2023-09-13 Highway Auto Salvage - RDA cover letter.pdf
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
Berkshire
Design
Group
September 13, 2023
Northampton Conservation Commission
City Hall
210 Main St., Room 11
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Request for Determination
Highway Auto Salvage
182 Mt. Tom Road, Northampton, MA
Dear Commissioner’s:
On behalf of our client, the owner of property at 182 Mt. Tom Road in Northampton (Highway Auto Salvage),
Berkshire Design Group (BDG) is submitting the enclosed RDA application for the installation of a Title V
compliant septic system within the FEMA 100-Year Floodplain.
Berkshire Design Group has prepared schematic plans for connection to the municipal sewer located in Mt. Tom
Rd (Route 5). Based on this schematic design, and the projected costs for design, permitting, and construction, it
is our opinion that connection to the municipal sewer is prohibitively expensive and is therefore infeasible.
Project Background
The existing septic system at this site was found to have a septic tank in good condition, but the outlet from the
septic system was found to discharge to a crushed pipe and no soil absorption system or leaching structure
could be identified. Record drawings show an existing 12” asbestos cement sanitary sewer running within the
road right of way off the pavement on the east side (project side) of the road. Mt. Tom Rd. is a state highway,
owned and maintained by MassDOT. A railroad right of way, also owned and administered by MassDOT, is
located between the site and the municipal sanitary sewer.
A feasibility study to connect the site to the municipal sewer service in Mt. Tom Road was performed by our
office and deemed to be infeasible from an economic standpoint considering the railroad requirements and
standards. Subsequently, and in compliance with Title V, a perc test was then performed successfully within an
existing disturbed area, presently occupied by junk cars, just north of the railroad crossing into the site.
A Title V compliance system was designed by Cold Springs Environmental (included with application) and
subsequently submitted to the Northampton Health Department for approval.
This entire site is located within the FEMA 100-Year Floodplain and thus any work on this site requires
Conservation Commission review and approval. As shown in the septic design plans and survey plans, the
existing grade across the proposed work area is roughly elevation 116.00. The entire new septic system and
leach field will be constructed below existing grades with the final finish elevation being equal to current
conditions, resulting in no loss of compensatory storage volume in compliance with 310 CMR 10.57.
The site is also located within Riverfront Area based on our estimations. We approximate the work area to be
roughly 50’ from the ‘top of bank’ noted on the survey plan. While resource area has not been delineated in the
field, the break in grade on site is obvious. While this project does propose work within the Inner Riparian zone,
what is currently gravel and junk car storage will be loamed and seeded with a vegetative surface following
construction with limited access thereby improving the current condition.
September 13, 2023
Request for Determination
Highway Auto Salvage
185 Mt. Tom Road, Northampton, MA
Page 2 of 2
4 Allen Place, Northampton, MA 01060 (413) 582-7000 bdg@berkshiredesign.com
This project seeks to bring an existing, non-compliant septic system into current Title V compliance and will
result in no loss of compensatory storage volumes. The project area is located within existing disturbed areas
and overall, will have a minimal impact to the site in general. The surface area over the finished leach field, as
noted on the septic plans, will be graded and seeded such that a fully vegetated surface will be provided.
We look forward to presenting this project at the next available hearing and please don’t hesitate to reach out
with additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Berkshire Design Group
Jeffrey Squire
Principal
EXISTING SITE PHOTOS - NEW SEPTIC LOCATION HIGHLIGHTED