Shutesbury Conservation Commission Approves Hazard Tree Removal, Tables Draft Land Regulations

Conservation Commission · Meeting of July 23, 2026

Shutesbury Conservation Commission approves emergency hazard tree removal, tables draft land regulations to August 13. Meeting with only three members present — guest chair Bob Douglas, Mayor Fox, and Michael McDuffie — the commission voted unanimously to issue an emergency certification for the removal of a dead tree at the water's edge at 51 Shore Drive, with Fox reporting the tree is "completely dead" and leaning toward a small inlet roughly a foot and a half deep. The commission also received an update on re-vegetation compliance at the Shutesbury Public Library, 66 Leverett Road, finding erosion controls can be removed from most of the site but that a troubled retention basin near the road remains unresolved, with the library's Marianne withholding contractor funds to compel completion.

Discussion of draft regulations for conservation commission-administered lands was tabled after town counsel's written comments arrived at 2:30 p.m. the same day, too late for members to review; the item moves to the August 13 meeting, when the full commission is expected to be present.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,020 words

Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of July 23, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.