Oakham Conservation Commission Braces for Ryland Wetlands Filing by January 30

OAKHAM — January 6, 2026 — Oakham Conservation Commission eyes January 30 wetlands filing from energy developer Ryland. At the January 6 meeting, members flagged an anticipated notice of intent from Ryland — disclosed in a December 22, 2025 filing with the Energy Facilities Siting Board — that the developer plans to file a Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Order of Conditions with the commission on or around January 30, 2026. One member said the timeline appeared designed to get ahead of the commission's ability to complete an independent wetland delineation, noting that wetland scientist Arthur Allen cannot realistically work the site before March. The commission voted unanimously to continue to February 10 a separate notice of intent from the O'Briens for a single-family home on Old Currant Bike Road, scheduling a site visit for January 10 pending a still-missing MassDEP file number. Members also agreed to post a draft local wetlands bylaw — revised on advice from legal adviser Phil Warvas to read as a general bylaw — to the town website and library ahead of a March public comment session and a targeted May Annual Town Meeting vote.