Dover Conservation Commission Ratifies Enforcement Order in Miller Hill Tree-Cutting Case

DOVER — July 12, 2023 — Dover Conservation Commission ratifies enforcement order over alleged clearing of 143 trees on conservation-restricted land. The commission voted unanimously at its July 12 meeting to ratify a June 20 enforcement order against the owners of 12 and 14 Miller Hill Road, where abutters allege 143 trees were clear-cut on roughly an acre and a quarter of conservation-restricted land without authorization. Neighboring property owner Ken told the board the responsible parties' preliminary restoration report characterized the loss as being of "negligible value" — a characterization trustees' representative Sally called "rather insulting" given their legal obligation to uphold the conservation restriction. Attorney McGregor, representing abutters, urged the commission to adopt a written confirmation practice for enforcement deadlines, warning that "this train has not left the station." Commission Chair John directed Metro West Engineering to complete a wetland delineation within two weeks, dropping an earlier requirement for the town's third-party reviewer to be present on site, after attorney Peter Brooks confirmed his clients had been prepared to proceed on July 5 but stood down based on a miscommunication with commission agent Janet about peer-review coordination.