The central focus of the meeting was the approval of an amended order of conditions for a warehouse project proposed by Fitchburg Land Property Owner LLC. The applicant sought to reduce the original warehouse size from 360,000 square feet to approximately 183,500 square feet, citing unsuitable buried materials discovered during soil borings. Bill Hanigan from Hanigan Engineering presented on behalf of the applicant, detailing the reduction in building footprint and alterations in grading to address erosion concerns. The project spans both Fitchburg and Lunenburg, necessitating coordination between the two municipalities.

Commission members raised questions about the original Notice of Intent (NOI) and the amendments being proposed. One commission member inquired about the accessibility of the original order of conditions, which was confirmed to be available in the OpenGov system but not immediately referenced during the meeting. This sparked a brief debate about document transparency and the need for clarity in regulatory materials.

The commission expressed concerns about maintaining thorough documentation throughout the amendment process, particularly the implications of altering the project’s scope. The applicant confirmed that adjustments to drainage calculations and grading were made in response to previous feedback, addressing erosion concerns while ensuring no increase in disturbance to riverfront areas. Documentation of these changes was requested to be submitted as part of the record.

In a separate agenda item, the commission reviewed a Notice of Intent submitted by Priscilla Desamps for an 18,800-square-foot addition to an existing structure on Northfields Road. The proposal included expanding the septic system and constructing retaining walls, with all work situated outside the 50-foot wetland buffer zone. However, concerns were raised about the lack of marked delineation flags, with commissioners emphasizing the need for clear wetland boundaries to avoid potential erosion issues.

The discussion on wetland delineation continued with another project, where discrepancies in flagging were noted, leading to confusion about the wetland’s status. Some commission members voiced dissatisfaction with the delineation work, describing it as inconsistent and problematic. The debate centered on whether to approve the project with the current delineation or require further delineation to ensure accuracy. Several members underscored the importance of maintaining integrity in delineation to prevent future compliance issues.

In addition to project approvals, the commission addressed administrative matters, including certificates of compliance for several properties, and considered enforcement issues related to ongoing violations. The commission also discussed conservation updates, grant opportunities, and volunteer initiatives, highlighting efforts to improve access to wildlife viewing platforms and trail repairs in the Calgary area.

The meeting concluded with a review of the commission’s participation in local planning initiatives, including the master plan steering committee, and training opportunities through the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions. Members expressed interest in enhancing their understanding of conservation roles and responsibilities through upcoming training sessions.