“It’s a vegetation community you don’t often get to see.”
This statement was made by Rochester Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon as she explained to the Rochester Conservation Commission on March 20 the benefits the town and its people will enjoy for generations to come when the Estabrook Property is purchased and placed in permanent conservation restriction status.
Rochester Land Trust President Robert Lawrence was on hand as Farinon shared with the commissioners and the viewing public the scope of the property acquisition and the responsibility the commission will have as holders of the restriction.
The RLT, in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, has been negotiating and applying for grants to cover some of the costs associated with acquiring the over 70-acre parcel that is home to a natural cedar swamp known as the Walnut Plain Cedar Swamp. Two grants totaling $165,000 have been secured, Farinon said.
Farinon asked that the commissioners invite Alan Decker of the Buzzards Bay Coalition to the first meeting in April to officially sign the document.
Before moving on that request, Farinon explained that while the property will be in a protected status through acquisition by the RLT, the Rochester Conservation Commission would be holding a conservation restriction as well. She said this second level of protection provides “protection from future development.”
As the commissioners reviewed the conservation restriction document, Farinon directed their attention to the section that provides for local reserved rights. Those rights, she explained, were for the “things we’d want to do now and in the future.” Such things as clearing trails, allowing horseback riding, hiking, other forms of passive recreation and forest management were discussed. It was also suggested that given the nearly pristine nature of the cedar swamp, it might be an ideal location for non-invasive scientific study.
The commissioners moved to invite Decker back in April for the official signing.
Also coming before the commission was Meagan Davis of Tata and Howard Engineering, representing the Town of Marion.
Davis came before the commissioners to discuss an in-field plan change that occurred as contractors were constructing a new freshwater well in Marion’s well field near Mary’s Pond.
Davis said a well had been drilled some 4 feet closer to the bordering vegetated wetlands than had been originally permitted and guidance was now needed on next steps.
After some discussion, Farinon suggested there were two options for resolving the unpermitted change: give the town an amended order of condition to the previously permitted Notice of Intent or have them file a new NOI.
The commissions moved to allow an amended order of conditions with submittal of updated documents.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for April 3 at 7:00 pm in the Town Hall meeting room.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Marilou Newell