Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wetlands Complaint topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission keeps NOV open in continued McDonald wetlands complaint; septic inquiry set with health department
Summary
The commission continued a complaint filed by Dennis McDonald, concluded that new materials submitted added nothing substantive, and left the notice of violation open while staff pursues a health-department meeting about a potential septic-system connection to wetlands.
The Roxbury Inland Wetlands and Water Courses Commission continued review of a complaint involving Dennis McDonald at its April 22 meeting and left the notice of violation (NOV) open pending further investigation.
Chair Russ D. clarified that Meredith Coran had represented Mr. McDonald with his permission in a prior session and said the commission has been in touch with the health department; staff arranged for Donna and Mark to meet with health officials on April 28 to determine whether septic-system issues could affect wetlands. “The NOV stays open because the question that Meredith Coran very professionally and very communitylike asked us to look into is the septic system,” the chair said.
The chair told members he reviewed an email submitted by Mr. McDonald and found it largely repetitive of prior filings; he said he saw no clear evidence of expansion into wetlands in the materials presented and described the complainant’s repeated references to a swale that the chair said predated wetland regulations. The chair urged complainants to hire consultants to explain technical claims and said, “I don't see much difference…other than over the years a lot more junk built up on the property,” when comparing historic photos.
Commissioners left the NOV open rather than closing the matter. The chair advised that if Mr. McDonald wants to pursue enforcement further he has the right to do so but should submit clearer evidence or consult a professional who can document alleged changes in wetland boundaries.
No vote to close or escalate the NOV was recorded at the April 22 meeting; the next procedural step is the scheduled health-department review on April 28, which staff said will inform whether the wetlands commission needs to take further action.
