“I’m for it one hundred percent,” Rochester Conservation Commission Chairman Rosemary Smith said on November 3 in response to a positive vote by the commission – voting in favor of surface water protection bylaws.
Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, also a member of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee (MRVWSPAC), asked the commission to review a draft of bylaws developed by the MRVWSPAC. The goal, as stated by Farinon, is to protect the surface water supply from commercial water taking and possible fresh water contamination.
Farinon reminded the ConCom that water taking from Snipatuit Pond and Mattapoisett River by various commercial entities has been a problem, not only for Rochester, but also for other towns that are members of the MRVWSPAC.
“The advisory committee has looked at this issue over the years,” Farinon said. “We need a mechanism to prohibit withdrawal of surface water…. We’ve looked at the Wetlands Protection Act, but it is difficult to enforce…. We have to prove disturbance,” said Farinon.
Farinon said she had conferred with the DEP who advised that local bylaws were “the real true way we can deal with this.” She told them that the water commissioners will be sponsoring an article for a subsequent town meeting warrant for the bylaws, but wanted the Conservation Commission’s support and endorsement as well. They unanimously moved to support and endorse the bylaws.
Presently, the document is a draft with language to be finalized in the coming weeks. Once that is completed, the Conservation Commission will have a final look at the bylaws before they go before the voters.
Farinon said the selectmen will announce a 2016 date for a Special Town Meeting in light of the postponement of the November 30 Special.
In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Gordon Sylvia, 681 Walnut Plain Road, for the removal of trees blown down by storms in 2013, was given a negative determination and was approved.
A request for a Certificate of Compliance for Steven Striar, Old Schoolhouse Road, was granted.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for November 17 at 7:00 pm in the Rochester Town Hall meeting room.
By Marilou Newell
