Agency schedules site visit after stone piles found in upland review area at 183 Oslo Street

The Inland Wetlands Agency opened a permitted-activity review July 8 after staff and the building official identified large stone piles within the upland review area at 183 Oslo Street that were not shown on the approved wetland plan. The building official had indicated he was not comfortable signing off on a certificate of occupancy until the issue was resolved.

Staff showed the approved plan and aerial images and pointed out boulder piles and existing retaining walls near the septic area. An owner present described the property as heavily ledge-filled and said blasting to construct the foundation produced large boulders; the owner and the builder said moving all the rock off-site would be prohibitively expensive. The builder (Saladin) said they raised the house and redistributed rock around the property and that two remaining piles were left near the septic and retaining areas after construction.

Agency members said the piles appeared to be within the upland review area and raised concerns that stone placed on or near tree roots could damage trees and that placement near the septic system could affect septic function. One member asked for better photos and documentation; several members volunteered to re-visit the site.

The agency and owners agreed to hold an on-site walk Friday, July 17 at 1 p.m., with the option to call a special meeting that day so the agency could reach a decision without waiting for the regular August meeting. Staff will document the site during the walk and prepare recommendations for mitigation or removal options as appropriate.

Next steps: agency members will inspect the site on July 17; staff will gather additional photos and provide written recommendations to the agency for the next meeting.