Roxbury Land Trust Has 7 Environmental Concerns

VOICES
04/11/2007
Land Trust Seeks Evaluation of New School Impact on Site
By: John Addyman

ROXBURY - In an April 2 letter to the Conservation Commission, the Roxbury Land Trust has asked the commission to "review and evaluate the environmental impact of the proposed consolidated school site...and advise the Board of Selectmen and the Region 12 school board of its findings as soon as possible."

The letter, written by Land Trust President Barbara Ungeheuer, details seven areas of concern.
The property in question, 20 acres off Route 199, belongs to Jack Mundy. The school board has an option to purchase it for potential use as a regional elementary school.

First, the Land Trust notes that the Mundy property was designated as part of the ring of "desirable open space" in the 1999 Roxbury Plan of Conservation and Development.
Ms. Ungeheuer notes that much has been done to convert that "desirable" open space into protected areas, "and the Land Trust continues to seek opportunities for further protection with that ring."

Second, the Mundy property abuts Battleswamp Brook and the Land Trust's 24-acre Battleswamp Preserve and a 16-acre Weantinoge Heritage Preserve.
The proposed school building will overlook the brook and preserves and Ms. Ungeheuer asks, "Can this building site location and configuration allow for zero impact on the brooks, the wetlands and the preserves?"

Third, the Land Trust notes that just nine of the 22 acres of the school site will be developed and asks about future expansion or plan modifications into sloped areas or wetlands.

Fourth, with so much impermeable cover due to the building footprint, driveways and parking area, the Land Trust is concerned about runoff and pollution.
"Where would the storm water be retained on this limited site? Does the site plan and budget allow for adequate systems to deal with it [runoff]?" asks Ms. Ungeheuer.

Fifth, the Land Trust wants to know where septic fields will be and if the site can really accommodate the septic load required of a 450-student school.

Sixth, because one slice of the Mundy property may now be used, what happens to the rest, the Land Trust wondered?
"Has an analysis been made on the potential total impact on the brook from both sides of the property?"

Seventh, the Land Trust surmises that accommodating septic and storm water runoff in an environmentally friendly way may be expensive.
"Will the budget accommodate the necessary preventive measures or necessary oversight?" Ms. Ungeheuer asks. "Will there be guarantees for zero impact on our environmentally valuable adjacent preserve and Battleswamp Brook during the construction period?"