Littleton Commission Triples Benthic Mat Limit on Lake Matawanaki in Pilot Study Vote

LITTLETON -- February 21, 2023, Littleton Conservation Commission unanimously expands the benthic mat limit on Lake Matawanaki from 600 to 2,000 square feet for the second year of a pilot program. The vote, taken at the February 21 meeting, amends the existing order of conditions under DEP file 204-0962 and matches an identical approval granted by Westford in December 2022. Program coordinator Dave told the commission that participants found 600 square feet insufficient for swimming clearance and boat-channel access during the 2022 pilot season, with seven properties participating across both towns. Commission member Chase Garvey framed the increase as consistent with the study's purpose, saying "part of a pilot study is sometimes pushing things to the point of failure," while emphasizing that the expansion creates no obligation to approve 2,000-square-foot mats in perpetuity. Two other hearings, a notice of intent for industrial paving at 265 Foster Street filed by GID Industrial Advisors and a residential addition at 166 Mill Road requesting a 50-foot no-disturb waiver, were both continued to March 7, pending third-party stormwater peer review, a site walk, DEP file assignment, and wetland boundary verification.