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Blackstone resident says town auctioned parcel that abuts her wetlands; commission advises reporting tree cutting
Summary
At the Nov. 21 Conservation Commission meeting, resident Tricia McQuade said she learned Oct. 31 that the town auctioned a parcel adjoining her property and that she was not notified; she cited 1990s town letters describing the area as conservation wetland and warned that tree clearing or development would increase runoff onto her land.
A Blackstone resident told the Conservation Commission on Nov. 21 that she was not notified when the town auctioned a parcel that she says cuts into land she owns and that the parcel overlaps or abuts conservation wetlands.
"I recently found out on October 31st that the town auctioned off a piece of land, a parcel of land that cuts into my property," said Tricia McQuade, who identified herself as living at 52 Union Street. McQuade said the auctioned lot "appears to be a preexisting nonconforming lot" suitable for a dwelling and that she was not listed in town notices.
McQuade told the commission she was given town bylaws and letters dating to the 1980s and 1990s that restricted development near the wetlands and directed developers not to drain water onto her property or cut trees that helped absorb runoff. She said prior clearing and any future removal of trees could make her driveway impassable and increase runoff into downstream brooks.
Commissioners said the auction had occurred but that no development application was before the commission at the time of the meeting. The chair and other members advised McQuade to report any tree cutting to the conservation agent and to consult the town website for contact information. One commissioner noted that if development activity is observed, the commission could act once a formal filing is submitted.
The commission did not take formal action on the complaint at the meeting. Commissioners directed McQuade to notify the conservation agent if she observes tree removal or other activity on the parcel so staff can determine whether enforcement or a formal filing is warranted.
