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Commission approves standard order for Mass Audubon demolition and stabilization at Pawtucket Farm
Summary
Mass Audubon received the Conservation Commission's approval to issue standard order conditions for demolition of an existing farmhouse and site stabilization at 1413–1415 Barnum Ave (Pawtucket Farm); the project will reduce impervious surface and install erosion controls prior to wetlands.
The Lowell Conservation Commission voted to issue the standard Lowell order conditions for an amended Notice of Intent filed by the Massachusetts Audubon Society for work at 1413–1415 Barnum Avenue (Pawtucket Farm).
Liz Stetson, senior director of capital assets and planning for Mass Audubon, told the commission that after an in‑depth analysis the organization concluded the existing farmhouse and its multiple historical additions would be costly to adapt and would not meet the sanctuary's program needs. Mass Audubon proposes to demolish the farmhouse and an adjacent building, remove the driveway and capping utilities at the mains, stabilize the exposed soils with topsoil and grading to match adjacent grades, and reduce impervious area to lower stormwater runoff toward a nearby pond.
Jonathan Hedlund of Mitch Engineering said the plan calls for sediment and erosion controls downstream of the work to capture runoff before it reaches the pond. Commissioners had no outstanding questions, closed the public hearing, and voted to issue the standard order conditions. The commission thanked Mass Audubon for the progress and noted interest in future updates as phase work continues.
