The Old Rochester Regional High School’s athletic fields will finally be getting some much-needed repairs and improvements beginning with bids opening on August 20.
Representatives Megan Kearns and Josh Millonig from the engineering firm Weston & Sampson stated during the August 11 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission that the project is in buffer-zoned areas of the property, will be contained to the existing footprint and did not require a Notice of Intent filing. Instead, the project will require the lesser filing of a Request for Determination of Applicability.
Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that the project is being funded in total by a $750,000 state bond bill authored by recently retired Representative Bill Straus. The estimated costs for the project were not discussed at this meeting, but Lorenco stated that funds are not coming from local taxes.
Kearns and Millonig detailed the construction methods primarily noting that grassed areas will be contoured for better drainage and new grass planted. The commission rendered a Negative 3 decision.
Mike Dahill, 0 Shore Drive, filed an RDA for the installation of a platform and stairs fabricated from aluminum to repair concrete stairs that allow water access to his property. Dahill said the 4-foot by 8-foot platform will be constructed over existing stairs and footings, which are now under the beach sand. He also said that the stairs will be removed during the winter season. He received a Negative 2 decision.
Bill Madden, 11 Melissa Lane, also filed an RDA request for the construction of a 26-foot by 20-foot garage with pea stone driveway. Madden, of GAF Engineering, represented himself. During the discussion, it was determined that the request would be continued, pending notification from Natural Heritage.
Nat DaSilva of Farland Corporation, representing Adam Walorz of 0 Nantucket Drive, received conditioning for a Notice of Intent filing for the construction of a new single-family home. DaSilva discussed additional beefed-up conservation erosion controls necessary for the topography of the site.
In other matters, the commission will be pursuing possible parking at the town owned Cove Street property for purposes of giving residents access to the area for recreating and shell fishing. The commissioners are researching options.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 25 at 6:30 pm in Town Hall.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell