Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday approved Notices of Intent allowing the construction of four single-family dwellings on two-acre lots on High Street close to A.D. Makepeace cranberry bogs.
These are lots that, since early November, have drawn the attention of abutters who have raised concerns about its possible effect on flooding and natural resources in their neighborhood. Abutters Tuesday night again voiced worries that the housing constructions are too close to the bogs and their properties and will flood adjacent house lots.
The commissioners, three of whom had inspected the site in person the previous Tuesday, responded by adding to the Order of Conditions for each stating that all measures shall be taken by the applicant to avoid the flooding of neighboring properties when it occurs. “They have to stop it,” Commission chair Christopher Gerrior assured the abutters in attendance. “They have to fix it.”
The commission also added to all four NOIs the condition that workers onsite shall conduct visual sweeps for endangered turtle species before any construction work starts each day and whenever equipment is to be moved. At first, commission member Ben Bailey said he was not a fan of imposing this requirement in this case. Abutter Eileen Sheehy disagreed. “I see them all the time,” she said. “It’s a big turtle area. You could sweep just the area in between us and them.”
Gerrior motioned to add these sweeps to the conditions after agreeing with Sheehy, saying ‘little’ sweeps at certain times would be worthwhile and not be onerous.
Prior to this vote, the commission canceled the Notice of Intent application for the plan to convert a wetlands swamp at 224 North Avenue into a wildlife and aquatic habitat, agricultural drainage area and fire emergency pond. Previously, the applicant, farmer Cody Wood, argued he does not need an NOI or a conservation plan because of the way regulations read on the matter and an opinion from the DEP. On Tuesday, Gerrior reported that Wood has notified the board he plans to work on and submit a Farm Plan that would show his exact proposal for the location. Submitting one had been the commission’s request at the start of the discussion. The board approved withdrawing the application and refund the application fee money.
In other action, the commission approved reappointing Christopher Gerrior and Michael Gifford as 2025 members.
The next Conservation Commission meeting will be April 1 at 7:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.
Rochester Conservation Commission
by Michael J. DeCicco