The commission also discussed the eroding slope at the Odonnells’ property, which threatened the integrity of their driveway. Adam Costa, the attorney representing the Odonnells, emphasized the impact of the unauthorized clearing on their land and offered to assist with an administrative search warrant if necessary. The commission debated the need for further investigation to determine if there was a jurisdictional wetland and if there had been an alteration of the land within the wetland or buffer zone.

The issue of enforcement orders for environmental violations was another point of discussion. At 35 Brick Kiln Road, there had been a lack of response from the property owner regarding the removal of trees, which had been under an enforcement order for over a year. The commission suggested sending a certified letter as a final warning before taking legal action through a non-criminal disposition in district court.

The commission voted to add a requirement for the property owner to file a restoration plan within 30 days, in addition to responding to the agent immediately and filing a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA). The importance of engaging with the commission and not disappearing was emphasized, alongside the potential financial penalties for non-compliance.

Another item of interest was a new RDA discussed for the neighborhood of Manuel Road, Claud Road, Gregory Road, and Rainbow Avenue. The proposed work involved the reestablishment of a drain swale to address localized flooding. After discussions with the Department of Public Works (DPW) representative about the extent of the work and potential impacts, the commission approved the work under a negative determination with specific conditions.

The commission also considered a project on Hunt Road, where Bits and Pieces Farm LLC proposed mowing and tilling for cultivating pumpkins and other field crops. The applicant, Mike Risbeck, addressed the commission’s concerns about the impact on wildlife, particularly turtles, assuring them that measures would be taken to protect wildlife.

In addition to these issues, the commission addressed concerns raised by the public about chemical handling and storage at a local business, emphasizing the potential environmental impact and the need for thorough safety measures. The handling of internal building materials in relation to the water supply was also discussed, with assurances that spill protections, including catch basin hoods, were in place to prevent contaminants from entering the stormwater system.

Lastly, the commission dealt with a number of other environmental concerns, such as unauthorized tree chopping in Russell Mill Town Forest, which raised safety concerns for children. The use of trail cams was suggested to monitor the situation. A request from the state police to remove trees interfering with communication antennas at Robin Hill was also considered, with the need for coordination and minimal impact on conservation land being stressed.