The Needham Conservation Commission on Feb. 13 heard a presentation on a proposed test-well exploration program at 914 Charles River Street and voted to continue the hearing to Feb. 27, 2025.

The test-boring program is being pursued by the Needham Department of Public Works Water and Sewer Division to identify a redundant groundwater well near the town’s existing Charles River well field, consultants said. Haley Page, a consultant with Weston & Sampson, said the work would be exploratory only and that any final well construction would require separate permitting.

"This project is a well investigation project located at the Needham water treatment plant facility," Page said. Frank Getchell, also with Weston & Sampson, told commissioners the team had identified three candidate exploration locations (labeled B, A and C) and intends to advance borings about 100 to 120 feet below grade. "The purpose of this project is to provide a redundant groundwater supply for Needham," Getchell said, explaining the town sometimes takes wells offline for rehabilitation because of iron and manganese issues.

Getchell said the team would use a track-mounted drilling rig to reduce site disturbance, containerize cuttings, and limit vehicle access to existing fire access roads. He said the exploration rig will leave a small surface casing (about 1½ to 2 feet above grade) and a 2‑inch PVC monitoring well and screen for testing.

Consultants identified possible temporary impacts to wetland buffers and the 100-year flood zone. Page said test-well location B lies within the 100‑year flood zone and that up to about 600 square feet of temporary disturbance could occur at that location. She said erosion‑and‑sediment controls would be installed and any disturbed areas would be returned to pre‑investigation condition when work concludes.

Commissioners asked about timing and access. Getchell and Page said the project team prefers to complete drilling while the ground is frozen to minimize rutting and site disturbance and will prioritize minimal work if favorable conditions are found at the first exploration location.

Commissioner Deb (staff) said she would not issue an order of conditions until the commission finalizes permit language, and the commission voted to continue the hearing to Feb. 27, 2025 to allow staff to prepare draft permit conditions. The motion to continue passed on a roll-call vote: Fred (aye), Sue (aye), Reid (aye), Paulina (aye), Bill (aye), and Chair Dave Harrer (aye).

The commission discussed the range of buffer zones that could be affected (25‑, 50‑ and 100‑foot buffers) and confirmed that no permanent road alterations are proposed; temporary workspace and controls would be used for the exploratory borings. The consultants said a separate filing will follow if a test well is selected for construction.

Actions recorded at the meeting included the continuation of the hearing and the commission’s direction to prepare an order of conditions for review at the next meeting.

Plans and filings for DEP file 234‑944 remain under review and will return to the commission on Feb. 27 for a possible order of conditions and votes on temporary impacts and restoration requirements.