Conservation staff updated the commission on Chestnut Hill Farm and the town’s long-running “farm dump” remediation at the Feb. 13 meeting, reporting on an RFP for a farm operator and on a citizen’s petition seeking funds for independent counsel related to the dump cleanup.

Staff said trustees released an RFP for a farmer and asked for comments on short notice; staff and the Sudbury Valley Trustees provided suggested edits to emphasize compliance with conservation restrictions, management plans, and mapping showing which conservation restriction applies to which parcel. The trustees indicated they expect to release the RFP in the coming week.

On the remediation site known as the farm dump, staff reported the contractor’s final restoration plan was expected imminently and that engineering options will be presented for stewardship and commission review. The commission’s stewardship chair will be engaged to review alternatives and to provide feedback before the work begins.

Separately, staff said a citizen petition submitted for the April town meeting seeks to appropriate $106,500 to pay for independent counsel to investigate whether the town can recoup remediation costs or pursue other legal remedies tied to the historic landfill. Staff noted town counsel previously reviewed the matter in 2006 and found limited or no legal recourse given statutes of limitation and available evidence, and that the petition includes language to require Select Board approval prior to expending funds. Staff said it would prepare an FAQ for commissioners and select-board members before town meeting and will upload historical materials and recent photos to the commission’s SharePoint for reference.

No formal action was taken; staff will circulate the trustees’ final RFP and restoration plan to the commission when available.