Danvers commission continues RDA for 264 Centre St., schedules site visit July 9

The Town of Danvers Conservation Commission continued consideration of a Request for Determination (RDA) for 264 Centre Street on June 25 and scheduled a site visit for July 9 to clarify whether two small wetlands on the property are isolated.

Presenter Anthony Gee of Goddard Consulting told the commission his firm found two small isolated vegetated wetlands on the parcel — the C‑Series at about 3,000 square feet and the B‑Series at about 1,700 square feet — both smaller than the larger wetland polygon shown on MassGIS. Gee said he found no hydrologic connections (no streams or culverts) and observed a clear vegetation break between upland and wetland species, arguing the features may be isolated vegetated wetlands under town review.

Commission members questioned whether the two depressions might actually form part of a larger wetland system and whether field conditions might demonstrate connectivity not evident in the existing mapping. Staff advised that a site visit is standard when jurisdiction is uncertain and that, if uncertainty persists after the visit, the commission can order a peer review.

Town Meeting Member Bill Bradstreet recommended inviting abutters to the site visit if appropriate to ensure community input and accurate observation. Peter Wilson moved to continue the RDA to July 9 for a site visit and Paul McNulty seconded; the motion passed unanimously 5–0. The commission noted it could extend the continuation to July 23 if the site visit could not be scheduled because of the July 4 holiday.

The continuation means no determination was made at the June 25 meeting; the commission will revisit the RDA after the site visit and any subsequent peer review or staff assessment.