Sudbury Planning Board Approves Eversource Tree Work on Concord Road and Water Row

Planning Board · Meeting of August 12, 2026

Sudbury Planning Board approves phased Eversource tree work on scenic roads and opens battery storage bylaw discussion. The board voted unanimously at its August 12 remote meeting to allow Eversource to proceed with expanded 15-by-15-by-25-foot clearance pruning along Concord Road from the Nixon School entry drive to Pantry Road and along Water Row from Old Sudbury Road to Plimpton Road, and separately approved removal of all 15 moderate-hazard trees across the broader project corridor. Eversource arborist Matthew Mitchell, who presented hazard-rated photo examples of the affected trees, noted that the largest overhang limbs on the project are on Plimpton Road, with one oak carrying a limb estimated at roughly a foot to a foot and a half in diameter directly over the lines.

The board continued the full hearing, which also covers Plimpton and Candy Hill roads, to September 23. In a separate discussion, Town Sustainability Coordinator Eric Sims briefed the board on a state model bylaw for battery energy storage systems, with mandatory state permitting regulations taking effect in October; Chair Stephen Garvin called for a draft that mirrors the state model closely, restricts installations in the water resource district, and includes decommissioning bond requirements above residential scale, with a target of spring Town Meeting.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,014 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.