Conservation Panel Orders Peer Review On Wetland

Conservation · Meeting of September 24, 2026

Burlington conservation officials ordered an independent peer review of a disputed wetland behind a proposed commercial building at 85 Wilmington Road. The Conservation Commission voted 7-0-0 to require the review after abutter Tom Alessi argued standing water near the site is a natural spring, not runoff from a leaking water main as applicant Mic Gandhi's wetland scientist, Doug Dillon, maintained. Commissioner Larry Cohen said, "I almost feel like I just don't have enough information to make this decision." Elsewhere, the commission cut a proposed $10,000 bond to $7,500 for a demolition and rebuild at 12 Alcine Lane after Commissioner Indra Deb argued the town's bond schedule hasn't kept pace with rising construction costs, noting, "we are charging very, very, very little compared to what we used to." The board also accepted an 18-tree restoration plan for a Bedford Street cutting violation and continued three other hearings to October 8.

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Source: the Conservation meeting of September 24, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.