Norton Conservation Commission Approves Negative Determination for Two River Road Solar Pergola

NORTON -- April 27, 2026, Norton Conservation Commission unanimously cleared a lakeside solar-panel pergola from wetlands-permit requirements at its April 27 meeting. The commission voted 4-0 to issue a Negative 3 Determination of Applicability for a proposed 11-by-22-foot freestanding pergola at a private residence on Two River Road near Lake Winnecunnet, finding the project would not alter a protected resource area and therefore requires no Notice of Intent under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act. Applicant Neil Segal, a licensed construction supervisor, described the open-frame structure, to be set on four concrete piers driven 48 inches deep, with no slab floor and no exterior walls, as primarily a support platform for a rooftop solar array the owner did not want to mount on the house. Conservation Agent John noted the project site is previously disturbed lawn and qualifies as a landscape feature within the 25-foot buffer zone; Segal agreed to install sediment controls and hold a pre-construction meeting with staff before breaking ground. The commission also received updates on two open violation matters: the property at 181 West Main Street is on an informal mid-June timetable for planting restoration, with July 1 as the practical deadline, while engineering plans for 292 West Main Street are expected within one to two weeks.