Bellingham Conservation Commission Issues Order for Mansion Street Septic and Pool Demolition

BELLINGHAM — April 8, 2026 — Bellingham's Conservation Commission issued an order of conditions for a residential septic replacement and backyard pool demolition at 41 Mansion Street while continuing four other active hearings to April 22 at its April 8 meeting. The Mansion Street order, covering work by applicant Safe Lobster Realty on a five-bedroom property, was conditioned on dust control during potential on-site pool crushing — given the pool's estimated 1970s construction and possible asbestos content — and on trash containment within the buffer zone; neighbor William L. Roberts Sr., a self-described town park commissioner at 70 Archer Street, confirmed he had signed a temporary access agreement and told the commission, "I don't want you messing up the property." The Blackstone Street road improvement notice of intent was continued after commission members said the applicant, engineer Lou Trosey, had still not submitted the explicit numbered written waiver requests demanded by peer reviewer Beals and Thomas, though Trosey agreed to provide them before the next meeting and did present revised plans showing a relocated two-by-three-foot amphibian tunnel. The commission also opened four new notices of intent for lots 16 through 19 of the Red Mill on the Charles subdivision, questioning who will own and maintain a retaining wall of up to nine feet near lot 19 as surrounding open space is deeded to the town.