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Grant, Kelly
From:Karen Hermanowski <karenhermanowski@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, September 15, 2019 2:25 PM
To:Grant, Kelly
Subject:NOI for 272 & 280 Union Street
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Dear Ms. Grant,
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Thank you for our phone conversation on September 9. I appreciate your time and counsel.
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Would you please submit the following comments to the September 19 Yarmouth Conservation Commission Meeting
regarding the Notice of Intent filed by applicant Paul Sage for work to be completed at 272 & 280 Union Street
Yarmouth.
Comments
In 1979, My husband Bob and I bought two building lots ( 6 And 7) along a sandy foot path which would become
Wadsworth Lane. The subdivision was carved from the Holbrook House Farm.
John Holbrook, Grandson of the original owner, would retain the remainder of the Farm and operate a two man, 1 ½
truck landscaping company: growing trees, shrubs, blueberries and grinding mulch for his own use. This part of the
operation was obstructed from view by trees and undergrowth and removed from the wetlands buffer zone.
Forestkeepers took over the business some two decades ago. The operation has been successful and grown. In its
growth a myriad of trees have been removed, the disturbance of wetland vegetation has occurred, the levelling of land
has taken place followed by the building of a structure and the installation of an oversized concrete pad.
At this point I have a What the heck moment??? As an abutter I am not allowed to pave my driveway much less clear
the trees to the brook and the pond on the north and east of my property!!!
Yes, Foreskeepers appears successful. But has its success come at the cost of a negative impact on the wetlands, Mrs.
Thatcher’s Pond and eventually the water ecosystem ?
It would appear that the owner of the business has no regard for our wetlands. No regard for the regulations which
protect the same. But I would imagine that this same individual enjoys a cool clear clean drink of water on occasion. And
isn’t that ultimate goal of this entire exercise – clean water?
I am not a land surveyor, biologist, hydrologist or geographer. I have to depend on the expertise of Ms. Grant and the
members of the Conservation Commission and respect their determinations. Perhaps the work proposed will
ameliorate the damage done and contain any future potential damage. Or perhaps it will not, and Mr. Sage will have to
re-think the size and direction of his operations in order to achieve the needed outcome.
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To that point, I may understand better than most, the challenges of our choice to live and work within the wetlands
buffer zone. In 1983, We appeared before the Conservation Commission and the Board of Appeals with building plans
for Lots 6 & 7. We were denied. Lot 6 (27 Wadsworth) was deemed unbuildable due to the wetland and mandatory set
backs.
Yes it was difficult moment for all sides: Lawyer, Builder, Commission members, my husband and myself. However,
today, I can say unequivocally the right decision was made.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Karen G Hermanowski Owner of 29 Wadsworth Lane Yarmouth
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