34 South Main St., Attleboro, MA - (508) 222-7000
News
Store faces fines on trees
 Looking at the rear of Cardi's Furniture in South Attleboro from route 1A, showing the area where trees were removed. (Staff photo by MARTIN GAVIN)
Top Headlines The company admits that it erred, and is working with the city's conservation commission. No fines have been issued yet, but the store at 999 Newport Avenue has been ordered to repair the damaged area, which totals about 28,000 square feet, Conservation Agent Lee Fuller said. The conservation commission plans to inspect the site next week and could impose fines, he said. "At this point, we want to assess what has gone on before we issue a fine," Fuller said. "And we're also holding off to see if DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) wants to get involved." City ordinances call for fines of up to $300 per 100 square feet of wetlands vegetation destroyed. Cardi's principal Ron Cardi said Tuesday he had the trees and brush removed on the assumption the property was not wetlands because it appeared dry. The type of vegetation growing in an area determines if it is wetlands. Cardi acknowledged the error. "It was a bone-headed mistake," he said. Cardi said he was trying to improve the visibility of the store for customers coming off nearby Interstate 95. Attorney Ed Casey represents Cardi's, and characterized the cutting as an "honest mistake." The company wouldn't put its reputation at risk by purposely ignoring the law, he said. "They don't need bad publicity," Casey said. While no fines have been issued, Casey said the mistake will cost Cardi's a lot of money, no matter what happens. He estimated the company will spend "tens of thousands of dollars" to repair the damage. A remediation plan is expected to be submitted on June 6. The company's first remediation plan was rejected by the commission. Casey said the company should not be assessed a fine because it's working to correct the mistake. "I think a fine is appropriate in a situation where someone is ignoring the commission, but that's not the case here," he said. Cardi's, which opened its 150,000-square-foot Newport Avenue showroom in 2004, is on a 10-acre parcel that borders Sweedens Swamp. The company won neighborhood goodwill in 2001 when it agreed to pay $1.5 million for long-sought traffic improvements in the area, including a traffic signal at Newport Avenue and Park Circle, long considered one of the most dangerous intersections in the city. The state had refused to install the signal for years, saying traffic wasn't heavy enough to justify it. In 2001, Cardi's received a tax break from the city worth about $1.6 million over 20 years as part of a tax increment financing agreement. The company was expected to pay almost $11 million in taxes over the same period. Cardi's also has stores in Swansea, Fall River, South Kingston, R.I., and West Warwick, R.I. GEORGE W. RHODES can be reached at 508-236-0432 or at grhodes@thesunchronicle.com.
Post Your Comments Dayspring Christian Academy Parent wrote on May 23, 2007 5:10 PM: " Cardi's admitted they made an error and are willing to correct the matter. Why bash them on this one error and forget about all the good they have done for the area. They installed a light that was long overdue, what about the community events they sponsor and donate to. We have been blessed to have Cardi's work with our school on fundraisers and donate food to banquets. They are a wonderful employee oriented company. They keep the area clean and nice looking, always picking up along the street. Great Job Cardi's! Keep up the good work. We appreciate all you do for our community. Glad to have you as our neighbor!! " Kevin wrote on May 23, 2007 4:24 PM: " Some businesses just do what they want. They knew it was wetlands. They think just do it and if someone notices, oh well. Just like the restaurant that wasn't supposed to hav an exit onto Angeline ave. Guess what? They have thier exit and the residents get the shaft. " park circle neighbor wrote on May 23, 2007 1:45 PM: " As a park circle resident, they've been great to the community. I've been here for years, and trying to take a left onto newport avenue had always a HIGH RISK.
When Cardi's came in, they paid for the road improvements and the TRAFFIC LIGHT, saving all of us our driving sanity and who knows how many lives.
We tried many times to petition for a light. I know the Church as well as the School did also. Cardi's definetly stepped up to the plate. Would any other business have dished out that much money? And to the argument of a tax break, 1.6 Mil over 20 years is nice, but Cardi's had to pay that upfront to the contractors and road crews. Any business minded person would know that you could make a great deal by investing such a sum.
Cardi's Furniture have been great neighbors. I can't tell you how many times over the last 3 years, I've driven by and a Cardi's employee is out near the road picking up trash and keeping the area clean, even beyond thier property frontage. Not to mention everything they do for the non-profits, and charitable organizations.
" say what wrote on May 23, 2007 9:58 AM: " Please, after years of planning and approval they knew damn well it was wet lands. Easy to own up when you've been caught - time for damage control. This is a large company and they should know better - a fine is in order, claiming ignorance is a joke. " Not a Moron wrote on May 23, 2007 9:55 AM: " Another example of a big corporation doing what they want, then saying whoops. Who said "It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission"? " hindsight wrote on May 23, 2007 7:19 AM: " It's nice to see Cardi's owning up and doing the right thing. Ron Cardi admits it was a mistake, he was wrong. The city should not fine Cardi's as long as they follow what the COnservation Commission asks them to do. Kudos to Cardi's. " or
|
