The Marion Conservation Commission was poised to approve the Notice of Intent filed by Shea Doonan for an aquaculture farm off Ram Island, but in the end, Doonan was not present to answer some critical questions the commission had, so the matter was continued a second time until October 14.
Upon review after the closing of the public hearing, the commission realized the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife had some questions for Doonan, such as the specific species intended for the aquaculture, clarification on the use of nets, and how nets would be secured.
The Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program indicated that Doonan still needed to file with it as well. With Doonan not present that evening, the commission voted to reopen the closed public hearing and continue it until the October 14 meeting.
In other matters, the commission issued a negative determination – a Notice of Intent is not required – for Suzanne McManmon of 64 Delano Road to add a 20-foot wide addition to the existing garage. Because it is located in the velocity zone, the structure will have to be built on stilts.
The commission also advised Alexis Popik of 1 Shore Drive on a possible osprey nest platform she would like to erect in or near the one acre of saltmarsh on her property to replace the one that fell over years ago.
“[My husband and I] are bird watchers and we wanted to have an osprey platform out there so we could watch them,” said Popik. “We figured it would be useful to the town also. It’s a nice thing.”
Popik said she was just looking for some advice on how she would go about getting permission to build the platform.
ConCom Chairman Norman Hills said she would need to verify the wetlands line on the property, but she could possibly seek out that information from past filings with the town for that property. Hills said Popik might have to file a Notice of Intent if she plans to construct the platform in the saltmarsh instead of near it.
“Whether you’re putting this in the wetlands or outside the wetlands is going to make a difference,” said Hills.
Also during the meeting, the commission gave a negative determination for Daniel Rodenbush of 16 Bay Road to upgrade a failed sewage disposal system with a conforming Title 5 system. Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering said there would be no grading needed within 50 feet of the flagged wetlands, and the system would sit right at the 100-foot buffer zone.
The commission also granted a one-year extension for the Order of Conditions for the Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity house being constructed at 185 Wareham Road.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for October 14 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
