In a remote access meeting on May 27, the Marion Conservation Commission spent the majority of its time addressing citizens’ inquiries related to flooding on Front Street. According to inquiries, large amounts of standing water had collected after significant rainfall events and inhibited the use of driveways along Front Street.
Bob Larson, the property manager for St. Gabriel’s Church, submitted the inquiry along with pictures of flooding around the church. His concerns stemmed from an increase in flooding that prevents the use of the driveway on the property after heavy rain.
“When the school is in session, (teachers) use that driveway all the time, and they take the children down the driveway to use the playground,” Larson told the commission. While the school is currently not in session due to the coronavirus, Larson feared that without a solution the problems would persist through reopening.
Chair Jeffrey Doubrava confirmed the increases in flooding. “I went the day after the heavy rainfall, and I observed lots of standing water on the driveway that separates 120 Front Street from St. Gabriel’s Church,” he said.
Larson suspected that the recent increases in flooding around the area were likely related to the construction of a new house next to the church. “This is something new that started with the construction of the property. The drainage from the property runs into the driveway. I don’t think they should be able to do more work without solving the existing problems,” said Larson.
In addition to the flooding problems, Doubrava noted that the property in question also may have constructed a retaining wall without proper approval from the commission. “The property owner had been in to see us about six weeks ago asking for a minor modification of the plan to put a retaining wall in place,” Doubrava explained.
That request for modification was denied by the commission on the basis that the property owner needed to go through an amended-order process. Despite the denial from the commission, the retaining wall has been constructed.
Doubrava also mentioned another citizen inquiry related to the same site that described an increase in filling in the surrounding wetlands area. On a visit to the site, Doubrava suggested that the increase in filling was not substantial, but unapproved changes to the property were present.
“The siltation barrier that essentially defines the wetlands area in the back of the property is still where it was before,” said Doubrava. “I don’t think there has been any filling of the wetlands, but there has been work done on the site not consistent with the approved plans.”
Vice-Chair Shaun Walsh noted inconsistencies with the original plans on his visit to the site as well. “I went to the site the day after the flooding complaints, and the retaining wall that I saw runs adjacent to the school and church property,” said Walsh. “My recollection is that the applicant was before us last time to construct a retaining wall to the rear of the lot along the wetlands. It was not on the plan of record approved when we issued the order of conditions.”
The property owners were scheduled to meet with the Conservation Commission on June 3 to further discuss their plans and explain changes to the construction site. Larson told the commission that he would appear at the public hearings along with other members of the neighborhood to provide feedback on the situation.
Commission members moved on to address a number of backlogged issues put before them.
A certificate of compliance was issued for water line and utility-line replacement work done on Moorings Road. The certificate was provided after workers successfully maintained a siltation barrier installed to protect surrounding wetlands. The work began three years ago, and the siltation barrier was successfully maintained up through last fall at the commission’s request.
Brian Arthur also received a certificate of compliance for the construction of a pier and modification to floats at 17 Moorings Road. On his site visit, Commission member Marc Bellanger confirmed that the construction matched the plans and turned out very well.
Susan Neilson, the engineer of the plan, provided the commission with the revised Chapter 91 license required for completion of the project. The license issued in May 2011 satisfied the requirements for the construction of a new float system.
The commission’s final business was related to a discussion of work being done on a lot north of 25 Cove Circle. Walsh explained that the owner of the lot seemed to have done some cutting and burning of vegetation without approval from the commission. The commission agreed to draft a letter explaining that the observed activity may be subject to jurisdiction, and no further activity should occur unless a request for determination of applicability is put to the commission.
The next Marion Conservation Commission meeting was scheduled to take place on June 3.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Matthew Donato