The Marion Conservation Commission issued two permits on March 13 for infrastructure projects to improve drainage and water flow within the Town of Marion.
The commission listened as Mass Department of Transportation Highway Division District 5 Environmental Engineer Andrea Coates described the Request for Determination of Applicability application for the proposed solution to a longstanding and frequent drainage issue that has threatened to overtop Route 6 near 265 Wareham Street.
The MassDOT Highway Division will remove a 12-inch diameter tree at the location and excavate an area approximately 12 feet by 8 feet from the northern headwall of the culvert to the sidewalk in order to repair or replace a 21-foot by 18-inch pipe.
The frequent flooding in the area, Coates stated, was the result of a broken or clogged drainage pipe underneath the sidewalk area.
The Highway Division had “jetted” the pipe, attempting to remove the obstruction with pressurized water, but was unsuccessful. Commission associate member Dale Jones inquired if a camera was used, but Coates said there was too much water in the pipe to make any useful observations.
Coates cited cracks in the sidewalk running parallel to the pipe as evidence that the pipe might be collapsed, causing the sidewalk to settle.
Once the area is excavated, the MDH will evaluate the pipe, patch it if possible, or replace it if necessary, and place siltation barriers down gradient of the headwall in the area of excavation.
Coates expects the work to begin this summer.
The commission issued a Negative determination, which means the work will not alter or impact the wetlands.
Also during the meeting, the commission issued an Order of Conditions for the work proposed by the Marion Department of Public Works to construct approximately 6,200 linear feet of 12-inch iron ductile water main along Mill Street (Route 6) from the Mill Street water tank to the end of the pre-existing 6-inch water main between Sparrow Lane and Rocky Knook Lane.
The replacement of the pipe is an effort to increase water flow to the fire hydrants and residences in this area, and resulted from a study commissioned by the Town to determine infrastructure needs within Marion.
This evening was a continued public hearing, as the engineer for the project, Meghan Davis of Tata and Howard, Inc., had awaited the response from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP). Davis received word from NHESP that the project would not adversely impact the habitat of the protected species in the area.
The commission issued the approval, however the project is still subject to Annual Town Meeting funding appropriation before it can move forward.
Cynthia Paliotta of 119 Converse Road came before the commission with an RDA to remove four oak trees located along the property line. The trees, Paliotta said, pose a threat to her neighbor’s house in the event of a severe windstorm.
“I’m protecting my interests,” Paliotta said. “[The neighbor’s] house is listed at $1.6 million dollars. … We lost 44 trees during the last big storm.”
The commission had been to the site, and Chairman Jeff Doubrava stated that he wasn’t sure which trees Paliotta was requesting to remove. He had thought she was referring to a group of white pines on the property, but it became clear that the trees to which Paliotta was referring were likely located in the wetland resource area on the property. The commission decided that they needed to revisit the site, and asked Paliotta to mark the trees in preparation for their visit.
The hearing was continued to March 27.
The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 27 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Town House.
Marion Conservation Commission
By Sarah French Storer