By Susan MacEachron

The Inland Wetlands Agency addressed the question of whether a wetlands permit was required for the work proposed for 69 Maple Ave., known as The Manor House, at two successive meetings, a regular meeting on March 3 and a special meeting on March 10. The delay allowed Wetlands Enforcement Officer Stacey Sefcik to inspect the site after the snow melted. The meetings were not public hearings and neither the Manor House representatives nor those opposing the project were permitted to speak.

After making several visits to the property Sefcik said in her opinion, the intermittent water course noted on the engineering plans did not meet the definition under the regulations.  

Attorney Daniel Casagrande, a partner at Cramer & Andersen who represented the wetlands agency, advised the commissioners that they had to determine if the proposed work would be reasonably likely to have an adverse impact on wetlands. If the answer was yes, it would be a regulated activity and require a permit. Sefcik read a lengthy memo explaining her reasons for having previously determined there was no need for a wetlands permit.

Commissioners voted unanimously that a permit was not required.

The sticking point related to the existence of an intermittent water course that was indicated on a set of draft plans prepared by Cardinal Engineering in 2022 for 69 Maple Ave. Subsequently, Three Stewards hired Allied Engineering. In plans presented to Planning & Zoning, the reference to an intermittent water course was removed, even though they relied on the work by Cardinal.  

The discrepancy was questioned by a group of neighbors who oppose the plan. Sefcik said Three Stewards still disputes the existence of the intermittent water course but had revised their plans and rendered the issue moot. Two Nordic cabins and associated walkways have been removed from the plans and all work would now occur outside of the 100-foot upland review area. 

Wetlands member Phil Lovett had asked Sefcik to inspect the property and explained his reason for concern at the March 10 meeting. If the property had an intermittent water course, it would connect directly to the Blackberry River, and he was concerned that the gas spill in the area made the matter more sensitive. The revised plans presented by Three Stewards rendered the dispute about the existence of a water course immaterial.