The meeting began with a joint public hearing about the Notice of Intent filed by G Engineering on behalf of Roy Copin for constructing a single-family home on Acadia Road. This hearing, continued from an earlier meeting on August 26, was pushed to September 9. The Commission noted that aside from a “man version” of the updated plan, no further updates had been received from the engineer since the original submission date of August 19. Consequently, a motion was made to continue the hearing until the next scheduled meeting.

Attention then shifted to the hearing regarding property at 12212 Road South, represented by David Ross Associates for Robert Laier. The updated plan, presented at the last meeting, included a revised Wetland line and corresponding offsets: a 30-foot offset, a 60-foot Wetland offset, and a 100-foot buffer zone. The proposed addition was adjusted to remain outside the 60-foot Wetland offset. Modifications were made in response to previous comments from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), specifically addressing tree cutting concerns by establishing a limit of work to protect certain areas. The number of trees affected remained largely the same, with only a couple noted as dead.

The Commission discussed the approval status of trees close to the shoreline, confirming that these had already been assessed and approved under a previous RDA (Request for Determination of Applicability). Water flow management from the existing foundation, initially involving a trough, was proposed to be handled via a hard pipe, filling in the ditch. This proposal was preferred for managing water flow effectively.

Satisfied with the updated plans and the owner’s efforts to move everything outside of the jurisdiction, the Commission approved the project at 12212 Road South, emphasizing that standard order conditions would apply. Conditions for the commencement of work were discussed to ensure all protective measures were in place before any activity began.

Next, the Commission addressed a hearing for All-Purpose Storage Gardner LLC, represented by Christopher Guda from Fieldstone Consultants, concerning work on parcel ID Tex 22316 8 through 14, on Colony Road. The project involved extending existing storage facilities, including placing seven storage containers, four of which were within buffer zones. This case was a continuance from May 26 and included a violation enforcement order. A site visit had been conducted, with significant areas staked out for clarity on boundaries. Observations from the site visit noted that the area was well-marked, and remediation plans were discussed.

Concerns about access to the site, previously obstructed, and the progress of cleanup efforts were raised. The ongoing dialogue emphasized ensuring the project adhered to environmental regulations, particularly regarding proximity to wetland areas and the local ecology’s impact. The Commission stressed the necessity of due diligence concerning construction activity, especially near nearby infrastructure and environmental protections.

The meeting continued with discussions about compliance with regulations for ongoing projects. A point of contention arose regarding the planning and execution of remedial work on a scrutinized site. Unauthorized activities related to high tension wires were a past issue, and concern was expressed about individuals previously engaged in blueberry picking being removed from the area. The need for an engineering assessment of the soil to be used as a subsurface material was underscored, with one member stating, “they need to get an engineer to tell them what they need to use.”

The Commission also discussed the status of sil fencing and other erosion control measures. It was revealed that the sil fencing, essential for managing sediment and preventing runoff, had not yet been installed despite previous indications. One member expressed surprise, “I thought it was already up,” reflecting a perceived lapse in execution. There was agreement that all necessary erosion control measures needed to be in place before any further work could commence. A motion was made to continue discussions regarding this project to September 23, which received unanimous approval.

A separate topic involved ongoing work at 17D Mill Street, with inquiries into activities on-site, such as moving materials and clearing debris. Some members expressed skepticism about potential damage, highlighting the need for a site visit to assess and gather photographic evidence. A motion to continue this item to the September 23 meeting was seconded and approved.

The meeting also covered professional development, with members discussing recent training sessions. One member had participated in a DEP training session focused on wetland protections and regulatory processes. The training clarified procedural specifics, including application processing and reporting requirements, addressing misconceptions about previous timelines.

Further discourse revolved around e-filing systems and historical record management within the Commission. It was noted that some accounts had not been active since 2012, pointing to potential gaps in record management and the need to re-establish these accounts for efficiency and compliance. An upcoming professional development opportunity scheduled for October 19 was discussed, with members encouraged to confirm their participation.

A proposed Communications Tower on Green Street was briefly discussed, with concerns about Riverfront regulations and potential impacts on drinking water resources. The necessity for additional permitting and communication with involved parties, including the surveyor team, was mentioned.