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Politics & Government

Conservation Commission Approves Revised Walmart Plans

The Conservation Commission approved the revised plans for a new Walmart on Route 6.

The Seekonk Conservation Commission voted unanimously Monday night to approve the revised plans for the proposed new Walmart on Route 6.

“We have a plan that is much more mindful of your by-laws and doesn’t look for any digressions from that,” said Matt Smith, of Bohler Engineering and the civil engineer on the project.

The original plan presented in June had the store on the southern side, abutting vernal pools on the property. The vernal pools are protected under Seekonk’s by-laws and the original plan did not meet the necessary buffer zones.

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In August, revised plans flipped the store to the Northern area of the site, away from the vernal pools. Formal revised plans were submitted in October.

These plans include basins for rainwater runoff designed to prevent overflow in the case of up to a 100-year storm. The vernal pools are surrounded by a six foot tall fence to prevent contamination from trash.

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Residents who occupy nearby properties had concerns regarding traffic safety, noise pollution, air quality, and contamination from the store’s on-site sewage treatment facility.

However, these concerns were not able to be addressed by the Conservation Committee.

“We address the environmental issues with the resource areas,” said Chairman Richard Wallace, who said the issues were matters that needed to be addressed by the Planning Board.

Lori and Joseph Mello, who live on an abutting property, stated Monday that they were angered by the lack of notice given by the Planning Board’s regarding its  on Jan. 10.

The Planning Board will have another open hearing on Feb. 14, at which point residents will get another opportunity to voice their opinion on the project.

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