The Cohasset Conservation Commission expressed strong opposition to a proposed ecological restoration project that would use herbicides to control invasive Phragmites along the Gulf River, citing significant concerns over environmental impacts. The plan, presented on behalf of several homeowners on Stanton Road, South Main Street, and Cedar Lane, involved a foliar spray of glyphosate and imazamox. The commission, however, remained unconvinced that the method was safe for the sensitive salt marsh ecosystem.

Commission members voiced deep reservations about the proposal. "I 100% don't support the foliar application," stated member William Ashton. "The risk of the glyphosate outweighs any of the other risks that you've mentioned." Member Tom Bell echoed the sentiment, sharing a personal anecdote about the herbicide's potential for unintended damage. "I know it's possible with drift, even when there's no wind, to have an impact on the surrounding vegetation," Bell said, adding that the town has a "longstanding prohibition" of using such chemicals in sensitive areas. Acting Chair Steven Magnell raised further concerns about the area's hydrology. "There's a lot of water flow and... the question is whether or not by spraying it you're going to end up with herbicide on the water and then being pulled out into where there's more aquatic life," Magnell questioned. Representing the applicant, Mitch Masseno of Goddard Consulting argued the project would have a net benefit, but the commission continued the hearing, instructing the team to return with non-herbicide alternatives and case studies of successful projects.

In other business, a development proposal for two new homes at 40 and 46 Pond Street hit a roadblock. Applicant Curtis Webb informed the commission that the Planning Board had denied a special permit for the project's shared driveway, forcing a redesign. The commission provided its own feedback, with Tom Bell presenting a detailed alternative that would reconfigure the lot lines to move the proposed homes almost entirely out of the 100-foot wetland buffer. "Why impinge on it if you don't have to," Bell argued. While Ashton noted the current plan seemed "as respectful of the wetlands as it can be," the applicant agreed to consider the commission's suggestions in the revised plans. The commission also gave a green light to a project at 15 Nicholls Road to install a permeable driveway and patio area after the applicant's contractor, John Bradley, confirmed the use of pervious materials in response to a question from Secretary Kathy Berigan about the pergola floor. The applicant also agreed to pull the patio and fire pit entirely out of the 50-foot buffer zone. Motion Made by Steven Magnell to close the public hearing and issue an order of conditions with standard and special conditions was approved with a Vote Passed 4-0. A subsequent Motion Made by Steven Magnell to issue a variance for the work within the Salt Marsh and Coastal Bank 50-foot buffer zone also Passed 4-0.

The commission dealt with two enforcement issues. For an unpermitted river stone auto court at 81 Border Street, the owner, Joseph Yunits, stated, "stupidly I didn't think I was changing anything." The commission agreed to move the after-the-fact permit forward and lifted the associated enforcement order. Motion Made by William Ashton to lift the enforcement order at 81 Border Street was approved with a Vote Passed 4-0. For unpermitted driveway work at 88 Don Street, the commission amended an existing order. Motion Made by William Ashton to amend the enforcement order to require the owner to either file an RDA, file an NOI, or send a letter confirming that they will not be doing any alterations within 30 days was approved in a Vote Passed 4-0.