MassDOT plan to clear vegetation from West Boylston Drive dam continued for clarifications and conditions

Parr Corporation presented a limited-project plan on behalf of MassDOT to remove vegetation from the embankment of the dam at West Boylston Drive; commissioners asked for clearer maintenance and monitoring conditions and continued the hearing pending a file number and staff draft conditions.

Greg LaCroix of Parr described the work as vegetation maintenance that would remove trees and shrubs, backfill voids, loam and seed, and stabilize the embankment. He said the work fits a limited-project authorization under the wetland regulations for structures in existence prior to 1983. Commissioners repeatedly pressed how access, post‑work mowing frequency, and contractor oversight would be handled; one commissioner asked for a maintenance schedule to be folded into any order of conditions. Parr and MassDOT representatives said Parr would provide construction observation and that MassDOT would perform most of the clearing. The commission voted to continue to the August 24 meeting so staff could obtain a DEP file number and draft conditions including monitoring frequency and access plans.