To: Town of Hanover Board of Selectmen, Town of Hanover Conservation Commission, Town of Hanover Planning Board & Zoning Board of Appeals, Town of Hanover Board of Health, and North River Commission
Protect Hanover's North River & Historical Shipyard
I urge you to please protect the environment, scenery, and heritage at the 1760 site of Barstows Two Oaks Shipyard, 54 Old Shipyard Lane, Hanover, MA.
This property is on the North River, includes wetlands, is part of a contiguous stretch of wilderness that is potentially a wildlife corridor, and is an estimated Priority National Heritage & Endangered Species Habitat. The land also includes artifacts from the 1760 historical shipyard.
Today, a developer seeks to build on this property under loopholes in the Protective Order for the North River, the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act, and the Town of Hanover Zoning Bylaw that could leave this property unprotected.
We ask that the Town of Hanover and North River Commission apply the same or greater level of scrutiny to this very unusual and impactful residential project as they have applied to so many small home improvement projects in the town.
Sincerely,
Caleb Estabrooks & Elizabeth Johansen
Beth & Todd Lalli
Alan & Carole Meskil
Kathy & Ray Miller
Andrew & Jaime Sullivan
This property is on the North River, includes wetlands, is part of a contiguous stretch of wilderness that is potentially a wildlife corridor, and is an estimated Priority National Heritage & Endangered Species Habitat. The land also includes artifacts from the 1760 historical shipyard.
Today, a developer seeks to build on this property under loopholes in the Protective Order for the North River, the Massachusetts Rivers Protection Act, and the Town of Hanover Zoning Bylaw that could leave this property unprotected.
We ask that the Town of Hanover and North River Commission apply the same or greater level of scrutiny to this very unusual and impactful residential project as they have applied to so many small home improvement projects in the town.
Sincerely,
Caleb Estabrooks & Elizabeth Johansen
Beth & Todd Lalli
Alan & Carole Meskil
Kathy & Ray Miller
Andrew & Jaime Sullivan
Why is this important?
Thank you for 100 SIGNATURES in the first 24 HOURS!!!!!
....but we need more. PLEASE SHARE widely.
Anyone can sign:
- Hanover Residents
- Pembroke Residents (it’s on the border with Pembroke!)
- Additional North River Watershed towns: Marshfield, Scituate, Hanson, and Norwell
- Anyone in the world who wants to support our cause!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE August 28: Permits Denied!!
At last night's North River Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously denied permit for residence at 54 Old Shipyard Lane!
The developers have a 30-day window to file an appeal. However, the current commission is unaware of any North River Commission decision that has been overturned in appeals.
Many thanks to everyone who provided their support by adding their name to this petition and by sharing it with others who are concerned. You made a major difference in elevating the importance of this rare piece of land in our community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE July 26: Next NRC Meeting August 27, 7p, Norwell Town Hall
New Documents Surface that Change Everything
Community members had a major surprise at the July 23 North River Commission meeting. The application file for 54 Old Shipyard Lane included information proving the property had been sold to a real estate development company in December 2014. Remember; this environmentally sensitive and historically significant property can only be developed by the original owner of the land before the North River Protective Order was put in place. It cannot be developed by a new owner.
The new property ownership documents are currently under review with attorneys at Massachusetts DCR. The project will come before the North River Commission again on Thursday August 27, 7pm, Norwell Town Hall. With your support, we can make a difference at this meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE July 19: NRC Meeting July 23
Update from Board of Health & Conservation Commission
We presented the petition to the Hanover Conservation Commission Wednesday night. Thanks to your concern, the site plan was adjusted to afford a better setback from the river and the driveway will be a more environmentally friendly material.
The Most Important Meeting is Yet to Come: July 23, 7pm
Please mark your calendars to present our petition Thursday July 23, 7p, Norwell Town Hall, 345 Main Street. This is where we can have the biggest impact. Remember: only an original owner of the property can build at 54 Old Shipyard Lane under special permit from the North River Commission. Let’s make it a big crowd!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE June 23: Meetings Moved to June 30 and July 15
In order to get quorum, the Board of Health meeting has been rescheduled to 6p Tuesday June 30. The Conservation Commission meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday July 15 at 6:30p.
As currently proposed, the majority of the septic system's soil absorption area is covered by a driveway. Systems covered by driveways fail earlier as the weight of vehicles break pipes and compact soil. They are also more expensive for homeowners to maintain as they must dig up the driveway to fix them.
According to MA TItle V septic regulations, you can only cover a septic system with a driveway if it's unavoidable. Please help us fight for the safest septic system uphill from our neighborhood swimming hole!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE June 13: Back to Board of Health
There will be a new site plan issued soon. Please put Tuesday June 23, 6p (Board of Health) and Wednesday, June 24, 6:30p (Conservation), on your calendar so we will have strong representation at the next meetings at Hanover Town Hall, 500 Hanover St.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE May 19: Conservation Commission Meeting Postponed
The Town of Hanover's wetlands expert has asked the development team to perform a additional river bank delineations. Hanover's Town Counsel is currently reviewing the issue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for joining our cause. Today a developer is seeking permits to build on a rare piece of land at 54 Old Shipyard Lane Hanover through loopholes that only apply to the current owner.
By signing today, you send a message to the boards and commissions overseeing this project to review it carefully and ensure it is handled with care. As currently proposed, this project will:
- affect the historic scenic views near the North River Bridge originally built in 1656 by removing trees that reveal the newly built home and the homes behind it
- create crowding in a sensitive riverfront area
- increase erosion by removing trees and vegetation from this steeply sloped land leading to the North River
- potentially affect water quality in the North River which affects swimming and fishing by installing a stormwater management system and septic system in rock ledge in a crowded neighborhood near many other such systems
- potentially damage nearby 1800’s historical homes with blasting and/or jackhammering into rock ledge during construction of septic system and basement
- build on the last undeveloped historical 1700’s North River shipyard location in Hanover
Many Town of Hanover residents have had to go the extra mile to satisfy our same boards and commissions just to accomplish simple home improvement projects on existing residences. This project will have a much larger impact on the environment and neighborhood, so this project deserves the same or higher level of scrutiny.
As concerned citizens, let’s insist these boards and commissions work with the developer to put the best protections in place. Thank you so much for joining our cause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All information about this project including detailed drawings and engineering information is publicly available at Hanover Town Hall. For more Information about this project, please contact:
Town of Hanover Conservation Commission:
http://www.hanover-ma.gov/conservation
North River Commission:
http://www.nsrwa.org/about-us/partners-in-conservation/north-river-commission/
....but we need more. PLEASE SHARE widely.
Anyone can sign:
- Hanover Residents
- Pembroke Residents (it’s on the border with Pembroke!)
- Additional North River Watershed towns: Marshfield, Scituate, Hanson, and Norwell
- Anyone in the world who wants to support our cause!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE August 28: Permits Denied!!
At last night's North River Commission meeting, the commissioners unanimously denied permit for residence at 54 Old Shipyard Lane!
The developers have a 30-day window to file an appeal. However, the current commission is unaware of any North River Commission decision that has been overturned in appeals.
Many thanks to everyone who provided their support by adding their name to this petition and by sharing it with others who are concerned. You made a major difference in elevating the importance of this rare piece of land in our community.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE July 26: Next NRC Meeting August 27, 7p, Norwell Town Hall
New Documents Surface that Change Everything
Community members had a major surprise at the July 23 North River Commission meeting. The application file for 54 Old Shipyard Lane included information proving the property had been sold to a real estate development company in December 2014. Remember; this environmentally sensitive and historically significant property can only be developed by the original owner of the land before the North River Protective Order was put in place. It cannot be developed by a new owner.
The new property ownership documents are currently under review with attorneys at Massachusetts DCR. The project will come before the North River Commission again on Thursday August 27, 7pm, Norwell Town Hall. With your support, we can make a difference at this meeting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE July 19: NRC Meeting July 23
Update from Board of Health & Conservation Commission
We presented the petition to the Hanover Conservation Commission Wednesday night. Thanks to your concern, the site plan was adjusted to afford a better setback from the river and the driveway will be a more environmentally friendly material.
The Most Important Meeting is Yet to Come: July 23, 7pm
Please mark your calendars to present our petition Thursday July 23, 7p, Norwell Town Hall, 345 Main Street. This is where we can have the biggest impact. Remember: only an original owner of the property can build at 54 Old Shipyard Lane under special permit from the North River Commission. Let’s make it a big crowd!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE June 23: Meetings Moved to June 30 and July 15
In order to get quorum, the Board of Health meeting has been rescheduled to 6p Tuesday June 30. The Conservation Commission meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday July 15 at 6:30p.
As currently proposed, the majority of the septic system's soil absorption area is covered by a driveway. Systems covered by driveways fail earlier as the weight of vehicles break pipes and compact soil. They are also more expensive for homeowners to maintain as they must dig up the driveway to fix them.
According to MA TItle V septic regulations, you can only cover a septic system with a driveway if it's unavoidable. Please help us fight for the safest septic system uphill from our neighborhood swimming hole!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE June 13: Back to Board of Health
There will be a new site plan issued soon. Please put Tuesday June 23, 6p (Board of Health) and Wednesday, June 24, 6:30p (Conservation), on your calendar so we will have strong representation at the next meetings at Hanover Town Hall, 500 Hanover St.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATE May 19: Conservation Commission Meeting Postponed
The Town of Hanover's wetlands expert has asked the development team to perform a additional river bank delineations. Hanover's Town Counsel is currently reviewing the issue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Dear Supporters,
Thank you for joining our cause. Today a developer is seeking permits to build on a rare piece of land at 54 Old Shipyard Lane Hanover through loopholes that only apply to the current owner.
By signing today, you send a message to the boards and commissions overseeing this project to review it carefully and ensure it is handled with care. As currently proposed, this project will:
- affect the historic scenic views near the North River Bridge originally built in 1656 by removing trees that reveal the newly built home and the homes behind it
- create crowding in a sensitive riverfront area
- increase erosion by removing trees and vegetation from this steeply sloped land leading to the North River
- potentially affect water quality in the North River which affects swimming and fishing by installing a stormwater management system and septic system in rock ledge in a crowded neighborhood near many other such systems
- potentially damage nearby 1800’s historical homes with blasting and/or jackhammering into rock ledge during construction of septic system and basement
- build on the last undeveloped historical 1700’s North River shipyard location in Hanover
Many Town of Hanover residents have had to go the extra mile to satisfy our same boards and commissions just to accomplish simple home improvement projects on existing residences. This project will have a much larger impact on the environment and neighborhood, so this project deserves the same or higher level of scrutiny.
As concerned citizens, let’s insist these boards and commissions work with the developer to put the best protections in place. Thank you so much for joining our cause.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All information about this project including detailed drawings and engineering information is publicly available at Hanover Town Hall. For more Information about this project, please contact:
Town of Hanover Conservation Commission:
http://www.hanover-ma.gov/conservation
North River Commission:
http://www.nsrwa.org/about-us/partners-in-conservation/north-river-commission/