Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission approves subsurface sewage system for four Bolton Center Road properties with technical conditions

The Bolton Inland Wetlands Commission voted unanimously Jan. 27 to approve application #IW-25-17, authorizing a subsurface sewage system to serve 206, 220, 222 and 266 Bolton Center Road, subject to several technical conditions and oversight requirements.

Town Engineer Joseph Dillion told the commission the proposed alignment is intended to minimize wetland crossings and that septic tanks on the affected properties will provide backup power; he said each tank has a capacity of 1,000 gallons and a storage tank is planned at the barn. Dillion said borings and soil samplings will be done ‘‘as soon as possible’’ to check for rock and soil type and that the project team will pursue alternatives that reduce wetland impacts.

The approval, moved by Member Michael McDonnell and seconded by Member David Lynn, lists required submittals and construction controls the commission must receive before work begins. The commission conditioned approval on submission of pertinent technical-specification sections (including Sections 39 92 00 Turf Establishment; 31 23 33 Trenching; 31 23 23 Backfilling; 31 23 19 Dewatering; 31 50 00 Sheeting and Bracing; 31 25 00 Soil Erosion and Sediment Control; and 01 12 00 Special Procedures), confirmation of Welti Geotechnical borings (with exact boring locations to be field-determined), and posting of trench-dam material specifications on the Town’s website.

The motion requires notification and scheduling so an Inland Wetlands member can be on site for SSC (sediment and sediment control) programs, verification that materials for impervious stands meet the specified gradation and compaction requirements (with compaction planned during dry-season work), and a clarification on the plans that wet-trench construction is not permitted. The commission also specified that any significant plan changes must be coordinated with the commission and Wetlands Agent Alyssa Barroso.

Members asked procedural and technical questions during the hearing: McDonnell requested to be present during field borings; D. Lynn pressed on what the borings will examine; and Chair Ross Lally queried the depth of the sewer line and reserve areas. Dillion explained plans for trenches, impermeable stand materials and gradation testing.

The commission carried the motion unanimously (4–0). The applicant and project team must submit the listed specifications and coordinate field work with the Wetlands Agent before construction begins. The commission recorded the approval to the plan of record and directed that specifications be posted publicly.

Next steps: the project team will schedule borings and soil testing and notify the Wetlands Agent and commission for on-site oversight; the commission will review any significant changes to the plan.