Issuing Enforcement Orders when property owners fail to abide by Orders of Conditions issued by a Conservation Commission or otherwise overstep established rules for the permit they received is one of the more difficult aspects of serving on such a municipal vetting board.
Other times, complaints received by a commission will be investigated and, if necessary, action taken. Many times, it is a simple misunderstanding on the part of the property owners.
During the October 11 public meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, standing Enforcement Orders were reviewed with contract environmental agent Brandon Faneuf. The good news is that most are in some stage of seeking compliance. When posting the agenda and discussing an EO, the commission publishes the last name only of the property owners.
A property located at 11 Meadowbrook Lane owned by Miranda is pending a filing, and 6 Dupont Drive owned by Talty is awaiting confirmation that a shed has been fastened as required by the state Wetlands Protection Act.
“Things are looking good,” stated Faneuf of 41 Cove Street, owned by Sylvia, for support beams for a new home planned on the barrier beach.
Shore View Avenue, owned by Barboza, and represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc., is pending further details from Davignon.
Property at 0 Dupont Drive, owned by Granahan, was reported by Faneuf as having had a percolation test completed, while Pico Beach Road, owned by Franceschina, was found in need of next steps. A complaint had been received that cutting along a barrier beach had taken place.
Faneuf said it was coming up on a one-year anniversary since Franceschina had been asked to attend a meeting to explain why trees and other vegetation had been cut down without commission oversight and permitting. While the property owner did attend a meeting with assurances that he would file for a permit, nothing has been forthcoming, it was noted. Commission Chairman Mike King said Faneuf was to send another letter explaining that the next step would be MassDEP involvement.
And, lastly, a new complaint for tree cutting at 26R Pine Island Road will be represented by Davignon at an upcoming Request for Determination of Applicability submission.
In other business, a Certificate of Compliance was issued to Scott Goddard, 50 Howard Beach. Two requests for Certificates of Compliance for lots on Brandt Beach Road filed by Ralph Cotellesso and Stephen Napolitano were vacated, given that no work was done. New Orders of Conditions have been issued.
Before adjourning for the evening, commissioner David Lawrence asked that people remember not to put grass clippings, leaves and other organic materials on other people’s property.
There will not be another meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission until Monday, November 14.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell