Trash magnate Phil Armetta appeared before Inland Wetlands on Wednesday night to explain an unauthorized alteration to wetlands on his property. Armetta was asked to submit an application for the work he has already done.In 2007, Armetta received approval to build an auto dealership on a lot at the base of his closed landfill on Newfield Street. He was required to apply for a Wetlands permit, appearing before the Inland Wetlands Commission on August 1st, 2007 . The reason for this requirement was that the development was well within the regulated zone of designated wetlands. Those wetlands are on an adjacent parcel of land, also owned by Armetta.
This summer, in order to extend the parking area of the auto dealer, Armetta removed all the brush and trees from the wetlands on this adjacent parcel, and filled the wetlands with riprap. Bruce Driska, Zoning Enforcement Officer, noticed the clearing of the wetlands, and Wednesday's hearing was to determine if this activity requires a permit.
Armetta maintained that he was not aware that he had encroached into wetlands, and told the commissioners that he was improving the location, "We wanted to clear the area and get a little more exposure of the dealership to cars [traveling on Newfield]." The map shows outlined in blue the original parcel, and in green the area changed by Armetta this summer, the northern half (or more) of the green parcel is clearly marked as "wetlands". The operator of the auto dealership told the Commission that he hoped to pave the area as soon as possible.This site is the location of a closed landfill operated by Armetta for 16 years (the close contour lines on the right of the map show the edges of the landfill).
The Inland Wetlands commissioners voted unanimously to require Armetta to obtain a permit for his most recent actions. They also requested that the city's soil engineers assess the impact of the damage that has already occurred. Commissioner Joan Liska said, "We need to determine what the quality of the wetlands was, so we know what was destroyed."Chairman Joseph Carta anticipated that Armetta's application would be heard at the next meeting of the Commission. If his application is denied, the Commission has the option of requiring Armetta to restore the wetlands to the condition they were in prior to the clearing and filling.
This is difficult to understand. Mr. Armetta acts illegally, detroys a wetlands and now can retroactively receive a permit for these "modifications"? His only regret must certainly be that the asphalt has not already been rolled out!
ReplyDeleteIf you or I did this in our backyard to extend our lawn so our kids could play ball we would be ripped a new one, also whats misprison a felony
ReplyDeleteVery glad to see Inlands/Wetlands enforcing the rules! As a neighbor of the violation and as a conservationist by profession, I hope the board understands it's okay to say "No". There's nothing wrong with growth and business, but need to understand the pros/cons *before* the act.
ReplyDeleteThe developer's creed is "It's easier to ask forgiveness than ask for permission". I hope that's not the case this time. Mr. Armetta has been operating a landfill there for 16 years, according to the article, and claims he was not aware of wetlands there? Mr. Armetta, just how stupid do you think we are if you expect us to believe that? The he has the unmitigated gall to say he was improving the location to "...get a little more exposure for the dealership...".
ReplyDeleteOnce and for all, developers and homeowners alike need to get the message that claimed ignorance of wetlands regulations will be dealt with appropriately. We must end this, "Well, we'll let it go this time, but don't do it again." Wetlands regulations and preservation have been around for a long time and no one with an ounce of intelligence can claim the don't know.