The Rochester Conservation Commission on July 2 gave its blessing for aspiring Eagle Scout Jacob Andrews of Troop 31 to cut back an overgrown path at the YMCA property off Snow’s Pond Road, a place the YMCA has allowed the scouts to use as a camp for some time now.
Andrews’ Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) proposed to flush-cut some shrubs that have invaded a path the YMCA uses to access the Mattapoisett River, and to widen the path no greater than 8 feet.
“The YMCA has been pretty good towards letting us use the camp,” Andrews said, “so we figured we’d do some good for them, and it’s not going to harm the environment because we’re just flush-cutting the shrubs so that the soil doesn’t erode, and there’s going to be no harming of the aquatic plants near the base of the path.”
According to scoutmaster and commission member Kevin Thompson, who recused himself from the vote, the troop will be coming before the commission again in the future with a maintenance plan for the path to alleviate any concerns that the path would suffer another series of years of negligence and keep the path clear.
Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon said she walked the site with Andrews who showed her the scope of the work he wants to complete.
“It’s a project that can be done without any adverse impacts to the wetland resource areas bordering on Snipatuit Pond,” Farinon said, further recommending that the commission issue a Negative determination for Andrews’ RDA so no Notice of Intent would need to be filed.
The commission concurred and gave the Negative determination.
Also during the meeting, the commission had to continue the public hearing for the
Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation filed by Erica Buster and Simpson Solar, LLC to confirm 10,100 linear feet of wetland boundary and 1,600 linear feet of a riverfront area at 102 Quaker Lane.
Steve Gioioso of SITEC Engineering went over the application to confirm the delineation at the 64-acre parcel, although he was not yet ready to disclose any information on any potential project for the site, saying that the applicant was at least a month away from being ready to come before the commission again with an actual project proposal.
Farinon requested a continuation to allow for more time to review the extensive wetlands line, stating that she was currently facing two major deadlines for two other projects and would require the assistance of a peer-review wetlands scientist. She named local wetlands specialist John Rockwell as her chosen consultant, which Gioioso approved.
The hearing was continued until August 6.
In other matters, the commission issued a certificate of compliance for Danny and Victoria Hughes, 549 Walnut Plain Road, having determined that the proposed two-story garage was constructed according to plan.
The commission issued a Negative determination for the RDA filed by John Maffei, 739 Snipatuit Road, to remove wild vegetation from the landscaped area, remove concrete debris, clean catch basins and the surrounding pavement, apply new sod, and sealcoat pavement within 100-foot Buffer zone.
The public hearing for REpurpose Properties for the age-restricted residential development slated for Rounseville Road beside Plumb Corner Mall was continued until August 6 at the request of the applicant.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for July 16 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Jean Perry