Conservation Commission defers Charles River bridge, rejects hand-drawn backyard plans

WESTON — September 28, 2021 — Weston Conservation Commission defers DCR bridge and rejects hand-drawn backyard plans in marathon September session. The commission voted unanimously to continue to Oct. 12 the DCR-MassDOT replacement of the Charles River pedestrian bridge near the Stoller Boathouse, citing the absence of a local stormwater review because DCR claims state-agency exemption from Weston's bylaw. Beta wetland specialist Laura Kraus laid out 23 linear feet of permanent bank impact, 145 square feet of temporary land-under-water impact, 844 cubic feet of compensatory flood storage and removal of one of two in-stream piers. Member Josh Feinblum said the absence of independent engineering review gave him pause: "If this was not the state of Massachusetts, would we be asking for an independent person who is an expert in these areas to review this?" The commission also forced a continuance on 560 North Ave. resident Henry Tiedemann, who sought to move 20 to 40 cubic yards of soil and remove nine trees on hand-drawn plans, and approved septic replacements at 105 Newton St. and 95 Rockport Road.