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Commission continues review of 55 Tilton Avenue project amid Nyanza AUL and culvert concerns
Summary
Ashland commissioners asked for additional stormwater calculations, peer‑review and DPW confirmation after developers proposed a 14‑unit building at a site affected by a Nyanza AUL and an on‑site 36‑inch culvert; the hearing was continued to June 1 for additional engineering review.
The Ashland Conservation Commission on May 11 continued its review of a proposed mixed residential‑commercial project at 55 Tilton Avenue after commissioners and town staff flagged concerns about stormwater conveyance and contamination restrictions.
Attorney and project representative Mr. Connors of Connorstone Engineering told the commission the proposal includes a 14‑unit residential building with ground‑floor commercial bays, parking with access to the applicant’s adjoining lot at 60 Pleasant Street, and a drainage system that routes roof and surface runoff through two new catch basins and a Stormceptor water‑quality unit into an existing culvert. He said the culvert segment through 55 Tilton Avenue was previously replaced by the Department of Public Works and that the site is subject to a Nyanza Activity and Use Limitation (AUL), which limits infiltration of stormwater.
Commissioners pressed the project team to demonstrate compliance with the Massachusetts Stormwater Standards, specifically requesting calculations that show no increase in peak discharge for the 1‑, 10‑ and 25‑year storms and evidence the proposed system will not cause flooding for a 100‑year event. DPW Director Mr. Maurer and Commissioner Gene Crouch noted that multiple upstream drains tie into the culvert and that capacity concerns have been raised where the culvert surcharges at Cherry Street and Tilton Avenue.
Crouch and others also asked for correspondence with MassDEP and the EPA about work within the AUL and for a formal peer review. The applicant said a Licensed Site Professional had advised that residential use is allowable with mitigation such as vapor barriers; Commissioners requested copies of that correspondence. The applicant indicated Beals & Thomas is performing a peer review for the Planning Board; the Conservation Commission agreed to wait for that report before deciding whether to require a separate peer review.
Commissioner William Moulton questioned the project team’s stormwater treatment claims, noting the applicant cited manufacturer performance figures for TSS removal; the Commission said it will use MassDEP guidance (which typically assumes 50% TSS removal for proprietary devices) when evaluating water‑quality claims.
The commission voted to continue the Notice of Intent and Stormwater Management Permit for 55 Tilton Avenue and 60 Pleasant Street, DEP 95‑1019, to June 1 at 7:05 p.m. (motion passed 6‑0‑0).
