Conservation Commission Continues Long Pond Pier Hearing to June Over Species Concerns

FREETOWN — May 8, 2023 — Freetown Conservation Commission continues Long Pond pier hearing and moves toward daily fines on a separate wetland violation. The commission voted 4-0 at its May 8 meeting to continue a notice of intent hearing for a pier reconstruction project at 30 Island Road Extension — owned by Matthew J. Rita and Jackie L. Hill as trustees of Quiet Quay Realty Trust — to its June 12 session, pending feedback from the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife regarding a red-bellied cooter turtle and a freshwater mussel species of special concern identified near the site. Representative Catherine C. Ricks of Coastal Engineering Company Inc. presented plans for pier reconstruction, shoreline riprap repair, and beach nourishment, but acknowledged she had not yet secured contractor input on construction means and methods in the sensitive lakeside environment. In a separate matter, Commission Chair Kevin DeMaio directed staff to issue a new enforcement order for unpermitted work in a wetland buffer zone at a South Main Street property, with a $300-per-day fine under consideration retroactive to the original compliance deadline, pending guidance from town counsel.