Conservation board approves redesigned home, lakeside tree removal

Conservation · Meeting of May 7, 2026

Sturbridge conservation board approves redesigned home, lakeside tree removal, and 600-tree mitigation plan. The commission unanimously approved Timothy Magliaro's redesigned 116 Podunk Road home after he "mirror-flipped" the layout to move it outside a 100-foot wetland buffer. At 316 The Trail, members allowed removal of one hazard tree flagged by arborist Patrick Tierney and the homeowner's insurance agent, requiring four replacement trees for the two originally proposed.

Eric Gaspar said he "empathize[d] with your situation" but pressed for clarity on conflicting arborist language. BSC Group's 600-tree replanting plan for National Grid's Podunk Road corridor was accepted, with the utility told to keep pursuing a full two-to-one ratio with abutters. Walker Pond got a six-month herbicide-permit extension, to Nov. 7.

Staff also reported discovering seven to nine unpermitted white pines cut on Mount Dan Road, which will draw an enforcement order and daily fines.

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Source: the Conservation meeting of May 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.