Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Culvert Repair topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Conservation commission approves emergency stabilization at Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street culvert
Summary
The Franklin Conservation Commission voted to approve an emergency culvert stabilization at Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street after Town DPW and consultant engineers reported a failing headwall and sinkhole risk; the approval includes conditions on seed mix, contractor staging and a dewatering contingency using existing Special Condition 45.
The Franklin Conservation Commission on June 18 approved an emergency stabilization project for the Nicholas Drive/Prospect Street culvert, moving to immediate repairs while the town pursues a longer-term replacement.
Derek Adams, Town of Franklin Department of Public Works, Environmental Affairs, told the commission the repair is intended to stop ongoing sinkhole development and prevent roadway undermining. Adams said the town has a contractor under contract and wants to proceed quickly while a separate hydrologic and hydraulics (H&H) study and full replacement design proceed.
EDR engineer Russ Lee Camp presented photos and an on-site assessment, describing the culvert interior as roughly 29½–30 inches wide and about 40 inches tall and showing displaced granite blocks and an exposed aggregate pocket behind the headwall. “In my opinion, this is a failed headwall and it’s only a matter of time before more of this material comes out,” Russ Lee Camp said, describing active erosion and a partially perched vitrified clay pipe discovered upstream.
Camp summarized Beta’s review comments grouped into three themes: the project does not meet modern stream crossing standards; inconsistencies between the project narrative and the WPA Form 3; and questions about the seed mix for post‑construction stabilization. He said the town has completed survey and delineation work and will seek bids for the H&H study needed for full replacement.
Commission staff and members discussed conditions recommended by Beta and staff. The commission agreed to require (a) approval by the conservation director of the seed mix and final plantings; (b) a contractor staging-area plan submitted and approved before work begins; and (c) that any dewatering activities be approved under existing Special Condition 45 if dewatering becomes necessary. Consultants said the repair would be performed at low-flow conditions and that sandbags are intended to trap sediment during construction, not to create a dewatering sump.
Richard (commissioner) moved to approve the Notice of Intent for the emergency repair with the stated conditions; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
What happens next: the town will procure an H&H study and proceed to detailed design for a full culvert replacement; staff will provide the commission the photographic record and the contractor’s staging plan before work begins.
