The Town of Southborough Conservation Commission reviewed stewardship recommendations for restoration of the former farm dump area at Breakneck Hill and voted to send a letter to the restoration contractor clarifying restoration expectations, seeding and post‑construction management.

Town staff reported an initial cost estimate from the contractor (Strategic) of approximately $333,000 for restoration work; the estimate excludes the final price for the stewardship‑recommended cover crop and associated procedures. The commission also reviewed a lease price for temporary fencing (approximately $8,400 for one year) to protect reseeded areas and acknowledged that fencing durations and costs may vary.

Members of the stewardship committee, including Joyce Greenleaf (stewardship chair) and Freddie (restoration specialist), described the ecological value of a nearby research meadow and documented damage where a temporary access road and heavy equipment degraded roughly 25% of a high‑quality meadow used for pollinator research. Joyce and Freddie provided photographs and flagged concerns that existing topsoil disturbance, exposed stones and compacted areas will require targeted restoration beyond simple seeding. Freddie said stewardship recommends a staged approach: a cover crop for immediate stabilization followed by site‑specific meadow restoration with plantings (not just seed) and two to three years of invasive‑species management.

Commissioner Ben (commission member) and staff confirmed the restoration plan previously approved by the commission requires the contractor to restore disturbed meadow areas to prior grades and to coordinate specific restoration measures with stewardship. Commission members raised practical questions about rocks and boulders: stewardship asked that boulders not reserved for trail use be crushed to 3‑inch minus material and reused as fill so remaining surfaces are manageable for future mowing and meadow maintenance.

After discussion the commission voted to send a letter to the contractor (Pick n Pay Farm / restoration contractor) that will document the commission’s expectations: boulders not otherwise reserved for stewardship use to be crushed for fill, all disturbed meadow areas restored to original lines and grades, soils restored and plantings coordinated with stewardship (plant selection and target plant size), and coordination on post‑installation invasive‑species management. Staff agreed to draft the letter and to circulate a draft to commissioners and stewardship for review. Commissioner comments noted uncertainty on final restoration costs until grading and cover crop establishment reveal the scale of needed follow‑up planting and management; stewardship members estimated post‑project restoration and multi‑year management could reach into the low six‑figures and asked the commission to plan accordingly.

The commission’s motion specified the letter should reference the approved restoration plan and the stewardship input, and should require the contractor to implement meadow restoration measures consistent with the plan and stewardship recommendations. The motion passed by vote.