Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday continued its public hearing on the Notice of Intent application to install two stone posts at the end of the driveway at 67 Old Schoolhouse Road to September 3 after complaints from a meeting room packed with abutters.
Mark Hughes of 63 Old Schoolhouse Road said he was looking for the exact location of that new gate because the Highway Department told him he had to have a turnaround for emergency vehicles and trash haulers at his part of the road. He and other abutters expressed concern that there be enough turnaround space for these vehicles.
Applicant and 67 Old Schoolhouse Road resident Nicholas Araujo said his driveway was never a turnaround area. He explained he was there to reapply for an Order of Conditions issued by the commission that had expired. That application included having to remove a section of his loam and relocate it into his yard.
Commission Cochairman Ben Bailey motioned for the continuance after noting the abutters concerns were beyond the ConCom’s jurisdiction because they are about “health and safety,” not conservation. Bailey said the abutters need the time to find an official plan that specifies the need for a turnaround configuration at that end of the street. Otherwise, the ConCom would have no reason to deny the location of the gate.
“You have to have some document from someone that says he can’t have a gate there,” Bailey said. Hughes agreed to find that documentation.
Next, the commission approved the Notice of Intent application to install a temporary access path to the Town of Marion’s North Well on New Bedford Road after a plea from Marion Department of Public Works engineer Meghan Davis.
Davis explained the road to that well has deteriorated of late because of the wetlands there, but road access is needed there to fix recent electrical issues as soon as possible.
Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior said this will be a NOI for a temporary path, while Marion creates a design and files a NOI for a permanent road. Davis said Marion would like to begin the work in August or September when the conditions there are the driest possible. The board approved the NOI with standard conditions.
In other action, the commission approved certificates of compliance for the completion of work to construct a single-family home at 198 Burgess Avenue, a single-family dwelling at 48 Bowen’s Lane, a single-family house at 203 High Street, a single-family home at 610 North Street, a single-family dwelling at 60 Clapp Road, and to demolish an 8×10-foot shed with associated earth work and clearing of vegetation at 422 High Street. Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly explained most of these are projects finished years ago that never received their compliance certificates.
The commission further discussed the Herring Run Restoration and Maintenance project, which intends to clear the sometimes-clogged herring-run area from Hartley Farm Pond to the start of the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race.
Bailey said he and member Bill Milka took a canoe out to that area of the pond and measured the depth of the mud and vegetation. The commissioners agreed the current plan should be utilizing mats made of old railroad ties to cushion the small excavation equipment that will scoop out that clogging material. Bailey said he will prepare a map based on his and Milka’s measurements.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco