Japanese knotweeds continue to plague the town, and the invasive species were topics of two hearings at the August 13 Conservation Commission meeting at the Police Station, 550 Mill St.
Building Commissioner Bob Grillo, who presented it, received favorable comments on the town’s plan to demolish an existing, dilapidated home on 988 Point Road. The small ranch home is surrounded by vines and overgrown with weeds, including the Japanese knotweed. Commissioners only had concerns because the property has been discussed for possible parking. Across the street is a playground.
Both Grillo and Town Planner Doug-Guey-Lee said right now the parking proposal has not materialized. Commissioners mentioned that there is a hill leading to wetlands so more discussion would be needed. However, both Grillo and Guey-Lee said the only plan in place is to demolish the property, which is not generating any tax revenue for the town, according to online data. The property is overgrown with vegetation, including vines and Japanese knotweed.
Commissioners also responded favorably to homeowners at 24 Brook Lane. The owners reportedly had black tarps in the back, but they were not enough to control the knotweeds, which poked their way through the barrier.
Commissioners had no issue with Old Rochester Regional High School’s plans to upgrade some baseball and softball fields and include an irrigation system. Sections of the land are in both Marion and Mattapoisett, according to officials. Applicants said there would be no expansion but just improvements to the field, replacing torn-up natural grass with new natural grass. The applicant also had to go before the state’s Natural Heritage division, which determined that it would not cause any harm to endangered species nearby.
At a busy meeting, the Commission deliberated over many routine projects, holding hearings for them but learning most would not be an issue for nearby wetlands.
Applicants at 13 East Avenue asked for modifications to a site plan that would make their boat ramp and deck parallel to the home, so neighbors would not have to face the site of boats being launched.
Commissioners took no issue with that proposal.
Ryan Burke, a member of a neighborhood association and a town official, proposed road upgrades to Dexter Road, Doran Way, Wilson Road, Cole Road, Harnum Way, Julian Road, Shady Lane, and Seahorse Way. Burke, representing the neighborhood and not the town, said that there would be no changes to the road grading or the layout. He said the purpose would be to rid the neighborhood of potholes and apply asphalt for smoother travel.
Guey-Lee expressed no concerns and said the drainage path would not change.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner