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MassDOT given OK to hand-dig storm pipes at Moore Street and Route 1 with wetland protections
Summary
The Norwood Conservation Commission on March 26 approved a negative determination of applicability, with conditions, allowing MassDOT District 5 to hand-excavate sediment around stormwater structures at the Moore Street/Route 1 intersection to collect survey data needed for future intersection improvements.
MassDOT District 5 will be allowed to hand-excavate accumulated sediment around buried stormwater drainage structures at the intersection of Moore Street and Route 1 to obtain accurate survey elevations, the Norwood Conservation Commission decided March 26.
The work won a unanimous vote after MassDOT environmental representative Dave Pachete described a very limited operation to “hand dig” sediment to expose pipes so surveyors can confirm location, diameter and elevation. Commissioners approved a negative determination of applicability, subject to conditions recommended by the conservation agent.
The determination matters because MassDOT said the survey work will inform planned intersection improvements and requires temporary disturbance in areas near wetlands. Dave Pachete, MassDOT District 5 environmental, told the commission the operation would be brief — “something that’s gonna take 1 to 2 days to complete overall” — and all excavated material would be removed from the site without on-site stockpiling.
Carly (Conservation Agent) recommended site-specific conditions if the commission approved the work: planning for erosion- and sediment-control installation and placement, prohibition on stockpiling within 50 feet of wetlands, flood plains or storm-drain inlets, and reseeding of any disturbed upland slopes with native species where appropriate. Carly said she did not expect reseeding on top of exposed pipes but recommended seeding where staff access disturbed slopes.
Commissioner Catherine Walsh moved the approval; Commissioner Anil Prasad seconded. The commission recorded a roll-call vote of three in favor — Kelsey Quinlan: aye; Catherine Walsh: aye; Anil Prasad: aye — and the negative determination with Carly’s conditions was adopted.
The commission and MassDOT agreed the work will be performed by hand and that any material removed will be taken off site. MassDOT representatives said the hand-excavation is not intended as maintenance but as a short survey operation; if later maintenance is required, it would likely involve more extensive material removal.
Next steps: MassDOT may proceed under the determination once the applicant confirms how it will implement the sediment- and erosion-control measures required by the agent.
