Marion Conservation Commission member Jeff Doubrava recused himself from his commission role for his February 10 public hearing as an applicant in a Notice of Intent to improve access from 47 East Avenue to the waters of Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the longstanding, bottom-anchored chain system with a plan to replace with a pile-held anchoring system.
The chain system tends to scour the bottom and mess with eelgrass and shellfish habitat, according to Conservation Commission Chairperson Shaun Walsh.
Representing Doubrava, Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, & Leone told ConCom that all feedback from the state Division of Marine Fisheries has been positive and that the Army Corp of Engineers has signed off on the project. The National Heritage and Endangered Species Program also communicated approval, according to Davignon.
Walsh asked for an explanation about the proposed float expansion that will require a Chapter 91 license due to the expansion on the seaward end of the piles. Doubrava confirmed that the 3-foot expansion to the existing float is intended to make it easier for boats to load and unload passengers.
“It’s an environmental improvement to that area, so it’s a good project,” said Walsh, who called Davignon’s presentation a great overview of the project.
Four piles instead of two will make it possible to chain the piles together, allowing the owner to hoist the float up to the level of the pier to offseason storage, eliminating the need for a boatyard to haul away the float.
The public hearing was continued until February 24.
As an abutter, Doubrava recused himself from the case of John A. & Carole F. Whittemore, 51 East Avenue, in their Notice of Intent to improve access to the waters of Planting Island Cove, Sippican Harbor, and Buzzards Bay for recreational boating, fishing, and swimming by removing the existing bottom-anchored chain system and replace it with a pile-held anchoring system.
Representing the Whittemores as well, Davignon said the project was filed at the same time and is on the same path as Doubrava’s project of the same nature with all the same endorsements. Calling it a “no-brainer,” Walsh only asked Davignon if the chains would be permanently removed after the completion of both projects. Davignon confirmed that to be the plan.
The public hearing was continued until February 24.
The continued public hearing in which Blankenship Trust, LLC filed a Notice of Intent to construct an in-ground swimming pool, perimeter patio, and retaining wall with clearing, filling, and grading at 468 Point Road ended with ConCom issuing a special Order of Conditions, green-lighting the project.
In a continued case, ConCom voted to issue the Town of Marion Facilities Department a Negative 3 determination of applicability for its proposed installation of two 100-gallon propane tanks at Pumping Station Road.
In another continued case, ConCom voted to issue Karen Chacon a Negative 2 and 3 determination of applicability, clearing the way for the construction of a ramp on the side of her house at 98 Dexter Road.
The Kittansett Club’s repeated continuances for its NOI to expand parking is delayed as the club works with an abutter and the town to potentially modify the plan. According to Walsh, the Planning Board reached out to the engineer, learning that a revised plan is in the works, but Kittansett requested and has been allowed a three-month continuance to May 12.
Arthur Brenner of Alewives Anonymous, Inc. provided Marion with a compact disc containing photographs of his company’s cleaning along the Sippican River. Alewives Anonymous, Inc. has been moving fallen trees and other obstructions out of the way of herring that need to swim to their breeding grounds in Snipatuit Pond in Rochester.
Under correspondence, the commission received a copy of a site plan from Rochester-based Charon (engineering) Associates for a Title V septic upgrade filed by Rivier University (New Hampshire) for property at 9 Pleasant Street.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, at 7:00 pm.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Mick Colageo