The Rochester Conservation Commission began its February 7 meeting by approving a Standard Order of Conditions for the plan at 119 Dexter Lane to thin out the undergrowth and overgrowth in the non-wetlands area of the parcel.
Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly reported to the board that Natural Heritage has asked property owner Jon Roth to get the work done during the winter to avoid disturbing turtle habitat there.
Roth said some clearing has already been done, and he wants the Conservation Commission’s endorsement to complete the work by March 31 because of Natural Heritage’s order. Commission Chairman Christopher Gerrior said a Standard Order of Conditions will work for this project, and the board unanimously approved a motion to grant it.
Next, builder Ryan Correia was granted certificates of compliance for two projects. At 1008 Walnut Plain Road, a single-family home has been reconstructed on an existing foundation, and an existing, failed septic system has been decommissioned. At 114 Mendell Road, a single-family home has been constructed, along with associated road grading within 100 feet of a bordering vegetated wetland.
At the Walnut Plain Road site, Kelly said she spotted a big puddle in the center driveway. Correia said the site’s septic system is not located there but in the side yard. Gerrior said he has not seen the original Order of Conditions but was comfortable enough to entertain a motion for approval of the certificates.
The commission then approved a Certificate of Compliance for 113 Hartley Road and its construction of a road and associated grading within 100 feet of a buffer zone. It is the site of the Gilmore Cranberry Company.
Next, a proposal to upgrade an existing pump house within the 100-foot wetland setback at 90 Stevens Road received a Negative Determination of Applicability, meaning the commission has decided the plan will not impact wetlands. Dan Flores of SFC Engineering explained the plan is to demolish the pump house that is below ground and replace it with a 10-foot-tall, “garden shed” above-ground pump house on the same foundation.
Gerrior asked the board to decide whether it should grant the project a Positive Determination, meaning the panel will have to follow the construction process, or the Negative Determination that judges there would be no wetlands effects. Board members unanimously agreed to the Negative vote.
The next topic was whether the commission should advise the Select Board to purchase 115.12 acres of land off High Street that is being taken out of Chapter 61A agricultural protection. The board agreed not to recommend the acquisition because 10,000 square feet of the parcel will soon be leased as the site of a wireless telecommunications tower.
The commission ended its meeting with a message. Board member William Clapp noted he has seen a lot of roadside trash in Rochester, and he was recently told by the Women’s Club that its annual Earth Day trash pick-up day attracts no more than 40 volunteers each year. “And that is not enough manpower for the job,” Clapp said. “I want to see more participation. Create incentives for participation.”
Gerrior said more people should come out. He told The Wanderer that the commission will now start that crusade of urging more volunteers to join the cleanup next time.
The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission will be held on Tuesday, February 21, at 7:00 pm in the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School Library.
Rochester Conservation Commission
By Michael J. DeCicco