The Conservation Commission on Tuesday approved a certificate of compliance for the Whisper Way subdivision in a 6-0 vote.

This vote clears the way for the developers to seek approval for Whisper Way as a town road at the May 2 Annual Town Meeting.

Developer Craig Nation addressed relatively minor outstanding issues from the previous meeting on Dec. 16 regarding the sustainability of vegetation planted in a restoration area. At that meeting, Mark Arnold from Goddard Consulting noted that this area was created to compensate for several wetland crossings caused by the project. While vegetation has flourished, some shrubs and trees have died.

Chair Melissa Recos noted that the wetland vegetation cover was “at about 90%.” Although some “woody vegetation” has died, she explained that “the function and performance of the wetland area” were the determining factors for meeting compliance.

A report shared by Goddard Consulting noted that this area was monitored for three years. Invasives frequently were pulled by Craig and Ron Nation.

“It seems to me like this area just wants to be vegetation, not necessarily forested,” said Recos.

Mowed paths that were used during the reforestation process will be allowed to regrow naturally. Craig Nation explained that they are not more than 6 feet wide and could serve as walking paths. Recos agreed.

The drainage systems were inspected by the town’s peer review consultant as part of a Planning Board review, added Recos. They will be overseen by the developer. The systems will be turned over to the town if Whisper Way is accepted as a town road.

Goddard Consulting tried unsuccessfully to certify a small vernal pool. Recos said it would be protected under the town’s bylaw and that the consultant performed due diligence.

12 North Mill moves closer to approval

The commission continued two hearings regarding property at 12 North Mill Street until Jan. 27 in order to get updated plans. But members expressed approval of the developer’s goal of filling in some of the wetland in order to build a drinking water well for a proposed home.

Developer Lou Petrozzi explained that his proposal was going to be reviewed by the Board of Health at its Jan. 12 meeting. He was doubtful that it would be approved there without the commission’s support in advance.

Petrozzi provided plans at this meeting that increased the wetland replication area. Members previously pointed out that the disturbed area needed to be replaced at a 1.5/1 ratio, which prompted the adjustment.

He added that most of the comments he received from peer review consultant Joe Orzel seemed “administrative in nature.”

Orzel explained that some comments “went away” when a previously proposed crossing of a wetland stream was removed. But he addressed some outstanding issues.

He continued to recommend that Petrozzi submit an invasive species management plan. The construction sequence plan, replication plan, bordering vegetated wetlands plan and narrative all needed to be modified to align with the current plans. Also, the 125-foot buffer demarcation was not noted on the current plan’s southeast side.

Orzel also asked if Petrozzi had considered “innovative alternative septic system designs” that would allow for decreased soil absorption. This plan did not specify which trees were being removed, he said.

Petrozzi responded that he can’t look at septic system options if he does not know if the well will be approved by the Board of Health. He called this “a cat-and-mouse type of situation.”

He requested that the revisions Orzel called out be “incorporated into an order of conditions” so that the commission would grant its approval. He would then have 21 days until the next meeting to submit the required information. Petrozzi added that it “doesn’t make any sense” to delineate removed trees on the plan if the site already has been cleared.

Recos balked, noting that the commission had been “burned” by previous developers who failed to meet this type of scenario. Conservation administrator Judy Day agreed that the plans should be accurate before a vote.

The developer said he hoped to receive “something positive” from the commission before the Board of Health appearance.

After some discussion, members worked toward a compromise. Co-vice chair Matt Matthew Moyen suggested that the commission submit a letter to the Board of Health “stating that we’re amenable to the well being located in the wetland.”

Trail revision hearing continued

The commission voted 6-0 to continue a proposed trail revision hearing until the next meeting so that more details could be provided. The proposed trail would connect the Windsor at Hopkinton housing development to Berry Acres at the Chamberlain Street extension.

Trails Committee member Sean Kimball presented the proposal. One goal is to replace a bridge he described as “just a plank” with a 10-foot-long bridge over an 8-foot span.

He also requested that the current trail section that goes north along the wetlands be decommissioned. The Trails Committee would like to “bring it onto higher land to get it away from the water.”

“This will enable people from Windsor Apartments and the West Main Street business district to use this path to go to the Chamberlain extension,” explained Kimball.

He noted that the property is owned by REC Hopkinton, which approved the plan. If approved by the commission, construction would begin in March.

The ultimate goal for the Trails Committee is to create access for residents to the schools via trails, he added.

Kimball also highlighted a proposed 40-foot boardwalk to replace “an old farmer’s bridge.” He said this is a future committee goal. That parcel is owned by Eversource. He explained that the committee recently reached out to Eversource about it and wanted to give the commission a heads-up.

Recos asked about vegetation that would need to be cleared for the new trail. Kimball said the brush to be cleared is knee- or shoulder-high. There also are two trees that would be removed that he described as “relatively small and dead.”

“The cleared corridor will be 5-6 feet wide, 8-foot overhead clearance,” explained Kimball. “The trail itself will be 4-5 feet wide with … 2 feet on either side like a buffer area, if you will.”

“That sounds like an 8-foot trail,” said co-vice chair Ted Barker-Hook.

He added: “I just get worried about approving 75-100 yards of clearing in the wetland without understanding the plan a little bit better.”

Barker-Hook requested that a narrative describing the proposed trail and the clearing work be provided with the revised plan. Member Walter Garland added that the proposed area for trail discontinuation should be marked.

Recos asked that the items proposed be more clearly identified on the plan at the next hearing.