Sudbury board approves earth removal permit for Eversource stockpile at 0 Powder Mill Road

The Town of Sudbury Earth Removal Board voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to approve an earth removal permit allowing the removal of an approximately 420-cubic-yard soil stockpile at 0 Powder Mill Road, part of Eversource/NSTAR’s Maynard Substation transformer replacement and upgrade project.

The board’s decision followed a presentation by Eversource representatives who described the substation work and said the stockpile is located on the Sudbury portion of a facility that spans about 2.9 acres across Sudbury and Maynard. The applicant said removal of the stockpile will create space for new equipment and improve grading and stormwater flow toward the Maynard side.

Why it matters: The soil removal is an early activity tied to a larger substation upgrade that includes replacing two nearly 50-year-old transformers and installing new switchgear and a battery bank. The removal was described as limited to the existing stockpile and a small stone retaining wall to be removed and replaced to restore grade.

Conditions the board required: The permit will run for two years to align with the applicant’s timeline. The board and staff outlined operational conditions captured in the motion and permit language—working hours limited to 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday (no weekend work without town approval); submission of a Soil and Groundwater Management Plan to the town two weeks before any soil removal (for record); use of licensed haulers and licensed receiving facilities; covered truckloads and a preference for live-loading to avoid secondary stockpiles; routing on major thoroughfares where practical (applicant cited Route 2, Route 117 and I‑495); dust-wetting and sediment controls; measures to prevent trackout and street sweeping as needed; and reporting to the town of any reportable release or contamination found during soil characterization or removal.

Testing and logistics: The project team said it will perform composite soil sampling (one composite sample from up to eight locations) and chemical testing before hauling. The applicant estimated the earth removal would require roughly 30 truckloads and anticipated hauling the material over about two to three weeks rather than in a single day.

Timing: Presenters provided a high-level schedule: design work targeted to be complete by December 2026; permitting targeted for early 2027; construction planned to start in spring 2027 and complete by December 2028. The applicant indicated the stockpile removal is likely to occur early in the construction sequence.

Board action and voting: Member Kirsten Roopenian moved to approve the application; Chair Jonathan Patch seconded. Roll-call votes were recorded as Aye from Patch, Alexander Dorjets, William Ray and Roopenian.

Votes at a glance: - Earth Removal Permit, Case 25-01 (0 Powder Mill Road): Approved (Roll-call Aye x4). - Approval of minutes (Aug. 27, 2024 and Feb. 3, 2025): Approved (Roll-call Aye x4). - Motion to adjourn: Approved (Roll-call Aye x4).

Who spoke: Board members present were Chair Jonathan Patch and members Alexander Dorjets, William Ray and Kirsten Roopenian. Town staff in attendance included Adam Burney, director of Planning and Community Development, and Beth Perry, planning and zoning coordinator. Eversource presenters included Molly M. Cullen (community relations specialist), Jeffrey Ciceron (project manager), Macie Jones (project engagement), and David Feinson (environmental); Aaron Ting represented TRC as an environmental consultant.

What’s next: The permit includes reporting and testing requirements that must be completed before removal. The applicant will coordinate traffic management plans with Sudbury and Maynard police and will submit the Soil and Groundwater Management Plan to the town at least two weeks before any hauling begins.