Sudbury Conservation Commission continues review of phased repairs at 331 Hudson Road

The Town of Sudbury Conservation Commission on Jan. 27 continued a wetlands notice of intent for work at 331 Hudson Road (DEP file 3011428) after hearing a presentation from the applicant’s representative about a two-phase project that would replace and raise the house roof and add a second floor and deck.

The continuation gives the applicant time to submit revised materials showing only the work proposed under Phase 1 — the roof replacement, a new second floor, a new deck and a roof dry well — and to clarify how existing downspouts that outlet toward the brook will be decommissioned.

Montgomery (representative for the applicant), who identified himself as representing the applicant and consulting from Acton, summarized the plan and said the owner intends two separate filings: one notice of intent for Phase 1 and a second notice of intent for Phase 2. He said the Phase 1 scope includes removing an existing porch and walkway, repairing and replacing the roof (a tree-damage repair), adding a second-floor bedroom, installing a new deck roughly 32.8 feet from the front resource line, and constructing a roof dry well to capture rooftop runoff.

Fred Hanna, who said he operates a construction company and is working with the owner, told the commission the existing downspouts connect into underground pipe runs and proposed that the pipes be excavated about 5–6 feet from the house and filled with concrete so they are effectively capped rather than excavated all the way into the stream.

Conservation staff asked for a revised plan that isolates Phase 1 work so the commission can issue an order of conditions limited to that scope. Laurie (Conservation staff) pressed for details on how the existing roof runoff outfalls would be decommissioned and asked the applicant to show the extent of disturbance and erosion controls clearly. Laurie also questioned the dry well design: Montgomery said the dry well was sized for a 10-year storm and that the team used the nearest riverfront flag to estimate seasonal high groundwater (the elevation used was about 159.4 feet). Laurie recommended a confirmatory test pit to verify the high groundwater elevation and asked whether the dry well has an overflow; the representatives said no overflow has been shown and they will investigate overflow routing.

The commission also asked the applicants to clarify which previously approved mitigation plantings would be installed with Phase 1 and which stumps and storage structures would be removed immediately versus in Phase 2. The team agreed the small storage trailer at the front would be removed once habitable space is available, and the commission asked that removal be reflected on the Phase 1 plan. Staff noted several trees and stumps shown on the plan need to be reconciled with the Phase 1 scope and that stump removal tied to Phase 2 should be deferred from the Phase 1 filing.

Commissioners and staff agreed the project should proceed as two separate notices of intent; the commission voted to continue the hearing to Feb. 10, 2025, so staff and the applicant can exchange revised plans and additional information.

Action taken: The commission voted to continue the wetlands hearing for 331 Hudson Road to Feb. 10, 2025; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The property work is proposed within the 100-foot buffer zone and a 200-foot riverfront area regulated under the Wetlands Protection Act and the Sudbury Wetlands Administration bylaw. Staff emphasized that a narrow, focused Phase 1 plan and test-pit confirmation of groundwater elevations are needed to ensure the dry well and erosion controls will function without increasing runoff to the brook.

What’s next: The applicant will submit a revised Phase 1 plan showing only the work to be permitted now, clarify the decommissioning approach for existing buried downspouts, add a plantings table showing mitigation tied to Phase 1, and provide documentation from the building department on structural review before the commission will issue an order limited to Phase 1.