Residents Seek Ames Pond Relief, Tree House Receives Signoff Despite DPW Request

There’s movement on rezoned 12-acre lot at 1596 Andover St.

The Tewksbury Conservation Commission met last night with all members present. 

Jim Hanley of Civil Design Consultants updated the ConCom on the Tewksbury Dental Associates project at 1438 Main St., saying the owner continues to work with the Sarina Way HOA. The homeowners object to the removal of trees and elimination of a snow storage area to add parking. Hanley received a certificate of compliance for the commercial portion of the project. The hearing for the parking expansion was continued to the Jan. 10, 2024 meeting, along with the MacLellan Oil and 911-913 East St. self-storage hearings.

Hanley stayed on to discuss the Tree House Brewing overflow lot at 1879 Main St. He asked the ConCom to close the hearing, which has been ongoing since June, and issue an order of conditions despite a lingering issue with the town.  

“We have a fundamental disagreement with DPW over how one standard is being applied,” said Hanley. Because the Conservation Commission is the ultimate authority in stormwater management standards, he asked for sign off. 

Hanley said the redevelopment will reduce impervious surface on the site — which has been vacant for close to 20 years — by 15,000 square feet, or approximately 20%. It will also provide a reduction in peak discharge and stormwater volume and increase flood storage by 20%. 

The former Funland site has 200 feet on Heath Brook. Hanley said the plan is to completely revegetate the area bordering the brook. 

Member Linda Darveau asked about the required monthly maintenance of the wet pond; Hanley replied that a contractor would be engaged to remove sediment and do other needed upkeep. The pond would not be fenced, nor will there be benches. 

“It’s not an aesthetic pond,” said Hanley. Learn more about the project.

Conservation Agent Joe Fontaine recommended some conditions, including a stormwater pollution prevention plan, ongoing reporting and leaving the space between Heath Brook and the easement area as conservation land in perpetuity. The notice of intent was approved unanimously.

Chris Tymula of Greenman-Pedersen appeared on behalf of Nouria Energy Corp., which runs the Shell gas station and convenience store 1975 Main St., at the intersection of Shawsheen St. The owners wish to install a 288 square foot exterior cooler along the back of the building, to increase storage. The amendment to the order of conditions was approved unanimously.

Maureen Herald of Norse Environmental Services appeared for Yvon Cormier Construction, owner of 1596 Andover St., an 11.67 acre site that now falls within the Interstate Overlay District, based on a rezoning article  

Herald is looking to confirm the wetlands configuration on the site; she had no insight on Cormier’s building plans. Given the size of the lot, Fontaine recommended bringing in a consultant to review the wetlands, including Meadow Brook. The hearing was continued to Jan. 24.

Fontaine updated the commission on the order for a tree buffer to be installed around 300 Ames Pond, to provide relief for Cardigan Rd. residents currently looking at 70-foot high piles of dirt and rocks, from which sand is running off. Fontaine reported that plantings required for erosion prevention are planned for the spring, and the commission agreed to request an update in March.

Resident Bob O’Brien of Cardigan Rd. called out broken silt fences, sand runoff onto their properties said the residents are looking at huge dirt piles.

“Design consultants call them ‘temporary stockpiles,’” said O’Brien. “What is the definition of temporary? Five years? 10 years?”

He also pointed out that the Planning Board special permit for the project expired in November.

“We don’t know where to turn,” said O’Brien. “We’re just looking for compliance and adherence, and a lot of that comes from you guys.”