Oakham Conservation Commission approves home near Old Turnpike Road wetlands

OAKHAM -- February 10, 2025, Oakham Conservation Commission approves single-family home near buffer zone wetlands, votes to press state energy board. The commission unanimously issued an Order of Conditions at its February 10 meeting for applicant Christina O'Brien of Leicester, authorizing construction of a home, garage, and driveway at Zero Old Turnpike Road, a buffer-zone-only project where all work falls at least 75 feet from surrounding bordering vegetated wetlands. Engineer Mark Elberg of Rutland represented the applicant, noting the proposed first floor sits roughly 16 feet above wetland grade and that staked wattles will serve as erosion control around the full construction perimeter. The order expires February 10, 2028. Separately, the commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Siting Board requesting a continuance in a pending energy facility case, arguing the board cannot make a fair decision until a complete wetland delineation of the entire property is submitted, not just the roughly 15 percent previously covered under an approved resource area delineation. MassDEP is reviewing alleged Wetlands Protection Act violations at the site and is coordinating a joint inspection with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.