A contentious proposal to establish a commercial goat farm at the historic Belzikian farmstead on Mill Lane moved forward Thursday night, following a heated debate between environmental engineers and a neighborhood concerned about tidal estuary pollution. The Conservation Commission ultimately signaled its support for the project at 88 and 100 Mill Lane, though the decision came with a rare dissenting vote and a demand for more rigorous engineering data.

Engineer Dan Ojala of Down Cape Engineering presented revised plans for applicants Natasha and Oliver Brahmst, emphasizing that the project includes a 10-foot buffer of native plantings, such as blueberries, and a new manure composting facility with a pitched roof to prevent runoff. It's a farm, not a golf course. Farmers are allowed certain rights to farm. The level of detail is adequate, Ojala said, defending the plan against claims that the application lacked technical specifics. He noted that the herd of 30 Nigerian dwarf goats would be a lightly used presence on the land, with secondary and tertiary lines of defense including swales and berms to capture first-flush storm water.

However, the neighborhood surrounding Mill Pond remained unconvinced. Residents raised alarms about the proximity of animal waste to the salt marsh and tidal waters. Ron Gable of 108 Mill Lane urged the commission to require monthly coliform bacteria measurements, stating, Your approval of the Notice of Intent should be conditional on these tests showing that the farm is not significantly increasing Mill Pond's pollution. Dr. Rachel Rosen, a gastroenterologist living on Water Street, dismissed arguments that the small size of the goats' waste reduced the risk. If I hear one more time about small stool, I'm going to lose my mind as a gastroenterologist when Salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli are thousands and thousands in very small stool, Rosen said. Even the neighborhood’s youngest residents voiced concern, with 13-year-old Charlie Maker telling the board, I'd like to know exactly what I'm playing in, referring to the waters where he swims and fishes.

The commission was divided on whether the current plan provided enough protection. Member Patricia Mulhearn questioned the technical operations within the 35-foot buffer, asking, Is it possible to turn off certain irrigation heads in the 35-foot buffer? to prevent over-saturation. Member John Frost expressed the strongest reservations among the board, advocating for a more cautious start. I'm not in favor of voting on this for the moment. I would like to see more detailed studies and perhaps a reduction in the number of animals to start slowly, Frost said. Conversely, Member Elly Tierney argued the farm actually improved the site's environmental standing. This project does not introduce any impervious surface to increase runoff. It is implementing controls that weren't there before, Tierney noted. Chair David Bernstein reminded the public that state law provides significant latitude for agricultural uses on parcels exceeding five acres. If you have a lot of land in Massachusetts in excess of five acres, you can as of right create a farm on it... regardless of zoning. We're here to protect the water and the wetland, Bernstein said. Motion Made by D. Bernstein to approve project SE83-2492 with drafted special conditions and the farm plan, subject to additional detail and calculations on the swale and berm. Motion Passed (5-1-0), with J. Frost dissenting.

The commission also addressed coastal erosion concerns on Pleasant Street, approving expansion projects for two neighboring properties. Jennifer Crawford of Crawford Land Management explained that recent tidal action had overtopped existing fiber rolls at 162B Pleasant Street, necessitating a third tier of stabilization. Annual monitoring reports are standard, but we do storm checks after high winds or moon tides to actively maintain the site, Crawford told the board. Vice Chair Paul Huggins inquired about the long-term oversight of these structures, noting, We apply the regulations as evenly and carefully as we possibly can. There are more protections than you realize. Motion Made by [Member] to approve the amended order for SE83-2279. Motion Passed (6-0-0). A similar stabilization project was approved for the adjacent property at 170 Pleasant Street. Motion Made by [Member] to approve the order of conditions for SE83-2496. Motion Passed (6-0-0).

A proposed three-year herbicide treatment plan for the Bayberry Hills Golf Course was put on hold pending a Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) number and more detailed landscaping plans. Mike Tartaglia of Solitude Lake Management described a program to eradicate invasive Phragmites from three irrigation ponds using glyphosate. Phragmites is tough to contain and requires multiple years of control, Tartaglia said, adding that the treated stalks would be mulched to serve as fertilizer. Member Bradford Bower pushed for a clearer vision of the aftermath, stating, We'd like to see a planting plan to replace the Phragmites so it doesn't grow back. Josh Lion of the Yarmouth Golf Department clarified that the ponds are man-made and lined, with one utilizing recycled water from a septic treatment plant. Motion Made by J. Frost to continue the hearing for 635 West Yarmouth Road to September 18, 2025. Motion Passed (6-0-0).

In procedural business, the commission moved toward closing out a long-standing project at 49 Daisy Lane. Homeowner James JS appeared to address a request for a Certificate of Compliance (COC), explaining that while a previously required swale was missing, the site had remained stable for years. The walls have been in place for years with no runoff. Gravel is being delivered tomorrow and debris will be cleaned this weekend, the homeowner said. Motion Made by [Member] to approve the COC for SE83-2174 pending debris removal, gravel installation under the deck, and an updated as-built plan. Motion Passed (6-0-0).

Finally, the board looked ahead to significant town-wide regulatory shifts. Conservation Agent Britney reported that seven Community Preservation Act (CPA) applications were submitted by the Friday deadline. Chair Bernstein also alerted residents to upcoming zoning hearings on September 17th regarding two high-interest community issues: new rules for boat storage in residential driveways and a proposal to allow local fishermen to sell lobsters directly from their homes.