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Meeting report · Conservation Commission
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Conservation Commission — June 3, 2026

The meeting was a standard regulatory session focused on technical reviews, continuances, and administrative approvals.

Date Wednesday, June 3, 2026 Duration 1.0h Speakers 18 Public comments 4 Decisions 15 Routine
▶ Video
Existing vs proposed site layouts with buffer zone table Video still
Existing vs proposed site layouts with buffer zone table Frame from meeting video ▶ 45:04

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approve the minutes from the May 13th meeting.
Motion by a speaker, seconded by Patton.
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 227 Edgewater Drive to June 24th.
Motion by Trisko, seconded by Ball.
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 86 Edgewater Drive East to June 10th.
Motion by Trisko, seconded by Ball.
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 65 Walker Street to June 10th.
Motion by Driscoll, seconded by [unclear].
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 39 Pine Bank Road to June 10th.
Motion by Trisko, seconded by Coleman.
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 21 Davis Neck Road to June 24th.
Motion by Trussell, seconded by Bowman.
Passed (Roll Call)
Negative Determination (RDA) for 37 Gate Lane.
Work does not require a Notice of Intent.
Passed (Roll Call)
Negative Determination (RDA) for 67 Lakeshore Drive.
Work does not require a Notice of Intent.
Passed (Roll Call)
Negative Determination (RDA) for 43 Lakeview Avenue.
Work does not require a Notice of Intent.
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 25 Gate Lane to June 24th.
Motion by Bowman, seconded by [unclear].
Passed (Roll Call)
Continue hearing for 20 Beach Street to June 24th.
Motion by [unclear], seconded by [unclear].
Passed (Roll Call)
Close hearing and take under advisement for 380 Wild Harbor Road.
Motion by Truskel, seconded by Ball.
Passed (Roll Call)
Amend existing order of conditions for 29 Miami Avenue.
Motion by Strickland, seconded by McGrath.
Passed (Roll Call)
Amend order of conditions for 24 Westwood Road.
Motion by Truscott, seconded by [unclear].
Passed (Roll Call)
Adjourn meeting.
Motion by [unclear].
Passed (Roll Call)

Topics ⁠discussed

Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 03:00 Approval of Minutes

The Commission reviewed and approved the minutes from the May 13th meeting.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

A motion was made and seconded to approve the previous meeting's minutes.

What happened

The minutes were approved via roll call vote.

▶ 04:00 Requests for Continuance (Notice of Intent)

Several applicants requested to postpone their hearings for proposed construction and septic projects.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

Multiple Notice of Intent applications, including those for Edgewater Drive and Walker Street, requested more time.

What happened

The Commission granted continuances to June 10th and June 24th as requested.

What's next

Hearings to resume on June 10th and June 24th.

▶ 08:55 Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDA)

The Commission reviewed several requests to determine if proposed work falls under the jurisdiction of the Wetlands Protection Act or local bylaws.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

Applications included native plantings at 37 Gate Lane, a kayak rack at 67 Lakeshore Drive, and drainage pipe repairs at 43 Lakeview Avenue. Staff recommended negative determinations (meaning the work does not require a Notice of Intent).

What happened

All three RDAs were granted negative determinations.

▶ 14:46 Notice of Intent: 20 Beach Street

Discussion of a project involving additions, a garage, and a shed at 20 Beach Street.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

The applicant presented plans for a new addition and garage, addressing concerns about tree root protection and previous missing mitigation. The Commission noted the applicant lacked a DEP file number and identified a need for further coordination regarding missing mitigation areas and site restoration.

What happened

The hearing was continued to June 24th.

What's next

Applicant to meet with staff (Alyssa) to refine the plan, specifically regarding mitigation and the DEP number.

▶ 38:00 Notice of Intent: 380 Wild Harbor Road
Detailed plot plan for Wild Harbor Road property Video still
Detailed plot plan for Wild Harbor Road property ▶ 38:24

A proposal to rebuild a single-family dwelling with septic modifications and restoration plantings.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

The applicant discussed replacing a septic system, diverting roof runoff to dry wells, and restoring a previously unplanted area from 2015. There was discussion regarding a dirt driveway being mistakenly included in redevelopment calculations and a property line/tax assessment issue regarding a wood chip path.

What happened

The Commission closed the hearing and took the matter under advisement.

What's next

Applicant to submit a revised plan with updated mitigation plantings and corrected driveway calculations.

▶ 48:00 Amendment of Order of Conditions: 29 Miami Avenue

A request to amend an existing order to adjust the house location and increase mitigation/restoration areas.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
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What was discussed

The project involves invasive species eradication (English ivy) and shifting the house/pool location slightly to provide more benefits to the resource area. The applicants clarified the delineation between mitigation and restoration areas.

What happened

The Commission voted to approve the amendment to the existing order of conditions.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

20 Beach Street Development Compliance

The project involves significant changes including an addition, garage, and driveway relocation near sensitive salt marshes and flood zones. The Commission identified several technical failures in the application, including missing mitigation data and a missing DEP file number.
Board position: The board signaled a cautious approach, refusing to grant approval until the applicant addressed technical omissions and environmental mitigation concerns.
medium concern
02

380 Wild Harbor Road Property Boundary Discrepancy

Discussion arose regarding a potential discrepancy between the applicant's tax assessment and actual property boundaries, specifically involving a wood chip path and land usage, which could impact regulatory jurisdiction.
Board position: The board took the matter under advisement but advised the applicant to resolve potential boundary and tax issues with the assessor.
low concern

Community vs. board tension

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Update plan to include mitigation, restoration, and obtain/verify DEP number; meet with staff.
Assigned: Tom Bonferrale (Applicant/Agent) · Due: Before June 24th
Submit revised plan for 380 Wild Harbor Road with updated mitigation and corrected driveway calculations.
Assigned: Tim Santos (Applicant Agent) · Due: Not specified
Contact the assessor regarding property tax/square footage discrepancies.
Assigned: Robert Franklin West (Applicant) · Due: Not specified

Notable ⁠statements

Our jurisdiction is that of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Falmouth Wetland Bylaws, not zoning, health, or building. — Unidentified speaker · Clarifying the scope of the Commission's authority to the public. ▶ 13:00
He's paying taxes for land that he doesn't own... it clearly shows that the area on the town set [is not his]. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing a potential discrepancy between an applicant's tax assessment and actual property boundaries. ▶ 43:00

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
4
Total speakers
3
Addressed
1
Partial
0
Not addressed
Tom Bonferrale
▶ 14:53
Partial
Presented a project for 20 Beach Street involving a house addition, garage, and driveway relocation. He addressed previous mitigation requirements, tree removal, and potential impacts on salt marsh and flood zones. Key concern
Seeking permission for construction, driveway relocation, and tree removal while addressing previous mitigation and site condition concerns.
Board response
The board (and staff) questioned the impact on tree root systems, noted a missing DEP number, and identified missing mitigation footage on the plans. They required him to update the plans and meet with staff.
The board engaged with the presentation and identified specific technical omissions (missing DEP number and mitigation area discrepancies) that must be corrected before approval, resulting in a continuance.
Tim Santos
▶ 39:07
Addressed
Presented a proposal for 380 Wild Harbor Road to rebuild a single-family home with septic modifications and restoration plantings. He addressed concerns regarding a previous unpermitted shed and a dirt driveway calculation. Key concern
Requesting permission to rebuild a home and restore previously unplanted mitigation areas while addressing staff concerns about existing site features.
Board response
The board accepted the explanation regarding the driveway and the restoration areas. They also advised the client to check property boundaries with the assessor regarding a tax discrepancy.
The board was satisfied with the explanations provided and voted to close the hearing and take the matter under advisement.
Maria Hickey
▶ 54:53
Addressed
Presented an amended order of conditions for 29 Miami Avenue, highlighting the removal of invasive English ivy and the restoration of native shrubs. She noted the house and pool had been moved slightly to increase the distance from the resource area. Key concern
Seeking amendment to existing orders to include better invasive species management and updated site layouts.
Board response
The board members expressed satisfaction with the process and the improvements to the plan, noting it looked like they had 'hit the finish line.'
The board approved the motion to amend the existing order of conditions.
Dan
▶ 59:00
Addressed
Asked for clarification regarding the status of actions listed in the 2016 Local Comprehensive Plan. He wanted to know if these long-standing items had been addressed by the commission. Key concern
Inquiry into whether the commission has addressed the various actions/mandates outlined in the 2016 Local Comprehensive Plan.
Board response
Staff (a speaker) invited him to come into the office to discuss the document and go through the items together.
The staff provided a direct path to resolution by scheduling a follow-up meeting to review the document with him.
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Report composed by grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.