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Public Works Commission recommends select board accept easement to advance Dover–Darden drainage project
Summary
Commissioners voted to forward a recommendation to the Select Board to accept drainage easements from Wombat Real Estate Investments, LLC, enabling preliminary design for a proposed stormwater solution at the Dover–Darden intersection in the White Pond neighborhood.
The Public Works Commission on Jan. 8 voted to recommend that the Select Board accept drainage easements at 20 Dartmouth/Darden Street and 4A Shore Drive to allow town engineers to proceed with design work for a proposed drainage and roadway improvement in the White Pond neighborhood.
Alan (staff member) briefed the commission on a long-standing flooding problem at the intersection of Darden and Dover Streets and explained that the current concept design requires an easement from an abutting property owner so town engineers can place stormwater infrastructure and complete a final design. The owner, represented in the discussion as Wombat Real Estate Investments, LLC, has been described as willing in principle to grant the easement.
Sammy (staff member) walked commissioners through a concept plan showing a swale and a path for leaching/infiltration structures and pipe connections; the plan would channel excess stormwater to a low-lying swale area on an abutter’s parcel the town already partly owns. Staff said the original neighborhood petition proposed a two-year storm design with an estimated cost in the $70,000–$100,000 range, but the engineering team sought a more robust solution that might perform to a higher storm return period.
Commissioners discussed survey and geotechnical work already underway, the need for an easement before final design, and next steps: (1) secure an executed easement from the private grantor, (2) complete final design and cost estimates, (3) hold a neighborhood hearing on scope and potential betterments, and (4) pursue funding at Town Meeting (likely via a separate article and betterment framework). Staff said the project cost is not yet known and that earlier estimates were only conceptual.
Commissioner David DeLong moved that the director forward a recommendation to the Select Board requesting acceptance of an easement as detailed on the Dover/Darden concept plan reviewed by the town engineer (plan dated 12/06/2024), subject to minor modifications requested by the grantor, Wombat Real Estate Investments, LLC. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Speakers and neighbors at the meeting urged the commission to advance the effort: Jane Prentice and Jim Wayland spoke in support of the project, and neighbors described the long-standing pooling and flooding at the intersection. Staff said survey and geotechnical work and two concept designs will be completed, and that final design would be ready by late summer; funding would then be sought at the June Town Meeting if neighborhood support and cost estimates are established.
