Rochester’s Conservation Commission members arrived just in time for the start of their 7:00 pm meeting, after completing a site visit to 566 Snipatuit Road. This location and one other on Snipatuit Pond were the public hearings on the night’s agenda.
Kei Lau of 566 Snipatuit Road and Rick Charon of Charon Associates came before the commission with plans to make improvements to an existing seaplane hangar and to remove trees in a bordering vegetated area as well as in uplands locations. Charon and Lau explained that they wished to receive approval to remove a number of pine trees in a timely manner to ensure their worth as viable lumber versus being ground up for mulch. It was explained that pine trees, after a certain point in the summer season, lose their marketability as lumber due to “blue staining” caused by beetles and fungus. After careful consideration and any implications that the work might be counter to jurisdiction held by the Natural Heritage, Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon was authorized by the commission to meet with Lau at the site to review the exact trees to be removed outside the wetlands area and to be present during their removal. All other matters associated with their filing were tabled until the July 7 meeting to give Natural Heritage time to respond to Lau’s work within the protected wetland area.
A notice of intent filed by Don Stimer, 14 Bishop Road, concerning the removal of phragmites encroaching Snipatuit Pond was also heard. Brad Holmes of Environmental Consulting and Restoration accompanied Stimer to explain in detail the process proposed for the invasive plant eradication. A first cutting of the reeds with a handheld motorized blade will be followed by an herbicide treatment and lastly a final cutting during the winter months. There was considerable discussion about the steps in the process and the environmental safety of the herbicide to be applied in a nearly stem-by-stem methodology. After thorough review of all points of concern and a letter from Natural Heritage on file, the commission moved in favor of Stimer’s request.
A negative determination was moved for work to be done by the Rochester Highway Department on Alley Road and Walnut Plain Road. The road work will include the pavement being ground in place, graded and repaved. Standard conditions will be in place for work near wetlands bordering the roadways.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is July 7 at 7:00 pm in the town hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
