Water Department & Conservation Discuss Demolished Building

by Paul Saulnier 1/3/12

January 3, 2012. The Conservation Commission held an administrative hearing on their enforcement order issued to the Water Depratment for demolishing a building at 1995 Washington Street, better known as the entrance to well #4.

Chairman Geoff Zeamer asked for an explaination from the Water Department as to how the demolition and protracted cleanup of debris could have happened without any communication with the Conservation Commission.
 

Conservation Agent Chuck Katuska, above, told the board that he had spoken to Water Superintendent Ron Sharpin on several occasions about the need to address runoff issues, as the building was within 10 feet of the wetlands and Weston Pond.

Operations Manager Doug Valovcin explained that he had the building demolished after it was determined to be unsafe. Once the building was down, he felt that immediate problem was over and that he needed to attend to higher priority issues regarding the ongoing work at well #4. Doug accepted responsibility for not following up with permits and erosion control measures.

Water Commission Chairman Dennis Ferreira, above, noted that he was not aware of the problem until his board received a complaint in writing from Conservation. After much discussion it was agreed that better communication between the two boards would help both protect their common interest in the town's water supply. One way to ensure that communication is improved would be to put it in writing. The meeting ended amicably and with an agreement to communicate any and all concerns in writing.

For background information on this issue, please refer to previous articles in HollistonReporter.com:

 http://www.hollistonreporter.com/article/6167/Small-Building-Big-Problems.html

http://www.hollistonreporter.com/article/6113/Water-Department-Demolishes-Building-Without-Permits.html

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