Shutesbury ConCom Continues Lakeside Home Hearing, Requests Drainage Revisions

SHUTESBURY -- May 14, 2026, Shutesbury's Conservation Commission continued a public hearing on a lakeside home reconstruction and voted to begin wetland restoration at the town's new library. The commission heard from Rebecca Lee of Arlovec Associates, representing applicants Chad and Linda Gribco, who propose demolishing a vacant nonconforming house at 36 South Laurel Drive and replacing it with a 1,064-square-foot home, paved driveway, new well, and a septic system whose leaching field sits 33.7 feet from the nearest wetland, part of the Ames Brook system draining into Lake Wyola. Neighbors Noreen Pease, Jen McHalen, and Tom Seifert raised concerns about construction traffic on the steep private road, increased impervious surface, and possible runoff into the lake; abutter Alexandria Windcaller questioned whether the existing building footprint would have been a lower-impact alternative. The commission voted 5-0 to continue the hearing to May 28, requesting revised plans showing drainage flow, a gravel transition on the lower driveway, a footing-drain discharge location, roof-runoff management, and a full tree inventory. In a separate 5-0 vote, the commission authorized a one-time spring mowing and cardboard placement at the library parcel wetland, where the town must still plant 41 trees and 71 shrubs under a February 2024 order of conditions before the end of the 2026 growing season.