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Resident urges action on snow dumping tied to Mill River pollution; commission to review DPW permits and 125 Carland certificate
Summary
A Northampton resident told the Conservation Commission that recurring snow dumping near the Mill River brought oil, salt and debris into the river; commissioners said they will review DPW snow‑storage permits for compliance and place the issue on a future agenda. The commission also reviewed a certificate‑of‑compliance request for 125 Carland Drive and asked the applicant to correct siltation and debris issues before the commission issues a certificate.
A Northampton resident told the Conservation Commission on May 14 that repeated snow disposal adjacent to the Mill River had deposited road salt, sand, litter and automotive oil that wash into the river in spring, and urged the commission to work with the Department of Public Works on an alternative disposal location or containment strategy.
Richard Hudson of 393 Riverside Drive said snow piled at the back of Mains Field reached the top of a basketball backboard in some years and contained visible contaminants. He suggested using a nearby asphalt parking pad as a containment area so the city could clean pollutants from the surface after melt, or otherwise seek an upland disposal site to limit runoff into the river.
Staff and commissioners noted the DPW has approved snow storage locations in its existing orders of conditions. Commissioners said they will review the DPW permit for compliance, examine whether an emergency certification was used for the storage location, and follow up with DPW; the commission agreed to put the matter on a future agenda for more detailed review. Hudson volunteered to present further information if the item is scheduled.
Separately, the commission discussed a request for a certificate of compliance at 125 Carland Drive. Commissioners who visited the site said older orders of conditions lacked a clear operations and maintenance (O&M) plan, that stone infiltration trenches appear silted and overgrown, and that knotweed and yard waste are present in the drainage area. Commissioners suggested staff send a letter to the applicant and the engineer (Michael Shafer) documenting discrepancies and asking that silt be removed and site issues corrected before the commission issues a certificate of compliance. No vote was taken on the certificate at this meeting; staff will follow up and bring the item back to a future agenda.
