2017-03-08 BOS Packet - Released

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The design engineer for this project informs us that the only likely replication area near the proposed wetland alterations contains just 8,000 square feet, too little space to accommodate the required replication of the wetland area displaced by either of the roundabout alternatives or by the most intrusive of the signal options. In those cases, even if alteration and replication were permitted, replication would have to be attempted in another, less satisfactory location. The wetland system in which the proposed work would be located is a large and extremely important one. It is part of the Shawsheen River watershed and thus affects the public water supply of several neighboring towns. It also contains the Kiln Brook riverfront area and an extensive 100-year floodplain,providing flood storage. The wetland system also helps protect the surrounding area from flooding,pollution, and storm damage as well as provides wildlife habitat. If this wetland must be altered for reasons of public safety, we feel that the alteration should be as limited as possible. The two lowest-impact signal options require the alteration of 3,773 sf and 1,679 sf of wetland, respectively. Theoretically, the 2:1 replication area required for either option could be accommodated in the 8,000 sf of potentially available space for the proposed replication area. However, the alternative involving 3,773 sf of alteration would require 7,546 sf of replication, using nearly all(94%) of the potentially available space. Because of the risk of failure or partial failure of replication, we feel that it would be unwise to stretch the capacity of the potentially available proposed replication area to such an extent. We therefore strongly prefer the alternative requiring only 3,358 sf of replication, which is the signal option with the retaining wall. We hope this information is helpful to your consideration of the proposed traffic controls for the Hartwell Avenue and Maguire Road intersection.