Berlin Conservation Commission Conditionally Approves Randall Road Wetland Delineation

BERLIN — December 17, 2025 — Berlin Conservation Commission conditionally approves a wetland delineation and moves toward settling a riding ring encroachment dispute. The commission voted unanimously to close the public hearing and conditionally approve an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation for 232 Randall Road, with Goddard Consulting representative Curtis Werber reporting that a peer review of 544 wetland flags resulted in only one revision; updated buffer zone plans were to be submitted within a day. Attorney Michael Brangin of Fletcher Tilton appeared on behalf of Sawyer Hill Road property owner Michelle Bone, whose riding ring construction triggered a cease-and-desist order in August and a subsequent superior court appeal, and proposed that Bone hire a surveyor to establish precise conservation restriction boundaries — offering to subject additional land to the restriction at the encroachment amount plus 10 percent if an encroachment is confirmed. Commission members said they want the entire unrestricted portion of the property surveyed to allow for potential land swap discussions, and asked Brangin to report back before the January 7, 2026 meeting. On the Riverbridge parcels, a town official reported that the current property owners have $550,000 in a bank account designated for bridge and road work and are ready to transfer it to the town prior to closing, pending completion of a conservation restriction transfer agreement being drafted by town counsel Heather White.