DCR consultant presents Dunn State Park drainage plan; commission continues hearing to Aug. 25

AECOM, representing the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, presented a drainage improvement and pavement resurfacing project at Dunn State Park that would install a bioretention system and a water‑quality swale within the 100‑foot buffer to Dunn Pond. The Gardner Conservation Commission continued the public hearing to Aug. 25 to allow state reviewers to comment and to clarify notifications to downstream property owners. Heather Fish, a consultant for AECOM, described two main jurisdictional elements: a water‑quality swale west of the park pavilion that will tie into an existing catch basin, and a bioretention (rain garden) on the western side of the property intended to collect and filter runoff from Pearl Street and park walkways before it reaches Dunn Pond. Fish said path repaving within the 100‑foot buffer would be reclamation and not new impervious surface. Commissioners asked whether downstream owners had been notified, citing prior work where downstream residents were not informed. Fish and staff said notification requirements are limited by the parcel's size and the project’s footprint and that, under the applicable regulations, only abutters within 100 feet of the project area must be notified. Commission members asked staff to confirm whether DEP (referred to as "DEP" on the record) and the Division of Ecological Restoration had issued comments; Fish and staff said they expected DEP comments and proposed continuing the hearing to Aug. 25 so the commission could review any state feedback. The commission made and seconded a motion to continue the hearing to Aug. 25; the motion carried. Commissioners asked staff to flag any DEP feedback when available and to confirm that downstream property owners, including those at Marbach/Mahoney Pond downstream, receive notice where required.