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Keolis railroad vegetation plans continued after commissioners seek DEP appeal records
Summary
Norwood commissioners continued a request for determination from Keolis for vegetation management in the commuter-rail right of way to April 16, asking the applicant to provide records on a previous MassDEP appeal and clarifications about mechanical clearing versus chemical applications in sensitive zones.
The Norwood Conservation Commission on March 26 continued consideration of Keolis’ five-year vegetation-management request for the commuter-rail right of way so the commission can review earlier MassDEP appeal records and better understand prior determinations affecting mechanical clearance in wetland buffer zones.
Matt (consultant for Keolis) described the company’s roadside vegetation-management program and the maps used to classify treatment zones. He said Keolis performs two annual chemical applications: a May–June roadbed treatment that targets the track bed and an August–September application that targets brush; treatment mixtures vary year to year and are selected from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources’ approved list. Matt said an environmental monitor accompanies the applicator and may shut off nozzles where spraying approaches sensitive areas.
Matt told the commission that the blue and yellow zones on the maps represent restricted areas; yellow zones do not receive shoulder treatment and blue zones typically receive roadbed-only treatment and are monitored more closely. He also said mechanical clearing is used where chemical applications are restricted and that mechanical work is conducted “as needed” to keep the right-of-way safe.
Commissioners expressed support for a negative determination for the roadbed chemical application but said they needed more information before issuing a positive determination for mechanical clearing in buffer zones. The conservation agent said she was investigating the status of a prior appeal with MassDEP and requested Keolis provide any superseding determination or appeal resolution documents that would clarify whether mechanical removal in Norwood required separate filings (a Notice of Intent) or whether a superseding order had already authorized such work.
After discussion, the commission voted to continue the hearing to the April 16 meeting to allow staff and the applicant to gather: (1) the status of the five-year-old appeal or any superseding determination, and (2) confirmation whether mechanical vegetation removal had taken place in Norwood in the past five years. The continuation was moved and seconded and carried by roll-call vote: Kelsey Quinlan: aye; Catherine Walsh: aye; Anil Prasad: aye.
Keolis’ consultant said he would provide the town the superseding order or documentation and the operational plan specifying yearly herbicide mixtures and that Keolis would coordinate with Carly (Conservation Agent) and town staff about scheduling continuances if needed.
The commission asked the applicant and staff to return on April 16 with the requested records so the body can act on the remains of the request.
