Sandown commission says DES is investigating alleged wetlands work at 36 Main Street

The Sandown Conservation Commission reported at its May 14 meeting that the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) has opened an inquiry into alleged wetlands and shoreline work at 36 Main Street (Map 27 Lot 2).

Chair said the DES letter, received April 27, notifies the town that DES is looking into a complaint about the property and asks the landowner to "voluntarily refrain from carrying out any additional work except for the installation of siltation and erosion controls until DES further investigates the matter," and to submit any required wetlands permit or shoreline notification.

The commission’s chair told members DES had sent a complete letter to the landowner and that DES will keep the commission apprised of developments. The map and lot number were discussed during the meeting so the commission can track the case locally; the transcript records the parcel as Map 27 Lot 2.

No enforcement action or permit decision was reported at the meeting; the commission did not vote on any directive related to the parcel during the public session. The chair said the role of the commission at this stage is to monitor DES’s follow-up and any filings the landowner may submit.

The commission’s discussion did not specify the complainant or identify the exact nature of the alleged work beyond the DES description. The transcript records the commission relaying only DES’s request that active work beyond erosion and silt controls be paused while DES completes its review.

Next steps: DES is expected to continue its investigation and to notify the commission of outcomes or further requests, according to the chair’s remarks at the May 14 meeting.