The most pressing topic was the request for a certificate of compliance regarding drainage work associated with the paper board development on North Avenue and zero Lake Street. Representatives from Goddard Consulting, Mark Arnold and Michael Schmidt, presented a detailed report on the six years of monitoring required by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The monitoring was necessary for ensuring successful wetland replication and invasive species management. Schmidt confirmed that the wetland areas had been successfully established, as verified through inspections by both the commission and DCR. The commission sought clarification on the transfer of perpetual conditions to DCR, which would absolve the applicant of responsibility for the DCR property, although they would still need to maintain their own property. Following a thorough discussion, the commission unanimously approved the motion to issue the certificate of compliance.

Another topic was the public hearing for a notice of intent filed by David DeBell concerning unauthorized fill placed within a hundred-foot buffer zone on Ferndale Road. The fill was located near an isolated vegetated wetland (IVW), which fell under the local bylaw’s jurisdiction. The commission reviewed a mitigation plan prepared by a wetland scientist, which included adding loam, reseeding, and planting native species such as red maple. There was a debate about whether to remove the stone material from the no-disturb zone, with some members worried about setting a precedent for future projects. Others suggested stabilization measures could allow the material to remain. The commission weighed the potential ecological impact against disturbances from removal, ultimately discussing monitoring mitigation success over specified timeframes.

The meeting also covered updates on the Sudbury Aqueduct feasibility study, which remains stalled due to equipment access and the need to locate the aqueduct pipe. Weston and Sampson, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, had initially faced challenges in locating manholes. The commission explored the use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) with Feldman, a geospatial firm, which discovered an additional manhole, confirming the accuracy of century-old plans. However, the cost of GPR work, quoted at approximately $20,000, posed budgetary concerns. Efforts are underway to secure collaboration with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and explore alternative funding sources, including small grants and potential involvement from Clark University’s geophysics program.

Dialogue about alternative alignments for the aqueduct trail highlighted community and environmental considerations. Two main alignments on the western side were discussed: one utilizing an Eversource right-of-way, which would require negotiations with private property owners, and another involving a paper street parcel owned by the commission. On the eastern end, the focus was on bridging connections between Memorial School and Union Street, and from Brook Street to the Wellesley town line. Safety and negotiation challenges were emphasized, with the feasibility of these alignments dependent on successful collaborations and funding.

In other business, the commission touched on the South Natick dam removal project, which is progressing towards obtaining necessary permits following the final MEPA certificate. Sediment testing has been completed, revealing manageable levels of mercury and lead downstream of the impoundment area. Potential funding sources for the construction phase are being explored, including grants from NOAA and FEMA, although full project funding from the MVP program seems unlikely. The discussion acknowledged the potential ecological benefits of re-establishing fish passage, particularly for local cold-water fisheries.