The meeting’s primary focus was the MBTA’s Cordaville Dam project, particularly the planting plan developed to mitigate the removal of trees as part of the dam’s maintenance requirements. The MBTA had been previously issued an order of conditions mandating a one-to-one replacement for trees cut down that were over 12 inches in diameter. This led to the development of a planting plan intended to replace 49 removed trees with 30 trees and 19 shrubs, all native species. The removal was necessary to comply with the Office of Dam Safety’s regulation that prohibits woody vegetation within 20 feet of the dam’s downstream end.

Judy Day, the Conservation Administrator, introduced the project update, and Jeremy Fontaine from the MBTA, along with Mike Egan, the project manager from CDM Smith, provided details of the Cordaville Dam study. The study assessed existing issues such as hydraulic spillway capacity, structural concerns, seepage, and public safety measures, ultimately presenting five alternatives for addressing these matters. The alternatives included vegetation removal, armoring of the embankment, and potentially decommissioning the dam.

Maggie Loxsom from CDM Smith outlined the planting plan, noting the spatial constraints that necessitated substituting some trees with shrubs, as the MBTA did not own sufficient land in Hopkinton. Discussion ensued on the selection of plant species, with particular attention to an American elm cultivar chosen for its moderate resistance to Dutch elm disease. Commission members verified that the quantities in the planting plan matched the number of trees reported as cut, thus adhering to the replacement requirement.

Ted Barker Hook raised a question regarding the size of the proposed trees and shrubs, specifically their container sizes relative to their height or diameter. Joe Orzel offered insights into the standards, explaining that a 10-gallon tree typically measures 12 to 18 inches, while a 5-gallon tree is smaller.

Following this discussion, the commission unanimously approved the planting plan with a condition that further details on the tree sizes and nursery specifics be provided before planting.

The meeting also addressed compliance issues concerning a commercial building at 194-196 South Street. Judy Day reviewed the history of the order of conditions related to the property’s driveway and site grading. Deviations from the approved plan, such as the driveway’s proximity to wetlands and the absence of erosion control measures, were noted. The site appeared stable, with required components installed, but the driveway’s location was closer to the wetland than initially approved. The commission deliberated on whether additional erosion control was necessary but concluded that it was not needed due to the site’s stability.

Further discussion centered on the Toll Brothers development, particularly lots 222 and 226, where compliance with conservation guidelines was under scrutiny. Members raised concerns about mowing practices that appeared inconsistent with conservation standards, particularly with regard to PIB markers. The commission discussed the need for structured oversight to ensure compliance and considered future follow-up actions.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to the issue of Certificates of Compliance (COC) and the ongoing problem of mowing beyond the PIB. A member expressed concern about the implications of homeowners reclaiming lawn space post-COC issuance, suggesting that more robust barriers, such as split rail fencing, might be necessary. The commission discussed the possibility of moving PIBs for better compliance and proposed issuing a COC with warnings for future violations.

The commission also touched on wetland protection regulations, expressing the need for improved document presentation to facilitate understanding and engagement. Application checklists were approved to assist in processing applications, and future meetings were scheduled to continue discussions on these regulations.

Lastly, the upcoming family day event was discussed, with ideas for activities and collaborations with the Open Space Preservation Commission considered. The possibility of providing tree seedlings as giveaways was explored, though cost concerns were noted.