During the closing minutes of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission’s April 11 meeting, conservation contract agent Brandon Faneuf and associate Greg Lacroix brought up stormwater issues found at the new condominium project known as Stingray City, located on Marion Road.
What initially was a simple request for a minor change to the Order of Conditions issued to the owner/developer of Stingray City, Bill Bachant, became a bit more complicated when Faneuf and Lacroix went to the site.
Bachant asked what he could do about water entering his development from an adjacent property on the west boundary. Faneuf and Lacroix said they witnessed water coming from a pipe. Conservation Commission Chairman Mike King wondered aloud if such matters are jurisdictional to the commission. Faneuf said possibly, if stormwater was being discharged into the wetlands.
The Order of Conditions modification requested by Bachant was noted as the use of an existing stonewall as the permanent wetlands marker versus being required to install a split-rail fence. The commissioners quickly authorized the small change. On the matter of stormwater issues, however, things remained uncertain.
King said, “This may be a civil matter; you are not supposed to discharge water on someone else’s property.” It was determined that the stormwater issues do not fall to the commission for adjudication. No action was taken.
Faneuf also reported that a complaint has been lodged against property owner William Clapp for a permitted summer camp parcel at the end of Mattapoisett Neck Road. Previously, Clapp had received permission from the commission to do some minor lawn cutting during the growing season. Now it seems a fire pit at the campsite is problematic.
Clapp attended the meeting via Zoom, saying, “I was surprised to find it there.” He said he and his family had not built the primitive fire pit on his property and that he cannot monitor the site continuously to ensure it does not violate wetland regulations. “I’m happy to do whatever the commission wants me to do.”
The commission found no problem with the fire pit, thus no action was taken. But Clapp asked if other camp parcels in the area complies with wetland regulations. King said an investigation of properties in the area is needed.
Earlier in the proceedings, King acknowledged Barry Lima for his application to fill an empty seat on the commission with the resignation of Chapman Dickerson. Lima said his background includes being a call firefighter in Mattapoisett and a medic with the Air National Guard. Lima said he is a carpenter with 30 years of experience. He confirmed he does not, however, have experience with Conservation Commission responsibilities and associated rules and regulations but is willing to learn.
King said that Lima was the only resident to come forward to volunteer for the vacated seat and assured him that most of the commissioners have learned about wetland rules after being appointed by the Select Board. King asked Lima, “What would you say is more important, development or preservation?” Lima responded, “A little bit of both.” King’s final comment, “You just need a willingness to serve with an open mind.” The commissioners agreed to send Lima’s letter of interest to the Select Board for confirmation.
Three requests for determination of applicability received negative decisions. Those filings were: Richard Boynton, 32 Church Street, for the construction of a deck; Dennis Mahoney and Son for the removal of trees downed by storms off Nicky’s Lane and Peter and Hannah Asci, 9 Highland Avenue, to demolish an existing home and build a new single-family home.
Four Notice of Intent filings by Christian Farland for lots located in the subdivision known as Brandt Point Village were continued to April 25.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 25, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell