State Rules in Favor of 40B Developer

The State Department of Environmental Protection recently made their decision on the case of Taylor Cove, a 40B project on River Street that has been highly-contested by the surrounding neighborhood. The DEP recently told the town that they believe that developer Todd Wacome should be able to build the 32 condo unit development.

Wacome had first proposed a home subdivision called Victoria Place, which did not pass the muster of the town permitting process, and then proposed Taylor Cove, a 40B condo unit development. However, the Conservation Commission would not allow the project to go through based on new wetland boundaries.

The Commission even voted in favor of a cease and desist order saying that they could perform no site work until the ruling from the DEP came down.

In a letter dated last Tuesday, the DEP over-ruled a 2011 decision to deny the project by the Conservation Commission.

"It is MassDEP's conclusion that, with the proper mitigating measures, the proposed project should be allowed," the letter read.

However, neighbors in the area were extremely disappointed with the decision and felt that the developer would be endangering wetland habitats nearby and leveling a part of their neighborhood.