Merrimac Conservation Commission approves shoreline retaining wall and issues determinations for septic and powerline work

The Merrimac Conservation Commission on Oct. 27 approved regulatory decisions for three projects, including an Order of Conditions for a retaining wall and patio on the town’s waterfront.

At the meeting, Greg Hochmuth, acting chair, said the commission reviewed plans for 25 West Shore Rd., where applicant John Whittemore proposed removing an existing wall and installing two terraced walls, relocating a stairway and replacing existing pavers with pervious pavers on the same footprint. The commission voted to issue an Order of Conditions with standard conditions, required installation and inspection of erosion controls, and a requirement that the commission receive advance notice before work begins; the vote is recorded in the minutes as 5-0.

The commission then considered a Request for Determination from David Graziano for a replacement septic system at 18 Harriman Rd., with William Holt, the project engineer, answering questions about the plans. The minutes record that the commission issued a Negative 3 Determination and imposed conditions including standard conditions, requiring dirt storage outside the buffer zone, erosion control and inspection. The meeting record contains an inconsistency: it uses the word “unanimously” while also recording the tally as (5-1); the numeric tally is shown in the minutes and is reported here as recorded in the meeting text.

Finally, the commission reviewed paperwork for maintenance work on power lines submitted by N. E. Power Company; applicant Hannah Raddatz was not in attendance. After reviewing plans, the commission found no objection and voted to issue a Determination of Applicability, recorded as a Negative 2 Determination with a 5-0 vote.

Votes at a glance Order of Conditions — 25 West Shore Rd. (John Whittemore): approved; conditions include standard conditions, required erosion control installation and inspection, and advance notice to the commission before work begins; vote recorded 5-0. Negative 3 Determination — 18 Harriman Rd. (David Graziano / William Holt, engineer): Negative 3 Determination issued; conditions include standard conditions, dirt storage outside the buffer zone, erosion control and inspection; minutes record both the term “unanimously” and a tally of 5-1 in parentheses (see meeting minutes for the original text). Negative 2 Determination — N. E. Power Company powerline maintenance (applicant file): Determination of Applicability issued; vote recorded 5-0.

The commission also listed approval of the Aug. 25, 2025 minutes on the agenda and scheduled its next meeting for Nov. 24, 2025. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.