Dartmouth Conservation Commission Sends Stalled Wetland Enforcement Case to Town Counsel

DARTMOUTH -- April 28, 2026, Dartmouth Conservation Commission escalates a year-old wetland enforcement case to town counsel. The commission voted unanimously April 28 to refer unresolved violations at 1363 and 1395 North Hixville Road to town counsel after the property owner failed to respond to a formal letter sent May 10, 2025, and made no substantive contact with the commission in roughly a year. Conservation staff said the landowner had apparently contracted with engineer Stephen Schmiel of Zenith Consulting Engineers to address the issues but had not paid Schmiel for any services, leaving the matter entirely stalled. In the meeting's only public hearing, the commission unanimously approved a standard order of conditions for a proposed four-bedroom home replacement at 112 Pine Island Road, with engineer Jamie Bissonnette of Zenith Consulting Engineers presenting plans showing all work outside the 200-foot riverfront area and most work beyond the 50-foot wetland buffer. The commission also unanimously accepted wetland delineations for 300 High Hill Road and 2 Slades Farm Lane, confirming proposed perc test work falls outside jurisdictional buffers. The meeting adjourned in 21 minutes.