Conservation Commission

Waltham Conservation Commission February 27, 2025 Meeting Minutes Meeting took place via public Zoom call with participation information posted at City Hall, Government Center, and on the Commission’s page of the city web site. Zoom information was circulated directly to all applicants and others on the public agenda. Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM. Attendees: Chair Alexander Sbordone, Vice Chair Bill Doyle, Gerard Dufromont, Michael Donovan, Louis Andrews. Conservation Agent Meghan Sullivan. Absent: Philip Moser Public Meeting The Notice of Intent filed by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC. (DEP File # 316-0833), continued at the 1-23-2025 meeting, has been withdrawn by the applicant in light of changes and delays to coordinating projects at this location (adjacent to 1265 Main Street). The applicant anticipates re-filing revised plans in late 2025. Public Meeting Request for Determination of Applicability Applicant: Ana Rita Pascoal/Keolis Commuter Services Property Location: Railroad right-of-way (MBTA Fitchburg Line) Project Description: Vegetation management plan (VMP) for vegetation management, control, and maintenance activities within the railroad right-of-way, effective 2026-2030. Matthew Donovan from Benesch (“Donovan-B”) appeared for the applicant. Mr. Doyle recused. Mr. Donovan-B summarized the application. This is a routine RDA submitted by Keolis every 5 years in advance of the submission of their vegetation management along the MBTA right of way. He pointed out the jurisdictional areas in Waltham and described the anticipated management, noting where chemical or mechanical treatments are planned, and the methods of application. Treatment in Waltham would be primarily mechanical, due to proximity to wetlands. He requested a Negative 5 / Positive 2 determination. Ms. Sullivan agreed that this determination should be issued. Mr. Dufromont asked about tree cutting, based on a previous cutting incident adjacent to the MBTA ROW. Mr. Donovan-B expected only trees directly creating a hazard would be touched. Any tree removals would be brought before the commission at a future meeting. He believes the past issue was due to damage from a winter storm that led to removals. Commissioner Mike Donovan (“Donovan-C”) asked Mr. Donovan-B to clarify the scope of work, as he had only shown slides for part of the line through Waltham. Donovan-B clarified that the work runs the length of the MBTA ROW across Waltham, from Belmont to Weston. Donovan- C asked if any work is planned to be done at night. Donovan-B was unsure of this, but expected most Approved 3-13-2025. of it to be done during the day. It usually takes place in a roughly one month window. Donovan-C noted that the compressors on the unit doing the work are very loud and have generated complaints when late night work has been done in the past. He also noted that the new poles driven for the line’s power system several years ago, sometimes at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, generated noise complaints. Donovan-B did not anticipate any work of that kind; chemical application would not generate much noise, and mechanical work would be done during the day. Commissioner Donovan moved to issue the Negative 5 / Positive 2 determination. Mr. Dufromont seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Donovan, Andrews, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Determination of Applicability Applicant: Cambridge Water Department Property Location: 700-1050 Winter Street Project Description: Removal and reduction of 12 dead and two declining trees that pose a hazard to travel lanes within the 100-foot Buffer Zone. David Kaplan, Watershed Manager for CWD, presented. He explained that the City of Waltham’s arborist approached them recently about trees presenting a hazard to the travel lanes of Winter Street. CWD assessed the trees and found 12 dead and 2 in decline, which if they fall would be a hazard. One also has roots in or near the dam abutment, so removal will prevent potential problems. They plan to cut them at a height that will prevent remaining portions from reaching the roadway. Cuttings will be chipped and spread back into the buffer zone rather than being removed or left in piles. Mr. Kaplan presented photos and map locations of the trees to be removed. He noted full and partial removals as well as some which might be dropped in place rather than chipped. Mr. Dufromont asked if roots would remain in place to prevent erosion; Mr. Kaplan confirmed this and noted that soil disturbance will be minimized. Ms. Sullivan noted that there is an exemption under 310 CMR 10.2 for road safety and recommended a Negative 5 determination and no NOI. Mr. Doyle moved to issue; Mr. Andrews seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Andrews, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Meeting Request for Certificate of Compliance (DEP File # 316-0822) Applicant: Clayton Almeida Property Location: 226-230 River Street Project Description: Rehab of an existing multifamily dwelling including new porch, stairway, and parking area. Anthony Esposito was present for the applicant. Mr. Esposito summarized the application and the work done. He has submitted an as-built, stormwater plan, and RCOC. Ms. Sullivan has visited the site and reviewed photos from the fall (with no snow) and believes the site has been stabilized. She has conferred with the Engineering Department regarding stormwater. She noted the special condition to incorporate a snow removal plan in the property agreement and O&M. She feels the COC can be issued, with the snow plan to be attached for recording at the Registry. Mr. Doyle moved to issue a COC. Mr. Dufromont seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Andrews, Dufromont. Motion passed. Commission Business • Approval of meeting minutes from 1-23-2025. Motion to approve by Mr. Donovan, seconded by Mr. Doyle. Motion passed. Approved 3-13-2025.  • Ms. Sullivan informed the commission that the applicant at 31 Warwick Ave (316-0832) has lost the original OOC and requested a new certified true original. Mr. Doyle moved to issue a replacement, seconded by Mr. Dufromont. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Andrews, Dufromont. Motion passed. Correspondence • NOTED: 2024 Charles River Aquatic Invasive Species Management Year End Report (DEP File 316-0803). Ms. Sullivan summarized. DCR plans to move to maintenance/spot treatment for 2025, not extensive application. Due to the passage of the PEA, this permit received an automatic 2-year extension (it would otherwise have expired in 2025). • NOTED: The ZBA will hold a hearing on the comprehensive permit (40B) application for 455 Totten Pond Road on March 4 and has requested comments from relevant city agencies. ConCom provided procedural comments on this project to the Law Department in December, and has forwarded these to ZBA. • NOTED: As of 2/7/2025, Middlesex County, including Waltham, has been moved back into “Level 3 – Critical Drought” status. Despite recent storms, most of the state has approximately 8-13 inches precipitation deficit since August. • NOTED: 2024 Stormwater BMP Checklist received from BXP for 500 Totten Pond Road (316- 0653). Ms. Sullivan noted that there have been multiple reports in recent years of stormwater mismanagement at this location. She has been working with the site to find, update, and adhere to the O&M. This is the first maintenance report since. She hopes this will lead to better compliance. Old Business • Update on MWRA Lexington Street culvert replacement project (316-0791). Ms. Sullivan reported that MWRA has informed her that the plans detailing the culvert were not correct, and MWRA was able to put the new pipe in place underneath the culvert without having to replace or modify. This was the only portion of the project that was not exempt, and since this work did not need to be done they will soon request a “not valid” RCOC. • HPCA 2025 Restoration Seeding. Ms. Sullivan updated that she has put together the order and requested that the commission approve up to $814 from the filing fees account. This native seed order includes 47 different genus and 59 species; it’s updated for this year, based on which species have already established. Mr. Dufromont asked for a clarification on the location and order as it relates to other work. Mr. Doyle moved to approve the expenditure. Seconded by Mr. Donovan. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Andrews, Dufromont. Motion passed. Site Visit Reports • 290 Lexington Street. Mr. Donovan had asked Ms. Sullivan to take a look. There have been a couple of trucks, loaded with road salt, backed up close to Chester Brook at this location (they are probably over the property line on to 260 Lexington). She has visited but not found anyone on site and has left messages which have not been returned. She will continue to try to make contact. Committee Reports • CPC: The February 11, 2025, meeting was cancelled (no applications). The next meeting is scheduled for March 11. New Business Approved 3-13-2025.  • Mr. Sbordone noted correspondence with the mayor about the full-time conservation agent position. The mayor stated that she had requested information from the commission, but neither Mr. Sbordone nor the commission office have received any request. He asked if anyone else on the commission had received anything. The members who were present confirmed that they have not. He will pursue this further with the mayor and answer any questions she has. • Mr. Sbordone pointed out that the city circulated a notice on the city web site and social media stating that the 2/6 meeting of the commission was cancelled due to inclement weather. He wanted to publicly clarify that the meeting was cancelled because the only applicant with public business on that agenda withdrew their filing. As the conservation commission meets via Zoom, weather is not a factor for its meetings. He wanted this noted for the record. Mr. Donovan asked that the city make a correction. The office staff will contact the city’s social media coordinator about this. • Mr. Dufromont asked if there has been any correspondence regarding ending remote meetings. The Chair and office staff have not received anything. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Andrews. All present in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. Approved 3-13-2025.