Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Enforcement Restoration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Partial certificate request at 418 Hot Street continued after commission finds site instability, asks for plan and escrow
Summary
The commission declined to issue a partial certificate of compliance for 418 Hot Street, citing unstable grading, sink holes, ongoing sedimentation to wetlands and the absence of an approved restoration plan; the owner was told to have an approved plan and escrowed funds (lawyer‑held) before reconsideration.
The Dighton Conservation Commission continued a request from homeowner Junior De Lima for a partial certificate of compliance at 418 Hot Street after finding unresolved site stabilization and wetland restoration issues.
Commission members said field visits showed steep grades, sink holes forming on the downslope and material that does not stabilize soil during rain events, allowing silt and sediment to enter nearby wetlands. The commission stated it had not received an approved remediation plan or contractor commitments sufficient to demonstrate the site could be stabilized before the growing season. "What we need is a plan to solve the problem," the commission chair told the owner.
De Lima said he had engaged a wetland scientist (identified in the hearing only as Steven) and that his attorney was handling contracts and arrangements. "My lawyer will take care of that," he said, but commissioners said the commission needed the actual remediation plan and a clear assurance mechanism. Commissioners discussed accepting a partial certificate in exchange for money held in escrow by the owner's lawyer to fund completion of corrective work; they stressed that any escrow must be accompanied by a contractor commitment and a plan that the commission can approve.
Staff noted the growing season window (they cited June 15 as an important date) and offered to add an extra meeting to resolve the matter, but the commission emphasized it would not sign off without a plan or financial assurance that the work would be completed. No motion to issue a partial or full certificate was made and the matter was continued to allow the owner and his attorney to provide the required documents and assurances.
Next steps: the owner to submit an approved remediation plan, contractor commitments and evidence of funds placed in escrow (attorney‑held trust recommended); staff will review submissions and put the item back on a future agenda once requirements are met.
