Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wetlands Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Danvers conservation panel issues enforcement order, continues compliance review for 35 Doty Ave
Summary
The Danvers Conservation Commission voted to issue an enforcement order requiring removal of a sports court and certain plantings at 35 Doty Ave and continued the certificate-of-compliance review to April 2026 after the property owner said the work will not be completed until next summer.
The Danvers Conservation Commission on Sept. 25 voted to issue an enforcement order for 35 Doty Ave, DEP file 14-0883, after the property owner told the commission the corrective work would not be completed until next year. Peter Wilson, a member of the commission, moved to issue the enforcement order; the motion was seconded and approved by the commissioners present.
Bob Griffin, speaking on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Doherty, told the commission the homeowners were willing to remove the sports court and restore the area but “he doesn't think he'll get the work done until next summer.” Griffin said the family could not complete the work this fall because of workforce availability.
Emily, a commission staff member, explained how the town would use an enforcement order rather than an after-the-fact filing: “as opposed to submitting an after the fact filing for the work, an enforcement order would authorize the property owner to do this work before the certificate of compliance can be issued.” She and commissioners agreed the order would be recorded with the state and would remain with the property if it is sold.
The commission asked staff to draft the enforcement order language and circulate it for review before recording. Commissioners agreed to continue the certificate-of-compliance filing until a date to be determined in April 2026 to give the property owner time to complete the removal and restoration. The commission’s action is limited to issuing the enforcement order and continuing the compliance hearing; no certificate of compliance will be issued until the enforcement order has been satisfied.
The enforcement order, as described at the meeting, will require removal of the identified structure (the sports court), reestablishment of vegetation (including lawn and specified plantings), and implementation of any agreed erosion- or sediment-control measures; the commission recorded that the order will be filed with the state. The commission also noted that if the owner completes the work earlier, staff will accept an earlier request for a certificate of compliance and inspect the site.
