Selectmen say no DES permit on record for George Hill Road culvert; plan to request owner meeting

Selectmen told the town they have no record of a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) permit for culvert work performed near George Hill Road and discussed next steps for enforcement.

Zoning Coordinator/Health Officer Tim Bray reported he visited the Class VI access on George Hill Road, measured a nearby disturbance and found a professionally flagged wetland delineation on the property. Selectmen recalled that an owner, identified in minutes as Mr. Yager, had previously told the board he either had or was pursuing a DES permit to install a culvert. The Board said there is no DES permit on file and no town-issued order of conditions, which complicates enforcement and the ability to require remediation or permitting conditions.

Chair Steve Dzubak said the work as described would have required a DES permit and likely a variance to build the proposed road, and he recommended sending Mr. Yager a letter asking him to meet with the Board to discuss the outstanding permits and any required variance. The Board also reviewed photos and records and noted a professional wetland delineation may already exist in town files from prior subdivision work relating to the property.

Why it matters: installation of culverts or construction in wetland buffers may trigger state permitting requirements and local zoning variances. The Board’s next step is to formally invite the property owner to meet so the town can ascertain permit status and, if necessary, pursue corrective actions.

The minutes record the Board’s direction to send a letter; they do not record a formal enforcement order or any DES action taken at the meeting.