The Governor’s Academy’s ecological restoration project on Middle Road was a focal point of the meeting. The proposal involves removing a damaged culvert on a stream to repair the surrounding marsh and installing a wooden footbridge. The project aims to enhance local biodiversity and improve water quality by lowering salinity levels, which would benefit the ecosystem. Present at the meeting, a group of students from the Academy shared their preliminary research findings.

The culvert removal is expected to facilitate better access for marine life to upstream and downstream areas, a critical factor for the local ecosystem. The students’ study will serve as baseline data for a longitudinal study assessing the long-term impacts of the culvert’s removal. Visual aids, including maps and photographs, were used to illustrate the erosion and damage at the site, providing context for the project’s necessity. The project’s educational aspect was underscored by the students’ engagement, fostering a collaborative atmosphere with the Commission.

However, the project also faces regulatory complexities. The Commission stressed the need for plans, including scaled drawings and critical tidal measurements, to evaluate potential impacts accurately. A recommendation was made to conduct a hydraulic analysis to determine the effect of the culvert removal on tidal flow. A site visit was proposed to facilitate understanding among stakeholders, including representatives from the mosquito control district, who would execute the project.

Another major topic was the Len Road dam removal project, presented by Joel Griffiths, a water resources engineer. The project aims to remove the town-owned Len Road dam, which poses risks of failure, potentially leading to downstream flooding and property damage. The dam removal, slated for summer and fall 2025, promises to restore natural river processes, enhance fish passage, and reduce upstream flooding. Griffiths highlighted the ecological benefits, such as facilitating the movement of river herring and American eel, important to the local ecosystem.

The Commission engaged Griffiths in a dialogue, with questions about the project’s timeline, effects on fish passage, and measures to protect infrastructure like the I-95 Bridge. Griffiths assured that coordination with multiple agencies ensures alignment with environmental protection standards. The project will include passive sediment transport to avoid harming downstream structures, a critical consideration for the Commission.

Discussion also involved the Lock and Road dam project, which aims to create a more natural riverine channel by narrowing the land underwater within the impoundment. The project involves minimal tree removal and the installation of temporary access roads and coffer dams. It is anticipated to begin in 2025, following regulatory reviews and the filing of a Notice of Intent in January. The ownership of the involved properties was clarified, with the Parentons family supporting the initiative.

The Commission inquired about the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review process and addressed concerns about invasive species like purple loosestrife. A management and monitoring plan will be submitted to mitigate the spread of invasive species. A site visit was proposed to assess current conditions, emphasizing the importance of assessing the area’s ecological state before proceeding.

Finally, the meeting addressed the sale of land on Orchard Street under chapter 61A regulations. The town has a right of first refusal on the agricultural land, which is proposed for development into four single-family houses, with the remaining area conveyed to the Essex County Green Belt Association. The Commission highlighted the ecological significance of the site and the need for further investigation before making a recommendation to the select board. A site visit was suggested to gather insights and assess potential environmental impacts.