ATHOL — The Conservation Commission Tuesday night approved a request to remove five white pine trees on an embankment between Millers River and Main Street (Route 2A) near the L.S. Starrett building before the stop sign. Katy Wilkins of consulting firm Tighe & Bond made the request on behalf of Starrett’s. The work will be done from the Main Street side. The Request for Determination of Applicability process seeks to determine whether the Wetlands Protection Act applies to a proposed site or activity.
The Commission also approved, with one abstention, a plan presented by Dominic Meringolo of SOLitude Lake Management to remove a large amount of invasive aquatic growth in Secret Lake, including directly targeting specific plants using an herbicide safe for humans, plants and animals.
A discussion about dismantling and rebuilding the wood-framed tower in the northwestern corner of the Bearsden Conservation Area will be continued at a later meeting. The tower is set about 12 feet off the ground with a platform and railing and a view of the northwestern curve of the Millers River and railroad tracks. It was suggested that it could be a project for the local Boy Scouts.
A donation was received from Boy Scout Troop 4 of Gardner for the Bearsden Conservation Fund.
The next meeting is set for Tuesday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at Liberty Hall.