SAUGUS — Almost six months after the Conservation Commission made the decision to approve dog park plans located at Stocker Park, specifically where the playground area is, another issue appeared before the Board of Selectmen on the matter during the citizen comments portion.
Barbara Dewsnap, a resident of Riverside Court, which connects to Stocker Street, spoke during the meeting.
Dewsnap said she was a newly appointed member of the East Saugus Improvement Association, which raised questions from the Board.
“That’s been around for about 50, 60 years, hasn’t it?” Selectman Michael Serino asked.
Dewsnap said it was first founded in 1951, and now they are revitalizing the group.
“On behalf of the East Saugus Improvement Association, we are sending a letter out for a notice and demand to cease and desist encroachment onto property located at 22 Stocker St.,” Dewsnap said.
She continued to read the letter before the Board, which noted that the property is directly adjacent to the playground property.
“The East Saugus Improvement Association Inc. holds deed to the 22 Stocker St. property recorded at the Essex South Registry of Deeds,” she said.
Dewsnap noted that, according to a professional survey conducted by Otte & Dwyer Inc. Land Surveyors and prepared by Williams & Sparages for the notice of intent for the proposed dog park, “the boundary line between our properties has been definitively established.”
She said that the survey confirmed that an existing tennis court encroached on the 22 Stocker St. property. She said a plan prepared by Warner Larson Landscape Architects showed the proposed dog park would also encroach on this property. The letter asked for the halt of any construction, maintenance, or use of the property.
“It should further be noted that the East Saugus Improvement Association was unaware that the existing tennis court is encroaching onto the 22 Stocker St. property until it was shown and confirmed upon the existing conditions plan prepared by Williams & Sparages,” Dewsnap said.
She continued that the Town did not have permission from the association to occupy or utilize any portion of the 22 Stocker St. property.
“Your actions constitute trespass,” she said.
Dewsnap said that the association requires that Saugus remove the portion of the tennis court encroaching on the property “while adhering to all Saugus zoning bylaws and regulations as well as conservation bylaw and regulations.”
She said they also require the Town to return the property to its original condition following the removal of the tennis court.
“We want to resolve this matter amicably and avoid any legal action. So, please confirm in writing by Oct. 13 that the Town of Saugus will comply with this notice and demand,” she said.
