Littleton Conservation Commission Ratifies Tree-Removal Enforcement Order, Flags Wetland Crossing Waiver Concerns

LITTLETON -- September 23, 2025, Littleton Conservation Commission ratifies tree-removal enforcement order and signals deep skepticism of a proposed wetland crossing driveway. The commission voted unanimously at its September 23 remote meeting to ratify a September 10 enforcement order against Dwight Long of 359 King Street for unpermitted removal of trees near a bordering vegetated wetland, with builder Joe Cataldo confirming that engineering firm Goddard Consulting is scheduled on site September 29 to begin delineation. The commission also closed a resource area delineation hearing for 550 King Street after peer review confirmed one wetland as isolated and non-jurisdictional. On 64 Beaver Brook Road, where owners Michael and Hannah Gruar seek to build a shared driveway requiring a wetland crossing, Chair Sarah Civire declared, "I'm uncomfortable sending them forward to do more work until we have come to a decision if this waiver is going to be accepted or not," citing inadequate alternatives analysis and an under-specified mitigation planting plan; both Lot 1 and Lot 3 hearings were continued to October 7. A battery energy storage system proposed at 97 and 99 Mill Road by Littleton Electric Light and Water was also continued after commissioners pressed for volume calculations on a proposed stormwater containment berm and clarification from the fire department on vacuum truck requirements.