Lunenburg Conservation Commission Approves Water Main Extension, Stalls Lakefront Rebuild

LUNENBURG -- April 15, 2026, Lunenburg Conservation Commission approves privately funded water main extension while continuing contested lakefront home rebuild. Meeting April 15, the four-member commission voted unanimously to approve a notice of intent by Benjamin Builders for an 8-inch municipal water main running along Round Road, Parmenter Road, Ruth Street, and Fire Road 15 near Lake Shirley, with the condition that the order of conditions explicitly state the commission is not approving the wetland delineations shown on the plan. A separate application by Stephen Batone and Melissa McCarthy to demolish and reconstruct a home at 18 Oak Ridge Road was continued to May 6 after Commissioner Richard Bursch declined to approve any foundation work extending into the 50-foot no-build zone beyond the existing footprint. "The no-build zone is the no-build zone," Bursch said, rejecting a proposed compromise involving a frost wall in the restricted area. The commission also voted 4-0 to approve an ADA parking space, ramp, and dock for the Hickory Hills Landowners Association at 19 Island Road, conditioned on an operations and maintenance plan for a proposed rain garden, and approved an amended order of conditions at 50 Pine Grove Road scaling back a previously proposed large landing to a simple stepping-stone pathway to Lake Whalum.