In a meeting that delayed again the biggest projects on its docket, the Rochester Conservation Commission Tuesday granted a Certificate of Compliance for the Order of Conditions previously issued on the construction of a new single-family home at 907 High Street.
The High Street approval vote came swiftly after Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported on her inspection of the site. “It looks like it’s been there a long time,” she said. “It fits there next to the bog.” She noted this was the second High Street housing proposal to come before the Conservation Commission since the large development on that street started its planning process.
The commission then continued again to its next meeting two solar-project hearings, the Notices of Intent for work within wetlands for a ground-mounted solar array in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road and the construction and installation of floating and ground-mounted solar arrays at 53 Dexter Lane, both upon the petitioners’ requests. Both projects were also continued at the commission’s last meeting.
Kelly said shifting regulations regarding solar projects might be the reason the petitioners need these continuances. Regulators, she added, have asked that the Logging Swamp project be split in two because it is currently too large in scope.
In other business, Kelly reported that an assessment of the milfoil (invasive-weed) problem at Snipatuit Pond has been scheduled for September 30. She said Town Administrator Cameron Durant has instructed her to learn whether the contractor, Pond Solutions, would consider inspecting the town’s other ponds as well, Snows, Leonard, and Hathaway. She will pursue this possibility with them, she said.
The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 7, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco