Arlington Conservation Commission Approves Cottage Avenue Addition, Backs Rodenticide Ban Bill

ARLINGTON — March 19, 2026 — Arlington Conservation Commission endorses state rodenticide ban and approves Alewife Brook-area home addition. The seven-member commission voted unanimously Thursday to support H.965 and S.2721, legislation that would ban consumer use of anticoagulant rodenticides statewide, opting to send a simplified letter modeled on one from the Lincoln Conservation Commission rather than a lengthier draft provided by petitioner Laura Kiesel of Save Arlington Wildlife; member Susan Chapnick said the commission's strongest contribution was highlighting its own permit conditions, which already ban rodenticide use in resource areas. The commission also voted 6-0 to approve a Notice of Intent for an addition at 10 Cottage Avenue, 168.8 feet from the Alewife Brook bank, with conditions including downspout rerouting and removal of a buried receptacle found during a site visit; consultant Nicole Ferrara of LEC Environmental agreed to a commission finding that the project meets the intent of 310 CMR 10.58G with greater than two-to-one native planting mitigation across 321 square feet. Conservation Agent David Morgan separately reported that a proposed native plant bylaw — Article 9 on the Town Meeting warrant — is being withdrawn at the town manager's request and will be retooled as a town policy to avoid a conflict with the town manager act. The commission opened its meeting by marking the coming departure of Nathaniel Stevens, who is stepping down after 26 years of service.