Conservation commission recommends temporary wetland fill for utility crossing at 54 Runlet Hill Road

The Bedford Conservation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to recommend approval of a dredge-and-fill permit allowing Trendezza LLC to temporarily impact 68 square feet of wetland at 54 Runlet Hill Road (Map 1, Lot 19) to install two conduit sleeves for a septic force main serving a proposed 30-unit cottage development.

Scott Cole of Beals Associates, presenting for the applicant, said the project is a cottage-style development on a 22-acre parcel with 30 two-bedroom units and three floor-plan types. "This is gonna be the second proposal in town for this kind of development," Cole said, describing a loop road, sidewalks and a plan that avoids permanent impacts to the wetland.

Andrew Sarekis of Beaverbrook Planning and Design described the wetland crossing and mitigation. He said the installation will cross at the narrowest point, use a Forestry Bridge spanning footings and I-beams, and place two buried sleeves so the force main can be routed later through the sleeved conduit. "It's just a temporary crossing that's gonna be subterranean," Sarekis said, adding the trench and sleeve installation would be short in duration and restored to existing conditions.

Commissioners pressed the applicant on construction timing, permanence and access. When asked whether the sleeves or pipes would be removed, the applicant said the sleeves are intended to remain and the force main would be run through them later; installation of the sleeve trench itself was described as a short operation that could be done during dry or frozen conditions to limit wetland impacts.

Town Council representative Bill Carter raised concerns that an unlocked entrance to the septic access could encourage vehicle traffic or snow dumping that would increase salt and pollutant runoff into the stream. "I really do think that bridge or that entrance to your septic system should be either locked or gated," Carter said, urging safeguards to protect the wetland. Scott Cole said the developer would be asked about access control and suggested that at a minimum signage ("authorized vehicles only," "private property") could help deter trespass.

Vice Chair Joanne Smith moved that the commission recommend approval of Trendezza LLC’s request to fill 68 square feet of wetland for a utility crossing at 54 Runlet Hill Road; Jim Murray seconded. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. The recommendation is advisory; the project still requires planning-board review and any state permits (New Hampshire DES) before work can proceed.

Next steps: the commission’s recommendation will accompany the applicant’s permit packet to the planning board and any required state wetland permitting. The applicant said it will coordinate timing to do the work during dry or frozen conditions and discuss site access protections with the developer.