The Conservation Commission at its meeting Tuesday night continued two hearings involving Department of Public Works plans for drainage improvements on Wood Street and sidewalk installation at the Chestnut Street right of way.

DPW Director Kerry Reed, a former Conservation Commission member, appeared before the commission to request notices of intent for two proposals. The first proposal was for drainage improvements at the Wood Street right of way from Walker Street to the Indian Brook culvert at 83 Wood Street, which is the location of the DPW office.

Conservation Administrator Kim Ciaramicoli explained that this application previously had been presented as a request for determination of applicability (RDA). A peer review then was completed by Lucas Environmental because of its proximity to wetlands. Ciaramicoli spoke with Reed before the hearing, and both agreed that a stormwater review would be appropriate.

The only major change to the previous plans was changing the main trunk line from one side of the road to the other. This occurred because the previous design would have conflicted with a sewer force main.

The commission voted unanimously to continue this hearing to the next meeting on Aug. 20 to allow for the stormwater review to be completed.

The second hearing proposed the construction on a sidewalk at the Chestnut Street right of way from Wild Road to Smith Road. Waivers were requested for the encroachment into the town’s 50-foot no-disturb and 75-foot no-build zones.

Reed explained that this project previously was approved by both the Planning Board and Town Meeting “to improve connectivity between the neighborhoods.”  It would provide better access to Hayden Rowe Street and the school campus.

Because of the wetlands in the area, Reed said the project “was a little more complicated than we originally kind of envisioned than just putting a sidewalk in there.” It would therefore be done in a phased approach.

Consultants from VHB, a civil engineering and design firm, provided revised plans to the commission after receiving comments from the peer reviewer. The 5-foot sidewalk is planned for the southern side of the road and will feature a 6-inch granite curb. Beaver Brook and bordering vegetated wetlands fall within the project limits.

The first phase involves the installation of the sidewalk on the southern shoulder of Chestnut Street. The adjacent roadside shoulder would be graded and already is mowed and maintained. A steel guardrail will be installed along the sidewalk between Gibbon Road and Smith Road. Areas of disturbance will be seeded with a natural seed mix. The six existing catch basins will be replaced with deep-sump hooded catch basins.

It was recommended that an invasive species management plan be presented to the commission due to the heavy presence of Japanese knotweed in that area. This is expected to be presented at the next meeting.

Member Jim Ciriello spoke in support of the project, saying, “It’s for the public’s benefit and welfare.”

Member Ted Barker-Hook asked what factors are used to determine when a guardrail is necessary, noting that the one proposed would not protect pedestrians. A guardrail was included because of the slope of the land and was required to be that way on slopes by the Department of Transportation, he was told.

“Guardrails are designed to prevent cars from falling off of the slope,” said Reed. “They’re not supposed to be used as fencing or pedestrian protection.”

The commission voted unanimously to continue the hearing.

Open Play receives approval

The commission approved a proposal by applicant Yevgeniy Galper to construct an open play pickleball and padel tennis facility on East Main Street. A professional player, he plans to build an indoor-outdoor facility with 19 courts in total and parking for about 60 cars to accommodate the growing popularity of padel as a sport.

Vice chair Melissa Recos served as chair because chair Jeff Barnes was absent. She noted that the temporary sedimentation basin had been an area of concern because it was located in the same area as the proposed infiltration basin.

The applicant edited the notes on the sedimentation and erosion control plan to reflect the commission’s previous concern. According to the notes, the temporary sedimentation basin can be used in the same location as the proposed permanent infiltration basin as long as the floor elevation of the temporary sedimentation basin is kept at 12 inches above the floor elevation of the permanent infiltration basin. This will allow for the exposure of a fresh layer of native soils before the permanent infiltration basin is installed.

A special condition was added that an engineer inspect the condition of the subsoils when the permanent infiltration basin is at final grade, Ciaramicoli said.

Barker-Hook was the sole member who voted in opposition to the proposal.