DERRY — Although it does not technically fall under its purview, several members of the Conservation Commission were not happy when work on a six-unit subdivision on Old Chester Road included the removal of a number of trees along the road front.

“I’ve gotten several phone calls about Old Chester Road and the nice old trees that bordered the road,” said Conservation Commission Chairman Margaret Ives.

When the Conservation Commission reviewed the plans for the subdivision on the 18-acre-plus lot at 12 Old Chester Road earlier this summer, Ives said that to her knowledge the removal of the trees was not on the plans.

“Live and learn,” said Ives. “In the future when we get plans, we want to make sure we complete plans.”

Although the Conservation Commission looks for wetlands impact, Ives said the board can make recommendations when it sees something it doesn’t like, such as the removal of all trees along the road.

Ives said she plans to talk to the developer to see what the plans are for future landscaping along the road.

“It really is quite a shock when you see it,” she said.

Ives said she has also spoken with the staff of the town’s Planning Department about remembering to review future plans for potential clear-cutting.

“There would not have been anything precluding us from approving (the plan),” said commission member Paul Dionne.

Ives noted that the Planning Board can discuss the removal of trees and that the Conservation Commission can make recommendations to the Planning Board.

“We want to be sure to take our time with the plans and have everything there we need to look at,” she said.

The trees were apparently removed when municipal water was extended from Hampstead Road to the front of the new properties along Old Chester Road.

The six buildable lots in the subdivision range from just under 2 acres to 2.46 acres and are in a zone where there are minimum one-acre lots.

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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.