Robert Field of Field Engineering represented his client, Chase Canopy, as they sought permission from the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Planning Board to reconfigure their Fairhaven Road headquarters by building a new 8,000 square-foot building with other modifications to allow the business to consolidate its operation into one location.
Time was of the essence as a financial deadline in December inched closer, a deadline that required the applicant to receive all necessary local approvals before funding would be advanced.
On October 22, the final piece of the permitting puzzle was snapped into place. Field said that a long-awaited response from the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program had been received, and that the agency found the project, as defined, would not constitute a taking of wetlands.
The commission voted to grant the Notice of Intent application as presented with conditions, mandating that notice be given to the conservation office upon the start of construction and a copy of the conditions on site at all times to ensure the contractor adhered to the regulations.
The remaining four cases heard on this night were all represented by David Davignon of N. Douglas Schneider & Associates, Inc.
MJP Realty Trust, for property located at 2 Bay View Avenue, received a Negative determination of applicability for the installation of an outdoor shower, exterior structural improvements, removal of existing chimney, reconstruction of the roof, and relocation of a flagstone walkway.
Also receiving a Negative determination of applicability was Paul Frisco, 9 Second Street, for the relocation of an existing garage and construction of an attached garage to an existing dwelling. Davignon explained that the single-car garage would be repurposed into an accessory outbuilding, and that the majority of the work would take place in the buffer zone. Erosion control materials were included in the conditions ordered by the commission.
Patricia Cunniff, 9 Avenue A, sought permission for the abandonment of an existing cesspool and leaching field to allow for the construction of a new septic tank system. Davignon said Cunniff is selling the property and the new system would allow the new owners to make structural changes to the home in the future. The Notice of Intent filing was continued until November 14 to give Davignon time to prepare a new site plan featuring the new septic system.
Davignon also asked for a Certificate of Compliance for the same property for an expired order of conditions set for a NOI in which Davignon said no work had taken place. The commission approved the request clearing that encumbrance from the deed.
Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold reported that the Indian Cove Association located on Aucoot Cove had removed an unpermitted walkway and floating dock.
Leidhold also reported that an appeal of the Conservation Commission’s positive determination for the paving of Foster Street had been appealed to the Department of Environmental Protection, but that at the present time the appeal is on hold pending more documentation from the plaintiffs. She said the DEP had deemed the appeal “deficient,” but was giving the plaintiffs more time to prepare their case.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conversation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.
Mattapoisett Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell