Manchester Conservation Commission Approves Tappan Street Utility Reconstruction, Issues Three Orders of Conditions

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — April 7, 2026 — Manchester-by-the-Sea Conservation Commission closes three wetlands hearings and approves $2,492 Beaver Solutions contract at April 7 meeting. The five-member commission, chaired by Steve Gang, voted unanimously to issue orders of conditions for the town DPW's Tappan Street utility reconstruction — which will replace 120-year-old cast-iron sewer, water main, and drain pipes, install a new Tideflex inline check valve to stop uncontrolled harbor backflow, and add a stormwater treatment unit discharging to the harbor — as well as for scaled-back home addition proposals at 2 Old Neck Road and 44 Norwood Avenue. Harry Nahadas of 8 Tappan Street told the commission he was unaware the project would involve replacing a drainage pipe through his yard, prompting a DPW commitment to meet with him before construction begins. At 44 Norwood Avenue, commissioners debated at length whether to require a performance bond to guard against collapse of an old stone wall lining Sawmill Brook, ultimately inserting permissive bond language and requiring pre- and post-construction structural engineering letters rather than a mandatory bond. A certificate of compliance was issued "with a gold star" for 1 Beaver Dam Road, where the completed storage facility left more than 2,000 additional square feet of pervious area beyond the original 2001 permitted plan.