The November 27 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission found Chairman Mike King explaining what the commission’s role is in the Notice of Intent application filed by Allan Pineda and Mary Manning, 33 Church Street. The former Water Department building nestled in the heart of the village was sold to Pineda and Manning, who have plans to demolish the existing, single-story structure and construct a two-story residence.
During the project’s initial review by the ZBA earlier in November, the board sent the project back to conservation before opening the filing. Present at that meeting, an abutter represented by Attorney Perry listed a number of reasons why the sale was improperly executed by the town. ZBA Chairman Susan Akin said those matters would be addressed at the ZBA’s December meeting.
King said that state regulations require the commission to review the project to determine if it has any jurisdiction. After a review of the NOI application represented by Andy Stackpole of Field Engineering, the commissioners ruled that the project met the Wetlands Protection Act and the performance standards as noted by FEMA.
The project was conditioned with a few special conditions, including the removal of demolished waste from the property versus stockpiling on the site, a designated washout space for concrete and a visible fencing of the site. The project is now slated to return to the ZBA, which will make the determination of the Special Permit and Variance application pending.
When asked by abutter T.J. Bolger of 31 Church Street if the lot is buildable, King said the commission is charged with upholding the Wetlands Protection Act, not zoning issues. But, “if someone spends the money – a lot of old lots become buildable – a person has a right to protect their investment,” he added.
In other business, a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by Philip and Gaynor Frost, 112 Mattapoisett Neck Road, for verification of wetland types and boundaries, received a Negative Box 1 decision. Also receiving a negative decision was a RDA filed by the Mattapoisett Highway Department for drainage work along Fairhaven Road to Acushnet Road.
A NOI filed by Jay Dupont, 12 Old Mattapoisett Neck Road, for septic upgrades, was continued to December 11, pending state Department of Environmental Protection numbering.
Stephen Schwartz, 48A Shore Drive, received conditioning for a NOI requesting approval to repair an existing stone jetty.
Two Certificates of Compliance were issued to David Meeker, 93 Mattapoisett Neck Road, and, David and Mary Wilson, 15 Fieldstone Road.
The commission discussed the need to change approximately half of the 2024 meeting schedule from Mondays to Tuesdays, allowing for environmental agent Brandon Faneuf’s new schedule. The agent will be assisting another community.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, December 11, at 6:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell