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Conservation commission continues hearing on Deerfield Academy tree removals at 518 River Road
Summary
The Deerfield Conservation Commission continued a Notice of Intent hearing on June 25 over a proposal by Deerfield Academy to remove up to ten hazard trees near its rowing dock at 518 River Road, citing safety concerns and awaiting NHESP review. The commission set the next hearing for July 23, 2026.
The Deerfield Conservation Commission on June 25 continued a public hearing on a Notice of Intent filed by the Trustees of Deerfield Academy to remove up to ten hazard trees (ash and maple) near the academy’s rowing program dock at 518 River Road. Jon Bossi of the engineering firm Tighe & Bond told the commission the work would affect roughly 3,300 square feet on a 12-acre parcel, that trees would be lowered by an arborist and removed with no fill, and that perimeter erosion controls (silt fence and waddle) would be installed.
Bossi said the project is being advanced for safety reasons, stating, “Safety is the driving concern here.” He told the commission there are NHESP-listed species in the vicinity but that no take is expected; as of the meeting NHESP had not issued a formal response. Tim Eve-Cowles, the town Conservation Agent, reported a site visit on June 16 confirming the trees were hazards and noted invasive plants on the bank (garlic mustard, bittersweet, barberry) that may increase if canopy cover is removed.
Commissioner Peter Law asked the commission to wait for NHESP input before taking further action. Kate Devlin moved to continue the hearing; the roll-call vote to continue the matter to the commission’s next scheduled meeting on July 23, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. passed 3:0:0. The commission recorded that no fill is proposed and that work would be limited to the flagged area around the dock.
