Conservation Commission

Waltham Conservation Commission May 22, 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 7:02 PM. Attendees: Chair Alexander Sbordone, Vice Chair Bill Doyle, Gerard Dufromont, Michael Donovan Philip Moser, Louis Andrews. Conservation Agent Meghan Sullivan. Absent: Public Hearing Notice of Intent (DEP File # 316-0836) (Continued from 5-8-2025) Applicant: Robert Waters, City of Waltham – Planning Department Property Location: 901 Moody Street Project Description: Proposed capping of the Woerd Avenue landfill including improvements to, and expansion of, recreational opportunities at the Jack Koutoujian Playground. Wetland resource areas within the project site include Inland Bank, Riverfront Area, Bordering Land Subject to Flooding (BLSF), and Buffer Zone. Briony Angus and Jaclyn Caceci of Tighe & Bond present for the applicant. Robert Waters and Richard Cooke of the city planning department were present. Ms. Angus walked through responses to the points raised in the previous meeting (and in correspondence with Ms. Sullivan). A number of the questions focused on construction details at the interface of the landfill with the bank of Cram’s Cove (the Charles River) and with the riverfront area. Discussion of type and placement of erosion controls and their interaction with the landfill area and the cap before, during, and after tree removal and cap construction. Cap and drain design details at the bank were shown. Stormwater management was clarified. The fence gap/bottom edge concerns have been addressed, and the area for wildflower seeding has been expanded, within regulations. Ms. Angus highlighted changes on the plans when relevant. The overlooked culvert outlet into Cram’s Cove has been added to the plans. It will not be under the cap. Ms. Caceci noted that potential off-site stormwater impact was examined and it is believed not to be an issue. Ms. Sullivan asked if the complex permitting process (ConCom, MEPA, DEP, etc.) results in any permit being contingent on another, and causing potential delays. The answer is no, but work can’t begin until all permits have been approved. DEP requires that any later changes in resource area impact will require re-appearance before the appropriate bodies for approval or amendment. The project has been under review with DEP and MEPA for some time, and has been designed with their input. Mr. Donovan asked for clarification regarding grades and entrances to the parking area off Moody Street. There will be some new fill in this area and the elevation change from the street to parking Approved 7-10-2025 Page 1 of 5 area will be less than as it exists today. He also asked about the potential need for grading above the landfill before the cap is installed. Ms. Caceci acknowledged that some grading is planned. Both sub- grade prep and fine grading are planned before installing the sand layer and capping. Mr. Doyle had no questions. Mr. Dufromont thought the project looks good and has been a long time coming. A resident had asked if there will be lighting on the parking lot. None is proposed. City Councilor Cathyann Harris thanked the planning office and the project team for all their work on this project. She stated that the oversight by state agencies and the commission have made this a better project which she hopes will be implemented with confidence. This is an important project for the South Side and she has been involved with it since at least 2014. She thanked all those involved in moving it forward. Mr. Moser thanked the team for their prompt response to questions and suggestions for changes. He received confirmation of the toe details at the bank. He noted this will be a transformational project for Waltham. He had some follow up regarding trees, as the trees on this landfill are a significant fraction of trees on the South Side. He added some information from research on the regulations and on vegetation above landfill caps. He presented photos of two capped landfills with significant tree coverage (Skyline Park in Brookline and Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor). He noted this was informational for those present, and to show that alternative plans have been implemented, and that he did not intend to force changes on this project. He further noted that MA state regulations seem not to have been updated on these practices since 1997, so best practices might have changed. The regulations as presented by the project team are accurate and the other projects might have been special exceptions. Ms. Caceci suggested that these were exceptions and that approval might have been dependent on the specific profile and the maintenance requirements. She said they could follow up with DEP during the solid waste permitting to see if any exceptions could be applied to this site. Mr. Moser appreciated this effort, and stated that he would not attempt to impose a tree-planting condition since it would conflict with DEP’s written policy. He noted that city residents and officials would probably appreciate additional trees if they could be added. Mr. Doyle moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Dufromont. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Moser, Dufromont. Motion passed. Motion by Mr. Doyle to issue a positive order of conditions with the standard special conditions as modified, and any site-specific conditions. Seconded by Mr. Donovan. Discussion, which included a review of the site-specific conditions. Mr. Moser asked to confirm that the updated plans have been filed. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Moser, Dufromont. Motion passed. Participant Bridgette Maynard noted: “On behalf of Representative John Lawn, thank you everyone for your work and engagement on this project. He is in support of this proposal.” Councilor Harris noted: “Thank you Waltham Conservation Commission from all of ward 8. Thank you to Waltham planning and consultants. We are so grateful to start this transformational project for ward 8. �” Public Meeting Request for Determination of Applicability Applicant: The Davis Companies Property Location: 455 Totten Pond Road Project Description: Removal of above-grade structures and foundations, with surrounding paved areas to remain in place. Erosion and sedimentation controls will be installed and maintained in accordance with MassDEP standards, and existing measures from a current laydown area for a MWRA pipeline extension project will be inspected and supplemented as needed—particularly near the intermittent stream along the eastern portion of the site within the 100-foot buffer zone. Approved 7-10-2025 Page 2 of 5 John Hession of VHB presented for the applicant. Darren Ferguson (Davis Companies) and Ronnie Cincotta (demolition contractor) also present. Mr. Hession summarized the proposal, which is to demolish the existing structures. The site is commonly known as the old Home Suites Inn or Naked Fish site. There is a comprehensive permit [40B] application with the city for this property, but this is separate activity and no construction will be involved. Should that project advance, the applicant will appear before the commission with a full notice of intent. The eastern boundary of the property is the West Chester Brook, a jurisdictional intermittent stream. He outlined the demolition plan and traffic flow. Structures will be removed and the site graded and stabilized. Existing erosion controls from temporary MWRA use will be supplemented and upgraded as needed. Trucks will enter from Totten Pond Road, live-load, and leave via Winter Street. Material will be hauled to a site in Rhode Island, with nothing stored here. Existing pavement and vegetation will be retained. Discussion. Ms. Sullivan asked Mr. Hession to highlight the jurisdictional boundaries for the benefit of the commission and public. She felt there would be minimal disturbance and that with erosion controls installed there will be no effect on the stream. She recommended a negative determination. Mr. Donovan knows the site and commented on the existing controls, which he felt had worked very well. He asked that the jersey barriers, which belong to the MWRA contractor and will be removed when their work is complete, be replaced (or something similar substituted) by the applicant to ensure trucks keep clear of the sensitive area. Mr. Hession agreed to this. Mr. Donovan asked if any of the structures go below grade; Mr. Cincotta noted a small sub grade boiler room, otherwise it is all slab. Slabs, foundation walls, and under-slab plumbing will all be removed. Utilities will be capped. Mr. Dufromont asked into measures to avoid runoff. Mr. Cincotta described planned grading to avoid runoff, as well as wattles and silt fencing plus catch basin protection. Mr. Moser supports a negative determination and thanked the applicant for their efforts to redevelop the site. Mr. Doyle moved to issue a negative 3 determination (within buffer zone; no impact). Seconded by Mr. Moser. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Moser, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Hearing Notice of Intent (DEP File # 316-tba) Applicant: Robert Winn / City of Waltham Engineering Department Property Location: 14 Pine Street (Embassy parking garage) Project Description: The city proposes to treat stormwater runoff using green infrastructure to reduce phosphorus loading to the Charles River. Runoff from 4 existing storm drain outfalls located within the city-owned Embassy parking garage will be routed through proposed green infrastructure using infiltration systems and bioretention features. Mr. Winn was present. Sam Bade of SSV Engineering presented. Mr. Bade described the site and existing conditions. He noted the resource area boundaries and flood elevations. This location has a 25’ riverfront boundary. Catch basins here currently drain directly into the Charles, untreated. The goal of the project is to provide stormwater treatment to the extent practical; there will be no addition to impervious area. The green infrastructure will be in the at-grade lot on the east side, but will also treat the flow from the parking deck. There will be a subsurface infiltration system toward the west side; the plan accounts for the proposed stormwater capture and infiltration which will be part of the 210 Moody Street project recently approved by the commission [DEP 316-0831]. He showed details of the basin on the west side and the green infrastructure on the east side. The east site is a demonstration project. They estimate 78% phosphorous reduction for the site, approximately 2 pounds per year. This is small, but every bit helps and Waltham is required to reduce phosphorous discharge into the Charles by 60%. He showed a photo of the east site existing conditions, then an overlay rendering of the proposed new features. Approved 7-10-2025 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Sullivan noted that the commission has the revised plans on file. She pointed out that because of the 25’ riverfront line at this location, all work is within buffer zone only. It has to meet MA DEP stormwater standards, which it does. Mr. Dufromont asked for clarification of the phosphorous capture details. Mr. Bade added that as part of the MS4 plan the city is working on five projects, including this one. Mr. Donovan asked into the time line of this project, specifically how it would interact with the two planned DCR projects immediately across the river [March 2025 RDA and DEP 316-0834]; there will be parking and accessibility impacts. Mr. Winn explained that work will be funded under a grant from EPA, and timing is dependent on that being finalized. He would like to have bidding out this summer. Mr. Donovan commented that DCR expects to have to close the footbridge during work, and also noted that 210 Moody Street would add to the construction inconvenience. Mr. Winn confirmed that 210 Moody Street is still working through permitting with the city and work has not yet been scheduled. Mr. Moser asked for some clarification on the functioning of the green infrastructure shown in the rendering. He expressed support for this project and optimism for similar future projects. Mr. Doyle likes the project and noted that as it is all within previously developed impervious area it is simple for approval. Ms. Sullivan noted the existence of two old open permits at this location, and hoped Mr. Winn would be willing to work to close them at the next meeting. Mr. Winn said that not all the old files have been located. He and Ms. Sullivan will pursue this outside the meeting. Mr. Moser asked Ms. Sullivan to confirm before the next meeting that irrelevant conditions in the SSOOC be struck, prior to approval. Mr. Doyle motioned to continue the hearing to the next meeting, as DEP has not yet assigned a file number. Seconded by Mr. Dufromont. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Moser, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Hearing Notice of Intent (DEP File # 316-tba) Applicant: Bradley Cardoso / Hobbs Brook Real Estate LLC Property Location: 404 Wyman Street Project Description: Construct two paver courtyards and reconstruct the building entrance area at the 404 Wyman Street office building. The two patios are located on the southeast and southwest notches of the building footprint. Currently these areas are entirely lawn. The 404 Wyman building entrance is located at the northeast corner of the building and will remain at the same location. Anthony Donato of Hancock Associates presented. He summarized the proposal, including associated work in non-jurisdictional areas. He showed details on the plans. The patio work is lawn conversion and plantings, mostly out of jurisdiction. Part of a new accessibility path and landscaping is within the buffer zone. They will be installing additional drainage and infiltration to handle runoff from the new impervious area. They have reached out to Cambridge Water Department, as this location is withing the Hobbs Brook watershed. CWD requested no salt de-icing and that part of the proposed landscaping use a native meadow seed mix. They have revised the planting plan to accommodate. Mr. Donato noted that Ms. Sullivan had pointed out one proposed tree removal, for regrading, which is just within jurisdiction (at 98’). The proposal will re-plant 16 trees and numerous shrubs, but mostly outside the 100’ line. He noted compliance with Waltham’s stormwater requirements. DEP has not yet assigned a file number, so this can’t be closed at this meeting. Ms. Sullivan clarified that the one removed tree in buffer zone will be replaced by 3 trees and 52 shrubs, which is great. She pointed out that most of the species in the planting plan are non-native or cultivars, and the commission usually expects a much higher proportion of natives; the cultivars do not provide as much genetic diversity or wildlife benefit. Planting numbers are great, but the species mix could be improved. Mr. Moser agreed. When there is a restoration project, the commission prefers all natives; in a lawn improvement/conversion project like this, he would allow more leeway Approved 7-10-2025 Page 4 of 5 but would like to not see cultivars not native to the region (such as the Japanese anemone variety listed on the plan). He would not see a problem with North American cultivars. Mr. Sbordone agreed and asked Ms. Sullivan to suggest possible alternatives for the applicant prior to the next meeting. Mr. Donovan had no questions. Mr. Dufromont asked that any feedback from CWD be placed in the file. Mr. Doyle asked into the status with the city Engineering Department. Mr. Donato confirmed that they have been in contact, but Engineering has not yet reviewed. Engineering requires them to provide a plot plan for the entire 27+ acre parcel, which is not up to date, and they will have a surveyor complete this soon. No drainage issues have been raised. Motion to continue by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Dufromont. Motion passed. Commission Business • Approval of meeting minutes from 5-8-2025. Motion to approve by Mr. Moser, seconded by Mr. Doyle. Motion passed. Correspondence • NOTED: As of May 20, MA DEP has lowered the drought status statewide. Waltham is now at Level 0 - Normal. Old Business • Ms. Sullivan reported an update from DCR. They plan to begin work fixing the seepage issue at the Moody Street dam on June 2. [Work was approved by the commission 13 March 2025 under an RDA.] Mr. Dufromont asked if there was an update on the Landry Park work, at the same location but a separate project. No update has been received. Site Visit Reports • Mr. Donovan reported recently visiting the Paine Estate and noted that the Ailanthus problem is severe and worsening. He cut about 50 saplings along the first 25’ of the path by the old house/parking lot area. He estimated most were 2’-3’ diameter, some 4’-5’. He presented a few photos to show the situation. He plans to return. This is a temporary solution. Brief discussion. Committee Reports • CPC: Met May 13. Next meeting scheduled for June 10. Mr. Doyle noted 2 applications at the May meeting. Opportunities for Inclusion requested $2.8M for a building rehab, and CPC recommended approval. St. Mary’s Apartments made a $230K request but did not appear at the meeting and the request did not move forward. New Business • Mr. Moser asked into the FY2026 budget hearing and approval status. Mr. Sbordone has not yet been notified of ConCom’s appearance time. He believes the mayor has included the full-time agent in the FY26 budget, but that she will continue to withhold the signoff that allows HR to activate the position. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Dufromont. All present in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 PM. Approved 7-10-2025 Page 5 of 5