1998-04-01Nor~oods Pond Commission
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MEETING MINUTES
· APRIL 1, 1998
Members present: Chairman Don Martin, J. Michael Lawler, Neiland
Douglas, Joyce McMahon, Bill Frost, Virginia McGlynn, David Lang,
Todd Lampert, Keyin Burke, Tina Cassidy.
Chairman Martin calls the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and asks if
any members of the public present wish to make comments or ask
questions.
Ron Johnson displays a map of the Norwood Pond site which shows
Norwood Pond, Wenham Lake, the Reservoir and an acquifer. Johnson
explains that an acquifer indicates a connection to Norwood Pond,
and explains that he believes that the acquifer goes back up to the
Wenham Lake water supply. Johnson notes that any development of
the Norwood Pond site that brought in pollutants would also affect
Norwood Pond, and could be a potential problem.
David Lang asks if the groundwater fav orability map shows ground
water capabilities. Johnson responds yes.
Douglas asks if there are wells that presently tap into the
acquifer. -Lang states probably not, and explains that if there are
wells in this area they are private wells not municipal, and that
it would not be a favorable place for development of municipal
water supplies.
Renee Mary ~otes that there are two private wells in her area.
Next, Martin asks members if they have reviewed the draft minutes
of the March 4, 1998 meeting and whether there are any suggested
corrections/additions. McMahon requests that the minutes state
that she was unable to attend that meeting.
McMahon:
motion to accept the March 4, 1998 meeting minutes as
amended, seconded by Lang. All members in favor, motion
carries.
Norwood Pond Commission
April 1, 1998 Meeting
Page Two
Next, members get an update from Lang with respect to the mapping
of City Property/Norwood Pond campus, and explains that he
requested a mylar of the wetlands and the overlay river district,
but that he didn't receive a good mylar. Lang explains that he
shaded-in the pond area and the obvious wetlands, and that this
should help the members get a feel for the area north of the
highway.
Douglas asks if all the vernal pools have been located. Lang
responds that the location of all vernal pools will be added to the
map. He then explains that Cassidy and himself have begun to
identify some of them, and notes that most of them appear on City
owned property besides one that is located on the Maestranzi
property. Lang states that Ron Johnson could better update the
commission on the location of vernal pools. Johnson states that
Douglas is correct in his review of vernal pools, but that there
might possibly be one more on the Parker Brothers site.
Lang states that he will have better graphics by the next meeting
that will give the commission a broder idea of what the commission
will be beginning with and what we'll end up with. Lang notes that
the vernal pools will also be identified at that time.
Lawler asks with respect to a usage plan, that if an area is a
wetland does that mean it remain undisturbed forever, or does the
City or the developer have options in treating/transforming a
wetland. Lang explains that any wetland is under the jurisdiction
of the Conservation Commission, and that the Conservation
Commission has in the past required that the wetlands be
replicated.
Lawler asks for example, if this commission finds a spot that would
be good for a soccer field and there is a wetland running through
it, what would happen. Lang states that vernal pools can't be
moved, and that any lower priority wetlands would have to be
considered by the Conservation Commission.
Martin asks if the members have any more questions on the mapping.
There are none.
Next, members get an update from Frost regarding the pump station.
He explains what he has been working on, noting that he has been in
contact with the Environmeneal Study Office of Mt. Holyoke
regarding their two ponds; that he has been gathering information
on a management programwith respect to hydro-raking; and gathering
information on an annual maintenance program. Frost explains that
he did a site walk on March 13, 1998 with the City Engineer, that
they went back to the orange stream and found it again to be orange
color, that they pulled two manhole covers, the first manhole was
2' deep in water, but not part of the system and the other manhole
Norwood Pond Commission
April 1, 1998 Meeting
Page Three
by the North Shore Music Theater was dry. Frost states that he
feels that the manholes are not the problem. Frost then explains
that he went back to the stream and that Frank Killilea went in a
different direction to research another area and found down in the
valley another body of orange water. Frost states that they pulled
samples out of the stream, but that the results are not back yet,
that they went over the landfill and found the pump to be inactive
and water overflowing the leaching area. Next, Frost passes out to
members photo's he took during the site walk and a second batch of
photo's concerning the leaching field, storm water, and the general
lay of the land.
McMahonquestions whether or not it is Frost's opinion that because
the pump was not functioning that there was an overflow of water,
and if the pump was functioning, there might not be as much water.
Frost states yes, that is my opinion.
Douglas asks if the red light goes on when the pump is functioning
or malfunctioning, and questions who owns the pump. Frost states
that he believes that the red light indicates that the pump is
malfunctioning, and that the City owns the pump.
Douglas asks whether or not Killilea had a key. Frost states no he
didn't.
Frost explains that they did find out that part of the problem is
that this area maybe a main recharge source for Norwood Pond.
Douglas states that if the pump was working then the water would be
pumped out and drained toward Essex Street. Frost states that he
is not sure where the pump is supposed to drain to.
McMahon states that the pump shouldn't be pumping leachate into the
sewer system or any fresh water supply.
Lang notes that the tributary of Norwood Pond had abnormal results
and that it should be retested.
Frost also adds that on the site walk Ray Talkingtan from the
environmental firm TEEM recommended another company Baystate
Environmental, which has produced books/information on some of the
projects they have done, in addition to a rough feasibility study.
Cassidy suggests that one of the books be placed into the general
file. Frost provided her with a copy.
Norwood Pond Commission
April 1, 1998 Meeting
Page Four
Frost suggests that the commission do a background check on
consultants they are considering. Cassidy states that
commission should also get references.
any
the
McMahon states that there was some work done on Chebacco Lake and
asked if anyone from that project has been contacted. Frost states
no, that last he knew they got a bond for the dredging, and that
that it took an awful long time to get the permits to do the
project.
Lang asks if a test well was set up at the Landfill. Frost
responds no, and states that samples were taken from three
different spots/areas: at the leaching field pump, at the orange
stream, and at the mouth of the pond where the tributary enters.
A site visit to the former landfill site off Otis Road is
rescheduled for Saturday, April 25, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. with
participants to meet on Otis Road.
Kevin Burke joins the meeting at this time. (8:10 p.m.)
Next, Martin discusses an article he read and copied regarding the
"Ipswich River Park" project in North Reading. He explains that
the article addresses a lot of similar issues that the commission
will be doing for the Norwood Pond project.
Cassidy states that it is a good idea to do a site visit in the
Summer.
Next, Douglas updates members regarding a preliminary process
Cassidy and himself are doing to identify the wetlands and vernal
pools in the Norwood Pond site area, and points out potential land
areas for development/potential use. He shows the members a
topographic configuration of various areas around the Norwood Pond
site, and then explains that he took that and made an overlay to
delineate where those areas are. Douglas states that once the
process began to unfold, it was clear to him, that if there is to
be some development in this area that the commission should focus
on the roadway infrastructure system that serves it, and states
that there is a possibility of a ramping system for the overpass.
Douglas states that the map targets particular considerations, City
owned land, open space and land already zoned for industrial uses.'
Next, Douglas discusses the possibility of developing access and
egress ramps in the vicinity of Rt. 128, and a ramping system into
the roadway, and states that there is approximately 25-30 acres of
developable land.
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Norwood Pond Commission
April 1, 1998 Meeting
Page Six
McGlynn extends a thank you to all the commission members who did
so much work for tonights meeting.
Bill Coughlin suggested that the commission find out what the red
light on at the pumping station indicates. Frost states that he is
sure that if the light is on, the pump is not working. Lawler
agrees that a red light usually means that there has been a
malfunction.
Renee Mary notes that if there is a failure of a major pumping
system a warning goes off, and asks if this is the same thing.
Cassidy states that she is not sure, that the system might be old
enough that it is a separate system.
Bill Coughlin asks if Maestranzi has asked the City to remediate
his land for dumping on his property. Cassidy states that she
doesn't honestly know. McMahon states that she recalls that there
is a line item in the Budget that the City does pay Maestranzi for
something.
Bill Coughlin asks if there are any other considerations for more
entrances to the pond than from just Route 128. Burke explains
that the school area will give us two entrances.
Ron Johnson reinforces the fact that vernal pools can't be
replicated, that they need to stay as is, and that the big wetlands
have to be protected; he states that the "Ipswich River Park"
project article scares him and that he hopes that a large portion
of the land is kept as conservation land; that he would like to see
the hiking trails kept as is; that he has a problem with the
wetlands by Hasbro; and that he feels that if the road leading into
Parker Brothers is disturbed that it could go into wetlands and
will destroy that area. He also states that there seems to be a
general consent to develop as much of the land as possible, and
· recommends that the commission be cautious, that it might not be
the best thing for the area, that there are a lot of conservation
issues, and that there could be impact on conservation wetlands by
Maestranzi. He suggests that the commission get out there and look
at the land, that he would like to keep as much land as possible as
conservation areas.
Martin states that he wants to make clear that he is not suggesting
that the commission copy exactly what was done at the Ipswich River
Park.
Elise Bornstein from the public states that she is concerned with
the industrial goal, and states that the area should be allowed to
be preserved as is.
Norwood Pond Commission
April 1, 1998 Meeting
Page Seven
Renee Mary questions how the commuters getting back home from Route
128 taking Exit 18 will get Off. Douglas states that there will be
no change in that area.
Martin asks if there are any other members of the public who wish
to speak. There are none.
Lamperr: motion to adjourn, seconded by McMahon. All members in
favor, motion carries.
Meeting is adjourned at 9:15 p.m.