The Marion Conservation Commission met Wednesday, December 18 in the Marion Police Department’s conference room. They first approved meeting minutes from December 4’s meeting before moving on to their agenda and action items.
The first hearing was for 63 Oakdale Ave. for the construction of a residential pier facility. The proposed pier will start parallel to the existing sea wall and run approximately 136 feet out into Briggs Cove. This length was chosen to give about 20 inches of water at low tide. The pier would function as an “association pier” for adjacent 61 Oakdale, though it is being filed solely under owner Derek Maksy’s name.
For wildlife safety, four conditions were requested by National Heritage. The first being a time-of-year restriction on construction between November 15 to June 30. This is to protect the Northern Diamondback Terrapin. The second is to supply a compliance report within 30 days of completion of work. Third is to contact the division with a written response regarding any possible impacts to the habitats or resource areas. The fourth and final request is for authorization duration where authorization is valid for five years where insurance work can be completed.
It was also stated the impact of the pier would affect shellfish, oysters, coho, and clam habitats and breeding/spawning. This is especially prevalent due to the increased boat and dredge usage needed in the area for construction. It was stated that this heavy machinery is not being proposed for construction.
Concern emerged from abutters and those who are often on the water as to the effect on the narrow waterway in the bay. It was stated the channel has roughly 400 feet of clearance during high tide. The hearing was concluded with most in attendance seemingly okay with the pier, so long as some more questions are answered, and guidelines are followed. Later in the meeting, it was said 63 Oakdale should have a house inspection as permits granted by the commission in the past may not have been followed to the present.
The next hearing was for the removal and replacement of a front porch at 28 Pinewood Drive. The house used to be handicap accessible with a ramp on the porch. The plan would be to rebuild the porch using the same skeleton/framework while adding steps in place of the bottom of the ramp. That hearing was ended without question for the commission or the public. A motion was later passed to issue a negative Determination of Applicability as a notice of intent was not found to be needed.
The commission went on to discussion, where they touched on the 694C Mill Street revised restoration plan and requested some deadlines be put in to know the estimated time of completion for the work, as there is no date estimate currently. They then discussed Phase 2 of work on Boatyard Park where surveying has been done. The commission wants to add signage and to make the park more accessible to the public. The property is also a habitat for the Diamondback Terrapin and their egg laying, which would be affected by increased traffic.
The commission stressed they needed to “stay on top of” active permits, as in, they will follow through when granted and make sure their guidelines are being followed and enforce them more readily.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on January 8 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Department.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sam Bishop