Conservation Panel Reviews 5/6 School Plan

By Andrew Gorosko

Conservation Commission members are reviewing plans for the public school system’s Grade 5/6 school proposed for land at Fairfield Hills, near the intersection of Wasserman Way and Old Farm Road.

Conservation members are studying the construction plans, particularly as they affect drainage in the area, C. Stephen Driver, town conservation official, said Tuesday.

The stormwater drainage system proposed for the school complex would be connected to an existing drainage network, which discharges stormwater into Deep Brook, a trout stream lying northeast of the school site.

To maintain a high quality water discharge from the school drainage system, a “particle separator” would be installed, Mr Driver said. Such devices prevent sand and gravel from entering streams and polluting their waters.

School representatives presented plans for the drainage system to the Conservation Commission in December. Conservation members may act on the plans when they meet January 10.

There are various environmental issues raised by the school construction proposal, but those issues are well addressed in the drainage plans, Mr Driver said.

The plans call for the extensive protection of nearby natural features from erosion and sedimentation during the school construction work, he said.

The drainage plans are particularly designed to protect water quality in Deep Brook, which serves as a trout hatchery.

A large, elaborate basin would be constructed near Old Farm Road. The basin would serve as both a silt detention pond and a water retention pond, Mr Driver said. The pond would prevent silt from leaving the site, as well as hold back water runoff from the site during storms. Such basins gradually discharge stormwater from the site after storms to prevent sedimentation problems downstream in areas like Deep Brook. The pond would be fenced off to prevent access.

The current stormwater drainage design for the property is a major improvement over a previous design which had been submitted for the property, Mr Driver said.

The school plans include only a minor disturbance of an existing wetland, Mr Driver said.

The almost $34-million school construction proposal may be submitted for a vote at a referendum in mid-June. The school is proposed to alleviate overcrowding in the public schools.