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Norwood panel approves emergency water‑main work to boost Willett School water quality
Summary
The Conservation Commission approved an emergency certification allowing the town to install 150 feet of water main behind Willett School to address low chlorine residuals caused by a dead‑end line. Town staff said the short, 30‑day operation must be followed by a full notice of intent and updated stormwater documentation.
The Town of Norwood Conservation Commission voted June 17 to approve an emergency certification that will let the public works department install 150 feet of 8‑inch water main behind Willett School to address low disinfectant levels in the school’s water supply.
Mark Ryan, director of public works and town engineer, told the commission the school is served by a dead‑end stretch of pipe where water can stagnate and chlorine residuals drop. "The water tends to get stagnant there," Ryan said, adding that frequent flushing is only a short‑term fix and that connecting the school into the nearby cemetery loop will restore better circulation and water quality.
Engineer Nick Wetzel described the broader project as about 700 feet of new main to complete a loop but said the emergency work focuses on a 150‑foot segment that can be completed while school is out of session. "From a schedule perspective, not disrupting the students and activities at the school is paramount," Wetzel said, noting the short emergency window will also limit construction disturbance.
Carly, the commission’s conservation agent, outlined special conditions she recommended for the emergency certification, including that the work be completed within a specified number of days (30) and that the applicant submit a notice of intent by July 8 to cover remaining work, restoration, dewatering plans and inspection requirements. "An emergency certification can be issued for a public‑health or public‑safety emergency and work covered under an emergency certification has to be completed within 30 days," Carly said.
Commissioners asked about erosion controls, sequencing, and staging; project engineers said erosion controls and temporary caps on the pipe at the emergency limit will be used, and that the contractor performing the emergency work is a town‑trusted vendor. The town plans to bid the remaining segments and include the commission’s conditions in contract documents.
The commission voted to approve the emergency certification with the conditions Carly described. Commissioners and staff said the town will follow up with a full notice of intent for the remainder of the alignment and incorporate stormwater and restoration measures in that filing.
Next steps: the town will begin the work while school is out, submit a notice of intent by July 8, and return to the commission with the full permitting package for the remaining pipe.
