The executive director of the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) returned to the Marion Conservation Commission on December 12 to take another shot at a proposal to improve the popular trail to Brainard Marsh on Delano Road.
Jim Bride revisited the proposal he had made at the previous meeting of the commission, suggesting this evening that the Trust would use wooden walkways instead of stone to improve sections of the path to Brainard Marsh. Bride proposed installing 26 12-foot sections totaling 312 feet, through the wettest portions of the trail.
The walkways will be 29 inches wide, made of 2-inch by 10-inch pressure-treated planks, held together by 2-inch by 4-inch cleats, anchored to the ground by a metal stake with a 10-foot line to prevent the walkways from being washed away in a major flood event.
Vice Chairman Shaun Walsh observed that a storm surge in the location of the walkway probably would not be enough to impact the wooden sections. Walsh confirmed with Bride that the sections would be raised approximately 2 inches off the ground.
Chairman Jeff Doubrava reiterated the commission’s previous concern about any stone being used for the project; when issuing the Negative determination for the project, the commission stated only woodchips could be used for leveling the walkway sections.
In other matters, the commission heard a summary of the report by Brandon Faneuf for the Severance property on Front Street. Faneuf reported that growth of wetland vegetation was successful, with winterberry and other wetland plants thriving. He intends to develop an Amended Order of Conditions for this parcel in the coming months.
The Dejesus property was another story on which, at the direction of the landscaper consultant for the property owner, nothing had been planted. Faneuf implored the commission to be patient, and guaranteed that plantings on the parcel would be done by May 2019.
Doubrava raised the possibility of a violation of the conservation restriction at The Cove, held by the commission, where a fence was installed on what appeared to be restricted land. A new member of the board of The Cove, Kathy Reed, addressed the commission and explained the motive behind the installation of the fence.
As a result of recent storms, trees that had formerly shielded the homes of residents at The Cove from car headlights had been destroyed. The Cove had installed the fence this past September.
Doubrava underscored the paragraph in the restriction that states that the grantee has the discretion to determine if the construction of a permanent or temporary structure should be allowed if it is determined to be necessary or desirable in the best interests of the permissible uses of the premises. Walsh asked that the commission discuss the issue at a future meeting so that he and other commissioners may have time to more closely review the document.
The commission reviewed and issued an Order of Conditions for a Notice of Intent filed by Michael Vareika for lots located at 122 Register Road, on which it is proposed to remove and trim trees and shrubs adjacent to the existing dwelling. Doubrava suggested that the stumps of any trees located within the 15 foot “No Activity Zone” or adjacent to the wetland should be left in place or ground down. He also informed the board that an extension to an existing Order of Conditions on a septic replacement for the same address is on the commission’s agenda for January.
The commission issued a Negative determination for Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) by Jim Forker, represented this evening by his architect Ben Gifford, to add three sonotubes for support under a “bump out” for a revised stair and porch on an existing dwelling at 35 Spring Street.
Jay Feeney received a Negative determination for his RDA to demolish a house and reseed the site located at 270 Delano Road, provided that siltation barriers are installed between the areas of disturbance and the Weweantic River.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is yet to be determined.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sarah French Storer