Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-19 Conservation Commission Minutes Pagel of 3 Approved 0111212022 North Andover Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes October 19,2021 Members Present: Sean F. McDonough, Albert P. Manzi,Jr., Vice Chairman, John T. Mabon and Joseph W. Lynch Members Absent: Anthony Capachietti and Louis A.Napoli, Chairman (both not eligible to vote on thisproject) Staff Members Present: Amy Maxner, Conservation Administrator Meeting came to Order at. 7:11 p.m. Quorum Present. Pledge of Allegiance Enforcement Order/Violation 242-1692, 1210 Osgood Street(Princeton Properties Management/LIPT Osgood Street,LLC) & Amendment 242-1692, 1210 Osgood Street(Princeton Development&Forgetta Development) • The Administrator provides an update on the Enforcement Order issued on October 5, 2021, for groundwater treatment system failures. Regular monitoring reports for July 2021 showed five(5) areas of high pH discharge from various locations along the base of the retaining wall, stormwater outlet pipes and some of the treatment system sumps. Per the report there were some connectivity issues for the modem and wireless system; which were fixed by August 11,2021. The short term reporting by EcoTech reported high pH discharge from a southerly pump,temporary system shutdown and a high pH discharge from the southwest corner of foundation of Building `B". The EO required a proposed sampling plan for the soils in the areas that experienced the flow of high pH water and alerting the residents of the seep,both of which have been done. • Atty. Jeff Brown, Princeton Properties is present on behalf of the property owner. He provides an overview of the new property owner.None of the site personnel have changed. Contact information for the asset manager, regional property manager and onsite property manager has been provided. LRT remains involved in the project as chief operators of the infiltration system, and they have been retained to train new staff. LRT visits the site once per week and prepares monthly reports that are provided to the NACC. The system has captured/treated 12.8-millon gallons of groundwater and has an up time of 99%. The influent pH which started at 12.3 has averaged 9.5-10 over the past three months. Effluent discharge of the groundwater is within permit limits and turbidity is running in the single digits. The EO response letter references EcoTech's August 4, 2021,wetland monitoring report which is related to a system issue which occurred on July 9, 2021. They believe the failure was due to the high amounts for rainfall, depleting the supply of acid reserves and the failure of electronic monitoring. The pH levels have returned to normal, and the electronic monitoring system was reconnected. They propose to install an onsite audio/visual alarm system to alert residents/onsite staff. A similar event was reported by the wetland scientist on September 13,2021. LRT reported that the system was down for a few hours. Mr. McManus reported the system was operational and producing effluent groundwater within permit limits. The report noted a surface seep near the corner of Building`B". After consultation with the project engineer the french drain will be upgraded and enlarged to capture surface runoff.Per the Commission's request residents were notified of the seep. They propose to increase onsite inspections of the system, chemicals and testing of the electronic monitoring system/alarms to twice a week. EcoTech has implemented a 3-month soil testing protocol for the areas impacted by the groundwater overflow, this may require additional time depending on findings. • Mike Sabulis, GEI Consultants states the approach outlined is good and that trends are going in the right direction. He recommends they consider what the future storm event is that causes the system to be overwhelmed to help with the future preparedness. He believes the treatment system is adequate, and that there will be situations when the system won't be able to keep up due to how things are proceeding in the environment. 2021-10-19 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 2 of 3 Approved 0111212022 • Mr. Lynch confirms the system is not picking up leachate and questions if the rain water provides some sort of dilution as it works its way through the system. • John Henry, LRT states the water is dilute with exceptionally high flows. There is a lag between a heavy storm event and large flows through the water treatment system. After a large storm event it can take 24-48 hours for things to dissipate. They proposed to prepare for a large storm event by topping off the acid tanks, ensuring equipment is fully calibrated, testing the pumps and recovery sumps within the interceptor trench to ensure they are operational and having staff present for a few hours after the event. He explains the onsite audio/visual alarm system proposed to prevent overtopping. Site monitoring is done via a SCADA system allowing staff to monitor and control the system remotely. • Mr. Manzi would like to know if the system allows for the installation of additional pumps to be used as backup when the threshold has been met. • Mr. Henry states this would be possible if they had large tanks to mix the groundwater, currently they are capped at 200-gallons. • Mr. Manzi requests they explore an over limit device once the system exceeds the capacity. • Mr. Mabon agrees with Commissioner Manzi regarding the over limit device. He requests that the Applicant consider stocking gaylords vs. drums for the acid and suggests conducting weekly network checks on the control system. He questions the pH level from the seep near Building"B". • Mr. Henry states they are considering larger tanks and a larger supply of acid to streamline the process. The monitoring system can be set up to send out daily/weekly reports confirming that the system is working. If they want to increase the flow rate, this will require additional space. • Atty. Brown states there are some site based options they will look into. • The Administrator states the pH level of the seep near Building`B"is 11.4. • Mr. Lynch questions if the overflow from the infiltration chambers/pipes can be gated/valved off to prevent overwhelming the pumps. • Mr. Henry states these are designed to overflow to prevent water from backing up into the parking lot. The overflow pipes were monitored for over a year and generally do not flow unless after a heavy storm event. The water flowing from the overflow is mostly rain water with slightly elevated pH levels. • The Commission discusses how to proceed. They agree the resolutions for the groundwater treatment failures need to become perpetual conditions of the Amended OOC. • Mr. Sabulis states there is a standard set and protocol for shutting down the system and offers to review the last version based on recent events. • Mr. McDonough questions if the Applicant is requesting additional changes in the Amendment. • Atty. Brown states the Amendment will capture the conditions in the Enforcement Orders and shutdown criteria proposed. The new owner is aware of the history, and that an Amended OOC will be issued. • The Administrator states a dedicated performance bond and surety bond will be required for the treatment system. The annual cost of the operational system as of today is $48,000. • The Commission discusses the additional bonding of the project and agrees a surety bond is a good idea.The NACC discusses how to determine the amount to be secured to protect the Town's interest going forward. • Mr. Manzi would like to know how many years they should ensure to operate the system. • Mr. Lynch suggests a$50,000 cash bond, $250,000 surety on top of the $30,000 secured when the OOC was established. • The Administrator does not believe this is a sufficient amount for the bond. • Atty. Brown requests the Commission keep in mind this is a national organization with 192 units almost fully rented out. Given the business dynamic he does not believe there needs to be this amount of protection. • Mr. Manzi recommends they research the new suggestions from tonight's meeting and respond accordingly. • The Commission agrees further discussion is required before the bond amount is determined. They need to discuss what should be shown on the updated record drawing. • Mr. Sabulis questions if the NACC has questions regarding the new table of triggers he prepared. • The Administrator states additional funds in the amount of$10,000 are required for the escrow account established for third party review. • A motion to continue to December 8,2021,is made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Mr. Lynch. 2021-10-19 Conservation Commission Minutes Page 3 of 3 Approved 0111212022 • Vote 4-0,Unanimous. Enforcement Order/Violation Documents 09-29-2021 Meeting Materials, PPMI 20211005 152728, 242-1692, 1210 Osgood Street(EO)Ratified Amended 10 05 21 - Groundwater Treatment System Failures Amendment Documents 02-19-2020 Meeting Material- Commercial Site (1274 Osgood Street), 02-19-2020 Meeting Material- Residential Site (1254 Osgood Street), 03-11-2020 Meeting Material, 04-28-2021 Meeting Materials, Town of North Andover Mail-FW_1210 Osgood Street,LRT Proposal, Easement and Common Schemes Restriction, LIPT Osgood St. LLC- Response to EO- 1210 Osgood Tx System Failures, Future Monitoring Plan- 5.18.2020_gei Adjournment • A motion to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. is made by Mr. McDonough, seconded by Mr. Lynch. • Vote 4-0 Unanimous. 2021-10-19 Conservation Commission Minutes