Mansfield Conservation Commission Approves Two Permits, Launches Trail Volunteer Program

MANSFIELD -- March 28, 2022, Mansfield Conservation Commission unanimously closed out a seven-year permit and approved a new residential garage project at its March 28 meeting. The commission voted 4-0 to issue a certificate of compliance with ongoing invasive species management conditions to James Lazara for a 12-unit over-55 development at 130 Spring Street, where years of mechanical knotweed mowing have shown results the conservation agent called "the only success I've seen so far." In a separate 4-0 vote, the commission issued an order of conditions to Stephen and Lauren Rogers of 163 Lawndale Road for a two-car garage addition, requiring tree replacement within the 20-foot buffer, removal of a gravel pad, and relocation of a small shed out of the 25-foot no-disturb zone adjacent to Canoe River wetlands. The commission also voted 4-0 to approve a new 2022 Trail Steward volunteer program, designed to conduct spring and fall condition assessments across Mansfield's 10 miles of public trails using an ArcGIS Online reporting platform, with a training session and public recruitment push planned for April.