Hanson Halts High Street Grading Hearing Pending Wetland Delineation

HANSON — January 7, 2026 — Hanson Conservation Commission delays ruling on High Street grading project, orders wetland delineation. The commission voted unanimously at its January 7 meeting to continue a public hearing on a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Walter Ferreira, who is seeking permission to grade his yard at 66 High Street to create a play area and plant fruit trees. Commission member Frank Skellinger, who had previously visited the site, said fill had already been deposited close to a 50-foot no-touch buffer zone adjacent to a wetland running along the driveway edge. Multiple residents of the neighboring Reed Estates condominium complex testified to worsening basement flooding and alleged that construction debris and wood chips had been deposited on the uphill slope. Commission Chair Thomas Roie said the board cannot rule until a wetland delineation is complete, telling the applicant, "We can't rule on what he can do if we don't know where the wetland starts." The hearing will resume January 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Hanson Town Hall.