The most notable development was the commission’s approval of a stormwater permit for a residential subdivision on Keen Road, proposed by AMN Estate Holdings LLC. The project includes the construction of six lots, a roadway, and on-site sewage disposal systems. John Martian, representing the applicant, confirmed that all necessary requirements had been met following discussions with Bill Madden, a peer review engineer. This approval came after a review of the revised plans, which were recently sanctioned by the planning board, and marked a step forward for the proposed development.

Another discussion point was the ongoing effort to remove invasive weeds from the New Bedford Reservoir Lakes. James Kelly’s notice of intent to tackle this environmental issue outlined a plan to conduct the work in August, adhering to Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Wildlife guidelines to prevent negative impacts on local species like the American eel. The commission emphasized the importance of developing a water quality monitoring plan to evaluate the success of the weed removal efforts. The use of drone photography for before-and-after comparisons was suggested, with existing water quality data from previous years identified as a potential benchmark.

The conversation naturally shifted to the broader issue of water quality, particularly the elevated nitrogen levels contributing to the ponds’ ecological challenges. A participant argued for a deeper investigation into the sources of nitrogen pollution before committing to costly remediation projects. The commission acknowledged the need to identify and address the root causes of nitrogen influx, which primarily stem from fertilizers used in residential and agricultural practices. This focus on water quality monitoring was underscored as crucial for long-term environmental health, with data collection highlighted as a fundamental tool for guiding future actions.

In a related topic, the commission considered the implications of expired orders of conditions for ongoing construction projects. For instance, Deep Brook Estates LLC sought to resume work on a 15-lot residential development, stalled due to an expired permit. The commission discussed the need to ensure wetland delineations were still accurate, given that delineations are typically valid for three years. It was proposed that a peer review be conducted by qualified environmental engineers to verify the current status of the wetlands.

The meeting also addressed the procedural aspects of managing wetland delineations, with commission members advocating for sending out bids to multiple engineering firms to ensure accurate assessments. This approach was deemed necessary due to potential changes in the landscape since the last delineation in 2016.

Towards the end of the meeting, the commission discussed the role of peer review consultants, emphasizing the importance of transparency and efficiency in the selection process. Bill Madden from GF was favored for his past performance, and the idea of posting a list of approved consultants on the town’s website was considered to facilitate project applicants’ decision-making.

Additionally, the commission dealt with a “friendly enforcement order” proposed by Brad Holmes for a property on Main Street. This initiative was well-received.