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Bridgewater commission flags large soil stockpile near wetlands, requests state help on BSU‑linked project
Summary
Staff found a large fill stockpile within the 100‑foot wetland buffer near the train station area tied to Bridgewater State University work; the commission raised contamination concerns, asked for laboratory testing and voted to request assistance from Mass D to review the large, multi‑agency site.
Bridgewater Conservation Commission staff reported a substantial stockpile of soils and construction debris near wetlands associated with a Bridgewater State University (BSU) project and recommended state assistance to assess potential contamination and long‑term impacts.
Staff member Dan Leesque said visual inspection showed mixed materials in the stockpile inside the 100‑foot buffer and recommended the material be removed from the buffer and chemically tested by a licensed site professional (LSP) before reuse. Staff explained that while some project proponents believed on‑site stockpiling was permitted, the commission must be satisfied the soils are “clean” before they remain or are used near wetlands.
Rebecca (with Silver/BRS) confirmed her firm has been engaged to prepare an NOI and said the applicant intends to meet with the commission on June 25 to present remediation and relocation options. Commission staff noted that documentation submitted with the related 66 Hooper Street NOI lacked chemical geochemical analyses and LSP reports, leaving outstanding questions about soil chemistry.
Because the site and stockpile involve a large, multi‑agency construction project, the commission voted to send a formal request to the state agency (Mass D) for technical oversight and assistance. Staff said the request is meant to marshal state resources and expertise, not to remove local authority.
Next steps: The applicant is scheduled to appear at the June 25 meeting to present additional information. The commission requested soil testing data or LSP reports and will coordinate with Mass D once the state responds.
