Douglas Commission Withholds Compliance Certificate, Orders Wetland Cleanup at Two Properties

DOUGLAS -- December 1, 2025, Douglas Conservation Commission withholds compliance certificate and defers wetland cases at December 1 meeting. The commission declined to issue a certificate of compliance for Timothy O'Hara at 832 Northwest Main Street after commission agent Brandon found that clearing and a greenhouse structure had pushed the riverfront area disturbance to 11,701 square feet, 14.9 percent of the total riverfront area on site, against a Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act limit of 10 percent and an approved footprint of 7,510 square feet; O'Hara was directed to move all structures and materials within the approved lawn boundary before a re-inspection can be scheduled. The commission also directed Goddard Consulting wetland scientist Nicole Hayes to revise a restoration plan for 11 and 13 Laurel Hill Road to remove gravel within 15 feet of the wetland line, with a revised plan due at the December 15 meeting. On the Lakeshore Drive stormwater enforcement order, open since August 2023 and naming four parties including the Lakeshore Drive Homeowners Association, the commission agreed to a public site inspection at 8 a.m. December 6 after member Brendan Doyle warned that closing the order without all parties present could prompt suit by attorney Glenn Wood of Rubin and Rudman, who represents named party Robert Moran Jr. The commission opened the meeting with a moment of silence for member Josiah Birch, who died November 26 after nearly a year of service.