The Middleborough Conservation Commission on Jan. 2 approved a set of routine payments and procedural votes, accepted a peer‑review contract for a continued wetlands hearing, and authorized the conservation office to submit its fiscal 2026 budget to the town manager for review.

The commission voted to pay a set of vendor bills and to reimburse staff and volunteers. Motions to pay invoices to outside reviewers and contractors were moved and approved without recorded opposition. The commission also voted to accept a peer‑review proposal for 504/508 Wareham Street, continued several open hearings to later meetings, and approved submission of the FY26 departmental budget package to the town manager and select board process.

Key outcomes:
- Approved payments/reimbursements: motions to pay invoices including (but not limited to) Marsh, Moriarty, Ontell & Golden ($1,377) for a title exam; a $175 release to Syed Halabi; PGB Engineering ($800) and C. Naughton Corp ($1,040) related to 150 Everett Street; WB Mason ($65.70) for office supplies; a $63.12 reimbursement to the land manager for field supplies; Sign Design invoice ($175.96) tied to a Mass Cultural Council grant; Norfolk Power Equipment ($1,560) (noted as previously voted/processed); Lucas Environmental ($1,320) for a peer review — all motions were made, seconded and approved at the meeting with the usual “all in favor” confirmations recorded on the audio transcript. (Individual invoice descriptions as presented to the commission are summarized in the meeting packet.)

- Determinations and continuations: the commission issued a Negative 3 Determination of Applicability for a septic repair at 125 Bedford Street (meaning the proposed work is within the 100‑foot buffer but will not alter an area subject to protection under the Wetlands Protection Act) with a special condition requiring inspection of erosion controls prior to work. The commission continued the 607A Wareham Street matter to Feb. 6, 2025; continued several other hearings including the NOI for 44 Old Center Street and a single‑family build proposal at 556 Wareham Street to the Jan. 16 meeting for site visits and further review; and continued the large Campus 44 filing to Feb. 6 for stormwater and wetlands peer review responses.

- Peer review engagement: the commission accepted Ecosystem Solutions’ peer review proposal for the 504/508 Wareham Street filing (amount shown in the record) and continued that hearing to Feb. 6 to allow the peer reviewer time to complete the scope.

- Administrative items: the commission approved the edited minutes for Dec. 5, 2024, and authorized Conservation staff to submit the FY26 budget as presented (levels and a small number of targeted increases were included in the submission). The chair noted the submission will next be reviewed by the town manager, select board and the finance committee per the town schedule.

What the votes mean: Most of the motions approved at this meeting were standard administrative items (vendor invoices, small reimbursements, minutes). The Negative 3 on 125 Bedford Street clears the septic repair to proceed subject to conditions; the several continuances reflect ongoing peer review or the need for site visits or additional documentation. The FY26 budget authorization starts the department’s formal town review process.

Votes at the meeting were recorded either by voice affirmation (“Aye”) or roll‑call when required by procedural circumstances; the transcript shows roll‑call votes for selected items.