Wayland Conservation Commission approves Hickory Hill tree removal 6-1

WAYLAND — June 26, 2024 — Wayland Conservation Commission approves Hickory Hill tree removal 6-1 amid dissent over oak loss. The commission issued a Chapter 193 permit for 24 Hickory Hill Road covering 37 regulated trees plus eight dead and six invasive specimens, including seven oaks and a black walnut, with a condition delaying cutting until after raptor nesting season. Vice-Chair Shannon Fischer voted no; member Barbara Howell voted yes while calling it "a shame" and saying the board was giving "permission to destroy the property." Chair Sean Fair separately told members he had "lost my good faith" in town collaboration on the high school artificial turf field, where three of four 2021 violations remain open after crumb rubber washed into wetlands draining toward Sudbury, and said he will press for formal enforcement July 17. Conservation Administrator Linda Hansen also reported trespass mowing through bobolink nesting fields at Heard Farm and a trail camera stolen within two days.