2024.07.25 Staff Report.pdf
July 25 2024 Staff Report
To: Conservation Commission
From: Sarah LaValley
RE: Staff Report, July 25 2024 Commission Meeting
5:30 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if roadway
resurfacing is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or Northampton Wetlands
Ordinance. MassDOT, Routes 5/10 south of Hatfield line. Record CC-24-12
Application Overview, Consistency with WPA and Northampton Wetlands
Ordinance, Staff Recommendation:
The work is part of a larger 5/10 resurfacing project in Northampton, Hatfield, and Whately.
Work includes paving, adjusting and/or rebuilding drainage structures, recessed polyurea
pavement markings, replacement of damaged guardrail, signs and curbing, safety controls,
erosion-sedimentation control measures, milling much for shoulders.
MassDOT projects are not subject to the Wetlands Ordinance.
The work should be fully exempt from the WPA pursuant to the 310 CMR 10.02(2)(b)(2)p
minor activity provision as “Pavement repair, resurfacing, and reclamation of existing
roadways within the right-of-way configuration provided that the roadway and shoulders are
not widened, no staging or stockpiling of materials, all disturbed road shoulders are stabilized
within 72 hours of completion of the resurfacing or reclamation, and no work on the drainage
system is performed other than adjustments and/or repairs to respective structures within the
roadway” Confirm that no work beyond that described in the minor activity provision is
proposed, and issue a negative determination by checking box 5 to indicate the exemption.
5:40 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if tree removal
related to bridge maintenance is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or
Northampton Wetlands Ordinance. MassDOT, Coolidge Bridge, Route 9/Bridge
Street. Record CC-24-17
Application Overview, Consistency with WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance,
Staff Recommendation:
The application proposes removal of 19 trees, and pruning of two trees, adjacent to the
Coolidge Bridge. Staff notes that the work may separately be subject to MESA review if not
exempted; as the area is within priority habitat of rare and endangered species. Removal of
the trees and understory will decrease shading along the river and bank, and expose areas
that are bare soil. The Commission should discuss any proposed replanting, and ground
surface treatment.
June 27 2024 Staff Report
2
The application lists several exemptions, but none appear to apply to this project. The
application also indicates that catalpa speciosa is not native to MA. It occurs regionwide in
similar habitats and is a recommended tree for planting locally. If the Commission can find
that the work, along with any replacement planting, will not alter the riverfront, a negative
determination could be issued by checking box 2.
5:50 PM Request for Determination of Applicability to determine if utility pole
installation is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act or Northampton Wetlands
Ordinance. Elizabeth Spriggs, 79 Reservoir Road, Leeds, Map ID 10B-099.
Record CC-24-10
Application Overview, Consistency with WPA and Northampton Wetlands Ordinance,
Staff Recommendation:
The application proposes installation of a utility pole approximately 10 feet from the top of banl.
The pole is necessary to create an additional break in an existing span over Roberts Meadow
Brook. The pole is proposed to be placed in an existing area of mown lawn adjacent to a
residential driveway, and no vegetation removal is proposed. The location is just beyond the
distance for which the work would be exempted as a minor activity under 310 CMR, and is not
exempt under the Ordinance. If the Commission finds that the work will not remove dredge fill
or alter the riverfront or bank, issue a negative determination by checking box 2.