Mongeon: Mechanic Street lot to serve as headquarters for N.S. Tree – & possible housing project – with most to remain forested

NORTH SMITHFIELD – Owner Michael Mongeon doesn’t disagree with the idea that his new Mechanic Street property is a “personal paradise” – an assertion made last year by the realtor who marketed the 27-acre lot, which features a private pond filled with fish, walking trails, diverse wildlife and a boat house.

“I love it here,” Mongeon told NRI NOW during a tour of the land – once the home of a Catholic charity and brothers affiliated with the Ocean Pastoral Center. The massive lot abuts three roadways including Connector Road, and features a second entrance on Victory Highway.

Since purchasing the property last September, Mongeon has secured a license to operate his business, North Smithfield Tree Service, there, and has also begun preparing the land to house a new garage.

The visible project has attracted some local attention, and a story on NRI NOW last week pointed to tree clearing, and statements from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management regarding suspected violations on the property.

But Mongeon says he’s paid close attention and followed guidelines regarding tree removal near wetlands, maintaining a 100-foot buffer from the pond. Only five or six dead trees were removed from the buffer zone, he explained, contrary to assertions he’s been clear-cutting.

“We didn’t cut any trees there that were alive,” he said.

In fact, the new owner said he’s been cleaning up the property – including a section by the pond that appears to have previously been used for dumping. He and his team have removed two dump trucks full of items including paint cans, mattresses and tires, likely left there illegally in years past by trespassers.

“We’re trying to clean this up and make it beautiful,” Mongeon said.

An old sign by the area where he discovered the mess shows that dumping was a problem for the previous owners.

“I don’t think they would have done that,” Mongeon said of the previous occupants regarding the litter. “The brothers I spoke to were adamant about keeping this place clean.”

Mongeon noted that he has, however, cut down several pine trees in an area well outside the wetlands buffer zone by the Victory Highway entrance.

That work had a somewhat dramatic effect on the appearance of the lot from the roadway, as removal of trees that once surrounded the driveway revealed the six-bedroom colonial tucked in farther back on the property, along with a large field Mongeon says was already mostly bare. He says the light and legal tree work, coupled with the presence of stacks of logs recently moved to the property from his business’s previous home on Mount Pleasant Road, may have made his changes appear more extensive to passers by.

The majority of the acreage is still forested, Mongeon said, noting he plans to keep it that way in perpetuity with a legal conservation designation. The scenic land to the west of the house, comprising more than 20 acres, he said, will remain as is, serving as home to the fisher cat, deer, beavers and fox he’s witnessed.

In his tree removal business, he notes, he must often advise property owners that he can’t do work by wetlands without the needed permits.

“I wouldn’t dare cut a tree over here,” Mongeon said. “We have no intention of touching anything around the pond.”

The much smaller eastern side, outside of the wetlands, is a different story. There, at the corner by Connector Road and Victory Highway, the business owner hopes to build a 60 X 80-square-foot garage to house his equipment. A large tent structure will keep wood-processing operations out-of-sight and 110 new arborvitae – already purchased from Central Nursery – will help to create privacy from the roadway. Soon, he said, he’ll also put down seed in the vacant field.

Mongeon is also in talks with a non-profit organization about creating affordable housing on the lot, with duplexes to potentially be built along Connector Road. That project, he said, is not yet certain, with discussions still underway.

He notes the pristine woodland will remain regardless, with no clear cutting, and business operations that are appropriate for an environmentally sensitive area, with no chemicals or spraying. He said he is not harvesting lumber from the property, and that he spoke with RI DEM prior to starting his work to ensure it was ok to remove the dead trees.

Still, RI DEM officials have told Mongeon there are violations on the property.

“I don’t know why,” he said. “I’ve followed all of the rules.”

RI DEM spokesman Evan LaCross told NRI NOW last week that Mongeon has not filed a notice of Intent To Cut, as required by state law. The law specifies that land owners, developers, and loggers must file an ITC to RI DEM at least five days before cutting or sawing wood on private land over five acres, or if the annual cut exceeds 5,000 board feet or 25 cords in any one year, or if there are wetlands present.

“The ITC not a permit, but an official notice that is required by law,” said LaCross. “Its aim is to help landowners make smart decisions and ensure that a harvesting project is consistent with the practices of sound forestry.”

“It is the duty of property owners and developers to make sure that they’re following all required laws and regulations before cutting or development takes place,” LaCross added.

LaCross said this week that RI DEM staff had inspected the property and met with the owner.

“The case remains open and DEM is actively working on it,” he said.

Mongeon said he is working with the agency to rectify any and all possible issues.