Essex wetlands commission grants permit for municipal dog pound at 72 Plains Road

Chairman Michael Furgueson and the Essex Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission voted unanimously to grant a permit for a proposed 3,600-square-foot municipal dog pound and a 50-by-80-foot garage at 72 Plains Road.

The decision, issued as a Summary Ruling after a public hearing, finds the proposed activity "is a regulated activity not involving significant or major effect upon the inland wetlands or watercourse" as described in the record and in Section 2.2 of the Commission’s rules, and grants the permit subject to conditions. Vice Chairman David Kirsch made the motion to grant the permit; Ernest Cook seconded it. The vote was 5-0 in favor.

The permit includes seven conditions: a five-year permit term from the effective date; allowed construction activity limited to March 15 through October 15 in the year work begins; a requirement that the applicant appear before the Commission if work will extend outside that window and present a stabilization plan; adherence to directions from the Town Enforcement Officer for any field changes; written notification to the Enforcement Officer on initiation and again on completion of the authorized activity; advance written notice and review by the Wetlands Agent for any deviation from approved plans; and submission of a planting schedule for review and approval by the Wetlands Enforcement Agent and a qualified Commission member prior to installation.

"I think that the town has done a good job with responding to the commission’s questions and concerns and that this looks like a reasonable use of the property," Chairman Michael Furgueson said during deliberations. Land Use Official Carey Duques told the Commission a site walk on March 30 identified wetland boundaries and that Health Department approval will be required before construction starts. Engineer Robert Doane noted that "the landscape buffer planting details are not included on the plan" and said he expects plantings "aiming for a Fall planting." Duques also reported that trash and debris were observed near the wetlands during the site walk; Doane agreed the rubbish would be removed during construction and disposed off site.

The conditions require the applicant to provide a planting schedule and to coordinate with the Enforcement Officer on field changes and timing. The record states the Commission concluded there was no reasonable or prudent alternative to the proposed plan as submitted.

Next steps noted at the meeting include the applicant obtaining Health Department sign-off before work begins and compliance with the planting schedule and other permit conditions. The public hearing on this application was closed before the permit decision.