Commission meeting for >> Steve um November 13th, 2025. As a commission, we operate under the Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 131, Section 40, the Wetlands Protection Act, and chapter 26 of the Town of Danvers
General bylaws, the Wetlands Protection bylaw. After each applicant presents his or her request and the board has had time to ask questions and discuss the project, we will accept questions from the audience. Because this is a public meeting, it is required by law that you give your name and your address before
you speak. Although we may disagree on the issues raised, all persons present during this meeting are expected to be civil to all of the meeting attendees. This includes members of the commission, staff, abutters, concerned citizens, property
owners, and project applicants. We also request that you confine your questions to the project and only as it pertains to the wetlands act. We cannot handle nor do we have jurisdiction over matters such as noise or traffic. All problems not related to the wetlands protection act in the town of Denver's wetlands
protection bylaw must be taken up with other boards. Our first order of business would be a roll call. Peter Wilson is present. Lorraine Drapek >> present. >> Mary Height >> present. >> Paul McNelte, Paul is not here. And Michael Splain
>> here. >> So we have four members present. Quorum of three. So we are good to go. Uh, first order of business is a request for certificate of compliance for 31 Mass A D file number 14-1416.
And the applicant is Charles Dorenzo. >> Hello, my name is Caitlyn White. I'm a wetland scientist from Hancock Associates. I'm here on behalf of the applicant um for a request to close out this permit. Um, this was issued back in 2024 for a garage edition. Um, since
then we have submitted a minor modification request that was approved to Emily for a walkway along the front of the home. Um, all construction is done. The site is stable. Everything was constructed as approved. Um, I'd be happy to answer any questions though if
you would. >> Okay. So, the only difference from the the original plan was a walkway in front and the >> Yep. In front administrative >> Yep. It was an administrative modification. Uh, >> good. And you've been out to the site, Emily? >> Yeah, it looks fantastic. Yeah, they did
a great job. >> Good. And you came back in a nice timely manner. That's what I love. >> Uh, uh, I have no further questions. Mike, any questions? >> No questions. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you for your time, >> Lorraine. No. Mary, >> I'm good. >> No. Uh, okay. Hey, if someone can make a
motion, we could and then >> I'll make a motion to issue a certificate of compliance for 31 Massachusetts Avenue D number 14-1416. >> I second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
>> Thank you guys. Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Next up is a >> notice of intent for 55 Adam Street, D file number 14-1446. The applicant is a town of Danvers and Stephen King is here to uh present the
the project to us. >> Steve, do you want me to pull up the PowerPoint or the deck? >> Uh the PDF slide should be fine. >> Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the commission, uh my name is Stephen King. I'm the town
engineer for Department of Public Works, Town of Danvers. Um I'm here tonight uh for a notice of intent application for uh a project that the town is working on 55 Adam Street and Bankman stabilization and storm water improvements.
I have a couple few slides about seven slides just to go through the project in general and happy to answer any questions that you may have. Um so on the second side we have uh this is an improvement along a tributary to the Crane River. Um you see here on the
left uh the the tributary is between 55 and 53 Adam Street. Uh this is the outfall downstream side of that um from upstream. And then we also have to the right uh a GI our GIS uh layout of where
the actual location is. Um, this essentially is an existing 24inch concrete covert that runs underneath Adam Street connecting upstream and downstream. It takes uh roughly a 70 uh acre site of a watershed. Um,
excuse me. Um, which collects most of the storm water for the site which includes both residential and commercial properties. Um, so this part of Adam Street is between Pine Street, uh, on the side of where the Rebecca Nurse Homestead is, and then Silven Street,
right by the old, uh, Sylvania building. Go to next slide. Uh, so we did hire a wetland scientist to come out and flag uh, the resource areas. So we have a few resource areas that were identified um by our
consultant. Um medial high water table is roughly along the boundary line of the Crane River. Um Crane Brook that runs along the northern section of the site that we're working. Uh then we also have some bed uh riverfront area. We
have wetlands uh bordering vegetated wetland area as well which is flagged with BBW. And then going further upstream um back to the site um we have all inland bank. So those are pretty much the three main resource areas we're working with.
Uh we're going to have to have a series of different environmental controls as we do the project due to the resource areas that I've previously listed. Um which you can call catchbas and sedimentation control um silt fence around the work site um bulk bags for flow control if
necessary. Uh this is an intermittent stream, so it really only takes storm water when it's raining. Um temporary rip wrap for stabilization while we're working on the site. And then potential bypass bumping depending on if we hit a storm event, we have to bypass u the the
brook flow um around our work site. Uh some of our pro proposed improvements um include replacing removing and replacing an existing uh retaining wall on the north side abing 55 Adam Street that's that's failed. It's actually um
collapsed and fell into the tributary Brook area. Um, we're also gonna have to install a new southside retaining wall and restore that embankment side due to the the retaining wall that's existing that's failed on the site. Um, it's actually converted to flow and now that
flow once it comes out of the outfall is undercutting the south side of the bank. So you have probably about a four or five foot undercut underneath a large vegetated tree um that is now appeared during each of the storms um which has changed the current path of the the the
tributary brook um uh outside of the brook we'll be installing uh some catch basins um to collect the storm water runoff. So this is the low point of the road um from both coming from Pine Street and Sil Street. natural stormwater gutter runs
runs down the gutters and into the brook with no treatment. So, it goes right into the brook. So, we're gonna propose some new catch basins to capture that and um hold some storage and sediment sediment trapping. Uh we're going to have to we're actually going to install a new concrete cast
inplace head wall for the 24-in concrete pipe that's existing there today and then also a 12-in leader that comes from another catch basin on the site on the roadway. Um, obviously reconnecting all the storm water pipe in the street. And since the since this has not been uh there's been
no rehabilitation that's done since the brook has kind of been in place and the covert was done, there's about a 2 to 3ft undercut from the invert of the pipe to the bottom of the brook. So, we're proposing to reestablish that stream bed connectivity so that natural natural path of flow can continue on the brook
and if there's any type of uh amphibious light wildlife that potentially could go through there um has a potential to do so. So, here's a picture of what's existing there today. Um, I don't know if you can see that, but basically on the the north
side of the wall, if I scoot over here, I'll try and talk louder. It's an old cinder block, um, barrel block, retaining wall, um, not reinforced, not parched, not connected in every way. That's pretty much deteriorated and
fallen into the brook because of that. Anytime the elbow pipe right here, anytime water comes out the elbow pipe, it hits this block channel and it undercuts this vegetated area 50° atmosphere. >> So what we were proposing here is um a north and a south face retaining wall um
established on the on the bank side, both banks um decorative type concrete blocks. We be taking out the old cinder blocks and restoring both retaining wall ones on both sides for about 40 ft alongside the brook. >> Steve, excuse me for one second if I can interrupt. Yeah, >> Adam Street is off in the distance with
that. >> Nope. >> So Adam Street, we're looking I'm standing on Adam Street looking down the road. >> Okay. And if you're facing Pine Street, that's to your right. >> Facing Pine Street. This is to my right. >> Okay. the crane, the actual crane brook, the
main brook runs along the back side here on the property. Uh so we're going to have two new uh retaining walls to help convert flow down to the the proper stream bed. And then we're also going to have a install a new cast inplace head wall um to
support the 24inch uh concrete pipe and the other uh connected 12-in outfall from the one of the catch basins that's existing there today. Thanks. So again, just a little bit of more more detail. Um, because of the size of the
size of the existing uh covert pipe and the location of it, we're actually have to install an access manhole in the roadway to convert the actual 24-in location away from the house. because of the the size of that pipe and the size of the other outlet coming in from the
12-in corrugated pipe. Um we have to have enough room to set the bar the the new retaining wall and the head wall away from the house. Um right now there's probably about a 7 foot difference between the face of the foundation and the face of the um failed
retaining wall where it should be. So we're going to shift that over a little bit so we're away from the house while we're working. try and reestablish that bank on the on the north side. Um, install some rip wrap stream bed on the bottom, install the new 16 foot by one
foot cast in place head wall. Um, and then obviously we're going to have to rotate the pipe so we can actually fit it within the center of the head wall. So that's why the new access manual is going to go into the into the roadway. on the uh on the southern side, westerly side, we're also going to install a new
catch basin um to collect wa water from that runoff and channelize and run that back into another uh structure to to outfall within the new head wall area. So what we are looking for today is obviously we're we're looking to stabilize about 160 linear feet of
inland bank with a gravity block retaining walls and cast in place head wall. Uh we're pro we're probably going to place approximately 45 cubic yards of rip wrap to provide a reconnected uh downstream riverbed. And then obviously all this work is going to have to
continue uh work within the 35t no desert no disturb no disturb zone and the 50oot no build zone to accomplish the embankment stabilization. And I'd be happy to take any other questions if you have some. >> First, cast in place head wall. Does
that mean you're building a form on site and pouring concrete into it? >> Yep. Similar to what we uh did last winter at the summer street covert if you remember that project at summer in Strawberry by the Smith School. >> Yeah. >> Due to the size and orientation of the
piping, it's hard to get something pre-cast and set it right since it's already existing. So, we're going to have to build um we have to put the reinforcement and the framework in the foot um in the formwork within the uh within the bed to be able to create that >> clearance that we need between the
>> trench across the the road. Right. So, how will the road be closed for a period of time? >> The road will be closed for a period of time. Yes. While we're doing the work, we're going to it's a small road. It's probably maybe 30 feet wide. um due to the construction of the manhole and the equipment we're going to need. Um we're
going to have to have a few road closures um when we do the work. >> Okay. That that is a fairly busy street though, right? It's cut through. >> It's a very big cut through street. Yes. >> Yes. Uh >> how long do you anticipate that this is going to take?
Uh for construction purposes, I would say that the main construction is probably about two to three months um of ongoing activity and then there'll be a short break and then I don't if you go back to the original uh front cover page of the presentation,
we're also going to have to do some roadway restoration work after that. So, I would assume that probably another three to six months after we're done with the work, if the timing weather's worked in our favor, we'd repave we'd repave all of Adam Street from Pine
Street um back to Silven Street. >> Good. Uh Emily, could this is what they call a limited project. Could you just give us a quick summary of what that means? >> Yes. Yeah. So, limited projects, um they're typically called that just because of the limited nature in which they come up. They aren't as common
projects. Um, for the town of Danverse, they don't need the waiverss. They're exempt per our bylaws. Um, they're projects that are typically beneficial to the public um and to to the town and to the infrastructure. >> So, okay. >> And there's a long long list of projects
that qualify in the wetlands protection act for limit. >> But the the most important is they don't have to satisfy the waiver. >> Correct. Yes. Yeah. They don't have to satisfy the waiver. We did have um the engineering department submit a waiver request just so that >> you could be aware that work is going to be taking place there and just to see the extent of it, but a waiver is not
required um for the bylaws. So, >> okay, Lorraine, did you have any other questions? No. Mike, any questions? >> Just um well, I do for Steve, but first for Emily. Um >> this is li a limited project because it's a town project. I mean, it's a
pretty extensive project. >> Oh, no. It's because um because it's it it's the >> existing infrastructure >> existing infrastructure coververts and head wall >> necessary work. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Not it's not just because it's town project now. >> So it's not so much about the scope of the work.
>> It's it meets the um wetlands protection act criteria to fall under a limited project. >> All right. Well, if the if if the work was larger in scope, would it still be a limited project? >> That would depend. I can only speak to what was presented and this meets the criteria for a limited. Yeah,
>> I think every project definitely has its uh variables they have to account for depending of makes it limited or not, >> right? >> Um I would think that if we were ended up any further closer to the actual working in the brook um the crane brook the main um riverbed I would probably
think that would probably not constitute a limited project and we had to get the waiverss to do that work. >> Yes. Yeah. This Yeah, I did look into this quite a bit. It definitely it meets >> I'm trying to picture Steve. So as you're going uh if you're going up Silven and you turn right on where the
Sylvania is. >> Mhm. >> And you and then you have the cemetery and then the papa's grave. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Where are you with respon uh with >> it's like right it's it's kind of like a U-shaped road. So it it goes it goes all the way down and then there's a brook
crossing. There's a there's a guardrail um right there on your right side. You'll see these white rocks if you drive right by there. Yeah. >> And once you get to the that started the guardrail, that's exactly what we're going to be doing with our construction. >> The A and the B. >> Yeah. We we had another project out there on the right. Do you remember?
>> Pretty recently there was some some big house being built there that we had to Yeah. >> And there was another one a couple years back, >> but before that, a brook. We There was something next to the brook. Um I remember it was the same brook. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Yeah, the house was like right on the >> right on the almost on the
>> correct. Yeah, that's on the upstream side. >> It's on the It is. >> Yeah, it's two new Yeah, two new condominiums that I think were built. >> And what's the house? You mentioned a house that you had some concern. >> Yeah. So 50 the title of the project 55
Adam Street issing wall on its property. Um that's only about seven feet off the face of retaining wall. So, we've done some extensive I've been in the house, done a few surveys, um just to look at the structural integrity of the foundation
and then seeing what we can do physically with the amount of equipment and the shoring that we're going to need to be able to replace, take away the earth, not expose the foundation and be able to rebuild a new retaining wall uh with within that same foot. >> You work with the neighbor on that. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yep.
>> That house was we had something with them. >> Yeah. >> Probably five years or so ago. There's some big addition. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I remember that house right on the street. >> All right, that's all I had. Thank you. >> Yeah, but we do have we do have an easement to work in the we were granted an easement. So, we have a 30- foot wide easement to be able to work within that
that area. >> And this brook is just strictly storm water. It doesn't drain that little pond that's set up by the Rebecca nurse. >> That's that's a little bit of a detention pond. So only when you have the runoff coming from let's say Ryan Road or Hood Road or in that area then
that turns into that it actually connects to that little water body and then reflows out through another covert pipe that crosses Pine Street and then comes around the bend into the same boat. >> So it's all just storm water. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh Mary, any questions? >> I'm good.
Uh >> is there any questions from the public? >> Mr. Brad Street >> Bill Street Town have a precinct one. The concrete barriers putting are they reinfor >> the concrete barriers that you're going
to be installing are they reinforced with rebar? Uh so only only the cast in place head wall would be reinforced rebar. The other one the the retaining walls that we're putting up um the blocks those are
gravity blocks. So they're held by their own weight and structure. So we have what we call super blocks on the bottom. They're about 52 in deep, 48 in wide that set the the structural foundation of the wall. And then you put small blocks on top of that and they're all tied back.
No, you're good. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Any other questions, comments? >> Hearing none. Uh, >> no public comment. >> No, >> that was You just had the one. Uh, okay. I guess our first order of business is
to close the public hearing. So, if someone can make a motion to that effect, >> I'll move to close the public hearing for 55 Adam Street, D file number 14-1446. >> I second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> And now I move to grant an order of
conditions for 55 Adam Street, D file number 14-1446 with additional conditions as discussed. Uh, >> all required materials have been submitted and reviewed. So, are there any other conditions? No.
>> Um, it would just be our local conditions. >> Just our local standard conditions that you obviously aware of. >> Correct. Yep. >> Is that your motion? >> That's a motion. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I >> I
>> What is your timing on this, Steve? Uh now that I uh have the uh order conditions, well once I receive that, I'm hoping to uh get this out the bid this winter time and construct as soon as possible. >> Any spring signs after the winter?
>> Yeah. Yeah. There's no real time restrictions on that. Um, but I am obviously going to be cognizant of of weather and availability of of the items that we bid and contractor's availabilities, but this is something I'm looking to get done right away because it's it's been a few years that in the process of this going through
this design and trying to figure out the best way to get this constructed >> and then this has to go out the bid or >> Yeah, correct. It will have to go out the bid. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, good luck. >> Thank you. Uh, next order of business is a notice of intent for 80 Water Street, D file
number 14-1433. The applicant is Peter McKinnon. Uh, the applicant is requested to continue to our December 11th, 2025 meeting. Was this an open hearing? >> Um, no. No, because this hasn't this
hasn't opened yet at all. This hearing, it's they've just requested to continue. >> Okay. So, does that affect our vote? We just vote to continue. >> Just vote to continue. Yep. >> Okay. Someone can make that motion then please. >> I make a motion to continue the public hearing for 80 Water Street D number
141433 to December 11th, 2025. >> I'll second it. >> All in favor? >> I uh same applicant uh different uh order of business request for certificate of compliance for 80 Water
Street DL number 14-1247. The applicant is Peter McKinnon and they once again have requested to continue to our December 11th, 2025 meeting. So if someone can make a motion, we will move it till then. >> Oh, go ahead.
>> I'll make a motion to continue the hearing for 80 Water Street D number 14-1247 to December 11th, 2025. >> I second the motion. >> All in favor? >> I >> Okay. Uh moving on to old or new business. Uh I see that there's we don't
have minutes to approve this meeting. There'll be two meetings worth next meeting. >> Yep. >> Uh is there anything else Emily that uh >> um nothing else? The cut off date for the December 11th meeting has long saved. >> Um so we may have other applications come in besides 80 Water Street. As soon
as they come in, I'll get all that information. But they still have another week after that. >> Just so everyone knows, we do not meet two weeks from tonight because that's Thanksgiving. >> Thanksgiving. >> And then we'll only meet once in December. And then Emily was kind enough to print out next year's meeting schedule. So I know we always have a
conflict. So if we can do whatever we can to, you know, accommodate the meeting schedule would be good. I know we all get away at some point and myself included. So but we had that and I just I found last year I just put on the calendar and it's just worked wonders.
Uh okay. If there's nothing else, any anyone else bring anything up? Um well maybe well the I've actually mentioned this before but we've never had someone stay long enough but traditionally the chair usually passes on and we used to
do it here. We did it with the planning board. I think the other boards do it that uh if if maybe we could discuss at the next meeting. >> Be nice if we had a >> um if we knew someone like >> guidelines. >> Okay. Lorraine was sticking around. Is
something gonna stick around for a while that maybe we could think about another chair? And no, you obviously did a great job and you are doing a long time. So, I definitely would. >> And when I tried to get off, you said, "Oh, you should stay." And I said, "No, no, it's time to move on.
>> All right. So, how do we how do we proceed with that then?" >> Well, I mean, I'm just throwing it out for the future. I mean, we can talk about it next year for that matter. >> Get through the holidays. talk about it in the new year and see what the commission wants. >> Yeah, I think maybe when Tom's not here, we'll elect him.
>> I'm sorry, Paul. Paul, >> is there any is there a job description? >> Yes. >> Yeah, we have that at town hall. >> That would be helpful to >> Yes, of course. Absolutely. >> Y >> Okay. Uh someone can make a motion to adjurnn. We will do.
>> I make a motion to adjurnn. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay. Thank you guys. Go pants.