On April 23, the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission began the process of reviewing a multi-structure project proposed off Marion Road/Route 6 by Stingray City Realty Corporation, William Bachant, for a parcel owned by Rahim Aghai.

Representing the applicant in the Notice of Intent hearing was Robert Rego, River Hawk Environmental, who presented the project described as one single-family dwelling and one two-family structure.

Rego said the project consists of 3.75 acres on the south side of Marion Road with a perennial stream bisecting the property. He said that construction would involve 200 feet of the riverfront area and would totally involve the 100-foot buffer zone with 10 percent of the area being developed.

Regarding sewer access, Rego said the project included three pump chambers that would move sewage to the public sewer service available to the site and that public water was also planned.

Stormwater and drainage management was described by Rego as including collection of roof runoff to surface chambers that would move the water to discharge basins.

It was noted from current photographs that the site had already been disturbed and evidenced dumping in jurisdictional areas.

Rego said that before construction, a permanent fence along the wetlands boundary could be installed and debris cleared.

Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold offered suggestions that included terracing of a severe slope to minimize runoff into wetlands, a pre-construction meeting and subsequent regular updates throughout duration of construction, and monitoring of the site during heavy rain events to avoid and mitigate erosion. She also asked the commissioners to consider whether or not a peer review consultant might be needed.

Chairman Mike King said, “I hope that your project won’t add to sediment flow.” He also said that dumping of construction materials, a problem the commission has had to deal with on other projects, could not be an issue on this one saying, “…That concerns us.” He also said he’d like to see firm start and completion dates for the project.

Commissioner Trevor Francis said he needed time to study the project and the potential for a peer review consultant.

King said, “Personally, I don’t think a consultant will give us anything more.” He asked if the Department of Environmental Protection had “weighed-in” on the project. Leidhold said they had not. “There’s no question we need housing stock in Mattapoisett,” King added.

The hearing was continued until May 15 at which time Rego will return with updated drawings based on the commission’s comments.

Also coming before the commission was David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates for Timothy Eilertsen, 0 Brant Island Road, for the construction of a single-family home.

The lot had previous been conditioned for construction by the commission, but now with a new owner the proposed residence and surrounding area had been changed. Eilertsen’s project would include adding fill and grading within the buffer zone to create a landscaped lawn space up to 5-feet along the 50-foot no-touch zone.

Davignon said that Natural Heritage’s April letter indicated no adverse impact from the project and that a permanent rail and post fence along the no touch zone would be installed. The Notice of Intent filing received standard conditioning by the commission and was green-lighted for development.

Davignon also represented Tom Jackivicz and Pamela Pierce for a vacant recreational lot located adjacent to 17 Third Street. The applicants proposed adding fill to the center of the lot to eliminate ponding during rain events, and construction of a patio and fire pit.

King said the patio would have to conform with standards for construction in a coastal zone; therefore, the patio would have to be dry-block versus poured concrete. The Request for Determination of Applicability filing received a Negative 3 determination.

Upgraded sewer projects filed under Requests for Determination of Applicability were approved for Diane and Susan Zartman, 116 Acushnet Road, and Patrick Diggings, 2 Bay Shore Drive.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for May 15 at 6:30 pm in the town hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

For one family, the April 18 meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals was like a Christmas morning, waking up to find you received what you had been dreaming of.

Representing the 6R North Street Nominee Trust, Thomas Dugan, was Doug Schneider of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, Inc. as they sought a Special Permit to build a small single-story addition to create a first-floor master bedroom suite to an existing home.

Previously the project had been described to the Conservation Commission as necessary in allowing the property owner to remain at home as health issues made accessing bedrooms and the only bathroom in the home on the second floor impossible. By creating a first floor suite, Dugan could remain in the home.

Schneider said the addition would be constructed on the north side of the existing dwelling with a 22-foot setback.

Representing several abutters whose property is located along Captain’s Lane was Attorney Peter Paul.

He identified his client as Vera Gibbons who he said extended her welcome to the returning family while sharing that the Gibbons wanted to be good neighbors and “…Are in favor of the project.” However, the issue of a drainage ditch came up again as it had during the Conservation Commission hearing the previous month.

Paul asked for assurances that the construction as proposed would not negatively impact the drainage along Captain’s Lane and that the Dugan family would maintain the ditch in good operating condition.

Schneider said construction did not include changes to the topography of the property, no grading was planned, and that Dugan had agreed to maintain the drainage ditch.

“Doug’s word is as good as gold,” Paul said, but he did ask that the ditch maintenance be memorialized in any decision made by the board.

Coming forward to speak in favor of the project was Daniel Briggs of 3 North Street who said historic drainage issues plagued the area, but that he didn’t see a problem with the project.

The project was approved with the drainage maintenance condition.

Also coming before the board was Carlton Veeder Construction for his client Robert Trudeau, 34 River Road, for the construction of a small 4-foot by 6-foot bump out to allow for a washing machine and dryer. The Special Permit was approved.

Finally, also seeking a Special Permit was Andrew Perkins for property owned by Byron Crampton, 10 Union Avenue. Perkins has been hired by the owners to construct a cantilevered deck addition to an existing home on stilts. He said the 4-foot addition would allow the family space to enjoy the home’s views. The request was approved as proposed.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for May 17 at 6:00 pm at the Town Hall.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

The Town’s new regionalized 911 emergency response system will likely be online before the May 21 Annual Town Meeting, expected to start on May 15 as the newest participant in the Regional Old Colony Communications Center in Duxbury.

In preparation for the switchover, ROCCC dispatchers have gone on over 20 ‘ride-alongs’ with Rochester officers to learn the various areas of Rochester and the landmarks and features unique to each part of Town.

Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar told the Rochester Board of Selectmen on April 23 that Rochester emergency responders have been meeting regularly with ROCCC representatives in Rochester for training and operations and protocol review sessions, and also to hold a meet-and-greet event to familiarize the staff from the Town and the ROCCC as they work closely together, even if remotely.

Szyndlar asked the board to attend any of the upcoming meetings as well to make for a more cohesive Town presence, and Szyndlar said she would be posting these meetings as selectmen meetings in case more than one arrives, constituting a quorum.

Also during the meeting, Szyndlar announced that the residents of the Annie Maxim House, a senior assisted living center, made a $400 donation to the Town in gratitude for making them feel “safe and sound.” The donation will be divided equally amongst the Fire, Highway, Police, and Ambulance Departments.

“That’s very kind of the residents at Annie Maxim,” said Selectmen Chairman Greenwood Hartley. “I’m sure each department will put that to good use.”

Although it was on the agenda, the Old Colony R.V.T.H.S District Committee Appointing Authority rescheduled for a separate special meeting with the selectmen for committee appointments on Thursday, April 26 at 6:00 pm at the Town Hall.

The next regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen will be May 7 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry