The Town of Norwood Conservation Commission on April 16 voted to issue a positive determination of applicability for a proposed single‑house project on Norton Drive (Norwood file 2024‑14), agreeing with a peer reviewer’s wetland delineation while noting that the FEMA floodplain on the parcel has not been surveyed.

The commission’s vote accepted the delineation prepared by the applicant’s consultant and endorsed by the town’s peer reviewer, John Rockwell, a wetland scientist. John Glassa of Glassa Engineering, who presented the plan for the applicant, told the commission that "we agree with his conclusions 100%" and that the plan shows the bordering vegetated wetland (BVW) limits and an isolated vegetated wetland the consultants identified.

Why it matters: The determination confirms which resource areas are present on the site and where they lie. That finding does not authorize construction. The applicant must file a formal Notice of Intent (NOI) with more detailed survey and mitigation proposals; the commission and the public will review permits and any proposed impacts to resource areas at that later stage.

What the commission found and why: Presenters and the peer reviewer said field work in early April and a follow‑up visit on April 9 found no vernal‑pool breeding evidence such as amphibian egg masses or fairy shrimp. Carly (Conservation staff) said the site visit team "did our follow‑up site visit ... and we didn't see any of those." The applicant and peer reviewer marked a small isolated wetland (approximately a few hundred square feet at most) and confirmed bordering vegetated wetlands surrounding existing standing water. The consultants also noted an adjacent FEMA floodplain; the commission was told the FEMA base flood elevation for the site is 47.5 (NAVD 1988) but that its precise boundary must be set by an on‑site topographic survey prior to the NOI.

Concerns raised by neighbors: Multiple abutters and nearby residents spoke during public comment, describing regular frog calls and water retention on the property and asking whether predatory species (bullfrogs or fish) might explain the absence of egg masses in early April. John Rockwell and the applicant’s wetland scientist, Claire Hoogaboom of LEC Environmental Consultants, told residents that predatory bullfrogs had been observed in the area and can suppress salamander and wood frog egg masses; Rockwell said that while some neighboring towns had reported egg masses, he did not find evidence on this site during his visit.

Next steps and conditions: Commissioners and staff clarified that the RDA (Request for Determination of Applicability) decision confirms resource delineations but does not permit work. The commission required that the FEMA floodplain be documented by instrument survey as part of any subsequent NOI submittal, and the applicant acknowledged the NOI will follow if the property layout and economics make the project viable. The applicant indicated an NOI would likely be filed toward the end of the summer if surveys and other conditions allow.

Vote and motion: The commission approved a positive determination of applicability for the BVW and the isolated wetland as shown on the revised plan dated 04/15/2025 and incorporating the recommendations in the peer review memo. The motion passed unanimously (3–0).

Votes at a glance (other formal actions taken at the April 16 meeting):
- 277 Boston Providence Turnpike (Norwood N2025‑02): Applicant (Michael Lehi, Toyota dealership) formally withdrew an RDA; withdrawal accepted (vote 3–0).
- 61 Endicott (DEP 2510560 / Norwood 20024‑12): Applicant (Kevin Holker, Norwood Commerce Center) requested continuance to May 7 at 07:30; continuance granted (vote 3–0).
- Railroad right‑of‑way (Keolis) (Norwood 2025‑01): Continuance to May 7 at 07:30 granted (vote 3–0).

Taper: The commission staff and applicant encouraged neighbors to participate when a Notice of Intent is filed; the commission’s peer review report dated April 15 is on the file and will guide requirements for the NOI.