AMHERST – A North Amherst home on Puffer’s Pond, owned by the author of a popular series of young adult novels, could have a dock installed for the summer season.
The Conservation Commission meets at 8 p.m. Wednesday, in the First Floor Meeting Room at Town Hall, to consider the request for a 160-square-foot dock at the 172 State St. home of Judith and Joshua Lewis at State St.
Judith Lewis uses the pen name Cassandra Clare.
Elizabeth Willson, the town’s wetlands administrator, said in an email that the 8-foot by 20-foot dock would be placed on a portion of the pond owned by the Lewises. It would be attached to existing wood posts and stairs on the bank of the property, and chained to removable anchors in the water.
“Besides the wetland regulations, the town does not have any rules against docks at Puffer’s on private property,” Willson said.
As a seasonal dock, it be removed during the cold-weather months, Willson said.
The plan to install the dock comes about two years after neighbors raised concerns when the Lewises renovated the home and a barn at 5 Mill St. The project to add a garage to the residence included excavation and drilling into bedrock, which made significant noise and caused constant vibrations at nearby homes.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
