Neighbors press council over wood‑chipping operation and worsening runoff in conservation zone

Multiple residents addressed the council about a commercial tree‑service operation sited adjacent to residential properties in a conservation/recreation (CR‑5) zone. Rita Cassidy told the council she can smell diesel fumes while sitting at her pond and estimated noise levels near 70 dB from wood‑chipping operations; she also described recent stormwater runoff she said was caused by site alterations and which now floods her yard and threatens nearby drainage culverts.

Several neighbors corroborated Cassidy’s account. One abutter, who owns the property where alterations occurred, said a DEM permit was obtained and that an engineering firm has been retained and work is underway to address drainage; he invited neighbors to review the permit and contractor plan.

Council discussed enforcement options and whether a zoning certificate had been correctly issued for commercial activity in a CR‑5 zone; the zoning officer on the record confirmed certain tree‑processing activities can be evaluated under permit provisions but neighbors disputed whether heavy commercial vehicles (over 20,000 pounds) should be stored in a residential/conservation area.

Council voted to ask Zoning Officer Karen Ellsworth to prepare a written review of the property and to report back to the council with findings and recommended actions. Separately, the council authorized a $3,000 peer review by Crossman Associates specifically focused on stormwater runoff into Arcadia Road and adjacent properties to produce technical guidance for inspectors and the council. “We are progressively working on it,” the property owner told the council, noting contractor work and a DEM permit; neighbors asked for additional enforcement if the review finds violations.

The council’s actions provide two next steps: a zoning‑enforcement report from the zoning officer and a technical peer review of stormwater impacts to inform any enforcement or remediation steps.