Members of Marion’s Conservation Commission issued an Emergency Certification on January 14, Conservation Commission Chair Jeff Doubrava revealed at a January 22 meeting, after illegal dumping was reported by town residents.
“We noted illegal dumping off of Point Road, almost immediately across from Blackmore Pond Road,” he explained, adding that the parcel is owned by the Town of Marion. “It’s been pretty well cleaned up now, but we did have to issue an emergency order to get the mess cleaned up as quickly as possible.”
Doubrava added that the dumping was not immediately visible from the road; the mess was reported by a town resident walking through the property.
It was unclear how long any dumping has been going on. Once the Emergency Certification was ordered, the site was cleaned and the soil tested for any contamination. Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh made it clear that he wanted more action to be taken on illegal dumping at the site, as well as in general. The biggest culprit at this particular site, he added, is an unlocked town gate that provides easy access for people to drive in and dispose of unwanted material.
“I’m concerned that there’s a gate on the town property that is wide open at all times,” Walsh said. “This is what happens when someone cleans out a house and dumps it back here. I would encourage the town to think about liability,” Walsh continued, “as well as the expense to the townspeople whenever the lot needs to be cleaned. The cost to the taxpayers is preventable, and so is any environmental contamination. I encourage that the gate be locked, and the keys given to the appropriate town officials.”
Board members threw out a few ideas; Doubrava said he was willing to draft a letter to be sent to the town administrator requesting that the property be locked continuously.
“We’ll look at the draft together at the next meeting, and hopefully officially sign it then,” he stated.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for February 12 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Andrea Ray
Since when did Blackmore Pond Road run off of Point Road , try County Road.