Conservation panel clears compliance backlog, OKs bridge

Conservation Commission · Meeting of October 7, 2026

Medford's Conservation Commission cleared a backlog of state recreation filings and approved a new footbridge rebuild in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. The board voted 5-0 four separate times, issuing certificates of compliance for dugout work at Veterans Memorial Park's Carmine V. Santora Memorial Baseball Diamond (DEP file 215-0234), drainage repairs at the John W.

Flynn Skating Rink (215-0237), and an earlier Fells stream-crossing filing (215-0195), before voting 5-0 to issue an order of conditions for a new notice of intent from Friends of the Middlesex Fells and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. Board member and volunteer trail project manager Charlie McCabe said the project would rebuild a failing bridge at "a very scenic area of the Fells" where the Cross Fells and Skyline trails meet, widening the span to three feet and improving stream clearance. Members added conditions requiring hand raking to restore disturbed grades and barring off-trail storage of construction materials.

The commission separately tabled its September 2 minutes for lack of a voting quorum among those who had attended that meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,129 words

Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of October 7, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.