Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wetlands Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hampden conservation commission grants owner more time to finish wetland plantings at 308 Summers Road
Summary
The Town of Hampden Conservation Commission voted to issue a negative determination of applicability to allow the property owner at 308 Summers Road additional time to complete vegetation work and to alter some plantings; the commission will inspect the site after work is finished.
The Town of Hampden Conservation Commission voted unanimously to issue a negative determination of applicability to the owner of 308 Summers Road, allowing additional time to finish previously approved slope repairs and vegetation plantings.
The decision came after the owner, Eric, told the commission he has completed slope work and still needs “to plant a 100 trees, 80 something shrubs, and few other things.” He said some of the vegetation put in under the prior owner included species he wants replaced, citing poison sumac and other plants he said “take a lot of water.”
A commission member explained that the prior work by the previous owner had triggered state involvement and required a wetland scientist to correct slopes and replant vegetation. The member said determinations of applicability last three years and “determinations cannot be extended for another 3 years like, orders of conditions can from a notice of intent,” so the owner had filed a new request for a determination to continue the work.
After a short discussion and a motion, the commission agreed to issue a negative determination for the relevant items. A member clarified the effect to the owner: “This will allow him extra time to do… change the work. So we work the plants.”
Commissioners said they will inspect the plantings once the work is completed; a commission member stated, “Once it's completed. Yes. Completed. And then we can spread it off and close to file.”
The owner asked for permission to substitute certain plant species and to remove plants he said were inappropriate; the commission accepted the submitted scope of work as part of the determination. The owner emphasized that most structural work is done and that remaining work is vegetation planting and replacement.
The vote on the motion to issue the negative determination was seconded and approved without opposition. The commission provided the owner with copies of the determination paperwork at the meeting.
The commission did not set a specific deadline in the public discussion beyond the time extension provided by the new determination; it reiterated that it will re-inspect the site when the owner notifies staff that planting is complete.
