Commission hears about cutting trees, proposed development
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Hudson - The Town Hall had standing room only as members of the community attended the July 19 Conservation Commission meeting to air complaints and seek approval for proposed projects. The two hot topics were the potential building of a Walgreens and the cutting of trees along the shores of Lake Boon.

The proposed building of Walgreens is on a parcel of land, recently sold for $4 million, which was once part of a 30- acre farm on Washington Street and Technology Drive. The proposed building has been approved by the Building Committee, and was brought to the commission for a public hearing.

After discussing several potential issues that could affect the neighboring wetlands, the commission is assembling an order of conditions that the architects will have to accommodate.

The hearing was then voted closed by all committee members except Terrence Joyce. Joyce explained that his role on the board is to protect the wetlands and be a voice for community interest. He expressed concern that the community is not aware of the building of the Walgreens, and the development may not be what the community wants.

In addition, Joyce said, the development would be too close to wetlands.

"Any impingement by construction [into the wetlands] could cause significant changes to the ecosystem," he said.

Trees along Lake Boon

The Conservation Commission voted in favor of visiting several properties bordering Lake Boon after several residents attended the meeting to appeal for permission to cut trees along the lake.

Erica Bigelow, along with several other residents, brought the Conservation Commission maps and pictures of the trees that they hope to clear as an effort to clean up the cove along Procter Street.

The proposal is to cut all of the pine and swamp maple trees in vacant land and along the waterside property lines of lake residents.

The homeowners along the lake are currently in a three-year process of hydro-raking the cove. Bigelow explained that one year into the process, the lake is still filled with tree debris, including the recent falling of a 100-foot pine, old tires and a sunken boat. The residents would like to cut the trees to be able to restore the cove and then replant low-growing trees and bushes, such as blueberries, Bigelow said.

"I have a hard time with clear-cutting up against the lake," committee member Paul Bryne said.

He expressed concern about the change of temperature of the lake from removing the tree canopy and the loss of fish that breed in the shade.

Resident Ron Dangelis assured board members that there were currently no fish in that area.

"There is nothing moving down there because the amount of debris," Dangelis said.

The residents also expressed safety concerns for themselves and houses because of the number of trees and limbs that fall onto their properties during storms.

The issue was continued until the commission's next meeting, scheduled for Thursday Aug. 2, after commission members visit the proposed sight.

In other news, Fort Meadow Reservoir resident Dick Mangus attended the meeting and issued concerns about a possible conservation violation. Mangus said one of his neighbors dug several holes in the lake and then filled them with cement for the foundation of a deck on the water. He was worried about the impact that this might have on the reservoir and water quality. The residents of the neighboring property were not in attendance; therefore, the commission recommended that Mangus pick up the order of conditions for the initial deck repair and then, if appropriate, issue a complaint as a property abutter.