On June 10 as the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission prepared to open their meeting, Chairman Mike King, in an aside to his fellow board members, said that this was his second to last meeting. King said that his appointment to the commission was ending on July 1 when the new fiscal year began and that he had not heard anything from the selectmen regarding reappointment.

            Later in the evening, just before adjournment, The Wandererasked King if he would be approaching the selectmen to seek reappointment. He replied, “No.” King has served on the commission since 2012.

            The rest of the evening was spent handling a number of Requests for Determination of Applicability (RDA) and Notice of Intent (NOI) Filings.

            The most complex hearing was a filing by Ryan Potter of 7 Melissa Ann Lane whose RDA request for the installation of a 27-foot above ground pool uncovered unpermitted activities.

            The Potters had used a space on their property as a dumping area for grass clippings and stones they moved from an area where a goat pen and shed had been constructed. Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold showed Potter on a drawing submitted by the previous owner what had, in fact, been permitted on the property.

            The issue for the Potters and the commission was jurisdictional wetlands and buffer zones that had been disturbed by unpermitted activities and that an abutter had questioned the filling in of wetlands and a vernal pool. Leidhold confirmed the existence of the pool.

            Abutter Carol Larson, 12 Bayberry Lane, complained that Potter had been filling in wetlands on his property, and although she had no complaint with the proposed pool construction, the threat to the vernal pool was troubling.

            King agreed that some activities on the property had disturbed resource areas but thought that the pool could be permitted given it was not within those areas. He suggested, and Leidhold agreed, that action was necessary to remediate buffer zones and protect the pool in question.

            Potter was granted a Negative 3 determination for the pool, but was instructed to file an after-the-fact RDA so the disturbed resource areas could be addressed and corrected no later than September 1.

            There was also a bit of confusion when Scott Snow’s continued hearing for an NOI filing for a proposed subdivision located off Prospect Road re-opened. Prime Engineering’s Richard Rheaume who has represented Snow and property owners David and Cheryl Morey and Joanne Garfield throughout the nearly yearlong process approached the commissioners.

            King addressed Rheaume saying, “We received a note from the Planning Board. … There are still a couple of items to be cleared up.” He continued, “You are free to present whatever you want but until they sign-off, we aren’t going to approve…”

            Rheaume responded, “They (the Planning Board) said they wouldn’t approve without you!” He then pointed out on the plan of record those items the Planning Board had wanted spelled out on the plans. King noted the seven waivers that were granted. 

            After further review, King said, “I can’t see anything ConCom-related that would stop approval.” He then closed the public hearing.

            The commission issued an Order of Conditions, which included an operation and maintenance plan for stormwater features that the homeowners association would be responsible for, and that the project could not commence until the Planning Board gave their final decision.

            In other business, David and Jennifer Kaiser, 54 Ocean Drive, received a Negative 3 decision for the construction of a two-car garage and two-story addition; Alyssa Kratochvil, 123 North Street received a Negative 3 decision for the construction of an above ground pool.

            Wetlands delineation for property located off Park Lane and owned by Andre Rieksts and Scott and Margo Wilson-Atkinson was accepted with the caveat that other wetlands and jurisdictional areas may be uncovered at a future date. The RDA filing was given a Positive 2A decision.

            The following cases were continued until June 24: NOI filed by Michael Ward, 26 Meadowbrook Lane, for the construction of a handicap lift; NOI filed by David Kaiser/Kaiser Yachts LLC for repair and improvements to coastal structures; and an NOI filed by the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Georgia Glick for property located at Noyes Avenue and Dyar Road for the eradication of invasive species.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 24 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

            The Rochester Planning Board finished quickly with its business on the June 11 agenda with the continuation of two public hearings and the closing of one uncomplicated application, leaving plenty of time for some solar project updates needing attention.

            After giving Town Planner Steve Starrett some flak for vouchers seeking reimbursement for an over $200 phone charger and $40 in mileage reimbursement, the board heard Starrett’s update on some solar projects in town that have seen sunnier days.

            It was all in good fun until Johnson referred to Starrett as the “current town planner,” which Starrett and the board laughed off.

            The contractors of the Mendell Road solar farm have left the site, Starrett said, “But they’re not finished yet.”

            Borrego Solar System employee Steve Long assured Starrett that he would come to the site personally to make sure the remaining finishing touches to the landscape are completed. There is still some seeding to be done, but the landscaping is coming along, said Starrett.

            Another issue at the site is the responsibility of Eversource, Starrett stated. The 80-foot apron at the curb has been changed to a straight drive, but the work must wait for Eversource to be completed.

            “We’re waiting for Eversource,“ said Starrett. “We don’t have any control over it.”

            Starrett said Borrego is looking into a possible third solar project in Rochester on Walnut Plain Road. A possible project on Rounseville Road has been held up, Starrett said.

            “We will see the new project on Walnut Plain before we even see that,” said Starrett. “That one may not even happen.”

            Over at the solar farm on Snipatuit Road owned by IGS, formerly owned by Melink, some shrubs that are part of the landscape plan have died from an apparent disease, Starrett said.

            “So they’ll have to deal with that,” said Starrett.

            At the solar farm on 268 Mattapoisett Road, the grass isn’t any greener.

            “Apparently, their new maintenance people went in and sprayed Roundup (herbicide) on … every single row of panels and within two or three days killed everything and killed the soil,” said Starrett. “It’s a huge error.”

            The board was concerned since the use of chemicals and herbicides is prohibited in the written decision.

            Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson said he attended a site visit and said, “We gave them ten days to remediate and put grass in … or we’re gonna reopen the hearing and possibly revoke their permit.”

            Starrett said the multi-acre site would have to be scraped and hydro-seeded and completely re-done.

            “Every row in the entire project,” he said. “It was looking good: it’s too bad.”

            In other business, the board closed the public hearing for a special permit for a back lot filed by Mark and Susan Trahan of 243 Mattapoisett Road.

            “I think it looks pretty straightforward,” Johnson said.

            Town counsel will prepare a draft decision for the board to consider at the next meeting.

            The public hearing for the Site Plan Review for Sophia Darras care of Patricia McArdle, Rounseville Road, was continued until June 11 at the applicant’s request.

            The public hearing for REpurpose Properties, LLC was continued until June 11 as well, as this and the prior application is running in tandem. REpurpose is seeking to construct an age-restricted residential development in the vacant land beside Plumb Corner.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for June 25 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry