Athol Daily News
November 26 2003
Page 8 (continued from page 1)

Wetlands Hearing Held

By Brian Gelinas

“…Gregg Duquette, 3824 Chestnut Hill Ave

The Con Com has received a letter from the State’s Department of Environmental Protection reversing the commission’s initial approval of a RDA filed by Gregg Duquette for a  gravel removal operation on a portion of his property bordering Old Keene Road.

The decision is a result of a site visit conducted by the DEP earlier this month. Because the extent of the work to be done and its impact within a wetlands buffer zone, DEP is requiring an NOI be filed.

 Originally the Con Com did not require an NOI to be filed, because they initially required a 50 foot buffer zone be imposed around an intermittent stream that runs across the area.  

The DEP found the erosion controls set in place to protect the wetland were not properly located, according to the plan.  

In light of this decision, approval of an NOI will allow Duquette to excavate up to the actual wetland boundary, within the buffer zone. Smith said he spoke with Duquette regarding this and suggested keeping a distance of at least 15 feet. He said Duquette was agreeable to this, and Smith would recommend it as a condition when NOI approval is considered.  

Contrary to a newsletter published by Friends of Tully Lake, a group opposed to Duquette’s development plans for the 200 acre tract, Smith said there is no specific time limit on when Duquette must file a NOI.  

Smith said Duquette also inquired about creating a fire pond within the wetland area. Because of ongoing concerns on the part of his neighbors, Smith suggested to Duquette that, while it is a permissible use, he might be better off relegating such a pond to the gravel pit area . “