Mattapoisett’s Highway Surveyor Barry Denham came before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on July 13 with a request. He sought the commission’s support, should such support be necessary where the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is concerned. The issue was once again the culvert repairs on Acushnet Road.
“DOT is asking for more hydraulics on Tinkham Pond … it could be costly and time consuming,” Denham began to explain, noting his fear that such a request might slow the project down.
Denham said the new culvert, in the estimation of Field Engineering and himself, was more than adequate given it is 19-feet wide and nearly 4-feet high.
To ensure that he was as fully informed as possible, Denham recently had a conversation with Howard Tinkham. Tinkham is held by many as an authority on the historic agricultural uses and waterways in this part of Mattapoisett, given his and his family’s husbandry of the land for many decades, including the conditions at Tinkham Pond.
Tinkham advised Denham that the pond was no longer used for bog irrigation and is now 1-foot lower than in 2010. Tinkham also said that downstream the bogs were no longer retaining water that might add to the pond’s level.
“We are confident that what we designed will handle the water,” Denham said. But he asked the commission, “If we need your assistance, can you help us?”
Chairman Bob Rogers responded, “You have our support, but I don’t understand why this is happening so late in the game.”
Denham said at least 50 veteran staff members of the DOT have taken an early retirement package, adding to the difficulty of negotiating through this powerful state agency.
Commission member Mike King suggested reaching out to State Representative William Straus, house chairman for the Transportation Committee and Mattapoisett resident. Denham said that was already in the works.
The commission then made fairly short work of a truncated agenda after four hearings were postponed until the July 27 meeting.
Jeff Overocker, 8 Creek Street, received a negative determination on his request to clear invasive brush and plant matter, which means a Notice of Intent filing is not required.
Elizabeth Lee, 18 Harbor Road, received a negative determination on the construction of a shed in a jurisdictional area.
Ron Oliveira, 120 Brandt Island Road, received a Certificate of Compliance with a condition of maintaining compensatory storage of stormwater.
Daniel and Lisa Craig, via letter, requested that the Conservation Commission approach town counsel to review the ongoing matter of their encroachment into wetlands with lawn and plantings, a matter brought to the attention of the commission by the Buzzards Bay Coalition some months ago. The commissioners voted to send the Craigs a letter stating that costs associated with town counsel review would be their responsibility and that the Craigs should anticipate paying the town $2,500 for such services.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for July 27 at 6:30 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
