The Cohasset Conservation Commission escalated enforcement efforts against the owner of 102 Howard Gleason Road on Thursday night, authorizing a schedule of financial penalties for failing to address unpermitted tree removal. Conservation Agent Charlotte Pectal reported a total lack of progress on an amended enforcement order that required a survey of cut trees and the restaking of an isolated vegetated wetland. Unfortunately, I have not seen an effort to comply, Pectal told the Commission, confirming that the owner had received the legal orders. Member T. Bell pushed for immediate consequences to ensure the resource area is protected, asking, How are you going to wake the guy up unless you send him a fine? Motion Made by C. McIntyre to issue daily fines of $100 per day starting May 14, 2026, if no contact is made, with the penalty escalating to $200 per day after a subsequent two-week window. Motion Passed (4-0).

A separate enforcement matter involved the Cohasset Yacht Club at 99 Howard Gleason Road, where an unauthorized 16-foot dock extension has been bottoming out on the marsh and mudflats. Commodore P. Curran and Jack Murphy of the House Committee explained that they believed winter ice had caused the marsh to collapse or shift toward the floats. When we did the docks and the plan they weren't in the mud but now because of the marsh collapse this winter they are sitting in the mud, Curran said. Engineer Andrew Nilson presented the club's findings, but Chair C. McIntyre questioned how the extension could be considered impact-neutral. You've certainly moved closer to shallower areas, McIntyre noted. How can you put in a 16 foot segment and then tell us it hasn't moved 16 feet? To resolve the immediate environmental concern, the club agreed to remove the extension and return to its 2025 footprint. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to continue the hearing to September 24, 2026, with the understanding that the extension will be removed and the configuration reverted to the previously permitted footprint. Motion Passed (4-0).

The Commission also navigated a heated dispute at 25 Tad Lane, where owner Tanya Dementi and Attorney Thomas Patch challenged an enforcement order regarding alleged wetland filling. Dementi expressed frustration over the timing of the town's intervention, stating, I take personal issue with the fact that the town is now coming after me. We have done everything right. Patch argued that the property should be granted an agricultural exemption, while Agent Pectal noted that isolated land subject to flooding are very tricky to define without further study. The Commission opted for a more collaborative approach to verify the site's status. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to lift the enforcement orders and issue a temporary cease and desist and a Show Cause hearing for June 11, 2026. Motion Passed (4-0).

Transformation of a former junkyard on North Main Street was also detailed by applicant Paul Adams, who has been working to clear decades of debris from the site. Adams, represented by Brendan Sullivan of Merrill Land Surveyors, told the Commission he has already hauled away a massive amount of refuse. I've removed approximately 100 dump trucks of material... my goal is to restore it to a meadow state, Adams said. While neighbors raised concerns about runoff from a proposed garage expansion, the Commission focused on ensuring the 50-foot buffer is restored with native species rather than invasives. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to continue the hearing to May 21, 2026, to allow for a site visit. Motion Passed (4-0).

Landscape restoration was a recurring theme, as Paula Stilten of 40 Beachwood Street presented a mitigation plan for unpermitted tree removal. We kind of screwed up by taking those trees down when we shouldn't have, Stilten admitted, proposing the planting of four eastern red cedars and four eastern redbuds. Chair McIntyre cautioned against using heavy machinery for the restoration, suggesting hand work to protect the remaining riverfront resource area. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to close the show cause hearing, lift the partial cease and desist, and approve the mitigation plan with a one-year completion deadline. Motion Passed (4-0).

At the Cohasset Golf Club, landscape improvements to bunkers and greens were characterized by Vice Chair S. Magnell as more upkeep landscaping than any major modification. Sarah Sterns and Superintendent Glenn Mashazik explained that the project restores greens that have naturally shrunk over decades of mowing. The green is actually not moving. We're just changing the grass type, Mashazik clarified. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to issue a Negative Determination with standard conditions and a special condition for erosion control oversight. Motion Passed (4-0). Motion Made by C. McIntyre to issue a variance for work within the 50-foot buffer zone. Motion Passed (4-0).

The Commission also addressed a request for a third seasonal float at 100 Whitehead Road. Attorney Adam Brodsky and engineer Brendan Sullivan argued the addition was necessary to protect vessels from heavy fetch in the exposed area. Agent Pectal noted recommendations from the Division of Marine Fisheries to avoid eelgrass, leading McIntyre to suggest ongoing monitoring. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to issue an Amended Order of Conditions with a special condition regarding eelgrass monitoring. Motion Passed (4-0). Motion Made by C. McIntyre to issue an amended variance for work within land under ocean. Motion Passed (4-0).

Finally, a minor project at 34 Riverview Drive for a pre-fabricated metal shed on a gravel base was reviewed. Applicant Justin Harlow confirmed the shed would sit on existing lawn and require no vegetation removal. McIntyre reminded the applicant that because the site sits within a 200-foot riverfront resource area, the use of fertilizers and pesticides is strictly prohibited. Motion Made by C. McIntyre to close the public hearing and issue a Negative Determination of applicability. Motion Passed (4-0). Secretary K. Berigan participated in all unanimous votes throughout the evening.