Mahoney’s Lane hearing postponed yet again
Over 70 people packed the Mattapoisett Fire Department for a Conservation Commission hearing Monday, Sept. 14. Photo by Grace Roche
Over 70 people packed the Mattapoisett Fire Department for a Conservation Commission hearing Monday, Sept. 14. Photo by Grace Roche
MATTAPOISETT — With a larger venue came an even higher turnout for a continued Conservation Commission hearing about a proposed new build.
The commission had to continue the hearing for a plan to build seven houses on Mahoney’s Lane yes again at its Monday, Sept. 14 meeting due to the number of residents who showed up.
The latest meeting, rescheduled from July 27, was held at the Mattapoisett Fire Station instead of Town Hall to accommodate more people. With over 70 people crowded into the room, the larger venue still wasn’t enough.
Due to fire safety regulations, the commission could not hold the hearing with a room that was over capacity.
This marks the third time the hearing for developer Dennis Mahoney and Sons has been continued. The developer’s project, which it will present to the commission during its next meeting, would replace several rental houses with larger single-family structures.
Residents flocked to the hearing to raise concerns about the project’s environmental impacts, as the intended property is surrounded by salt marsh wetlands and other protected waters.
Shirley Haley said she attended the meeting because she worries the proposed project will negatively impact the environment. She said she doesn’t oppose the project outright, but wants to learn more about the developer’s plan.
She didn’t attend the previous hearings, and said if they continue to be postponed other residents who didn’t attend initial Conservation Commission meetings will likely show up for following hearings.
“I think the more times they reschedule it, the more people are going to come, and the more people who are against it who didn't come are finally just going to get up the gumption to do it,” Haley said.
It remains unclear at this time where or when the next hearing will be held, but commission Chair Michael King said the town will find an appropriate venue to accommodate a large turnout.
“We did not actually anticipate it would be this active, but it's a good thing,” King said. “It's important to have a community discussion.”
