Conservation Commission closes 40B hearing at 518 South Ave., deliberation set for March

WESTON — February 27, 2024 — Weston Conservation Commission closes five-year-old 40B hearing at 518 South Ave., sets March deliberation. Acting chair Joe Berman steered the commission to close the public record after roughly 90 minutes of competing expert testimony, citing town counsel George Pucci's warning that inaction risked "a constructive approval of the wetlands protection act application." Applicant hydrologist Rob Gemma testified that even under complete stormwater system failure, the downstream intermittent stream would rise no more than 0.1 feet during a 100-year storm; wetlands peer reviewer Pat Garner concurred. Scott Horsley, for abutters, argued MassDEP's approved scope does not cover water-quality impacts of approximately 26,000 gallons per day of treated wastewater discharge to a Nonsuch Pond tributary. The commission must issue a written decision within 21 days. Separately, members extended a DPW general maintenance permit to March 22, 2029, and approved aquatic herbicide treatment of Nonsuch Pond filed by the Rivers School.