The clearing of vegetation by an adjacent construction site at Independence Drive was considered by one commissioner to be a particularly egregious incursion. The staff of the Commission had noticed the clearing, and the concern was that it might have extended into the resource area. The Commission prepared to issue an enforcement order and discussed the importance of the order in setting the right tone for future compliance. The severity of the violation sparked a debate within the Commission, with discussions centering around the need to accurately assess the extent of the encroachment. To that end, the Commission highlighted the necessity for a property survey and wetland delineation to determine the full scope of the violation. The intent was to ratify the enforcement order at the subsequent meeting.

Another pertinent issue discussed during the meeting involved an enforcement order related to the bearing of wood planks along the bank of Mother Brook on Reservation Road in Hyde Park. The property manager attended the hearing to discuss the violation, which had resulted from efforts to stabilize the bank due to trees falling into the river and ongoing erosion. The Commission stressed the importance of the property manager filing a restoration plan by the April 1st deadline and hiring a Wetlands consultant to aid in the development of this plan. The plan would encompass the removal of the buried planks and the implementation of appropriate erosion controls. The property manager expressed concerns about the condition of the riverbank and sought clarification regarding the city’s responsibilities in maintaining the river. The type of wood used for the planks was also discussed in relation to its environmental impact. The Commission reiterated the urgency of addressing the violation and the potential penalties for failing to act promptly.

The first agenda item of the meeting was a request for a partial certificate of compliance for a single-family dwelling renovation at five Rice Street in Dorchester. The Commission staff recommended issuing the partial certificate as the landscaping remained incomplete, but all other work had been satisfactorily completed. This request was addressed without significant contention.