The Norwood Conservation Commission on March 5 directed the conservation planner to issue written documentation approving a requested minor amendment to the Meadowbrook bank stabilization project, allowing limited equipment use for tree felling and adding a small number of additional tree removals.

Project background: the work is part of a roughly 1,000‑linear‑foot bank stabilization and stream rehabilitation downstream from Murphy Field. The project team had previously secured an Order of Conditions in February 2024 and returned in December 2024 to discuss timing of tree felling to comply with anticipated seasonal work restrictions tied to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listing for the tricolored bat.

Clarification sought: the project’s general contractor (low bidder Sunco EcoContracting) and their subcontractor for tree work, Ethical Tree Services, told the commission that several trees flagged for early felling were not safe to hand‑fell. Michael Chominski (project lead) and Kevin Baldwin (Ethical Tree Services) explained that worker safety and the risk of trees falling across property lines required use of limited equipment. Ethical Tree described a tracked aerial lift roughly 46 inches wide and 20 feet long and weighing about 8,500 pounds — far lighter and lower impact than a 30,000‑pound wheeled bucket truck — and said the machine exerts low ground pressure and could operate using ground protection mats where needed.

The applicants asked permission to access the work area along a town sewer easement (river left of Meadow Brook) to set up equipment at three designated points shown to the commission. The contractor identified two or three additional small trees (about 3‑inch DBH) that should be removed, raising the total from about 31 trees to about 40. The team emphasized use of minimal equipment, track‑mounted machines, limited access points, and reseeding and restoration of disturbed areas after work.

Carly, the conservation planner, noted remaining issues outside the contractor’s scope, including several sheds and yard‑waste piles on town land; staff will follow up separately with property owners. The contractor will not remove sheds unless specified in a separate agreement.

Formal action: the commission voted to direct the conservation planner to prepare and issue the requested minor amendment documentation reflecting the clarified access and equipment limits. Roll call recorded Kelsey Quinlan — Aye; Anil Prasad — Aye; Kalima Mustapha Woodburg — Aye. The motion carried.

Context and next steps: the written minor‑amendment documentation will define the three equipment access points, require low‑impact, track‑mounted equipment and ground protection mats where necessary, and require reseeding and restoration of disturbed areas. Staff will coordinate notice to adjacent property owners about any structures or debris outside the project scope.