===PAGE 1=== TOWN OF LUNENBURG Lunenburg Conservation Commission Jennifer Pewtherer Richard Bursch Michael Larouche Mary Wilson Teddy Doucette Andrea Burnap Vacant Chair Vice Chair Clerk Member Member Member Member Tel: (978) 582-4146 960 Massachusetts Ave Lunenburg, MA 01462 Herlin Jamie – Conservation Agent Michael Gale – Admin Assistant MINUTES Wednesday, 17 June 2026 – 7:00 PM | Zoom (Remote) 1. CALL TO ORDER Roll Call: Present: J. Pewtherer, A. Burnap, M. Larouche, M. Wilson. Absent: R. Bursch, T. Doucette (joined at 24:32) Call to Order at 7:04pm by J. Pewtherer 2. APPOINTMENTS: None 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Public Comment: None b. Pollinator Habitat Update M. Larouche reported happenings at the Habitat, such as monarch butterflies, new growth, flowers blooming, and helpful bugs. Looking forward to rain to avoid the need to water. Several pictures were shared. c. Invasive Plant Removal Lise from Red Trillium Gardens would like to put together a fall invasive manual plant removal day, starting with the Lane property. d. Minutes of Previous Meetings: 06/03/2026 There were insufficient participants from the last meeting to approve the minutes. 4. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS All hearings are pursuant to MGL Ch 131, s 40 as amended and the Town of Lunenburg Wetlands Protection and Municipal Bylaws: a. 44 Peninsula Drive: RDA-26-4 Request for Determination of Applicability by Edward Kukkula for the construction of an open carport E. Kukkula presented the project. Motion: M. Larouche, for a negative determination. Second M. Wilson Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE J. Pewtherer – AYE b. 71 Chestnut Street: RDA-26-5 Request for Determination of Applicability by Jeffrey Wilson for the reconstruction of an asphalt driveway J. Wilson presented the project to replace an existing driveway. H. Jaime’s report concluded “The proposed activity is limited to maintenance and replacement of an existing impervious surface and is not expected to result in alterations to wetland resource areas.” Motion: M. Larouche, for a negative determination. Second M. Wilson ===PAGE 2=== Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE J. Pewtherer – AYE 5. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS a. 1625 Massachusetts Avenue: NOI-26-10 (Continued from 05/06/26) Notice of Intent by the Town of Lunenburg Conservation Commission for the construction of an ADA parking and re-construction of an existing hiking trail at Cowdery Nature Center. Greg Roy (Dillis & Roy) represented the Commission and noted that alternatives are still being generated. Still trying to resolve issues with Finance regarding the Mass Trails grant. A meeting with all involved will be set up to resolve the various issues. Motion: M. Wilson, to continue until July 15 expecting: 1. Mass Trails funding clarified and documented Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE 860 New West Townsend Road: NOI-26-1 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Daniel & Rachel Brackett for a common driveway to provide access to four residential lots Greg Roy (Dillis & Roy) represented the applicants. The Commission wanted the results of the Planning Board for peer review, which is scheduled for next week. Motion: M. Larouche, to continue until July 1 expecting: 1. Results of Planning Board peer review Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE b. 56 Ruth Street: NOI-26-16 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Benjamin Builders for the construction of common driveway entrance with related drainage basin and site grading Greg Roy (Dillis & Roy) represented the applicant. This is for lots 2-4. Results of the Planning Board peer review have been uploaded to OpenGov as has the requested alternative analysis. G. Roy provided a complete overview since it has been several weeks since the last discussion. Some areas will be restored to natural conditions. The site is subject to stormwater management. No DEP questions as it is local jurisdiction only. He covered all peer review questions. T. Doucette asked for the planting list. G. Roy explained that they were using infiltration basins, so there was no planting schedule. Motion: T. Doucette, to approve as presented. Second M. Wilson Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE c. 934 Massachusetts Avenue: NOI-26-17 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Unitil for the construction of a new substation and replacement of utility poles Applicant requested a continuance to July 1. Motion: M. Larouche, to continue until July 1 at the request of the applicant. Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE ===PAGE 3=== d. 18 Oak Ridge Road: NOI-26-14 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Steven Vitone & Melissa McCarthy for the demolition and reconstruction of a single-family home with a new sewage disposal system. Dan Wolfe (David Ross Associates) represented the applicants. Changes have resulted in clearing the 50-foot zone and moved completely out of the flood plain. The proposed deck is now outside the 50-foot zone as well. H. Jaime requested that any approval include conditions regarding debris removal. Motion: M. Larouche, to approve with the following added to standard conditions: 1. Debris and staging must be outside the 100-foot buffer. Second M. Wilson Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE e. 146 Youngs Road: NOI-26-18 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Nichols Excavating, LLC for the replacement of a failed septic system Greg Roy (Dillis & Roy) represented the applicant. The DEP number was missing at the last meeting but has been added. The Board of Health has approved the plan. Motion: T. Doucette, to approve as presented Second M. Larouche Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE f. 507 West Townsend Road: NOI-26-19 (Continued from 06/03/26) Notice of Intent by Jahnke Construction LLC for the construction of a single-family home with a wetland crossing Motion: M. Larouche, to continue to 1 July Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE 6. ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATIONS: None a. Amended Order of Conditions: b. Extension Request Permits: c. Certificates of Compliance: d. Notice of Project Change: 7. ENFORCEMENT a. Violations, Enforcement Actions, and Hearings: i. 1168 Mass Ave Rear H. Jaime noted that an email exchange with DEP asked for specific updates and their USDA contact, as they are suggesting it is, or will be, farmland. ii. 314 Highland St H. Jaime discussed the issue with the property owner. He had his driveway repaired, and the contractor suggested the drainage pipe to reduce ice formation. She explained his options and he stated he preferred the replication and fine. She reviewed the GIS but could not identify the water source. Motion: T. Doucette, to approve the following remediation items: 1. Under Commission supervision, install riprap in the buried pipe 2. Install a restoration area Second M. Larouche ===PAGE 4=== Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE b. Emergency Certifications: None 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Updates: None b. Topics Unknown – 48 Hrs. Advance of Meeting H. Jaime suggested we all follow the Environmental Bond Bill. They did not vote, so there is still time to comment. c. By-Law Discussion H. Jaime needs to talk with Legal before we move forward. 9. OLD BUSINESS a. Conservation budget: H. Jaime reviewed her findings from her finance discussions. This included noting that some funds are not in MUNIS but are managed by the Town Manager directly. i. FY26: Close Out H. Jaime shared the YTD reports. After each report, the budget for next year was discussed and voted. ii. FY27: Budget Motion: M. Wilson, to approve the following for the Hollis Road Revolving Fund 2027 1. $10,000 for Purchase of Services 2. $17,026.54 for Maintenance of Grounds Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE Motion: M. Wilson, to approve the following for the Timber Rights Revolving Fund 2027 1. $10,000 for Purchase of Services 2. $30,329.11 for Supplies Second T. Doucette Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE J. Pewtherer reminded the Commission that these funds come from forestry activities which are allowed across large timeframes. Motion: M. Wilson, to approve the following for the Wetlands Protection Bylaw Fees 2027 3. $9,350 for Supplies Second M. Larouche Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE Mass Trail Grant does not need a budget set. General discussion on uncertainty regarding the status of the account and the proper procedures will need further meetings to resolve. b. Encroachment Issues: None to discuss. c. Hollis Rd Residence: i. ATV use in Hollis Area/PH Signs have been posted. (4 NO ATV signs and 1 Wetlands sign.) VODA Cleaning has been scheduled for July 6/7. ===PAGE 5=== A meeting with the Town Manager and the Commission will be scheduled. d. Committee Reports – Any Update i. Master Plan Steering Committee: No update ii. Open Space: No update iii. Storm Water: Meeting on the 24th 10. COMMUNICATIONS / PUBLIC COMMENT M. Wilson described all the work the NHS students have done as well as the Eagle Scout candidates looking for projects. M. Wilson described a violation at Zero Reservoir Road. It is not Conservation land, so we may need Select Board approval to run projects on the property. J. Pewtherer noted that Brad Coons was on the call for most of the meeting and is moving forward in the process to become a commissioner. 11. UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE: a. Wednesday 07/01 at 7:00PM by Zoom 12. ADJOURN Motion: M. Wilson, to adjourn at 9:43PM Second M. Larouche Vote: M. Wilson – AYE M. Larouche – AYE A. Burnap - AYE T. Doucette – AYE J. Pewtherer - AYE Respectfully submitted, Michael Gale - Admin Asst.