approved the application with the condition that the hot tub not be drained on site and asked that the office be notified when work begins.

The commission also considered a separate site-visited application from owner Mark Orth for 6 Weeds Dam Road proposing a 120-foot by 60-foot building with living space, a workshop and storage. Orth said he planned to bring in fill to level the foundation area and that excavated soils would be used on site or removed; he noted the potential need for a frost wall and said vehicle storage was planned for the lower level. Commissioners said the proposed footprint was substantially larger than a prior approval for a 28-foot by 50-foot structure, and they flagged the absence of the driveway on the submitted plan. The panel asked Orth to supply more detailed construction drawings, the amount and placement of proposed fill, and at least one reduced-size alternative. On a motion by Rand, seconded by Schreiber, the commission tabled the application pending the requested materials and alternatives.

On budget matters, commissioners voted to request $15,000 for line 19a in the 2026–2027 proposed budget after noting the submission the commission received listed only that line without an explanation of what it covers. Commissioners asked that the Board of Selectmen provide details if the proposed amount is reduced. The commission also accepted for consideration at the next meeting an application (not yet received) to install an underground propane tank at 61 Surdan Mountain Road.

Member Robin Zitter reported on a recent DEEP meeting and suggested program and partnership ideas and hands-on tools available to the commission for the coming year. With the town's Recreation Director position being reworked into a Director/Maintainer role, the commission requested a meeting with any new hire to review beach-area procedures. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM; the next regular meeting is set for Feb. 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM, with site visits posted for Feb. 7 at 8 AM at Town Hall.