The Conservation Commission took action and pondered more action at Monday’s meeting.
Voting to redouble their efforts on enforcement at Leisure Shores Marina, members crafted language for a letter calling out the business for “unpermitted activities, which are causing pollution.” Those activities include boat-bottom cleaning, paint scraping, and ineffective quality control.
In addition, the Commission agreed to press the DEP on its oversight of a controversial project on Goodspeed Island, where neighbors and others reported numerous environmental violations – confirmed by the Conservation Commission in May.
“We’ve allowed DEP to take the lead,” said Chair Peter Newton while responding to residents’ questions Monday night. “But at some point we might have to take independent action.”
After some discussion and revisiting the issue later in the meeting, members voted to send a formal request to the DEP.
“I don’t think there’s a problem sending them a letter asking them to pick up the pace,” Newton said, “because this is a big issue for us.”
Elsewhere on the agenda, the Commission approved the installation and step tests for wells at the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Commission Pump Station off of Acushnet Road, but stopped short of giving the go-ahead on a prolonged pump test as part of the Notice of Intent. Drilling on the project will begin in August.
D&B Quality Construction received a Certificate of Compliance at 15 Cedarcrest Ave. after removing a deck, shower, and sauna tubes over protected wetlands on the property. D&B has also replanted blueberry and winterberry in the wetlands.
“I think it’ll grow back fairly quickly, now that it’s exposed,” Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold said.
The Conservation Commission also advised principals from the Mattapoisett Shores Association to apply for a Notice of Intent in their quest to implement a beach nourishment program.
The Commission acknowledged receipt of letters of interest for an open seat and planned to ask the Board of Selectmen for what will likely be an extension from Aug. 13 to Aug. 27 in recommending a candidate.
Finally, Leidhold reminded Mattapoisett residents of the importance of the Open Space Survey available for quick completion at www.mattapoisett.net. The survey offers residents a chance to have a say in the town’s plans.
The next Conservation Commission meeting is scheduled for Aug. 12.
By Shawn Badgley
