Dighton Conservation Commission Unanimously Approves Bell Farms Estates and Pleasant Street Bridge

DIGHTON -- March 19, 2026, Dighton Conservation Commission unanimously approved two notices of intent Thursday, clearing a residential subdivision and a bridge replacement project worth more than $3 million. The Bell Farms Estates application, presented by BETA Group engineer David Kelling on behalf of owner Carl Rubello, received final approval after a mitigation plan committing to 100 trees and more than 300 shrubs across three wetland buffer zones satisfied outstanding commission concerns. The commission also approved the replacement of the Pleasant Street bridge over Muddy Cove Brook, a project carrying a $2.5 million state grant plus a 25 percent MassDOT match; all permits and design documents must reach MassDOT by mid-August or the town loses the full grant by the end of September. BETA revised its construction duration estimate from five and a half years down to two and a half years after confirming seasonal in-water work restrictions with the Division of Marine Fisheries. An Open Meeting Law objection from an audience member halted an unagendaed discussion of a separate property compliance matter midway through the meeting.