Hearing continued on proposed tree removals at 701 Gay Street; applicant to flag wetlands for DEP review

The Norfolk Conservation Commission continued a public hearing on a proposal to remove trees in the wetland buffer at 701 Gay Street after the applicant asked the panel for more time while awaiting a DEP file number.

Joshua Rivers, who identified himself as the applicant’s representative, described a plan to use a crane to take down large trees near the house, hand‑cut trees that are out of crane reach, and remove invasives with a mulching attachment on a mini‑excavator. Rivers said crews would use plywood “mud mats” to spread machine loads and protect turf during operations: “Mud mats is basically… the a mini excavator, ground pressure is usually, like, 4 to 5, PSI,” he told the commission. Commissioners emphasized they needed an on‑site wetland flagging to verify which trees fall inside the 100‑foot protected zone and to determine whether any trees present a safety hazard to the house.

The commission directed staff to visit the site and flag the 100‑foot and 50‑foot wetland markers so members could assess which trees (if any) qualify for exception because they threaten structures. The panel agreed to continue the hearing to October 7 at 7:01 p.m. so the applicant can secure DEP review and provide the flagged site map and proposed mitigation measures before the commission considers formal approval.

Why it matters: work inside the 100‑foot buffer is tightly regulated under the Wetlands Protection Act and local bylaws; the commission will only permit removal when safety or documented necessity is demonstrated and conditions protect the wetland.