A proposal for a massive residential pier at 12 Careswell Street dominated the Conservation Commission meeting Wednesday night, as board members and neighbors raised alarms over its length and potential ecological impact. The project, which includes a gangway, float, and 90 cubic yards of dredging, would extend 258 feet into the waterway—a distance Chair Craig Hannafin noted significantly exceeds local standards. By law, no pier shall extend further than a point equal to half of the lot's water frontage. That would be 25 feet. You are proposing 258 feet. This needs a variance, Hannafin said.

The applicant, Colin Bono, explained that the pier is designed to reach a three-foot depth at the float, requiring the dredging of roughly 2,430 cubic feet of material. The construction would involve driving 60 piles for the walkway and 12 for the platform. Freeman Boon of Ducks Construction stated that equipment would be supported by the pilings as they are driven in, avoiding direct machinery contact with the marsh. However, the scale of the project drew sharp criticism from Green Harbor residents. Abutter Harry Kleinoff expressed concern that the necessary dredging could disturb toxic materials buried in the marsh bed. Dredging can release metals and DDT stored in the sediment. Sunlight for seagrass is also a concern. The Green Harbor marshes need to be protected, Kleinoff warned.

Attorney Jamie Buchanan Mada, representing the applicant, countered that structured access is often a net benefit for the environment. Structured access actually protects the salt marsh better because it prevents people from ‘mucking through’ the marsh to get to deeper water, Mada said. Commission members remained skeptical of the current plans, which Member Bert O'Donnell described as confusing due to unlabeled lines and a lack of clear measurements from the mean high water line. Member Corey Miles questioned the project’s classification within the riverfront area, which would trigger a more rigorous alternatives analysis. Motion Made by S. Malafronte to continue the public hearing for 12 Careswell Street to April 15, 2026. Motion Passed (6-0).

The Commission also moved forward with a multi-year ecological restoration project at 14 Damon’s Point Road and 1 Make Homer’s Way. Margaret O'Brien, representing the applicants, outlined a three-year plan to manage 0.21 acres of invasive Phragmites using targeted herbicide applications. Phragmites is an aggressive invasive plant that forms dense monocultures, blocking sunlight and displacing native vegetation, O'Brien explained. While O'Brien proposed using a backpack sprayer, Member Corey Miles inquired if a more surgical approach was possible: I've done injections on every single plant before. Is that something you could do here? Vice Chair Sam Malafronte, who conducted a site visit, urged the applicants to also address Japanese Knotweed identified on the property, stating, I think if you're going in there, it makes sense to get rid of all the invasive species you can. Motion Made by S. Malafronte to close the public hearing and issue the order of conditions contingent on receiving a revised site plan by Friday and requiring a licensed applicator. Motion Passed (6-0).

In other business, Jeff Wilson of the Recreational Trails Committee presented a plan to reconfigure the "yellow trail" at Carolina Hill to mitigate ongoing wetland damage. Wilson noted he had recently spent 80 hours clearing trees to facilitate the change, which will divert mountain bikes away from sensitive areas used by hikers and horses. Conservation Administrator Mike Seele agreed that getting the traffic out of the resource areas will be beneficial to the property. Motion Made by C. Hannafin to approve the proposed improvements to several older trails on Carolina Hill to get them back more than 100 feet from the nearest wetlands. Motion Passed (6-0).

Finally, the board approved two minor residential requests. At 17 Constitution Road, Member Elizabeth Lake reviewed a plan to replace asphalt driveways with pervious pavers, calling the design an improvement. Motion Made by E. Lake to close the public hearing and issue a determination of applicability with a positive five and a negative two, including special conditions. Motion Passed (6-0). At 10 Ice House Lane, the board authorized the removal of two hazardous trees overhanging a shed. Motion Made by C. Hannafin to allow the tree and vine removal as a de minimis activity with a post-work inspection. Motion Passed (6-0). Throughout the meeting, Member Jesse Platt and Member Bert O'Donnell joined their colleagues in unanimous votes on all items.