Conservation Commission flags possible Board of Health sign-off error on approved permit

Conservation Commission · Meeting of February 11, 2026

Townsend Conservation Commission raises alarm over 10 West Elm permit, may rescind approval. The commission, led by Chair James Gates, determined at its February 11 meeting that a wetland scientist may have incorrectly represented to commissioners at their December 10, 2025 meeting that the Board of Health had approved the 10 West Elm project, when in fact three items the health board required had not been addressed. Because the rescission was not on the agenda, no vote was taken; Conservation Agent Colby Streeter was directed to notify property contact Phil Palomata that work should not proceed and to place the matter on the March agenda.

Gates called for a new regulation requiring formal inter-departmental sign-offs before the commission issues any permit, saying "there's no feedback coming the other way" under the current system. Separately, a letter from Gary Shepard disputing a possible violation notice at Three Wheeler Road was read into the record and tabled, as a Planning Board hearing on a stormwater modification for that property is already set for February 23.

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Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of February 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.