The conservation commission reviewed a restoration plan for 640 Pleasant Street that aims to remove petroleum-contaminated soils cited in an enforcement order and move forward with an excavation and sampling schedule under a Limited Response Action (LRA).

Town staff and the contractor (GZA) described an iterative approach: small, shallow excavations in two identified areas (combined estimated footprint roughly 31 square feet), on-site erosion controls, poly-lined stockpiling outside the riverfront area while samples are analyzed, and post-excavation disposal characterization so the soil can be taken to an appropriate licensed facility. The consultant said the quantities are small and the plan provides for in-field monitoring and sampling; if post-excavation characterization shows concentrations above reportable thresholds, further steps under MCP (Massachusetts Contingency Plan) could be required.

Timing and next steps: The project team aims to complete fieldwork and provide sampling results in time for the commission’s February 11 meeting; staff asked for materials and analytical results about one week ahead of that meeting. The conservation agent said she will issue a memo indicating the commission is comfortable with implementing the restoration plan and will coordinate schedule and inspection with the applicant.

The commission discussed practical constraints (contractor availability during deep freeze, finding disposal facilities) and asked that the applicant notify the agent if timing slips. The commission did not require an additional Notice of Intent for the small, staged LRA work and directed staff to continue oversight.