During the August 1 meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board, members of the Mattapoisett Tree Committee aired their continuing concerns that trees along designated scenic roadways are not receiving as much conservation as the committee would like.
Case in point: 26R Pine Island Road. Barbara Poznysz of the Tree Committee reported to the board that trees have been cut down along a stonewall situated on the scenic road. There ensued a discussion as to when, how and if the Planning Board can impose fines and restrictions for cutting trees along designated scenic roads such as Pine Island Road.
Members of the board seemed to recall a similar situation when trees had been cut down by a developer working along North Street. Member Karen Field recalled that fines were imposed and new trees were planted.
Board member John Mathieu said that the board could not exercise control over tree cutting, except when part of an overall site-plan review or in the town layout. When it was noted that fines had been levied in the past by the board, Mathieu said the board did not have a mechanism to impose fines. He wondered aloud if the trees in question were in the town’s layout, therefore jurisdictional to the board or on private property.
Tree Committee Chairman Sandy Hering said something needs to be done to ensure that contractors and homeowners understand their responsibilities with respect to scenic roads before construction begins.
In a follow-up with Mathieu, he stated that a review of the property in question via Google Earth appears to show the trees that were removed on Pine Island Road were on the interior of a stonewall. “The stonewall is in the town layout, but the trees appear to me to be on private property,” he said.
Acting Planning Board Chairman Nathan Ketchel said he would seek out documents regarding the North Street matter in an effort to make a determination as to what, if anything, the board can do about the Pine Island tree removal.
A three-lot subdivision for 0 Fairhaven Road (Form C land subdivision) proposed by JBL Fairhaven Road LLC, near the billboard on Route 6 was represented by David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc. The 4.35-acre site is bordered to the south on Route 6 (Fairhaven Road), he said, with lots approximately 45,000 square feet with 150 feet of frontage.
The site was a former gravel pit with an existing roadway running along the center. Davignon said that town departments all received copies of the plans, but to date no comments had been received. Also noted by Davignon included that FEMA flood plan mapping and Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species mapping did not include the proposed construction site.
Only two waivers are being pursued, Davignon said, one for relief of a 24-foot-wide entrance roadway coming into the site and no sidewalks because it is a short, private road. Mathieu asked why the developer didn’t build the road to specification required by the town for future town acceptance. Davignon was unsure.
James Massa, 44 Fairhaven Road, asked about green space and who owns it. Davignon said the developer owns from Route 6 to the interior of the site, which abuts town-owned property near Old Hammondtown School.
Davignon detailed what he called a simple catch-basin system draining into a drainage pond.
Massa also commented on the amount of wildlife currently in the site. Mathieu stated that the town has no requirement for the consideration of wildlife; those come from the state. The state had no comment on wildlife conservation for this project. Mathieu said the town currently has over approximately 12,000 acres or one-third of the town in some type of conservation restriction, protecting it from development.
Massa asked if the planned drainage systems were adequate. He was assured that an independent engineer would review the drainage calculations.
Massa seemed to waiver from the application before the board when he asked Mathieu how board members are selected. After being informed that the board is comprised of elected volunteers, Massa was directed to the town clerk’s office for further details.
The Form C discussion was continued until September 19.
A continuing discussion over roadway work on Split Rock Road was also continued, as no representative from the developer was present.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, August 15, at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell