The Rochester Conservation Commission on Tuesday, September 15, approved a Positive Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent application of High Street Solar, Site B, which proposes work within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone for a massive ground-mounted solar array within the parcel’s northern lots near Mayflower Lane.
The move means the project is one step closer to full approval by town boards. In July, the commission endorsed the plan for Site A of the project, which is in the southerly portion of the property close to High Street. Meanwhile, the Planning Board will be reviewing the site plan review permit for High Street Solar, Site B, on October 13. That board approved the site plan review application for High Street Solar Site A in August. The entire array will cover 23 acres of a 68-acre property.
Project representative Sarah Sterns reported Tuesday that the latest plan for Site B removed a connector road to Mayflower Lane. In its current form, the plan has been reduced to include only minor wetlands buffer work.
“The effort has been made to keep all infrastructure out of the buffer zone,” she said.
Next, the commission endorsed a plan to install a hot tub on top of an 8x8x3 deck at 32 Gerrish Road by granting it a Negative Determination, meaning the plan will not require further attention from the commission regarding wetland protection regulations. Homeowner Kevin Crimi explained the deck will be 20 feet from his house and around 50 feet from the wetlands resource area.
Crimi also said he would like a determination on his plan to remove overgrown white pines in his backyard. Commission Chair Christopher Gerrior advised him that he needed a separate Request for Determination for this plan.
Later in the evening, the commission noted that its next meeting would include Snipatuit Pond cranberry growers and Fish and Game official David Watling to discuss the plan to eradicate the water-choking invasive aquatic weeds in the pond.
Town Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported the board recently received a comprehensive management plan for this task. Water & Wetland of Grafton, Massachusetts, created a written attack plan for the town that will include treatment areas and application methodology, a survey plan, a reporting plan and water quality plan, and necessary management recommendations. Kelly said the report’s main recommendation is to apply herbicides to eliminate the weeds. In related action, the commission approved paying $1,000 to Water and Wetlands for its report.
In other action, the commission continued to October 6 its hearing into the Notice of Intent to construct a garage, shed and stone wall at 527 High Street.
The commission also continued to October 6 its Notice of Intent hearing on a plan to place a ground-mounted solar array system within a 100-foot wetlands buffer zone on Walnut Plain Road.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be October 6 at 7:00 pm. at the Town Office Building, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco