Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure In Open Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Masonic Lodge underground electrical trenching at 58 Monument Square done before NRC review; mitigation to be proposed
Summary
Concord Grain, representing the Masonic Lodge/Concord Masonic organization, told the Natural Resources Commission that CMLP-directed trenching for underground power to permit heat-pump installation was completed without prior NRC review; the applicant agreed to propose mitigation plantings and coordinate with the church (property owner) and town.
Representatives for the Masonic Lodge at 58 Monument Square told the Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday that they completed trenching to place a new underground electrical service required for heat‑pump installation and have been working with Concord Municipal Light Plant (CMLP) and adjacent property owners to complete the work.
John (Concord Grain, representing Concord Masonic Corporation) described the installation as work performed to CMLP plans and said the trenching was directed by the utility; the work was completed before a commission review. "We did the work. The work is done," John said, asking for the commission's help identifying appropriate mitigation. He added that the building now needs a 400‑amp electrical service to support the heat pumps and that two of three oil boilers could now be shut off.
Commission staff asked the applicant to quantify the area disturbed within the 50‑foot no‑build zone and to propose compensatory plantings and other mitigation. Delia (Department of Community Development staff) asked for a calculation of the trench area (estimated 2‑foot wide trench) from the utility pole across the 50‑foot no‑build zone so the commission can apply its standard mitigation ratio (described in the meeting as 10:1 for work in the 50‑foot zone) and recommend native shrub and understory plantings.
John said the church (landowner) permitted work on its property and that the Masonic Lodge has done some plantings; he agreed to coordinate additional plantings with the church and commission staff. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue the item to the next meeting to allow the applicant to prepare mitigation proposals for commission review.
No enforcement action was recorded at the meeting; commissioners requested that the applicant and the property owner present a mitigation plan before the next meeting.
