The Marion Conservation Commission met on April 8 in the Police Station and remotely for numerous public hearings.
The first was for a Request for Determination of Applicability for the reconstruction of a pool, spa, and patio at 11 Reservation Way by applicant Roger Holmes. The project also encompassed various landscape improvements. Todd MacDonald of from Homesite Construction Engineers served as project representative, who explained the project was to replace structures and installations already present while “essentially” maintaining their locations. There is currently a fence that surrounds the pool area, with all work being done within said zone. Without much questioning, the hearing was closed
Next was another Request for Determination of Applicability. This time, for the construction of a timber deck with railing atop an existing pier at 24 West Drive. The applicant was 24 West Drive LLC, which was represented by Will Saltonstall who noted, “we’re proposing minor improvements.” Saltonstall said the current structure is neither safe nor secure, with a new carpentry project being built atop the current base which was cited as being near the shore. Without any questions, Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee said, “I don’t have any questions. I agree, it’s pretty straightforward.” The hearing was closed.
After a bit of small talk to get back to time, a Notice of Intent filed by Melissa Cruz was discussed for the treatment and management of invasive reeds and shrubbery at 13 Holly Road. A wetland scientist from Guard Consulting served as representative who explained that much of the property is salt marsh, which he added, “is composed nearly entirely of invasive phragmites reeds.” The consultant said, “what we are proposing is a substantial amount of invasive-species management.” He said herbicides used would be the same for other local floral management, being Glyphosate and Imazamox.
Following this, the representative added, “all the work will strictly adhere to the labels of those herbicide products, because that is federal law, and those things are highly vetted through both the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) at the federal level as well as Mass Department of Agricultural Resources at the state level.”
Though he noted both are approved for public use, a 2025 study by George Mason University cites glyphosate as carcinogenic as well as the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying glyphosates as a probable human carcinogen in 2015.
Questions from the ConCom highlighted that machinery brought to the site would convert fallen branches or other decayed plants to mulch and remain on site. Nothing is planned to be replanted, and the representative said, “native vegetation tends to recolonize on its own without much assistance.” The hearing was closed with a unanimous vote.
The final public hearing was another Request for Determination of Applicability by Jeff Doubrava of 47 East Ave for landscape renovation as well as the installation of an electrical conduit line for the property’s pier. For this hearing, Doubrava recused himself as a commissioner due to himself being the applicant, though he did give the presentation on the project. The hearing for the property on Planting Island was closed with a unanimous vote and without many questions from the commission.
In rendering decisions, first was 11 Reservation Way which received unanimous approval with a Negative Determination as the work will not heavily alter the grounds. Next, 24 West Drive also received unanimous approval with a Negative Determination due to similarly minimal ground impact.
Ther work at 13 Holly Road was unanimously approved with minimal changes to the wording of the project plan. The commission also added a stipulation that indigenous plantlike must be added to the wetlands after a few years should none naturally grow. The project at 47 East Ave. received unanimous approval with a Negative Determination, though commissioner Jeff Doubrava left the room before the vote.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department with remote access through Microsoft Teams.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop