Commission Continues Dam Permit Before Town Vote

Conservation Commission · Meeting of April 28, 2026

GROTON — The Conservation Commission heard a stewardship council's call to scrap dam repairs ahead of Town Meeting. Commissioner Olin Lathrop read a letter from Lucy Wallace, chair of the Nashua-Squannacook and Nissitissit Rivers Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council, urging Groton voters to reject the May 2 warrant article funding West Groton Dam repairs and instead support removal, citing seven rare species and a 2026 American Rivers report on low-head dam hazards. The commission continued the dam's own notice of intent to May 12.

Separately, a member reported the Cow Pond Brook Playing Fields project cost rose 16 percent, from $4.2 million to $4.9 million, after bids came in high; the Community Preservation Committee and Parks Commission both recommended funding $4.9 million. The commission also approved, 7-0, a negative determination for Groton Country Club's new irrigation pump station and for tree removal at 235 Hill Road, conditioned on leaving at least four wildlife snags.

In the full story:

• The complete report — 874 words

Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of April 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.