Pittsfield Concom Ratifies Enforcement Order to New England Fence
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission has cited a South Street fence company for violating buffer zone regulations on over 8,000 square feet.
Last week, the panel ratified an enforcement order to New England Fence Inc. for the construction of a parking and storage area within 100 feet of intermittent water and bordering vegetated wetlands.
"Pictures were provided, it’s an obvious violation," Chair James Conant said.
According to the order from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection from December, work involved the ongoing construction of employee parking and material equipment storage areas located east of the 965 South St. property.
Through GIS wetland data layers, MassDEP saw that an intermittent water course and bordering vegetated wetlands exist within 100 feet of the work areas and as close as about 15 feet.
It is estimated that about 8,200 square feet of buffer zone have been impacted.
The property is ordered to immediately cease and desist any activity affecting the buffer zone or resource areas and correct the violations to the original condition.
A restoration plan is also ordered.
The commission continued every other item on its agenda but there was some discussion about a request for a certificate of compliance for work done at 1015 South St.
Matthew Puntin of SK design said the project was permitted around 2010 and the last holdup was the confirmation of plants in a buffer zone restoration area, which was required by the order.
With some digging, it was found that the plants were planted but have not been showing for some time.
Conservation Agent Robert Van Der Kar visited the site but could not confirm the plantings.
"It’s not complete until it's done properly," Conant said.
The commission first thought to continue the item until the spring. After a request from Puntin, members agreed to continue until its next meeting on Feb. 9.
He is confident that the applicant can provide proof of plantings.
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