The Norwood Conservation Commission on March 5 approved a request to amend the previously approved Order of Conditions for the Route 1A at Prospect–Fulton intersection project to address a construction‑era discovery: two existing 24‑inch clay drainage pipes had been crushed and were failing.

The project team (represented by Denise of DHP) told the commission that test pits and CCTV inspections showed the clay pipes were crushed. The proposal replaces the two 24‑inch pipes with a single 36‑inch reinforced concrete pipe, replaces two existing drain manholes with larger precast manholes, and pulls the storm outlet back onto a stone pad located inside a previously designed compensatory floodplain storage area so the outfall does not discharge directly to the bank.

Denise described the stone pad as a standard pipe end dissipation pad built with smaller rock than riprap to slow flows at the outlet. She also said the revised cross‑section and inverts change floodplain storage by elevation; overall the design still provides a net increase in compensatory flood storage compared with the previously approved design. She gave example elevation bands where the redesign adds storage (for example, the design adds roughly 109 cubic yards between the 97 and 96 elevation band and about 104 cubic yards between 96 and 95), while noting the total at one band shifted from 61.4 to 60.5 cubic yards; overall there remains a surplus of storage.

Public works support: DPW staff (Mr. Rein) told the commission Public Works is fully supportive and called the pipe replacement timely; the pipe had been at risk of complete failure and the state is leading construction of the state‑controlled intersection project.

Technical note: the team explained the use of controlled density fill in constrained pipe trenches to prevent future settlement where compaction is limited.

Formal action: the commission voted to authorize the conservation planner to approve the minor project amendment as described. Roll call recorded Kelsey Quinlan — Aye; Anil Prasad — Aye; Kalima Mustapha Woodburg — Aye. Motion carried.

Next steps: the conservation planner will document the amendment and coordinate with the contractor and DPW; the replacement work is proceeding under the state‑led intersection construction schedule and the revised outfall and manholes will be built as part of that effort.