Meeting report · Conservation Commission
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Conservation Commission — May 28, 2026
The meeting featured intense questioning from both the board and neighbors regarding drainage, parking, and environmental compliance, particularly for the Center Street and Elliott Street items.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Wetland Protection Enforcement
Potential for long-term changes to local drainage patterns and ecological stability due to unpermitted land alterations. Affected: Local residents and environmental stakeholders
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Close the public hearing for 86 Elliott Street.
Unanimous approval.
Approved
12:56
Grant a waiver for work within the 35-foot no disturb zone at 86 Elliott Street (File #-1436).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
13:00
Grant a waiver for work within the 50-foot no build zone at 86 Elliott Street (File #-1436).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
13:54
Issue an Order of Conditions for 86 Elliott Street (File #-1436) with additional conditions.
Includes conditions on pollutants, equipment refueling, marking limits of work, and prohibiting certain deicing chemicals.
Approved
14:26
Issue an Enforcement Order for 86 Elliott Street with agreed upon terms.
Relates to unpermitted stream crossings and land clearing remediation.
Approved
27:11
Close the public hearing for 54 Cherry Hill Drive (File #-1438).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
50:04
Grant a waiver for work in the 50-foot no build zone at 54 Cherry Hill Drive (File #-1438).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
50:18
Issue an Order of Conditions for 54 Cherry Hill Drive (File #-1438).
Unanimous approval.
Approved
50:34
Close the public hearing for 32 Center Street (DP #-1439).
Motion made and seconded; unanimous approval.
Approved
71:03
Issue the Order of Conditions for 32 Center Street (DP #-1439).
Motion made and seconded; unanimous approval.
Approved
71:14
Continue the public hearing for 267 Center Street (DP #-1440) to June 11, 2026.
Motion made to continue the hearing to allow for a site visit.
Approved
89:00
Close the public hearing for 28 Brentwood Circle (DP #-1441).
Motion made and seconded; unanimous approval.
Approved
102:04
Grant a waiver for work within the 50-foot no-build buffer at 28 Brentwood Circle (DP #-1441).
Motion made and seconded; unanimous approval.
Approved
102:27
Issue the Order of Conditions for 28 Brentwood Circle (DP #-1441).
Approved with the condition that the applicant submits an updated plan showing proposed stone trenching and gravel.
Approved
102:40
Accept minutes from May 14, 2026.
Motion made and seconded; unanimous approval.
Approved
105:14
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
01:58 86 Elliott Street Notice of Intent (NOI)
Discussion of a revised project plan for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and driveway, designed to move structures further from a stream and reduce impact on the 'no disturb' zone.
Speakers: Mary Height, Mrs. Vaka, Josh (Engineer), Lorraine Drapeek
18:50 86 Elliott Street Enforcement Order
Review of an enforcement order regarding unpermitted land clearing and unpermitted stream crossings that must be remediated through restoration and mitigation.
Speakers: Mary Height, Emily (Staff), Paul McNelte, Mr. Vaka
28:00 54 Cherry Hill Drive Notice of Intent (NOI)
Presentation of a site expansion project, focusing on stormwater management improvements and addressing a request for a waiver due to an identified Isolated Vegetated Wetland (IVW).
Speakers: Denell Baptist, Mary Height
52:33 32 Center Street Notice of Intent (NOI)
Discussion of an after-the-fact filing for filling in a pool to create additional asphalt parking spaces and hot tub installation, including concerns regarding increased impervious surfaces, property dimensions, and stormwater runoff.
Speakers: Admir Tuska, Mary Height, Bill Bradstreet, Ernie Frasier, Unidentified speaker, Brad Street
76:00 267 Center Street Notice of Intent
Discussion regarding a proposed house on a site with historical fill and undocumented drainage. The applicant proposed mitigation through regrading and native plantings to address invasive species and slope stability.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, John Dick
91:00 28 Brentwood Circle Notice of Intent
Discussion regarding a single-level home addition that encroaches on the no-build buffer. The applicant discussed stormwater management via a proposed stone trench.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker, Greg Maynard
105:00 Approval of Meeting Minutes
The board reviewed and voted to accept the minutes from the May 14, 2026, meeting.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
32 Center Street Parking and Pool Infill
The project involves an 'after-the-fact' filing for filling in a pool to create asphalt parking. Neighbors expressed significant concerns regarding increased impervious surfaces, stormwater runoff/flooding risks to adjacent properties, and the adequacy of parking for tenants.
Board position: The board moved to approve the Order of Conditions, but they exerted pressure on the applicant to provide specific dimensions and addressed technical concerns regarding drainage and surface materials.
high concern
02
86 Elliott Street Enforcement Order
This involved remediation of unpermitted land clearing and unpermitted stream crossings. While the applicant agreed to the terms, enforcement orders typically indicate a breach of environmental regulations and prior lack of compliance.
Board position: The board issued a formal enforcement order requiring restoration, mitigation, and long-term monitoring.
medium concern
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Remove all debris and unpermitted crossings from the intermittent stream within 30 days.
Assigned: Mr. Vaka / Applicant · Due: 30 days from issuance
Hire a wetland scientist to develop a restoration planting plan.
Assigned: Mr. Vaka / Applicant · Due: 60 days from issuance
Provide quarterly monitoring updates to staff via written reports and photographs.
Assigned: Wetland Scientist · Due: 2 years
Provide specific dimensions regarding the distance between the new parking/hot tub area and the existing fence.
Assigned: Admir Tuska
Provide specific dimensions for the hot tub proximity to the fence.
Assigned: Applicant (Adam)
Coordinate a site visit for the 267 Center Street hearing.
Assigned: Emily (Staff) · Due: Prior to June 11, 2026
Submit an updated plan for 28 Brentwood Circle showing the proposed stone trench and gravel for stormwater management.
Assigned: Applicant (Greg Maynard)
Send a reminder regarding the upcoming webinar.
Assigned: Emily (Staff) · Due: Next week
Notable statements
The order of conditions is permission to do the work... and then the enforcement order is action that needs to be taken outside of the order and conditions to get the rest of the property into compliance. — Emily (Staff) · Clarifying the distinction between the two legal documents for 86 Elliott Street. 07:16
We're not introducing any new impervious areas or potential imperviousities to the wetland area. Everything is captured and treated. — Denell Baptist · Defending the stormwater management plan for 54 Cherry Hill Drive. 33:08
I decided to close [the pool] because that is the driveway right now... in order to get in and out from the center street, you park and you back up. — Admir Tuska · Explaining the motivation for the parking expansion at 32 Center Street. 52:03
The site is a wetland in name only... the core wetland is in the back of the lot. — John Dick · Discussing the ecological status and historical fill of the 267 Center Street property. 78:50
We like to see some sort of mitigation when we're granting a waiver [such as a pollinator garden]. — Board Member · Advising the applicant for 28 Brentwood Circle on potential mitigation for the buffer encroachment. 94:53
Member positions
0 issues · 0 explicit · 0 inferred
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
8
Total speakers
12
Addressed
0
Partial
0
Not addressed
Board Member
28:33
Addressed
A board member asked staff for clarification on specific de-icing products allowed under the new conditions. They also inquired if town staff would be monitoring the construction site to ensure compliance.
Key concern
Clarification on allowable de-icing products and oversight/monitoring of construction.
Board responseStaff confirmed there are approved alternatives and that monitoring would occur.
The board member's questions were directly answered by the staff present.
Mr. Vodka
42:31
Addressed
The applicant expressed agreement with the enforcement order conditions. He asked if a new crossing could be handled during this meeting or if a new application is required.
Key concern
Procedural question regarding the application for a new crossing.
Board responseStaff explained that a new crossing would require a separate filing because it was not part of the original approved plan.
The applicant's question was answered with a clear procedural explanation.
Board Member
44:58
Addressed
A board member asked if the community had any comments on the enforcement order.
Key concern
Inviting public input on the enforcement order.
Board responseThe board opened the floor to the public.
The board followed proper procedure by inviting public comment.
Board Member
65:22
Addressed
A board member expressed concerns regarding the significant increase in impervious surface area for the parking lot. They also questioned how the additional parking spaces were determined.
Key concern
Impact of increased impervious surface and the necessity of additional parking.
Board responseThe applicant and staff explained the stormwater flow direction and the parking demand based on building programming/zoning.
The board member's concerns were addressed through a dialogue with the applicant and engineering staff.
Bill Bradreet
77:05
Addressed
A town meeting member asked if the proposed stormwater management system is affected by snow storage.
Key concern
Impact of snow storage on stormwater runoff.
Board responseStaff explained that while snow melt enters the system, it does not drive the design of the stormwater management programming.
The speaker's question was answered by staff.
Public Speaker
78:52
Addressed
A member of the public questioned whether the wetland edges had been peer-reviewed. They also asked the applicant if alternative locations for the parking areas were considered to avoid the buffer zone.
Key concern
Accuracy of wetland delineation and availability of alternative site layouts.
Board responseStaff clarified that a peer review wasn't requested, and the applicant explained that they studied seven iterations but found the current layout necessary for capacity.
Both the question about the wetland edges and the question about site alternatives were answered.
Adam Tuska
85:37
Addressed
The applicant explained the need to convert a former pool area into parking to solve traffic and driveway issues caused by tenants. He described the demolition and filling process.
Key concern
Explaining the project motivation (improving driveway access and parking).
Board responseThe board asked clarifying questions about erosion control, impervious area, and water drainage.
The applicant's presentation was met with a thorough Q&A by the board.
Board Member
94:14
Addressed
A board member inquired about the net increase in impervious surface and whether the applicant had considered using permeable surfaces for the driveway.
Key concern
Increase in impervious area and consideration of permeable alternatives.
Board responseThe applicant stated they had not considered it, and staff provided the total impervious increase metric.
The board member's technical questions were addressed by the applicant and staff.
Ernie Frasier
105:12
Addressed
A neighbor asked how close the new parking lot/hot tub area would be to his wooden fence. He also expressed concern about potential flooding on his property from heavy rain.
Key concern
Proximity to property boundary and potential for stormwater runoff/flooding onto neighbor's property.
Board responseThe applicant provided estimated dimensions and offered to request that the engineer pitch the asphalt to direct water away from the neighbor.
The board facilitated a response where the applicant agreed to consider the neighbor's drainage concerns.
Board Member
112:15
Addressed
A board member asked if there were any requirements for stormwater permitting for the proposed work.
Key concern
Requirement for additional stormwater permits.
Board responseStaff confirmed that no further engineering permits were required.
The question was answered by staff.
Public Speaker
114:07
Addressed
A neighbor asked if the pool area was being filled in a way that would allow water to drain properly and not build up under the new asphalt.
Key concern
Drainage of the filled pool area to prevent structural damage.
Board responseThe applicant explained that holes were made in the pool slab to allow water to soak into the ground/drain.
The applicant provided a technical explanation of the drainage method used.
Public Speaker
119:08
Addressed
A neighbor expressed concern regarding whether the four proposed parking spaces would be adequate for the tenants and if there would be room to maneuver.
Key concern
Adequacy of parking space count and maneuverability.
Board responseThe applicant and the neighbor engaged in a discussion regarding past parking issues (evictions/tenants) and the current layout.
The speaker's concerns were heard and discussed at length with the applicant.
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Report composed by
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-05-29.