Littleton Conservation Commission Bars Catch Basin Discharge in Septic Order for 18 Ivy Road

LITTLETON — August 8, 2023 — Littleton Conservation Commission unanimously rejected a plan to discharge septic excavation dewatering fluids into an Ivy Road catch basin, citing Long Lake contamination risk, then approved an order of conditions with a restriction barring any such discharge. Dan Wolfe of David Ross Associates, representing the 18 Ivy Road applicant, had sought approval to pump groundwater from the excavation — which overlaps the site of the existing failed soil absorption system — through siltation-filtered catch basins in Ivy Road, with DPW Director Steve Yonley's written support in hand. An informal straw poll found all five voting commissioners opposed as presented; Commissioner Chase stated flatly, "I will not approve a project here that involves dewatering septic fluids through only a filter system that's ultimately going to end up in Long Lake." The commission also approved certificates of compliance for 7 Snow Drive and 27 Maplehurst Drive, and directed staff to arrange a neutral third-party arborist review before ruling on a contested oak tree removal at 49 Matawanakee Trail, with an estimated off-site dewatering cost of $4,000 to $5,000 now the likely added expense for the Ivy Road property owner.