Littleton Conservation Commission Continues Battery Storage and Habitat for Humanity Hearings

LITTLETON -- October 21, 2025, Littleton's Conservation Commission continued two major hearings and drew a crowd of 31 participants to a public discussion of unpermitted private docks on town-owned conservation land along Lakeshore Drive at its October 21 meeting. Town Counsel Iveria of Harrington and Heep told the commission the Lakeshore Drive parcel, acquired for conservation purposes, constitutes Article 97 land under the Massachusetts Constitution, meaning any formal lease of dock access to private owners would require Town Meeting approval, a home rule petition, and a legislative vote, and that abutters who have maintained docks informally for decades have no adverse possession rights under MGL Chapter 260 Section 31. The commission heard public comment from five residents, including Dustin Neil of 17 Lakeshore Drive, who cited 12 years of wood duck box maintenance producing 75 to 100 ducklings annually, and from a Long Lake Neighborhood Association-affiliated commenter who raised equity concerns, noting newer residents "cannot get a permit" while long-standing abutters maintain structures without authorization. The commission voted unanimously to issue a negative three determination allowing removal of four hazard trees at 25 Worcester Drive and unanimously closed the hearing for a new single-family dwelling at 19 Ipswich Drive. The Lakeshore Drive discussion was continued to November 18, with town counsel to provide a written outline of a potential licensing program.