A task-force meeting on Warner's Pond approved a streamlined request for information to solicit bids for three dredging alternatives and removed separate stormwater and fish‑passage design items from the immediate procurement.

Unidentified participant (Speaker 1) opened the discussion by saying the 30‑inch drain line had been included to prompt consideration of improvements because "there is stormwater that's collected from Route 2 from, part of Barrett's Mill Road and then 2 A going into Acton" that currently "is dumped untreated right into Waters Pond," language the group said was intended to encourage the Massachusetts Department of Transportation or other responsible parties to evaluate stormwater management options.

The group focused on narrowing the RFI to dredging and disposal costs. "I'd like to just focus on the dredging disposal aspects of it and to kind of update, compare that cost with what we had before," said Unidentified participant (Speaker 2), who argued that fish‑passage work and stormwater projects are related but distinct and could reduce bidder interest if combined into one scope. Unidentified participant (Speaker 3) suggested using existing consultant work — an assessment of five alternatives performed under EA's contract — to scope a separate fish‑passage RFI if needed.

Participants raised three practical issues the final RFI will clarify: testing of dredged material for arsenic, assumptions about trucking and disposal sites, and specific quantity conversions used for hauling estimates. Speaker 1 said processing and batch testing were "contemplated in the item for, processing the drench material" based on the 2022 dredging bid lines but acknowledged the RFI did not explicitly call out testing and that they would check the RFP and contract documents. The group discussed assumed disposal to an NMI site and agreed trucking cost estimates should reflect local alternatives if NMI is not available.

The meeting also resolved inconsistencies in the draft quantities. Speaker 1 explained the draft showed differing figures — for example, 35,800 cubic yards to be dredged with 32,000 cubic yards processed, leaving about 3,800 cubic yards identified for separate handling — and proposed using a conversion factor (1.4 cubic yards to tons) when calculating haul tonnage. Participants agreed to update and highlight those figures in the final RFI.

Unidentified participant (Speaker 4) moved to approve "the RFI as prepared right now, for the dredging, the 3 dredging alternatives at Warner's Pond," removing the stormwater and fish‑passage portions; Unidentified participant (Speaker 2) seconded the motion. Two participants explicitly recorded their affirmative votes on the record, and the motion carried. The group set a short turnaround for bids, noting they expected responses by the following Wednesday, and Speaker 1 said they would finalize and distribute the RFI.

Next steps: staff will confirm whether batch testing procedures are specified in the prior RFP/contract, finalize the corrected quantities and conversion math, include trucking/disposal cost assumptions, issue the RFI, and convene again after bids are received.