Sudbury panel issues Order of Conditions for invasive-species plan at 222 Peakham Road

The Sudbury Conservation Commission closed a continued hearing and issued an Order of Conditions on June 9 for an invasive-species mitigation plan at 222 Peakham Road.

Applicant Gilbert Hudson described a plan to remove bittersweet and other invasive species along the property’s wetland edge using Lynch Landscaping, to dispose of removed material off-site and to repeat manual removal annually. Hudson said most removed trees were dead or dying and that prior invasive removal on another part of the property had produced long-term clearing. Coordinator Lori Capone told commissioners she had inspected the site, observed remaining stumps and vegetation consistent with the applicant’s description, and said she supported the mitigation plan provided the applicant committed to ongoing maintenance and documentation.

Commissioners discussed whether a transition back to native plantings should be required in the long term and whether perpetual maintenance should be formalized in a deed restriction or as a recorded condition tied to the Order of Conditions and Certificate of Compliance. Capone indicated she had intended to include a perpetual condition requiring annual maintenance. After discussion, Commissioner Kasey Rogers moved to close the hearing and Commissioner Mark Sevier seconded; the motion to issue the Order of Conditions passed by roll call. Commissioner Luke Faust recorded an abstention.

The Order includes an ongoing maintenance requirement to control regrowth and documentation to support future compliance review; the Commission asked staff to record the perpetual condition with the Order of Conditions and the Certificate of Compliance. The applicant thanked the Commission and said he had no further questions.

The Commission’s action formalizes the mitigation approach but leaves the timing and content of any transition plan to native plantings for possible follow-up at Certificate of Compliance review or future filings.