Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permits And Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Taunton conservation panel issues multiple COCs, approves Gracie Estates permits and addresses violations
Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the commission issued certificates of compliance for completed single-family projects, approved notices of intent for Gracie Estates lots, approved ANRADs for Winthrop Street, continued one enforcement matter to November, and removed a homeowner violation after the resident agreed to follow staff direction.
The Taunton Conservation Commission on Oct. 6 issued multiple certificates of compliance (COCs) and approved notices of intent (NOIs) for single-family houses in Gracie Estates, accepted wetland delineations for properties on Winthrop Street, continued an enforcement matter on Broadway to the Nov. 3 meeting, and removed a violation at 66 Rankin Road after the homeowners agreed to coordinate with conservation staff.
Staff member Jenna Freitas presented multiple short compliance reports. The commission issued a COC for 393 Caswell Street after staff concluded construction had been completed in substantial compliance. The commission also approved a certificate for a parking-area modification related to 123 Dolan Circle; staff noted parking-space relocations and confirmed required setback distances from the border of the wetland protection zones. Several Gracie Estates lots (including 15 Gracie Way/Lot 6 and Lot 5/39 Gracie Way) were presented in sequence; staff reported that work was substantially complete and compliance conditions had been met, and commissioners approved the COCs after brief questions about distances to flagged wetlands and a shed previously approved by a former agent.
The commission heard two notices of intent from Hawthorne Development for Lot 4 and Lot 7 of Gracie Estates. Jenna Freitas told the commission both filings were complete, within NHESP jurisdiction, and that the closest work areas would be outside the 25-foot wetland protection zone; she recommended standard special conditions. The commission approved both NOIs with the conditions read into the record.
The commission accepted ANRADs for 305 and 311 Winthrop Street after staff located most flags and agreed with the delineation. Jenna Freitas noted dumped brush along the wetland line during her site visit but recommended approval of the delineation.
On enforcement, the commission continued a violation matter at 315 Broadway to the Nov. 3 meeting to give the contractor/engineer time to produce plans. Separately, homeowners Michael De Paula and Jose (surname not recorded) appeared after cutting several trees near the 3-Mile River buffer. Commissioners warned the homeowners not to perform further work within the 200-foot river buffer without prior approval, instructed them to contact conservation staff to determine what, if any, filings are required, and removed the violation on the condition that they stay in contact with staff.
Votes at a glance: - COC issued: 393 Caswell Street — approved (unanimous recorded). - COC issued: parking changes, 123 Dolan Circle — approved (unanimous recorded). - COC issued: 15 Gracie Way (Lot 6) — approved (unanimous recorded). - COC issued: 39 Gracie Way (Lot 5) — approved (unanimous recorded). - NOI approved: 0 Gracie Way, Lot 4 (Hawthorne Development) — approved with standard conditions. - NOI approved: 0 Gracie Way, Lot 7 — approved with standard conditions. - ANRAD approved: 305 & 311 Winthrop Street — approved. - Violation: 315 Broadway — continued to Nov. 3, 2023 for additional plans. - Violation: 66 Rankin Road — violation removed on condition homeowners contact conservation staff before further work.
Why this matters: These routine approvals clear conditions for individual home construction and finalize delineations that set future permit boundaries. The enforcement decisions underscore the commission's expectation that property owners check with conservation staff before altering land within regulated buffers.
Provenance: Certificate and NOI approvals appear throughout the meeting record; Gracie Estates items are discussed starting at 00:03:41, Winthrop ANRAD at 00:33:45, the 315 Broadway enforcement continuation at 00:37:07, and the 66 Rankin Road violation discussion at 00:39:20.
Speakers (as identified in the transcript): Jenna Freitas (conservation staff), John Garrity (project speaker), Michael De Paula (homeowner), Jose (homeowner), Scott Collette (new commissioner, present), various commissioners who moved and seconded motions (first names used in the record).
