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1998-05-06Norwoods Pond Commission Minutes May 6, 1998 meeting Members present: Chairman Don Martin, Vice-Chairman Neiland Douglas, Bill Frost, Bruce Nardella, Joyce McMahon, Virginia MeGlynn, Kevin Burke, J. Michael Lawler. Chairman Martin calls' the meeting to order at 7:30, and asks if there are any members of the public who would wish to address the commission. Ron Johnsen states that he is concerned about industrial development in the vicinity of the Norwood pond site and the potential impact of this type of development on the water quality of both Norwood Pond and the City's water supply. He urges the commission to move slowly in its deliberation and decision processes. Elise Bernstein .questions whether the access proposal outlined by Neiland Douglas at the last meeting signals some sort of shift in the commission's focus. With no other public comment and this point in the meeting, Martin asks members if there are any suggested corrections to the draft minutes of the last meeting held on April 1, 1998. There are none. McMahon: motion to approve the minutes of the April 1, 1998 meeting, seconded by McGlynn. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, members ~liscuss the site visit to the former landfill site off Otis Road that was held on April 18th. Lalvler notes that the presence of the orange leachate leading from the inoperative pump station was of great concern, since it is finding its way to the north side of Route 128 and potentially to Norwood Pond itself. Protecting the pond should be a top priority. Lawler suggests that this commission should urge the City to expedite the process of repairing the pump. Douglas states that the leachate should be collected and diverted in such a way that it will not find its way into any Norwood Pond tributaries. He thinks the matter is within the province of the commission, and that the restoration of the pump and drainage system into working order should be a priority. Frost says that he knows the leachate pump system was installed in 1973 and that the system was identified as non-functional back in 1983. Nardella suggests that City Engineer Frank Killilea should approach representatives of the City's consulting firm, Camp Dresser & McKee for photographs and drawing of the leachate pump design, and ask them for Minutes of Norwood Pond Commission May 6, 1998 page two recommendations on remediation measures that can be quickly implemented to correct the situation in light of the overall plan to cap the dump site. McMahon notes that input from commission member David Lang (who is also chairman of the conservation commission) may be necessary. Members discuss the process of capping the landfill in general. Next, members review a map of much of the area around Norwood Pond, the access concepts outlined by Vice Chairman Douglas at earlier meetings, and the ownership of private lands around the site. Douglas reminds members that, in addition to construction funds, the State has promised the City up to $500,000 in engineering funds to design the proposed overpass. The design of the access roadways should be done in such a way as to minimize damage to the wetlands, and notes that the bulk of the City's property is likely to be used for recreational uses. Martin explains that he spoke with commission member David Lang, who asked Martin to convey his concerns about wetlands, pollution, and the need for an economic benefits analysis of the entire study area. Nardella expresses concern that the City has yet to hire a consulting engineer to begin the review of the overpass desig~jredesign, and suggests that the commission encourage the City, through its Mayor, to expedite that process. Members of the Commission concur with his sentiments. Douglas: motion to request of the Mayor that some of the $500,000 identified as funding for engineering services for the overpass design be used immediately to hire a consulting firm for that purpose, seconded by Frost. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, Douglas suggests that a number of private businesses in this area will be interested in the commission's efforts because the subject of redesigning access to this area will directly affect them. McMahon suggests that the commission consider talking directly to the major property owners in the area to inform them of the commission's efforts so that they will know first-hand what the possibilities are. Lawler suggests that two members of the commission - perhaps the chairman and vice-chairman - should meet with representatives of Maestranzi Brothers, the North Shore Music Theater, Parker Brothers, the Salem Evening News, Cycles t28 and Santin Engineering. LawleE motion that the commission write a letter to representatives of the property/business owners referenced above for the purpose of scheduling a meeting with each of them to discuss and inform them of the commission's efforts, seconded by Burke. All members in favor, motion carries. Lawler volunteers to work with City Planner Tina Cassidy to draft a letter to be sent for this purpose. Norwood Pond Commission minutes May 6, 1998 meeting page three Next, Burke asks for clarification on the subject of vernal pools that have been certified on or near the Norwood Pond campus. Pare Kampersol, a member of the audience, states that maps showing the areas where vernal pools have been certified accompany each certification, and members ask that the topographic map of the area that has been supplied to members be revised to include their locations. Ron Johnsen, another audience member in attendance, informs members that five vernal pools have been certified in the vicinity. Next, members discuss the commission's goals in a general fashion. During the discussion, Nardella suggests that the commission should not narrow its focus at this point, but should instead leave all possible subjects on the table for consideration. He feels it is still too early in the fact-finding process for the commission to make this type of decision. Douglas states that the bulk of the land area most likely will be conserved for recreational uses or preserved as open space.. Next, Martin asks if there is any new or other business matters for discussion by the commission. Frost states that he reviewed the information distributed by Chairman Martin at the last meeting regarding the Ipswich River Park project in North Reading. He suggests that the commission consider visiting the park sometime in the upcoming months, potentially on July 13th. Lawler questions whether anyone has considered dredging Norwood Pond. He informs members that the Request for Proposals issued by the City for the study of Norwood Pond must be rebid; the proposals the City received came in higher than available funding, most likely because the scope of the proposed study was too aggressive. The scope of the study is being revised to morn accurately reflect the funding available for the study by Community Development Manager Dawn Goodwin with the assistance of Pare Kampersol and Bill Frost, and that a second RFP will shortly be advertised. Martin reminds members that the next meeting of the commission will be held on Wednesday, June 3. 1998 at 7:30 p.m. He asks if any members of the public wish to speak before the meeting is adjourned. Ms. Kampersol shares information she has on the City's efforts to conduct testing on the leachate from the landfill, and expresses concem about the need to remedy the faulty pump station immediately. The commission, during general discussion on the matter, concurs with her concern. Nardella: motion to request that the City engineer take all necessary steps to immediately ascertain the problem with the existing leachate pump at the former landfill and take whatever steps are necessary to repair it~ and that the City Engineer inform the commission of his findings and progress at the next meeting. Motion seconded by Burke, all members in favor. Next, Mr. Johnsen addresses the members and reiterates his concern about the importance of the Norwood Pond study, the impact the malfunctioning pump station could be having on the pond itself and on wildlife in the area. He expresses concern about the appropriateness of the Norwood Pond Commission minutes May 6, 1998 meeting page four commission's decision to meet with affected property owners to apprize them of the commission's efforts outside of a public forum. Burke explains that the meetings are designed to inform these owners of what the commission has been discussing, and that it is certainly permissible for one or two members of the commission to meet with business owners for this purpose. It is his understanding that the owners will also be informed that the commission's meetings are open to the public and that they will be invited to attend all future meetings to keep themselves informed of the group's efforts. Mr. Jim Alberghini, an employee of the North Shore Music Theater, states that the "orange" stream crossing Route 128 to the pond seems to be getting worse, and suggests that the city should make the problem a top priority. McMahon states that with respect to Johnsen's earlier comments, he should understand that one of the major reasons for meeting with the property owners in this area is to in fact ascertain information relative to long-term plans these businesses may have for their properties, and that the commission will benefit by having this information as it continues its efforts. Douglas views the meetings as a way to establish better communication between the City and the abutters. Renee Mary, Hale Street, expresses concern about traffic and whether any existing interchanges to/from Route 128 will be eliminated. Lawler mentions that improving the existing interchanges to provide more direct access to Route 128 may be a possibility, with the idea that the access points could be made more efficient in terms of getting traffic onto and off of Route 128. Dan DeAngelis of Brimbal Avenue questions whether traffic signals will need to be installed on Brimbal Avenue if an access road is ever constructed. Elise Bernstein of Budleigh Avenue states that she hopes the Norwood Pond campus will be used for open space, conservation, or recreation only, and agrees that seeking more information on the impact of construction of an overpass is sensible. Amy Cyr, a member of the audience, agrees that the site should be used for the purposes listed by Bernstein. Martin asks if there are any other members of the public who wish to address the commission. There are none. Frost: motion to adjourn, seconded by McMahon. All members in favor, motion carries. Meeting is adjourned at 9:20 p.m.