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Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 21, 2025 ConCom begins review of dog park proposal D Panel hears citizens’ pros and cons of contentious project at Stocker Playground; hearing continued until March 19 By Mark E. Vogler og poop and its environmental impact on the wetlands and Saugus River near the site of a proposed dog park at Stocker Playground was the focus of considerable discussion at last week’s Conservation Commission meeting. “Everyone is concerned about the poop,” said Chris P. Sparages, a civil engineer of Williams & Sparages who briefed the commission on the Notice of Intent (NOI) he helped fi le on behalf of the town for the dog park project. Sparages, a Saugus resident, stressed that the project organizers are “making sure we have a great plan in place to pick up the poop so it doesn’t wash into the river.” Sparages noted that the town would do its due diligence by having pet waste containers at the site and that Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree “is committed to hiring a part-time dog offi cer” to help monitor the park. Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta, an avid supporter of the dog park and herself a dog owner, said picking up dog waste shouldn’t be a problem. “If you don’t pick up poop, the other owners will shame you into picking up poop,” she said. Julie Mills, a vocal opponent of the dog park, downplayed dog poop as an issue. “Everyone is concerned about picking up dog poop. Dog poop is not the biggest problem,” Mills said. “Pathogens and parasites being carried by dog urine is more of a concern than the dog poop,” she said. Mills said she is worried about the health and environmental impacts of having a high concentration of dogs in one area – a situation which would lead to a heavy concentration of dog urine, which she said He’s Back...and Better Than Ever! John A. Fitzpatrick (Fitzy) Sales & Lease Consultant Direct: 617.410.1030 Main: 617.381.9000 Cell: 617.279.9962 jfitzpatrick@mcgovernauto.com jfitzpatrick McGovern Automotive Group 100 Broadway, Rte. 99, Everett Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 would contribute to toxic algae blooms and public health hazards. She said she was concerned about the spread of microbes, which might endanger the public. “My concern is, ‘Is the town going to be liable from children going blind?’” she said. The Conservation Commission took no action at the Feb. 12 meeting, other than to continue the hearing until its March 19 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex Meeting Room at 25 Main St. The Commission also scheduled a site review at Stocker Playground at 9 a.m. on March 15. The playground is located off Winter and Stocker Streets. But Conservation Commission Member Paul Petkewich expressed some concerns about the weather. “If there’s snow on the ground, we’ll have to delay,” Petkewich said. “It’s still an open forum,” he said, with tentative plans to resume the hearing on March 19 if the site review has taken place. Plans for the proposed dog park The NOI fi led last month stated the town planned to use .64 acres of the 6.35-acre Stocker Playground, which is 10% of the property, as a dog park. In his presentation to the ConCom, Sparages displayed several maps and artist renderings of the dog park and argued his case that the project complied with wetlands and other environmental regulations. Sparages said the dog park would take up to 13 percent of the entire Stocker Field lot, converting the area encompassing a rundown basketball court and tennis court to a fenced-in dog park. “The important thing is we’re reducing the impervious surface,” Sparages said of plans to remove the asphalt. “What we propose to do is plant some trees and shrubs to replenish the area,” he said. “We are defi nitely improving the existing condition of stormwater management.” According to the current Division of Fisheries and WildORIENTATION TIME: Chris P. Sparages (left), a civil engineer of Williams & Sparages, used a map as he briefed the Conservation Commission last week on the proposed dog park at Stocker Playground while Conservation Commission Member Bill Leuci listened to the presentation. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) MAKING HIS CASE: Chris P. Sparages, a civil engineer of Williams & Sparages, welcomes questions from the Conservation Commission after briefing them on the proposed dog park at Stocker Playground and why he believes it complies with all environmental and wetlands regulations. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) life, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) Atlas (15th Edition, August 1, 2021), the property is not mapped as Priority Habitat or Estimated Habitats of Rare Wildlife. In addition, the property is not mapped as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), and there are no mapped certifi ed or potential pools on or around the parcel. No adjacent waterways or wetHEALTH AND ECOLOGICAL CONCERNS: Julie Mills, a vocal opponent of the proposed dog park at Stocker Playground, testifi ed at last week’s Conservation Commission hearing that the project threatens public health, local wildlife and the environment. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) lands are shown as Outstanding Resource Waters. The dog park is proposed to contain play areas, dog runs, a nature play area with trees, boulders and grass, a water play area with a pool, fountain and shower station, and a yard hydrant and an agility training course. The entire dog park area is proposed to be fenced in with a fi ve-foot chain-link fence, with additional fi ve-foot chain-link DOG PARK | SEE PAGE 9

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