Charlton conservation commission closes several buffer‑zone and shoreline hearings, issues orders

The Town of Charlton Conservation Commission closed public hearings and issued orders of conditions on several buffer‑zone and shoreline projects during its meeting.

Commissioners agreed to continue the scheduled hearing for 35 North Main Street to Jan. 14 and likewise continued the matter for 80 Bridges on Conroe Road. Several other items were discussed and decided.

At 78 Glen Echo Show Road, staff reported the applicant’s filings matched what was submitted to the building department and described a proposed 32‑foot retaining wall and grading to level a 10‑foot slope located about 18 feet from the lake. A commission member recommended issuing an order of conditions; the board voted to close the hearing and issue the order.

On 211 Sunset Drive the applicant’s representative (Rink) described landscaping and erosion‑repair work on Glen Echo Lake, including resetting about 50 feet of stone along the bank, installing retaining walls and a crushed‑stone pathway to the dock, and erosion controls. Commission staff said MassDEP comments were addressed and noted that because this is a shoreline project it must be completed by Feb. 1 or the order carries forward to subsequent years. The commission voted to close the hearing and issue an order with conditions.

Property owner James, representing the 79 Bigger Pond Road proposal, told the commission the project is “primarily…being done to protect the house from further water damage,” and described plans for a new single‑family home, detached two‑car garage, new septic and well, buried utilities along part of the site, and removal of existing cottages. Engineer Mark Allen said 12 trees flagged for removal in the 50‑foot buffer will be replaced in the wetland area and that wetland scientist Joe McHugh will monitor restoration and provide reports to the commission. The board closed the hearing and issued conditions.

Commissioners also addressed multiple consecutive lots owned by PMZ Development LLC presented as buffer‑zone single‑family lot projects under a common plan of development. Delineations and peer reviews were completed, infiltration and stormwater recharge for roofs and driveways were discussed, and the commission moved to close the hearings on the submitted lots and issue orders/conditions while noting coordination of the larger stormwater plan.

On 45 Lakeview Drive, engineer Greg Drake said the applicant plans to replace a house that burned with a slightly larger structure, add roof drains to improve stormwater handling, and accept a small permanent disturbance (about 12 sq ft) for stairs within the buffer. MassDEP requested extended straw wattle and silt‑fence protection; the applicant agreed and the commission closed the hearing with conditions.

On 96 Old Spencer Road, Tony Germano of LG Properties described a 25‑by‑25‑foot addition and explained the request for up to 6 feet of working room for machinery that would remain within the 50‑foot buffer; the commission recommended a negative determination with special conditions on erosion control and stockpile placement and approved it.

Votes at a glance: A series of motions to close hearings and issue orders or special conditions for the properties listed above were made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Two scheduled matters (35 North Main Street and 80 Bridges on Conroe Road) were continued to Jan. 14.

The commission’s next steps include ensuring the Feb. 1 completion deadline is observed for the shoreline project at 211 Sunset Drive and receiving monitoring reports from wetland scientist Joe McHugh for the 79 Bigger Pond Road restoration work.

The meeting adjourned after routine certificates of compliance and administrative business.