The Pembroke Conservation Commission established strict environmental safeguards for a series of residential projects on Stetson and Furnace Ponds, prioritizing shoreline stabilization and specific replanting efforts to prevent wetland encroachment. At 44 Blueberry Lane, the commission reviewed a proposal to raze and rebuild a single-family home situated on a bank currently armored by a concrete retaining wall. Joe Webby of Webby Engineering explained that the project includes essential repairs to the existing structure. There’s a little piece of his wall that’s falling down; he’d like to make a nice clean cut there and put on some blocks just to save the rest of his property, Webby said. To protect the pond during construction, the board mandated the use of 12-inch silk socks and filter fabric rather than traditional hay bales.

The project drew scrutiny from neighbor Steven Pat of 42 Blueberry Lane, who voiced concerns regarding drainage and the structural integrity of local infrastructure. We were required to put iron or steel plates across the culvert on Blueberry Lane because it’s already been crushed once, Pat told the board, expressing worry that heavy machinery might damage the culvert again or impact his nearby leaching field. Property owner Sean Maloney addressed these logistical concerns, noting that materials would be staged on-site. They're really going to act as a roadway and not like a storage spot, Maloney said of the access plan. Following the discussion, Motion Made by a Board Member to issue an Order of Conditions requiring the use of 12-inch silk socks and filter fabric. Motion Passed (Unanimous).

Further pond-side development was addressed at 85 Furnace Lane, where Rick Grady of Grady Consulting presented a plan to move a replacement home two feet further from the water than the current footprint. A significant portion of the deliberation focused on the removal of several large pine trees that pose safety risks. While Conservation Agent Andy Wandell noted that the town maintains a tree fund for such removals, the commission favored on-site restoration. We do have a tree fund policy where essentially if any trees are removed in the buffer zone that you make a donation to the tree fund, Wandell explained, but suggested a planting plan might be more appropriate. Board member Nicole Pelladier recommended a shift in species for the new landscape. We've had a project over the past few years of planting cedar trees. It would be a recommendation that you try to incorporate cedar trees. They are slow growing, so they don't grow quite as fast as those white pines, Pelladier said. Motion Made by a Board Member to issue an Order of Conditions for 85 Furnace Lane contingent upon the receipt of a native planting plan. Motion Passed (Unanimous).

The commission also finalized a wetland boundary determination for 58 West Elm Street through an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD). John Zimmer of South River Environmental reported that a peer review resulted in only two minor flag adjustments. However, the process drew questions from resident James Caner, who asked why the peer review report had not been widely circulated earlier and whether wildlife had been studied. Zimmer clarified the narrow scope of the hearing, stating, The process that the application was submitted for was only to confirm the location of the wetlands within the property. So there’s nothing to do with wildlife or any potential project in the future. Motion Made by N. Pelladier to accept the ANRAD for 58 West Elm Street as revised by the peer reviewer. Motion Passed (Unanimous).

In administrative business, the board addressed a vacancy created by the retirement of Bobby Clark. The Chairperson paused the proceedings to thank him for all the years of service he gave to the town, noting that applications to fill the seat are being accepted until October 2. Additionally, the commission processed an amended order for 245 Washington Street to correct clerical errors regarding setback distances and unnecessary zoning requirements. Motion Made by a Board Member to accept a Certificate of Compliance for 18 Allen Street, resolving an outstanding filing from 1986. Motion Passed (Unanimous).