Weston Conservation Commission elects new chair, approves three permits

WESTON — September 10, 2024 — Weston Conservation Commission elects new chair and acts on bridge, development, and memorial bench at September 10 meeting. The commission unanimously elected Rees Tulloss as chair, then voted 5-0 to grant MassDOT a three-year extension — to November 26, 2027 — on an Order of Conditions for a pedestrian bridge linking Weston and Newton over the Charles River, after MassDOT's Michael Garrity cited structural deficiencies in the original bridge steel that required a full replacement to be shipped. The commission also voted 4-0 to close the hearing and issue an Order of Conditions for a residential project at 183 Conant Road, conditioned on Board of Health approval of a septic variance, after engineer Chris Gilbert of Farland Corp Engineering presented an expanded wetland restoration area of approximately 1,000 square feet, up from 550. In administrative matters, staff Jordan disclosed that member Sean Rush has resigned and is moving out of Weston, and announced a $65,000 Community Preservation Act funding request for an overdue Open Space and Recreation Plan update — the plan last updated in 2017 expired this past April, with proposals ranging from $50,000 to $65,000.