Hadley Conservation Commission Accepts Procon Farm Restriction, Continues 7 Brew Application

HADLEY — June 9, 2026 — Hadley Conservation Commission votes 3-0 to permanently protect Procon family farmland, while continuing two Route 9 development applications to July 14. The commission accepted a conservation restriction on the multi-generational Procon farm, with landowner Ed Procon telling the board he sought the restriction to keep the property as working farmland rather than see it "go all of a sudden to half acres of buildings." The restriction, reviewed by town counsel and using the state model form, now goes to the Select Board and the state before recording. The board continued the 7 Brew Coffee Notice of Intent at 347 Russell Street after restoration ecologist Steve Roberti presented a concept plan proposing roughly 29,000 square feet of off-site native replanting on a parcel owned by Barry Roberts as two-to-one riverfront mitigation, with reviewing consultant Mark Stinson warning that invasive species removal should not be counted as the core of any mitigation given its indefinite maintenance requirement. A floodplain house reconstruction at 71 Russell Street was also continued after reviewers identified a two-foot discrepancy between flood-vent elevation and grade elevation in the submitted plans. Conservation Agent Kayla announced her departure effective June 13, with the position expected to be posted the following day.