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1998-06-03Don Martin, Chairman Nelland Douglas, Vice-Chairman Norwood Pond Commission Kevin Burke Tina Cassidy William Frost Todd Lampell David Lang J. Michael Lawlet Virginia McGlynn Joyce McMahon Bruce Nardelia Norwood Pond Commission MEETING MINUTES JUNE 3, 1998 Members present: Chairman Don Martin, Vice-Chairman Neiland Douglas, J. Michael Lawler, Bruce Nardella, Joyce McMahon, Bill Frost, Virginia McGlynn, David Lang, Tina Cassidy and Frank Killilea. 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 Johnsen states that he has two issues; the first is designating this City-owned land as Conservation land, because he feels this would permit passive recreation, prevent any development and preserve the area; the second matter is that he feels that the issue of the North Shore Music Theater and Parker Brothers not being on the sewer line should be a separate issue from the overpass. Martin asks if there is any other public comment. There is none. Next, Martin asks members if they have reviewed the draft minutes of the May 6, 1998 meeting and whether there are any suggested corrections/additions. There were none. Douglas: motion to accept the May 6, 1998' meeting minutes as drafted, seconded by McGlynn. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, members get an update from Douglas with respect to a meeting held with business owners, Richard and Leo Maestranzi, that it was a very beneficial meeting, and that both owners understand the City's efforts. Douglas states that the Maestranzi's said the size of the water line is a 12" main on Dunham Road and that it feeds Parker Brothers. Douglas states that Maestranzi pointed out that Parker Brothers and the North Shore Music Theater installed their own sewer system, that is Norwood Pond Commission June 3# 1998 Neering Page Two forced up onto Dunham Road, and to connect both facilities onto public sewer wouldn't create any problems. Douglas states that he was impressed with the enthusiasm received from Maestranzi with respect to what is going on and the planning, and will fully cooperate with the Commissions efforts. Lang asks if any particulars were discussed with respect to what they have planned regarding development of their property. Douglas states that they didn't get into details, that they are caught up in the permitting process, but states that they are fully prepared to cooperate with the City to the fullest extent. Douglas explains that Maestranzi indicated one other thing, that the leachate pump located on the other side of Rt. 128 is on Maestranzi property and if the City has problems identifying the location of the outfall pipe, he will help the commission flag it. Lang asks if there will be any development problems because the street ends in a cul-de-sac. Cassidy states that there are two issues she sees here, one issue is the Planning Board's Rules & Regulations which limits dead-end roadway lengths to 500'; the other is the need to make sure they can get sufficient water pressure. Lang asks if there is a possibility of a looped waterline there. Cassidy states that a loop is one way to increase pressure, but that there are a couple of options. Lawler explains that there is a grandfathering condition that states that the street cannot be turned into a through street. Lang asks if they (Maestranzi) have filed any subdivision applications with the Planning Board. Cassidy responds no. McGlynn asks if there isn't any possible way for Dunham Road to be extended for an access to Beaver Pond Road. Cassidy states that there are two issues that would make it unlikely: (1) Beaver Pond Road is a private way; and (2) Essex County Green Belt Association owns property between Beaver Pond Road and the end of Dunham Road. Next, members get an update from Frank Killilea with respect to the pump station repairs. Killilea explains that they are located the force main, that they pressurized it with air, and located 2-3 leaks. Killilea explains that the force main ended 30-40 yards short of the sewer pick-up on the south side of the hill where the City picks up surface water in a swale, and notes that the discharge is well within the limits imposed by DEP. Killilea further explains that as a result of locating the main, they went back to the pump pit and installed a new pump that is Nor~ood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Neettng Page Three located in a confined space approximately 20-25' deep, but that the pump wasn't large enough to handle the capacity. City workers pulled up the existing pump, cleaned out the propeller and put it back down in the pit until the new larger pump is available. Killilea notes that they ordered two additional pumps, one to be installed, the other to be kept in stock. When the new pump does come in, the City has contracted with Talkington Edson Environmental Management who specialize in this type of work to install it. Killilea further states that they did have TEEM extend the force main and connect it into the sewer line of South Essex Sewerage District, that they cleared out the area in front of the catchment area, and notes that it will still continue to let surface water be caught and directed to the sewer, a more positive control. Lawler asks what the old GPM (gallons per minute) was and what the new GPM is. Killilea explains that there was no meter on line, that they have pump curves, but that he believes that there is 100 GPM, and states that 100 GPM's are not sufficient and therefore the City is purchasing a larger pump with more horsepower. Frost asks what the red light at the pump indicates. Killilea explains that the red light means that the power is on, but that it doesn't mean that the pump is pumping. The red light should always be on. Douglas asks where the location of the force main is located on the plan. Killilea shows where the force main is, and states that it runs along the edge of the rubbish footprint. Lang states that the pump will be difficult to properly maintain because of the leachate. Killilea states to the extent that we can maintain by pulling it up to the surface, and cleaning it, but if we have to go down into the hole, TEEM will have to do the maintenance. Lang suggests that TEEM make a way for the City to be able to bring the pump up because it will have to be cleaned out monthly. Lawler asks if the new pump will take care of the water, if it is large enough to handle the maximum flow. Killilea explains that the pump is supposed to pump the leachate water, that all other water will have to go to the catch basins, that the intent is to maintain the leachate, and to keep the two flows separate. Killilea states that this arrangement is temporary for the next two years until the City can cap the landfill. Norwood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Meeting Page Four Frost asks what the results were from the sampling TEEM took. Killilea explains that the test results should be finalized by Friday, and will have the results distributed by the end of the week. Killilea states that he did bring a copy of Malcolm Pirnie's letter (On File) for members, and notes that they did a sampling program of the leachate. Lang asks with respect to iron and magnesium levels are these pipes equipped to handle the nature of the liquid. Killilea responds yes. McMahon asks what the acronyms COD & TDS stand for which are the report. Killilea explains that COD stands for chemical oxygen demand and that TDS stands for total dissolved solids. in Martin asks if the over all numbers are better than expected. Lang responds yes, better than he thought. Martin asks, based on your knowledge should these numbers be looked at further? Lang states that they should look at a number of nutrients compounds including ammonia, total phosphorous, arsenil chloride. Frost asks if the matter can be rectified. Killilea states that when the land is capped, this will eliminate the flow, but will still get the nutrients, that the intent is to catch all the leachate and direct it to the municipal sewer system. Killilea explains that Malcolm Pirnie is contracted to do testing four times a year, and that another report will be available on 8/15/98/. Douglas asks if the northern run~off and eastern side of the dump area are to be controlled. Killilea explains that it is Malcolm Pirnie's intent to continue to see that the surface water goes where it goes now. Next, members get an update from Frank Killilea with respect to the overpass engineering. Killilea explains that they are planning to talk with some firms, as early as Friday, that have real experience in working with Mass Highway as well as having transportation skills. Douglas suggests that the chosen firm be made aware that they will assist the commission in determining appropriate access measures for this area. Douglas asks if an RFP is needed. Killilea responds no. Cassidy states that there are a couple of different ways to go about this, that she is checking it out. Killilea states that they Norwood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Neering Page Five intend to have preliminary discussions with several firms and by mid July have a firm hired. Lawler asks what is the status of the money the State funded for preliminary designs. Cassidy explains that the Mass Highway Department will make the design money available once a consultant is chosen. Lang states that he would be reluctant to get into a large long term contract with a firm, for a preliminary design only, but that he is in favor of hiring a firm when a larger feasibility study is planned, and that he would like to proceed in that manner. Douglas states that the firm will have to see the whole process and how it relates to this commission, and asks Killilea how the interest of this commission will mesh with an engineering firm. Killilea states that the firm will have to relate with this commission, that it will be one of their requirements. Douglas states that Killilea efforts have been enormously productive, that the process is going in the right direction. Nardella asks if this phase would include an economic analysis. Douglas states yes, and that he thinks it would. Frost asks who/what body is picking the firm, and who will keep a real good eye on the firm. Killilea states that he will be the one. Lang asks if a meeting has been set up with Parker Brothers and the North Shore Music Theater. Cassidy responds no. Douglas states that they do have a meeting scheduled with the Cycles 128 and the Evening News. Lang asks if it would be in the best interest of the commissio~ to have some type of dialog with the neighborhood. Douglas states yes, why not. Lawler states that the neighborhood is concerned with how this will all work out. Next, Pamela Kamperso11 discusses the overlay map she created to help the members locate the 10 vernal pools in the Norwood Pond area. Ron Johnsen reviews the overlay, and states that the vernal pool at the base of the hill by Parker Brothers and the vernal pool located on the Parker Brothers property are not yet certified, but are on their own private property, but that the vernal pool Norwood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Neeting Page Six located on the Maestranzi property is certified but is under appeal. Kampersoll explains that the green dots on the overlay map indicate an area where a 200 year old forest exists. Martin states that the map will help the Commission understand what land is usable. Cassidy asks Killilea if the Commission could have this plotted on the plan. Killilea says the information can be added. Renee Mary asks if the Mass Audobon Society will be notified as well as Essex Green Belt of this 200 year old forest. McGlynn states that this is the first time that mention of an old growth forest has been made since the Commission was formed, and asks if anything has been recorded for maintaining this old growth zone. Frost explains that the original college study makes note of the surrounding land as an old growth forest. Kampersoll notes that there is still items that need to be removed from the site. McMahon: motion to request the Department of Public Services to finish cleaning up the area around Norwood Pond, seconded by McGlynn. All members in favor, motion carries. Next, the members voted to wait until the overlay is in place before they decide on the areas for potential recreational areas. They also thank Ms. Kampersoll for her work in preparing the map. Martin notes that the next regular meeting of the Commission will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. He asks if there are any members of the public who wish to address the group before the meeting is adjourned. Bill Coughlin asks how the landfill capping will effect Norwood Pond. Killilea explains that they have scheduled the capping process to take place by November of 1999, that the capping will direct all storm water off the surface and not go through the rubbish, that it will be diverted off the landfill and directed away from there, and explains that this is part of Malcolm Pirnie's matter. Coughlin asks if the surface water will be diverted into storm drains, and if the only thing diverted to the pond is groundwater, and asks if it will continue to contain leachate. Norwood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Meeting Page Seven Coughlin asks if there is enough soil for capping. Killilea states yes, and explains that they submitted two plans to DEP, the first plan assumes the City can get the maximum quantity from the Big Dig, the second plan assumes no fill. Killilea states that they haven't gotten a response to the second plan yet, but yes, we are going to cap with material that we already have, cleaned material, uncontaminated material to prepare for swales and drainage on site; the City will not have to go out and get a lot of material. McMahon asks once the cap is put on, will more dirt have to be placed on top, and would it present a problem. Killilea explains that this would depend on the use of the cap, that if anything is done on top of the cap more soil will have to be brought in. The liner will be covered with topsoil. Killilea explains that the capping process is an 11 month project, that the contract is being prepared, and will go out for bid in November. The process will start in January 1999 and be finished by November 1999. Killilea states that they want to push back some rubbish in January and February to reduce the existing landfill footprint. McMahon asks what the present leachate information shows. Killilea explains that it was not extensive, it was quite localized, the numbers are low and that he is not sure how far they intend to go with trapping leachate, but that will be Malcolm Pirnie's first requirement, additional investigation to what new leaching field we'll need. Johnsen asks what is causing the contamination on Maestranzi's land. Lang states that he doesn't think it is contaminated from landfill. Johnsen states that with respect to the clean-up at Norwood Pond, private citizens go out and clean up the area on a voluntary basis, so this issue won't involve a big expense to the City. Renee Mary asks with respect to the landfill and the amount of fill, does the City knows the total of how much it will cost. Killilea states that a future use has not been identified, that this is the plan that has been approved by DEP, and explains that the cap that is going to be used is very expensive, and states that it will always be a landfill. McMahon states that there will need to be long term planning for this site, that there will be limitations and that the area will have to be monitored for 30 years. Norwood Pond Commission June 3, 1998 Meeting Page Eight Martin asks if anyone else wishes to address the Commission. There were none. McMahon: motion to adjourn, seconded by McGlynn. All members in favor, motion carries. Kamperso11 asks who has authority over the dam at Norwood Pond when repairs and maintenance are needed. Killilea states that if there is a problem, the Engineering Department is responsible. Meeting is adjourned at 9:05 p.m.