The Rochester Conservation Commission Tuesday continued its review of a Notice of Intent application to permit ecological restoration work at the former Stuart Cranberry Bog on Walnut Plain Road proposed by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.
Coalition consultants Alex Patterson and Sara Quintal explained when the hearing began at the last meeting that the plan is to remove the existing berms, culverts and irrigation lines, re-grade the bog surface, fill ditches, and create recreational improvements. The 230-acre parcel became cranberry bogs in the 1930s and discontinued as bogs only a few years ago. The BBC will restore 64 acres of the parcel back into natural wetlands.
On Tuesday, the commission asked Patterson and Quintal to hire someone to conduct a peer review of the site’s hydrological (water) issues. This conclusion came after Chair Christopher Gerrior reported the majority of residents who have contacted him have expressed this concern. The residents want to make sure will not be more flooding of their properties, he told them. “We need to see how the water moves there,” Gerrior said. “It’s a matter of how the restoration project will affect the neighbors. That will not adversely affect them. We want the hydrology of the whole setup.”
As Walnut Plain Road abutters in the hearing room looked on, Patterson said this project will not create more flooding. “The site will soak up the water and the water will not leave,” he said. The commission instructed Patterson and Quintal to suggest what peer-review firm they prefer. The commission will hire that firm. The Coalition will pay the tab. The commission then continued the hearing to its next meeting.
In other action, the commission also continued to its next meeting the Notice of Intent hearing for work within wetlands for a ground-mounted solar array in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road and the Notice of Intent hearing on the construction and installation of floating and ground-mounted solar arrays at 53 Dexter Lane, both upon the petitioners’ requests.
Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported plans to address the problem with the invasive plant species milfoil growing within Snipatuit Pond, as well as the town’s other ponds, Snow’s, Leonard, and Hathaway. The options to eliminate the weeds are either herbicide treatments or a harvesting machine, she said. But a map survey of the pond should be the first step and should be done soon. Such a survey would cost the town $5,000. The commission approved spending for this plan, “and the town administrator will source funds,” Gerrior said.
Kelly reported the solar projects on Snipatuit Road, Featherbed Road, and Braley Hill Road have begun construction. Gerrior said residents need to know that they will soon see a lot of tree cutting in those areas because of those projects and should be aware of that.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco