Trustees and Newbury commission approve boardwalk replacements at 45 Boston Road with mitigation plan

The Newbury Conservation Commission voted to issue an order of conditions allowing the Trustees of Reservations to replace and modestly expand four bog-bridge segments along the trail between Boston Road and Hay Street.

Ned Darling, trail specialist for the Trustees, told the commission the existing structures are at the end of their lifespan and that the project is intended to improve visitor safety and reduce trampling of wet soils. "These have just not really been that well — they're at end of lifespan," Darling said.

Mason Ferrick, the commission's conservation agent, presented impact calculations: the total bog-bridge footprint under review is about 666 square feet; the project represents roughly 188 square feet of new impact, of which approximately 131 square feet are wetland impacts; the mitigation plan proposes 522 square feet of wetland restoration/replication. Commissioners pressed for a field confirmation of restoration locations and a maintenance plan for the bog-mat areas.

The commission approved an order of conditions with two special conditions: (1) a pre-construction inspection and flagging of mitigation locations with the agent and Trustees staff, and (2) incorporation of a site-specific maintenance plan (the commission suggested adapting the Seagate bog-mat maintenance plan) so that restoration areas are identified and maintained over time. The motion passed by roll call vote.

Darling and Mason agreed to coordinate on final mitigation locations and to provide the commission with a site-specific maintenance plan prior to construction.