On Wednesday, April 22, the Marion Conservation Commission met for a quick meeting, covering a single Public Hearing.
The hearing was for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the removal of several trees at 115 Quails Crossing Road. The applicant was Paul Medeiros, who was also present to explain the project to the commission.
Commissioner Shaun Walsh, filling in as acting chair of the meeting, explained that ConCom members had visited the property the prior Saturday for a tour and explanation of planned tree work. Walsh said two large pine trees near the property’s home were damaged by this winter’s storms with multiple limbs hanging or falling off. The plan would be to fell those two trees, as well as many other similar trees, totaling 15 removals.
Many of the trees are near the property line with the applicant saying, “those [trees] have to be removed because I don’t want to cause [fallen] trees for my neighbors.” He also stated one tree was at risk of causing a power outage due to its volatility and proximity to power lines.
Medeiros emphasized the work was not only to protect his house, but the others around it. There has been a history of fences and structures damaged, as well as a previous outage from a tree limb. “We’ve had a few really close calls,” he said.
Commission members agreed with no pushback or further questioning. The ConCom closed the hearing and unanimously voted to grant a Negative Determination, approving the 15 tree removals.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall Annex, 14 Barnabas Road, and remotely on Microsoft Teams.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop