What started as curiosity about CRMC (401-783-3370 M-F 8:30-4) policies turned into an approximately 30 minutes phone call with Nat and Tim Motte (tmotte@crmc.ri.gov,) the Quonnie permitting representative. Overall Tim was extremely nice, quite chatty and very excited to hear that we were clued in to the well being of the pond. Here’s what I learned:
- Construction next door
- Tim is well aware of the construction next door and is keeping close tabs on it.
- They have already violated buffer zone once, which is why they have had to do fresh planting
- He thought that the view corridors may have been cut a bit wide
- He generally liked the landscaping, especially the use of native species
- Favoring the construction of 2, rather than 3 houses, he has been in touch with a lawyer and sounds as though he intends to fight
- He covertly indicated that he has been in touch with someone who is interested in buying all 3 properties.
- Landscaping etc
- Annual re-mowing is fine
- He is most concerned about maintaining areas of low, interconnected bushes, as these are great habitat
- He uses Google Earth to monitor clear cutting
- He is very fond of the pond and likes seeing boathouses with lots of little boats
- Overall time says the “established” families do an excellent job of maintenance
- Pond Ecology
- He is quite concerned about nitrogen from septic tanks
- He recommended that we replace our septic with a newer, better system
- Weekapaug Inn
- He mentioned the Inn may now have an ecologist on staff and that they were likely hosting periodic brunches to discuss and learn about the pond’s ecology