Acushnet: Conservation Commission Oct. 14, 2026

The Acushnet Conservation Commission met on October 14, 2026, opening the public hearing at 6:25 PM under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 131, Section 40. The Commission approved the meeting minutes from September 30, 2026, and moved into old business to hear a continued Notice of Intent (DEP File SE 001-0630) for Austin J. Kasen regarding Hathaway Road (Map 12, Lot 15E). Representative David Davignon presented revised plans to demolish an existing building, construct a single-family home with a denitrification septic system, and restore degraded buffer zones by over 40%, reducing total site degradation to well below the regulatory 10% threshold. The Commission voted unanimously to approve the project with standard conditions and closed the hearing.

In new business, James Clancy of Eversource presented a minor plan revision for the Eversource Reliability Project Line 114 (DEP File No. 05-93), proposing timber matting instead of gravel fill within a buffer zone along Apple Blossom Lane to avoid access disputes and minimize environmental impacts. The Commission voted to approve the plan revision as presented. Jamie Sullivan of Allen Engineering and Development then presented an informal waiver request from Section 5, Standard 11 of the local stormwater regulations for a proposed 3-lot development off Lambert and Lot Streets, seeking permission to site an infiltration basin in Hydrologic Group D soils; the Commission decided to table the matter pending peer review input and soil test pit data.

The Commission also reviewed multiple ongoing administrative and enforcement matters. Discussion on DEP File 0558 (PJ Keating) was kept on the agenda pending further research. Regarding 16 Hunter Street, property owners Jennie Fernandes and Cameron Barlow reported that Zenith was conducting surveying and wetland delineation, while refuting neighbor complaints of improper ditch filling. Commissioners reported on recent site visits to 32 Middle Road regarding drainage complaints and 2 Shade Tree Lane regarding suspected wetland violations for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), agreeing to coordinate further site inspections with Conservation Agent Julia and the Board of Health.

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