Lunenburg Conservation Commission Orders Unitil to Expand Wetland Replication to Two Sites

LUNENBURG — May 20, 2026 — Lunenburg Conservation Commission directs Unitil to pursue wetland replication at two sites for its 934 Mass Ave. substation project. At its May 20 meeting, the commission heard a Notice of Intent from the utility to replace and expand a 1947-era substation, a project that would result in approximately 31,000 square feet of permanent wetland impact on the heavily constrained six-acre site. Engineer Ting Chang had presented the commission with two replication options — restoring a 1,600-square-foot former substation footprint or creating up to 34,000 square feet of new wetland by clearing mature trees — but members including Richard Bursch made clear they expected both. "If we're getting rid of just under an acre of wetland, I'd like to see an acre of replication area," Bursch said. The commission also asked the applicant's wetland scientist to replace green ash and American elm from the proposed planting palette, citing the emerald ash borer's establishment in Massachusetts and ongoing Dutch elm disease risk, and to match planting density to existing on-site conditions. The hearing was continued to June 3, 2026, pending receipt of a state DEP file number. The commission also approved an amended stormwater order for 60 Cross Road, a certificate of compliance for 12 Johnson Street, and a negative determination allowing retaining wall reconstruction at 17 Crocker Ave. along Lake Whalom.