Commission confirms wetland boundaries, approves MBTA vegetation plan along commuter-rail right-of-way

The Southborough Conservation Commission on Oct. 23 confirmed wetland/resource-area boundaries and approved the vegetation-management work proposed within the MBTA commuter-rail right-of-way, issuing a positive 2A determination to confirm resource boundaries and a negative determination clearing the proposed vegetation-management work.

The application was filed for work in the MBTA right-of-way on behalf of the rail operator by Keolis (application name recorded in the hearing). Commission staff and the reviewer said they received updated plans, photos and field markings; the submission included video and photographs documenting the existing conditions and proposed vegetation work. Matt, the applicant representative, said the updated materials were provided so the commission could confirm mapped resource areas (positive 2A) and simultaneously approve the vegetation-management plan (negative determination) that would guide routine clearing and invasive-species control in the rail corridor.

Commission members said the combination of a positive 2A (map confirmation) and a negative determination for the vegetation work is common for railroad rights-of-way because those corridors operate under a specific regulatory and operational regime. Commissioners moved to issue the positive 2A and negative determination; the motion passed with the majority of members in favor and one abstention recorded by a commissioner who said they did not have all details for this application.

Staff said the paperwork would be prepared and provided to the applicant promptly. No public commenters appeared during the hearing.