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.