The Northborough Conservation Commission on April [date not specified] granted a negative determination for a Department of Public Works request to replace support structure for a water main on the Otis Street utility bridge, and continued hearings on the School Street bridge relocation and three failing culvert repairs to a future meeting pending state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) review.

The commission voted unanimously in roll call to close the Otis Street hearing and issue a negative determination with no special conditions after hearing presentations from Northborough DPW and wetland consultants. The DPW told the commission inspections had found through‑corrosion on the beam web supporting the water main that serves Lawrence Street, Walmart and other Otis Street customers. Consultants said the work will replace the support in‑kind, use temporary timber bracing and two small concrete pads (about 10 square feet each) that will be removed and the area seeded when work is done.

Commissioners said they expected notification from DPW before work starts and that the project appears eligible as an exempt repair activity under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the town bylaw. The vote to issue a negative determination was recorded as: Dan Clark—yes; Todd (Bud) Hellwig—yes; John Johnson—yes; Sadie Stone—yes; Greg Young (chair)—yes.

DPW representatives also presented a plan to relocate a water main at the School Street bridge after MassDOT required closure of the sidewalk that previously supported the main. The project would place two new concrete support pads (each 6 by 4 feet, 24 square feet) and a short bridge span that the consultants said greatly exceeds stream crossing standards (63 feet span; openness ratio far above the optimum). Commissioners said the proposal appeared to be a limited project under the act, with permanent impact limited to the two pads and full restoration of disturbed shoulders and roadside areas. The commission did not close the School Street notice of intent and voted to continue the hearing to May 12 at 6 p.m. to allow DEP review and because DPW borrowing funds will not be available until after July 1; the roll call vote to continue was recorded as Dan Clark—yes; Todd Hellwig—yes; John Johnson—yes; Sadie Stone—yes; Greg Young—yes.

Consultants then reviewed three culvert locations — two failures (Church Street downstream of Fay Lane and Howard Street) and an ANRAD for a third upstream Church Street culvert — and proposed cured‑in‑place pipe (structural lining) to rehabilitate the failing corrugated metal/bolted steel culverts. Presenters described conservative temporary‑work footprints (examples: an estimated 900 square feet of temporary BVW impact for one site; a conservative 425 sq ft BVW estimate for Howard Street) and said work would use coffer dams, bypass pumping to a filter bag and turbidity curtains. Contractors estimated each culvert rehab would require about one week on site (setup, dewater/clean, install liner, cure, demobilize); the liner reduces internal diameter by roughly one inch but is smoother than the existing pipe.

Because DEP review numbers had not yet been issued for the School Street and culvert filings, the commission voted to continue the Church Street ANRAD, Church Street culvert NOI and Howard Street NOI to the May meeting for DEP comment. Roll call votes to continue were unanimous on each item.

Commission staff said DPW will notify the commission prior to construction and that if DEP raises no substantial comments the commission expects to finalize approvals quickly. DPW also noted town meeting approval of borrowing for construction is scheduled in two weeks and that no construction will occur before July 1 even if permits are adopted.