Hanson Conservation Commission Approves Four Variances With Native Plant Mitigation Requirements

HANSON — April 15, 2026 — Hanson Conservation Commission grants four variances in single meeting, including septic upgrades and garage addition. The three-member commission — Steve Smith, Louise Stable, and Erica Adams, sitting without Chair T.J. Ruffey — approved a Title V septic replacement for Ronald and Michelle Ballou at 134 Woodman Terrace within the 50-foot buffer zone of McCorn Pond, with a native-planting mitigation plan prepared by environmental consultant Phil Clemons of Tunk Associates calling for trailing arbutus, lowbush blueberries, and black huckleberries on the disturbed slope. A deck replacement at 143 Brook Street (Sandy Parker) was cleared with a negative determination — no notice of intent required. A garage-shed addition at 387 Woodbine Avenue (David Winters) received a variance conditioned on the homeowner planting roughly $200 worth of native species in the buffer area. An Ocean Avenue applicant received a long-delayed order of conditions after obtaining a DEP file number the morning of the meeting, resolved only after driving to the Lakeville DEP regional office. Between hearings, Mara Brown of 42 Carriage Road delivered extended public comment alleging her household had been held to stricter wetlands standards than a neighboring property at 58 Carriage Road currently undergoing Title V upgrades; Smith told Brown that any personnel complaint about staff must be directed to the town administrator.