Frank Puzio granted one‑year approval to trim Thatcher Shore Road vista; commission bars mowing during transition

The Yarmouth Conservation Commission on Aug. 6 issued a Negative 2 determination under the Wetlands Protection Act permitting vista pruning at 122.5 Thatcher Shore Road, where Dr. Frank Puzio and a neighboring family have historically trimmed a hedge to maintain a shore vista. The approval is valid for one year and includes special conditions: Save a Tree (the applicant’s arborist) must submit a written proposal, a maintenance plan must be filed with conservation staff before the preconstruction meeting, and the area may not be mowed while the town and neighborhood develop a long‑term management plan.

Puzio told the commission the work is limited to removing the top annual growth and involves an insured, bonded arborist: “We hire a Save a Tree…They’re expensive, but they do a good good good job,” he said, and added that he and an adjoining family “have spent $27,600, the 2 families, in order to keep it.” Commissioners and staff emphasized that vista pruning is permitted in the buffer zone but not in the wetland and asked for a contractor methodology demonstrating sensitivity to wetlands. Several residents urged an interim solution that preserves the current view while the town and commission develop a meadow or stewardship plan; Mark Burgess suggested approving a seasonal pruning permit with a no‑mow condition during transition.

After discussion the commission moved, seconded and approved issuing a negative determination (Negative 2) with the specified special conditions, and asked the applicant to email the contractor proposal and schedule a preconstruction meeting with staff before any work begins. The select board will also need to grant permission because the work is on town property.