Townsend Conservation Commission doubles filing fee for Historical Society tree removal

TOWNSEND -- April 22, 2026, Townsend Conservation Commission doubles fees for Historical Society after unpermitted tree removal at Harvard Church. The commission voted unanimously at its April 22 meeting to charge twice the standard amended order of conditions filing fee, $400 before a 75 percent nonprofit discount is applied, after finding that 18 trees of varying diameter were removed from the Harvard Church property on Main Street without required permits. Members also rejected a restoration planting plan from consultants Dillis and Roy as deficient, objecting to five sugar maples spaced just 10 feet apart and the absence of shrub plantings or invasive species inventory. "I highly suggest you hire a landscape architect or arborist," conservation agent Colby told the Historical Society's representative. The commission approved negative three determinations for two unrelated projects, a lawn grading at 11 Squadron Cook Terrace and a sidewalk replacement along 50-70 Brookline Street by the Townsend Highway Department, and continued a contested septic permit hearing for zero Brookline Road to May 13, with abutters raising concerns about encroachment into town forest land.