The July 10 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission was by far one of the shortest and easiest meetings this commission had seen in a very long time.
Before the hearings began, which started a bit late as commissioner Michael King was delayed and unable to hit the 6:30 pm start time, commissioner Trevor Francis made a motion.
Francis said he wanted to nominate King as chairman, a vacancy created by the departure of long-time commission member Bob Rogers. “Only because you’ve been here the longest,” said Francis. “I’d be more comfortable if you’d act as the chairman for the time being,” he said. Francis added that given his limited time on the commission, he didn’t feel qualified for the chairman’s post.
Commissioner Chapman Dickerson seconded Francis’ motion. King thanked the commissioners and opened the meeting.
There were three Notice of Intent hearings, each of which subsequently received permission to move forward with what the commissioners called “special standard conditions” imposed on the proposed activities.
When asked what those special standard conditions included, King said that in the near future the commission would be tasked with reviewing standard, special standard, and special conditions to make the process more “streamlined.”
Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold explained that, presently, special standard conditions may include the mandate for installation of dewatering pits, delineation of work area, notice to the office, erosion controls, and photographs. King said a full list of conditions is available in the commission office.
Coming before the commission on this night were: The Mattapoisett Land Trust, 0 Acushnet Road, for the creation of a 40-foot walking path and selective pruning of invasive vegetation; Robert and Sharon Bates, 9 West Hill Road, represented by Linda Pinto of Oceanside Septic, Inc., for septic system upgrades; and Anthony Giorgio for 6 Shore Drive LLC, represented by Carmelo Nicolosi of Charon Associates for the construction of a patio space on an undeveloped coastal beach lot and invasive species removal.
Concluding the regular business of the evening, Leidhold reported to the commission that Brad Holmes, environmental engineer monitoring the conditions at the Crystal Spring Solar Array Phase One, confirmed the site had stabilized and that the Town might wish to discontinue his involvement.
The commissioners decided to individually visit the site to witness Holmes’ conclusion and, if satisfied, end his monitoring activities by vote at the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for July 24 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission