Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Emergency Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Deerfield commission ratifies two emergency certificates and authorizes conservation agent as additional signatory
Summary
The commission ratified emergency action for a beaver-dam removal on Rte. 5/Bloody Brook, accepted another emergency certificate for Lower Road/Sheldon Brook, and voted to allow the conservation agent to sign emergency orders when the chair is unavailable.
The Deerfield Conservation Commission on April 30 ratified emergency actions related to stream and roadside issues and voted to empower the town’s conservation agent to sign emergency certifications and enforcement orders when the chair cannot respond within 24 hours.
The commission reviewed a MassDOT emergency certificate for removal of a beaver dam on Rte. 5/Bloody Brook that had been reviewed and approved with the conservation agent. Commissioner Peter Law noted MassDOT had removed the dam; Commissioner Josh Reynolds warned that removal can prompt a new dam and asked whether MassDOT would consider installing a beaver deceiver to preserve flow. Robin Hunter of MassDOT said the agency uses beaver deceivers where recurring issues justify them. The commission ratified the emergency certification by roll call, 4-0-0.
The commission also accepted an emergency certificate for Lower Road/Sheldon Brook (signed by Commissioner Kate Devlin). The members voted 4-0-0 to authorize Conservation Agent Tim Eve-Cowles as an additional signatory for emergency certifications and enforcement orders if the chair is unavailable within 24 hours, citing the need for timely response to imminent hazards.
The actions were recorded as routine emergency responses; commissioners said they would continue site checks and follow up as needed.
