Conservation Commission

Waltham Conservation Commission July 24, 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. Absent: Lisa Limonciello. Public Hearing Request for Amendment to Order of Conditions (DEP File # 316-0816)(continued from 7/10/25) Applicant: Bubchull Kim Property Location: 171 Copeland Street Project Description: Construction of 80 sq.ft. and 598 sq.ft. additions to the rear of the dwelling and construction of a rain garden. Amendments: Expansion of impervious driveway and expansion of rain garden to compensate for increase to impervious area. Applicant has requested a continuance. Motion to continue to the 8/7/2025 meeting by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Donovan. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Dufromont. Motion passed. Public Hearing Notice of Intent (DEP File # 316-0841) Applicant: Andy Huntoon - Maple Multi-Family Land East Coast, L.P. Property Location: 245-265 Winter Street Project Description: Development of a multi-family residential complex. Work is in buffer zone only. Mark Arnold of Goddard Consulting presented for the applicant. Also present: Ari Arbabi, Kevin Superko. Mr. Arnold noted that proof of notification of abutters had been submitted to the commission office that afternoon [receipt confirmed]. He described the project as redevelopment of a commercial property to residential; it is currently before the planning board. [Note that references to “planning board” in this hearing were likely meant to refer to the “zoning board of appeals.”] He showed the plans and described the resource areas on the property. One is a “wetland system” between 281 and 265 Winter Street (west side). The other area is buffer zone to the intermittent stream [“West Chester Brook”] on the south side of Winter Street. The west side area is the “controlling wetland” for jurisdiction. He noted another area that is off the property, abutting to the northwest. They identified the west side area even though it is not on city maps. It was altered in the 1980s and remains jurisdictional. There will be a sidewalk in this area for pedestrian access to Winter Street. A small part of the parking area and other sidewalk will be in it. Some of the proposed stormwater management will touch this area. A stormwater report has been submitted and is being reviewed by the planning board. He stated that stormwater discharge will be significantly improved by reducing volume and Approved 8-7-2025 peak rates to the city drainage system. He pointed out the proposed erosion controls and wetland protection. He noted that the planning board is conducting a peer review. He stated that the applicant does not expect to close the hearing tonight and will ask to continue, in order to able to present any changes requested after the planning board review. Mr. Doyle asked for additional details on this review. Mr. Arnold noted that this will involve several city departments. He confirmed that an outside peer reviewer had been selected. Mr. Arbabi confirmed that this was Nitsch Engineering; he did not know the contact person. Mr. Doyle said that the commission will look at this project, but incorporate that review and not conduct duplicate that effort. He asked that the commission be included in that review process. Mr. Arnold agreed that this was part of the plan. Mr. Doyle noted that commission jurisdiction is limited on this parcel, and that there are no existing features (retention basins, etc.) of concern. It is already mostly paved and they will be installing proper mitigation. He wanted to see the review and also expected a site visit. The commission and applicant discussed scheduling a site visit. The chair recognized Linda Hanley, 58 Weir Road. Ms. Hanley is a long-time resident and described historical conditions in the area. She commented on development and drainage and proposed mitigation for the number of people expected to live there. Mr. Arnold clarified that “mitigation” in this case is improvement to what exists at the site; stormwater improvements will be significantly above what is required, and they plan to improve the wetland areas on the site by maintaining and recharging groundwater instead of discharging it to the drainage system. There was a question about the flows and watersheds in this area; Mr. Doyle clarified that the flow here is eastbound into Chester Brook and not into the Hobbs Brook reservoir. Mr. Daly from the commission office shared a map and noted the approximate watershed boundaries. Ms. Hanley asked into the drainage for Weir Road and Autumn Lane. No one present could confirm those details. Mr. Arnold believes the site drains almost entirely toward Winter Street and away from Weir Road, with a small portion draining to the west, then toward Winter Street. He noted that flow will be reduced regardless. Ms. Hanley disagreed with the flow location assessment and asked the commission to look into this further. Mr. Doyle asked Mr. Arnold to show the plan and highlight the areas within commission jurisdiction, which he did. Mr. Doyle explained the purpose of the planning board’s peer review as it relates to storm water. Ms. Hanley asked for clarification of the Conservation Commission’s jurisdiction, which Mr. Doyle noted is limited to the protection of delineated wetlands. The chair recognized Susan Poirier, 27 Weir Road, who commented on the existing drainage and flooding. The area drains into the northwest wetland (on the Hobbs Brook office park property) and then toward the west side wetland. She noted the steep ravine [west side wetland] was inspected by the commission in the past [date uncertain] and information from previous visits might be useful. Mr. Dufromont suggested that residents contact the city CPW to check the drains for blockages and other issues. Mr. Arnold noted that he and the commission office have done a check of the files and this revealed the existence of the unmapped wetland between 281 and 245 Winter Street. [File 316-0093 for 281 Winter Street, 6/5/1984.] He recommended that those with questions about the drainage should review the included plans, which will clarify that 90% or more of existing flows move toward Winter Street, with a small area draining toward the northwest wetland with little or no impact. The applicant is reducing the flows with the proposed work. Mr. Doyle moved to continue to 8/21. Mr. Donovan seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Dufromont. Motion passed. Mr. Sbordone noted that the public hearing remains open, and additional comments can be made at the 8/21 meeting. Public Meeting Request to issue a certified copy of Certificate of Compliance (DEP File # 316-0660) Applicant: Timothy & Constance Braceland Property Location: 85 Knollwood Drive Project Description: Raze existing single-family home and construct a new single-family home. (Original COC was issued 2/12/2015 but not filed with the Registry and has been lost.) Approved 8-7-2025 Mr. Doyle moved to issue. He asked for clarification on who would be able to sign, since it is an old project and few of the current members were on the commission at that time. Mr. Daly clarified that this certification letter does not require the original members, it is an administrative act of the current commission. Mr. Dufromont seconded. In favor: Sbordone, Doyle, Donovan, Dufromont. Motion passed. Commission Business • Approval of meeting minutes from 7-3-2025 and 7-10-2025. Mr. Donovan moved to approve the 7/3 minutes, noting that he was not present 7/10. Mr. Dufromont seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Dufromont moved to approve the 7/10 minutes; seconded by Mr. Doyle. Motion passed. Correspondence • Old Business • Site Visit Reports • Mr. Daly noted 3 visits that need scheduling: o 245-265 Winter Street, previously discussed. o 43 Chesterbrook Road, for a pending certificate of compliance o 404 Wyman Street, requested for pre-construction and erosion control inspection • Mr. Donovan volunteered to visit 404 Wyman, as the area is open to the public. • Mr. Dufromont volunteered to visit 43 Chesterbrook. To be scheduled. • Mr. Dufromont suggested 245-265 Winter be a group visit. Will attempt to schedule 8/5 or 8/6 in the afternoon. Committee Reports • CPC: Next meeting scheduled for September 16, 2025. Mr. Doyle added that an emergency meeting has been scheduled for Monday, July 28, for a funding request for St. Mary’s. He believes this has already been publicly posted and he will report on it at the next meeting. New Business • Mr. Sbordone asked for the status of the conservation agent job posting and vacant commissioner positions. Regarding the vacancies, Mr. Daly stated that they had been publicized a couple of months ago, but he will ask that this be done again. Regarding the agent position, he confirmed that the paperwork was signed by Bob Waters (Planning Director), and that it would then have gone to HR or the mayor’s office; he will check on the status. Motion to adjourn by Mr. Doyle, seconded by Mr. Donovan. All present in favor. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. Approved 8-7-2025