The Conservation Commission at its meeting Tuesday unanimously approved an exemption request made by the Department of Public Works for borings needed for a water main replacement project on East Main Street.
Kerry Reed, the DPW director, introduced the project, part of which still is in the engineering and design phase. It will replace existing water mains on East Main Street and three cross streets.
Myles Killar, an engineer at Haley Ward, said work will begin just outside of the downtown area to the Ashland town line, running approximately 9,400 feet in length. Borings are proposed to be installed every 300 feet. Near the Wilson Street crossing, they are planned for every 100 feet because of the exposed ledge there.
Thirty-three borings are planned for East Main Street. For the cross streets, six are proposed for Curtis Road, six for Clinton Street and four on Cross Street. Their maximum depth will be 10 feet, Killar explained, noting that a water main typically is 6 feet deep. The augers on the borings are 4 1/2 inches. Any debris will be disposed of outside of the wetland area.
“In my opinion, it looks like this would fall under the public utility exemption category,” said chair Melissa Recos.
A site representative will be on-site during the boring process, Killar added.
Member Ed Harrow asked if the project was proposed to upgrade the current water main or if it was in relation to the town’s goal of connecting to the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) system.
Replied Reed: “It’s an old water main that was identified to be replaced.”
The work is expected to start at the end of October, Hillar noted.
Spring Street drainage work approved
Reed also told the commission that the DPW is planning drainage work in the vicinity of 34 Spring Street in response to complaints about sinkholes. She wanted to notify the board because the work is in proximity to Lake Whitehall.
These sinkholes, Reed said, were caused by a failing corrugated metal drainage line between this address and a catch basin. The pipe there will be replaced in kind.
Work is proposed to begin on Oct. 20 because it is a school holiday for Diwali, Reed added. Spring Street will be closed to traffic, and work is expected to be completed that day.
Recos said this proposed project also would fall under the public utility exemption category.
Hearing no objection, the commission voted unanimously to approve the project.
Berry Acres boardwalks vote delayed
The commission decided not to vote on a request by the Trails Committee to install two boardwalks on the trail at Berry Acres because detailed project specifications had not been submitted with the application.
The Trails Committee sought approval of the application without filing for a permit. Recos noted the proposal’s similarity to one that the commission previously approved in that area. No Trails Committee representative was present to discuss the plan.
Conservation administrator Judy Day explained that this project would connect a trail section to the end of Chamberlain Street. A 16-foot boardwalk is proposed at the start of the trail, while a 60-foot boardwalk is planned “a little bit further in.” The proposal highlighted that the proposed boardwalks would connect Windsor Apartments to the school complex once new trail connections to Loop Road and Center Trail are finished.
After completing a site walk recently, Day said she agreed that boardwalks would be helpful because the areas can get partially flooded after rain, making the Berry Acres trail difficult to traverse.
Joe Orzel, the town’s wetlands consultant, asked Day added if she received any specs for these boardwalks, as she had with past proposals, because he had not seen them. Recos said the Trails Committee should attach this information to its application before the commission votes on the project.
“I think it’s probably bad form to vote approval on a probable assumption,” agreed co-vice chair Ted Barker-Hook.
Recos said the delay would allow Orzel to view the site. Barker-Hook thanked Orzel for a “good call.”
Several hearings continued to Oct. 21
At the request of the respective applicants, several hearings were continued before the meeting until the Oct. 21 meeting. They included the proposed Chamberlain Street/Loop Road proposal by the Trails Committee, two notice of intent (NOI) requests by Wall Street Development for homes on North Mill Street, and the commercial building proposed by REC Hopkinton off Lumber Street.
Commission renews call for new members
Recos said she has received no applications for the two vacant seats on the commission. Members spoke about expanding outreach efforts to attract new members.
Applications or questions can be sent to Recos via the concomchair@hopkintonma.gov address. They also can be addressed by Day at Town Hall, by emailing jday@hopkintonma.gov or by calling 508-497-9745.
Thank you, Mary Ellen for announcing the continued need for new members to serve on the.Conservation Commission.