Marion’s dubious distinction as the only area town lacking a conservation agent is scheduled for demolition after Conservation Commission Chair Shaun Walsh told the June 23 meeting of the commission that the town is looking to hire an agent to work 19 hours per week.
The news was met with approval by the commission, which heretofore has been hiring consultants when cases require levels of expertise beyond what can reasonably be brought to a case by ConCom’s members.
In the meeting’s only new public hearing, Fred Trezise and Joan Gerster filed a Request for Determination of Applicability for the removal of 10 shallow root, tall white pine trees endangering their house and limb removal of a few limbs overhanging the roof area, along with associated species at 22 River View Lane. After a site visit, Walsh said he had no concerns with the proposal and praised the well-organized application. Walsh and ConCom member Cynthia Callow said the trees were well marked on the property.
After closing the public hearing, the commission voted to issue a Negative 2 and 3 Determination of Applicability. Commission member Jeff Doubrava added special conditions limiting tree removal to those marked and sought. Doubrava pointed out the difference between the application and another case also heard on June 23 filed by John and Cynthia Paliotta for land management at 119 Converse Road. Doubrava’s point was that, should the trees at at 22 River View Lane fall, they would fall right through the applicants’ roof.
After a continued public hearing was closed, the commission voted to award Blankenship Trust LLC filed an Order of Conditions for its proposed beach nourishment at 468 Point Road.
Walsh reported correspondence on June 17 from Natural Heritage, stating that in the state agency’s opinion the project would not adversely affect the resource area habitat of state-listed, wild, rare species and would not result in a prohibitive case under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act.
The Paliottas’ Notice of Intent filing for a Land Management Plan involving the eradication of invasive plants and other activities at 119 Converse Road was continued from ConCom’s last meeting, and on June 23 the commission voted to continue the hearing to Wednesday, July 14, at 7:00 pm.
ConCom members Cynthia Callow, Doubrava and Walsh visited the site. “There was good conversation between (Marion consultant) Bob Gray and the Paliotta’s consultants,” noted Walsh, who reported that revisions will be made to the site plan that was submitted and points will be surveyed.
The commission voted to approve two three-year extensions on the order of conditions for the Dexter Beach Improvement Association.
The association had filed two requests for extension, one at 962 Beach Road in its proposal to manage phragmites and another for its proposal of a beach nourishment project. Walsh said the site has improved, but a stand of phragmites continues to stand at an adjacent private property and will eventually encroach on the applicant’s property. The second extension will allow up to 100 cubic yards of sand added on an as-needed basis.
Island Associates of Marion requested a Certificate of Compliance for its work to mitigate flooding at Planting Island Causeway with an infiltration basin that traps sediment. An Order of Conditions was awarded last October.
Walsh noted that representative Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone Inc., stated in his request that the project is in compliance with all requests of the commission. Doubrava recused himself from the case, but the rest of the commission in attendance all voted to approve the Certificate of Compliance.
Diana Worsley’s request for extension permit at 329 Front Street was met with a three-year extension on an order of conditions originally issued in 2002 for phragmites management.
In response to the Planning Board’s request for comment from ConCom on its case at 428 Wareham Street, Walsh said the site does not fall into ConCom’s jurisdiction.
A request from the Zoning Board of Appeals for comment from ConCom to address an application filed by Alan Menard and Nan Johnson, 123 Allens Point Road, to construct a garage that would not comply with setback requirements required a deeper dive. But the same conclusion was reached, as the matter was considered outside the commission’s jurisdiction.
The Sippican Lands Trust’s RDA for rerouting of the Osprey Marsh trail has requested a continuance to Wednesday, July 28, at 7:00 pm.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, at 7:00 pm.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Mick Colageo