Bad news for residents who regularly use Acushnet Road – Highway Superintendent Barry Denham said at the November 10 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission that the road would remain closed until the spring because of problems with the bridge. Residents won’t find relief from this travel inconvenience until extensive repair work can be completed months from now.
Denham reported that Massachusetts Department of Transportation engineers have been conducting studies, including two divers who surveyed the collapsed culvert last week. He said the survey found the center pier of the bridge missing, many supporting stones cracked, and in some instances, just friction keeping what remains in place.
A temporary fix was discussed, but Mass DOT requires specific roadway construction, even for a temporary repair before they authorize reopening the road. They also have not completed all their investigations.
A temporary repair would have required the Highway Department to peel back existing asphalt to a length of 20 feet over and beyond the damaged culvert, excavate sufficiently to allow the placement of a 14-foot concrete span, and then cover the affected area with two inches of asphalt. The asphalt would then have to cure for days. Given that the asphalt plants shut down very shortly, Denham said there simply was not enough time to execute such a plan.
Another possible temporary plan that would have included the installation of a portable metallic bridge would have cost $5,000 per month to rent. That concept was dismissed.
In the absence of a viable temporary repair, Denham stated, “The road will stay closed until spring.”
There are also further structural problems at the site.
“Culvert is just too small,” said Denham. “The road has flooded eight times over the past few years.” He said the roadway is too narrow to meet current requirements, one of which is the installation of guardrails.
Once Denham receives the full DOT report, he will return to the Conservation Commission to provide an update.
Denham also asked for guidance from the commission for a problem on Park Street. He described a “headwall” for an underground culvert as “collapsing” and in immediate need of repair to avoid motor vehicle accidents or pedestrian injury. He received an emergency certification and will submit a detailed plan to Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold.
The agenda also included a Request for Determination of Applicability filed by the Bay Club pertaining to a pond on the 7th hole of the golf course. David Andrews, one of the managers of the Bay Club, provided engineering plans that showed the pond was completely lined; therefore the commission determined home sites in that area would not be under their jurisdiction.
A Notice of Intent from Andy Butler, owner of 13 Main Street, was also heard. Butler was requesting permission for landscaping work, the installation of a shed, and the construction of a second-story deck.
Bill Madden of G.A.F. Engineering described the work to the satisfaction of the commissioners. Butler received a standard Order of Conditions requiring the use of hay bales and silt fencing.
Also receiving an Order of Conditions, with a few caveats, was James McQuade. McQuade’s plan is to build a new home adjacent to 5 Harbor Road within the 100-foot buffer zone. After some discussion about the best way to manage water – notably water pumped via a sump pump from the planned full basement – the commissioners conditioned the construction to include no elevation changes that would affect stormwater runoff to surrounding properties. They also required all water flowing from the sump pump operation be directed to a location where natural drainage can take place.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for November 24 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference center.
By Marilou Newell
