The Rochester Conservation Commission Tuesday night approved the Certificate of Compliance for a 33-year-old, earth-removal project at Plumb Corner.
Project engineer Michael Pimental explained this approval would close out the plan that in 1989 removed 77,000 cubic yards of earth from what is now the Plumb Corner development. The developer has finally restored the “original cover” to that area of the property, he said.
Before the approval vote, Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly requested clarification as from where the earth was removed. Pimental explained this removal was from the northwest corner of the property.
Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior asked if the current board should be the one to close it out, even though its members had not seen the project first-hand. Commission member Ben Bailey said, so long as the conservation agent approves the project’s completion, that is all that’s needed. Kelly said she was, in fact, comfortable endorsing its completion.
The commission also approved a drainage-improvement plan at Plumb Corner. Pimental explained that the developer has dissected the problematic drainage system into two separate leaching fields.
The problem to be solved, Kelly explained after the meeting, was that a concrete drainage pipe was sending pollution into a vernal pool whenever there was heavy rain. The developer used a “suck truck” to clean out the pipe, she said, and then designed the alternate drainage system.
The board also approved the Notice of Intent for a plan to build a single-family home, patio and landscape wall within a wetlands buffer zone at 32 Gerrish Road.
Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering, representing property owners Kevin Crimi and Christine Gagnon, noted the commissioners conducted a site inspection on December 17 and could see the 25-foot buffer zone in question “is not undisturbed.” That is, it is land that was regularly mowed when the property had a cranberry bog. Grady said the property owners will maintain and not clear that zone.
The commission started the meeting by continuing until January 17 its hearing into the Notice of Intent application for Jon Roth at 119 Dexter Lane. Roth’s plan is to clear the land he owns that is overgrown with invasive plant species so his horses and cattle can graze there. Kelly reported that the town is still waiting for correspondence from the state; the Natural Heritage Foundation needs to approve the plan because the area is a designated priority habitat.
Kelly also announced the commission will receive an update on the 89 Box Turtle Drive project from Town Counsel (Blair Bailey) at its January 17 meeting.
Ben Bailey proposed an article be posted on the commission’s website regarding “Death by Feeding.” Residents should not feed wild animals, such as deer, bread and other complex carbohydrates. This type of human food will kill them because of their sensitive digestive systems, he said.
The commission set its next meeting for Tuesday, January 17, at 7:00 pm in the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School library, 476 North Avenue.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco