A request from the Recreation Department to perform some beach nourishment at Oakdale Avenue Beach kicked off a conversation during the August 14 meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission on the past, present, and future of a lesser-known ‘beach’ available for public use.
The Marion Rec had inquired about the possibility of adding some beach sand to what Conservation Commission Chairman Jeff Doubrava called “a muddy inlet is, really, what it is.”
Some commission members arrived at the site the Saturday morning prior to survey the area, but no one on behalf of Marion rec showed up. However, to address the question as to whether sand could be added there, Doubrava said, “The answer is, yes, with a permit, they can do anything they want.”
Conservation Commission member Kristen Saint Don-Campbell said she is aware of some people, Marion Rec in particular, using the spot to launch kayaks and paddleboards.
One neighbor had reported to the Conservation Office that the beach used to be bigger than it is now and that supposedly the town used to maintain the beach by adding sand intermittently. Another person had told the office that, now, there is “barely enough room for two beach chairs,” reported Conservation Assistant Lissa Magauran. She added that, apparently, when it rains, the water forms a large crevice in the mud leading to the shoreline.
“It sounds like people down there want to know if the town will undertake some of the improvements down there,” said Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh. “That’s a question we can’t answer.” He said perhaps the Department of Public Works or the Recreation Department might know more about that.
Saint Don-Campbell said people are using the spot more and more, which is a good reason to nourish it with new beach sand.
“It is a great place to launch kayaks,” said Walsh.
Doubrava emphasized that before any work could be done to alter the area, someone would need to file a permit with the commission.
In other matters, the commission issued a Negative 2 Determination of Applicability for
Jeffrey Faria, 53 Oakdale Avenue, to elevate the existing house by four feet upon piers and support beams to allow access to the home’s plumbing and heating systems.
Faria told the commission that he has had “a lot of issues” trying to gain access underneath the house where the floorboards sit just three inches above the foundation.
The house will be on the original footprint and will not require the filing of a Notice of Intent.
Also during the meeting, the commission issued a full Certificate of Compliance for work completed at 9 River View Lane.
The public hearing for the Notice of Intent filed by 22 Cove Street, LLC was continued until August 28 at the applicant’s request. The NOI is to subdivide a 3.61-acre parcel into three buildable lots off Beach Street and Converse Road.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 28 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Jean Perry