Rochester’s Conservation Commission approved plans for MassDOT Cape Main Rail and Transit railroad tracks and a pig farm at its meeting on Tuesday, September 1.
In response to a request for a Determination of Applicability to conservation bylaws for MassDOT’s proposal to remove vegetation within the wetlands buffer zone around its third track near SEMASS, the commission issued a Negative Determination, meaning no further ConCom review is required.
Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly explained that the agency wants to trim and clear brush, shrubs and grass to rehabilitate that track. Commission chair Christopher Gerrior questioned only whether the work was entirely within the railroad. Kelly responded that it was.
With that, the commission approved the negative determination unanimously.
Also on the agenda, the commission granted a negative determination for a plan presented by Cody Woods to add a small pig pond to his 14-acre pig farm on Northern Avenue. Woods told the board he submitted a layout of his plan, even though it is work he is allowed to do because his property is agricultural. He said it is a construction.
It would need ConCom’s approval if it were a reconstruction. Here, too, the board’s negative determination was quick and unanimous. In other action, the board approved a Certificate of Compliance for substantial completion of a home construction at 28 Marion Road.
The commission continued to October 6 the Notice of Intent hearing on a plan to construct a garage, shed, stone retaining wall, fence and 12-foot-wide gravel driveway extension and gate at a single-family dwelling at 527 High Street.
The board continued to September 15 the 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 board continued to September 15 the Notice of Intent hearing for High Street Solar, Site B, which proposes work within the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone for a massive ground-mounted solar array on the northern lots of the site near Mayflower Lane.
The next Rochester Conservation Commission meeting will be on September 15 at 7:00 pm. at the Town Office Building, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco