SAUGUS — The Conservation Commission hosted another meeting on the possible dog park that could be located at Stocker Playground.
Chris Sparages, principal engineer at Williams & Sparages, presented revised plans for the park. The revisions came after a site walk on Saturday.
Some of these changes included adding another handicap spot, making the total three, as suggested by a commission member at the site walk.
“So that’s three accessible spaces in relatively close proximity to support the dog park, which is also handicap accessible,” Sparages said.
Other revisions included moving a water feature and simplifying the inner fencing so that only one fence separates the small and large dog parks. “Do Not Disturb” signs will be posted around the restoration area near the park, and an expansion of a landscape island in the parking lot is being considered.
Another concern that residents have raised is nearby nests for eagles.
“After the site walk on Saturday, I went home and got my wife, and we went out, and we went looking (for the nest), and we spent quite a bit of time walking around the dog park,” Sparages said.
He continued that they were eventually able to locate the nest and determine it was more than 3,000 feet from the park.
“This particular bird is federally protected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and there are permits one is required to obtain when doing certain activities within a certain distance,” he said. He added that the required distance was 660 feet.
However, abutters of the dog park spoke up, saying there were other nests closer to where the park would be.
One question brought up by the commission was the possible addition of a second receptacle, as the plan only showed one.
“I only see one receptacle for trash and waste. Can there be another one put somewhere on the property?” commission member Paul Petkewich asked.
Petkewich was told adding another receptacle was possible, although the decision on where it would go has not yet been made.
More concerns were shown for some of the old light poles around the park, as several are rotting at the base, and one is already tilted at an angle. The conclusion was that these poles must be replaced or removed completely for safety reasons.
Before the hearing could be opened to the public, Special Counsel Jesse Schumer commented on the Stocker Deed; however, after some discussion, it was determined that the matter was outside the committee’s purview and could not be addressed at this meeting.
The first resident to speak once public comment was opened was Barbara Dewsnap.
Dewsnap expressed concerns about Schumer’s comments on the deed; however, the board dismissed it again. Her main focus was protecting the river, but she also commented on a dilapidated staircase near the park.
“Is this going to be part of the renovation? There is a staircase in disrepair, and people still try to use it, and they come down from Stocker Street into this park, and I’m sure they’re going to continue doing that,” she said.
She asked if the dog park does move forward, could the stairs be fixed as a part of the renovations to the area.
Dewsnap also asked how the park would affect the conservation property in the area and what the plan was for maintenance.
Sparages answered that a maintenance plan was currently being created by the town.
Another question from the abutters and the commission was whether the park would positively affect the flooding in the area.
Sparages said that there would be a 7,269-square-foot reduction of impervious surface, which would help with drainage during flooding.
The next resident to speak was Michelle Raponi, who expressed major concerns about the dogs that would be using the park.
“I look at this design, and it’s a wonderful design. The only problem I have is that it’s a huge ecosystem,” Raponi said.
She continued that adding the water features and mulch would attract all the animals living there.
“I’m here for the dog… I just think this is in the wrong area because the dog is jeopardized by what lives in that ecosystem,” she said. Raponi explained that once rodents are attracted to the park, snakes, coyotes, and other animals can be attracted to it, which could harm the dogs.
She emphasized that wild and domestic animals don’t mix.
Jeff Cicolini commented that there were other dog parks located near water, such as the one in Nahant right by the ocean.
Next to speak was Jeannie Meredith, who said, “I’m just curious why it’s not safe for other people’s dogs, but it’s safe for their (those living in the area) dogs because there are several of the neighbors that bring their own dogs there, and they let the run loose in the ball field.”
All of the abutters there disagreed with Meredith, stating they do not bring their dogs to Stocker Park.
Julie Mills asked the board if it would be possible to continue the discussion at the next meeting. The commission responded that that was the plan, as multiple commission members unable to attend that night.
Mills said she was in contact with Melany Cheeseman, the endangered species review assistant at the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, with the hopes of declaring the area a special part of the river, making it restricted.
The meeting concluded with the decision to extend the discussion to April 16, and Mills was told to provide the information from Cheeseman by that meeting.
