HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-09-19 Board of Public Works Minutes September 19, 1977
Meeting of the Board of Public Works opened at 7:30 P.M. in
1 Room 16, Municipal Building.
Present were Chairman Dustin,- Board Members Russell and Botka,
Superintendent Louanis and Finance Committee Members Hewitt and
Cowell .
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Read memorandum from the Superintendent stating that the
sewer main construction program is nearing an end and there re—
main approximately 1 ,500 houses within the Town that are not pre—
sently serviced by the sewer. One hundred and sixty—one applica—
tions are on file and at the present rate of progress it will take
the Town two years to complete these installations. The Superin—
tendent recommended the Board adopt a new policy on sewer construc—
tion, as follows:
1 . The Town accept no more applications for sewer house connec—
tions.
2. The Town construct the sewer house connection to the sideline
only.
I 3. The homeowner be assessed for that construction in December on
the 31st in the year the construction is completed.
4. The homeowner be responsible for contacting a Licensed Drain
Layer for the construction on private property.
5. The cost to the homeowner for the sewer house connection con—
struction within the street be based on an average of all house
connections constructed during the calendar year.
This policy would allow the Town to better coordinate sewer house
connections with highway maintenance and it was recommended the
program be funded to a level to provide 150 connections to the
street line and spread over a ten year period. The matter was
discussed at length and although the Board's reaction was favorable
it was recommended the matter be tabled and brought up again at
budget time.
Mr. Russell read Notice of Public Hearing regarding the pro—
posed extension of the main sanitary sewer in Barbara Lane southerly
of Colonial Drive. Owners of five separate properties were present.
Corner lot properties owned by Brown and Sumner were assessed pre—
viously on Colonial Drive and no further assessment will be made.
Attorney Vigeant, representing Mr. Fernekees, reviewed Agreement
approved by Town Counsel , between Town of Reading and Mr. Fernekees
owner of Lot 24 Barbara Lane, wherein it is agreed that Mr. Ferne-
kees will pay betterment assessments to the Town on Lots 23 and ,
29 owned by Prew and Bittrick. A lengthy discussion ensued and
it was established there would be no cost to property owners down-
stream from Fernekees and Bliss for the installation of the sewer
and although Mr. Bittrick who was present at the meeting was opposed
to the sewer he did not care to state his reasons. Mr. Bliss was
in favor of the sewer and was willing to pay his individual assess-
ment. It was moved, seconded and voted to close the Hearing. It
was moved, seconded and voted to extend the sewer in Barbara Lane
to service the four lots in question stopping short of the last
two lots, install laterals to the four lots and to assess, with
approval of Town Counsel , Mr. Fernekees for Lot 24, Lot 23 and
Lot 29 and assess Mr. Bliss for Lot 28.
Since the acceptance of Federal Funds for the construction
of street sewers imposes the requirement that only 10% of the
cost of the total project may be recovered from the abutting pro-
perty owners through sewer frontage assessment, and the total cost ,
divided by the number of feet gives a frontage assessment of
$4.10 a lineal foot it would appear there is no problem in con-
tinuing the assessing of the abutting property owners at
$4.00 a lineal foot. Further if there were a problem the Super-
intendent felt that it would be defendable that a portion of the
cost of the interceptor sewer could be charged aginast the property
owners since it would not be possible to construct a sewer in the
area without the interceptor.
Read memorandum from Finance Committee concerning the Data
Processing Steering Committee's meeting September 27th in Room 2
at 7:30 P.M. It was agreed that Superintendent Louanis and Mr.
Russell would represent the Board of Public Works at this meeting.
Letter dated September 13, 1977 from Commissioner John J.
Carroll regarding salt storage shed was accepted as a point of
information. ,
The Superintendent reviewed briefly proposal of Tital Environ-
mental Services with regard to the disposition of solid waste.
The Superintendent was directed to write expressing the Board's
Minutes - continued September 19, 1977
interest in their program.
' The Board reviewed bids received on Sealing Cracks in Bituminous
Pavement, as follows:
Sealcoating, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8.48 per gallon in place
F.L.Fox Construction Corporation. . . . . . . . . . 9.95 " " 11 11
It was moved, seconded and voted to award the contract for Sealing
Cracks in Bituminous Pavement to Sealcoating, Inc. as per their bid
of August 25, 1977, $8.48 per gallon in place.
The Board met with the Finance Committee Chairman, Charles
Hewitt and Douglas Cowell , Committee Member, to discuss the Depart-
ment's Capital Expenditure Program. The Superintendent was asked
to outline the Capital Expenditures as he has proposed them to the
Board and after a detailed discussion of several of the items, it
was concluded that this detailed analysis would be too time con-
suming in the light of the remaining time in the meeting. Mr.
Hewitt explained that the Finance Committee was in process of pre-
paring a comprehensive Capital Expenditure Program for the whole
Town in which each departments projects would be scheduled so as to
avoid substantial increase to the tax levy. Therefore, the Finance
Committee needs the Capital Expenditure Program of each department
as already submitted by the Board of Public Works, plus an evalua-
tion of each project to indicate whether it could be postponed,
or stretched out over a longer period of time. The Board instructed
the Superintendent to review each capital project with an evalua-
tion of the effect of the postponement or delay to the Town.
The Superintendent recommended to the Board that two Articles
be inserted in the Special Town Meeting Warrant: one, authorizing
the Board of Public Works to apply for Federal Funds for sewer
construction and two, an Article to authorize the Town to bond
$1 ,500,000, for sewer construction. After considerable discussion
of the funds already authorized by the Town Meeting, it was agreed
that the Article for $1 ,500,000. not be placed in the Warrant at
this time. The Superintendent reported that the Departmentsrequest
to place the sewer project on the Federal Priority List for FY-78
was not successful but there was still a 40% chance that the Town
of Reading might be included if some other communities did not
move ahead with this project and therefore the Town should con—
tinue seeking the Federal Funds. If we were included on the ,
priority list at a later date we would have to file an Environmental
Assessment and Facilities 'Plan Update at a cost of approximately
$13,800. and Design of Street Sewer Extensions and Pump Stations
at an estimated cost of $104,800. Mr. Russell suggested funds
were already available from previous bond issues for the engineer—
ing work necessary. It was the Superintendent's opinion that
funds already authorized would not be available for this type
of engineering since engineering services for plans and specifi—
cations authorized separately from other debt related projects
can only be bonded for five years. It was agreed the Superin—
tendent would investigate the use of available funds, or funding
methods prior to submitting the Article for the Special Town
Meeting Warrant.
The Board reviewed letter from Eloisa Grant, 4—H Mac's Pac
and James Campbell 4—H Stablemates (copy attached) and following ,
a discussion it was moved, seconded and voted to approve the
requests as set forth in the letter of September 17th for the
show of September 25th only.
The Board signed the Pay Roll for the period ending Septem—
ber 16th and the Bill Roll dated September 23d, 1977.
Meeting adjourned at 11 :00 P.M.
R ectfully submitted,
S Cro//l�NiJ ,
ry ,4,vc
J
September 17, 1977
Board of Public Works
Town Hall
Reading, Massachusetts
Dear Sirst
As interested and active users of the field and horse
ring at Batchelder Field the 4-H Stablemates and 4-H Mae 's
Pae are most desirous of cooperating with the Board of Public
Works and the Department of Public Works.
For the past two years several exhibitions and clinics
have been held attracting large crowds at the Batchelder
facility. The 4-H Clubs have made great efforts to comply
with the Board's wishes regarding parking, policing and
maintaining the area.
At the winter public hearing on recreational needs, the
4-H Clubs presented to the Board our concerns dealing with
the future utilization of the area.
Our recent request to meet with the Board resulted from
more immediate concerns, in particular those relating to the
use of the Batchelder Field area for the up coming horse show
September 25.
Listed below are the concerns and requests of the 4-H
Clubs for your consideration. To restate our original
position of desired cooperation, please, also find a state-
ment of committment and hopeful resolution to each concern.
CONCERN, number of vehicles exceeds parking lot
capacity . overflow on Franklin Street
and Haverhill Street cause safety problems
as well as emergency vehicle access concern -
REQUEST: request permission to utilize grassed area
for exhibitors parking only - 25-35 trailors
and trucks are anticipated - parking lot
used for all specators -
Police officer and parking attendent will carry out this
parking system. All drivers of vehicles not utilizing parking
area will be required to sign a disclaimer form releasing the
Town of Reading from liability for any property damage. (see
attached form) . The 4-H Clubs realize that the Board's actions
in this matter do not establish a precedent but rather that
each future request will be reviewed independently.
CONCERN: time allotment for use of Field on
September 25; 7:30 am - 6:00 pm -
REQUEST: request permission for extended hours
to allow for set up (sanitary facilities,
course obsticlis, sound system, and
refreshment stands and clean up -
request 6:00 am to 8:00 pm -
The 4-H Club would be responsible for closing area if this
would be helpful.
CONCERN: water tap closed -
REQUEST: request water be turned on -
CONCERN: extreme dust condition of ring causing
health and safety concerns to animals and
riders as well as nuisance. to abutting
property owners -
REQUEST: request oil treatment or other suitable
correction of this condition -
The 4-H Clubs have in the past offered to make arrangements
for oil treatment. The cost was $100 (last year - reduced
cost because of 4-H affiliation) . The 4-H Cubs offer to
assume $25 aQ" for this treatment. 'SY'w/Iud6
CONCERN: safety of youngsters and animals exiting
from Batchelder Field on to Franklin Street -
REQUEST: request permission to erect movable gate
controlling exiting animals on to
Franklin Street from Batchelder Field -
The 4-H Clubs and concerned citizens will incur costs and
erect this project with design subject to review by Depart-
ment of Public Works.
We hope that our aforestated expectations in dealing
with safety, operational and "good neighbor" concerns in-
volving Batchelder Field have demonstrated a willingness
to cooperate with your Board. Any consideration your Board
will give to these concerns will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
4xt.�... j�a�
-Core
James Campbell
4-H Stablema es
I, the undersigned, hereby release
the Town of Reading, the 4-H Stablemates and the
4-H Mac's Pao from any responsibility resulting
from any property damage or loss, sustained at
the Batchelder Field facility.
PAUL C. DUSTIN, Mirman
TOWN OF READING OFFICE OF JOHN W. PRICE. Secretary
LAWRBNCR R. BLOOD
JOHN H. RXJ R L
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS ALEXANDER T. BOMA
MUNICIPAL BUILDING E. ROGER LOUAMS, Sayetlnt .d.n
Ken�py READING, MASS 01887
MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
The undersigned, Board of Public Works of the Town
of Reading, in compliance with the provisions of General Laws,
Chapter 80, as amended by Chapter 63 of the Acts of 1933, here-
by Certify that the lists herewith contain the names of per-
sons against whom we have made betterment assessments, to-
gether with the location of the land benefited by the improve-
ment and the nature and amount of such betterment assessment.
�w Sewer House Connection Construction $303.75
Such list is certified to you for the purpose of
committing the same to the Tax Collector, as provided by law.
WITNESS our hands this thir.dday -.of October A.D. 1977.
AV
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maps
Metropolitan
Area
Planning
Council
WaterQualit
Project
IPSWICH
RIVER
BASIN
REPORT
ACTION
HANDBOOK
METROPOLITAN AREA PLANNING COUNCIL
44 SCHOOL STREET
&STON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
George B. Bailey, President
Richard D. Dimes, Vice President
Robert B. Chase, Secretary
Harry A. Kelleher, Treasurer
4
Carla S. Johnston, Executive Director
,LATER :DUALITY PROJECT
11 3EACON STREET
. OSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
Andrew C. Paton, Project Manager
H. Calvin Cook, Basin Team Leader
Ann Conway, Public Participation Coordinator
This report.
has been financed with funds from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
under grant number Po of 055 of
as part of section 206 of Public Law 92-500.
September, 1977
ACTION HANDBOOK FOR THE
IPSWICH RIVER BASIN REPORT
The ACTION HANDBOOK should be used in conjunction with the
Ipswich River Basin Report. It is intended as an accessory
to that larger report. After you read the Basin Report,
there are a series of questions to answer in these pages.
You need only respond to the set for your own community,
although you may - and in fact are encouraged - to answer
as many other questions as you wish.
The purpose of the Action Handbook is to solicit your views
on important community and major basin-wide issues. The
issues as drawn here by staff of the MAPC's Water Quality
Program are the result of two years of intensive professional
work punctuated by periodic public involvement. The
preliminary basin report and its accompanying action handbook
represent one of the last opportunities for participation
by local officials, citizens and the general public. We
welcome and need your input. (Please see Basin Report cover
letter dated August 31 for details of the review process.)
Within two weeks, please send your responses including your
name and address, to:
Public Participation Team Leader
MAPC Water Quality Project
11 Beacon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02108
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BASIN REPORT
The Ipswich River Basin Report is divided into six chapters.
For purposes of responding to the questions in the handbook,
Chapter 3 on overall basin and community problems and
Chapter 4 on optional solutions are of prime importance.
In terms of understanding the major issues, Chapter 5 on the
impacts and implications of combining such solutions into a
planning program is also important. Chapter 6 on legal,
institutional, and other management implications and
Appendix C, which defines the various technical solutions in
general terms, are important to the reader primarily as
resource material. Chapters 1 and 2 are brief and of an
essentially introductory nature. (A map of the Ipswich River
Basin is included here for handy reference to the eight
communities in the basin.)
a
/ tri
/ o
ii
\ Ple Brook
97
TOPSFIELD eso� f
BrO°k HAMILTON
' 114
I Pleasantr s
Pond � St`�1e
J I
chebacco
97 WENHAM � d. \Lake
\ MIDDLETON ( Wenham hGravelly
Swan \ Loke Round C �Pord
Martins Middleton
0 1 Pond Pond \\on 62 _ _ se�ha
DANVERS 128\�
\ �
voJr-
62 NORTH READING
BEVERLY \
62 J
River
e s
f.\ Bubb I Ipswich__..✓
Silver w
Lake o \
x I � \ /
129 \\ / LYNNFIELD ' \
WILMINGTON I
28 PEABODY I RIVER
R
IPSWICH
1
BASIN
READING
/ \ 1
38 2
/ J
/
62128 ,
BURLINGTON
I _ r
07, 3A
/ 2 0 4000 8000 16000
C
\ 3 t° f/ SCALE IN FEET NORTH
\ o
SOURCE: BASE MAP,U.S.GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
-2-
Major Basin Issues
Unlike its neighbor, the North Coastal Basin, the Ipswich
River Basin is relatively undeveloped. The water quality
of the river is relatively good, and only the towns of
Burlington, Reading and Wilmington are presently sewered.
The major issue, therefore, is the prevention of future
problems. Non-structural solutions in the form of land
development controls are highly recommended for all basin
communities. The enactment of wetlands/floodplain zoning
in Burlington, expansion of Wilmington's floodplain
district to include more wetland areas, aquifer recharge
zoning in Wilmington and North Reading, and use and density
zoning changes in Middleton, North Reading, and Wilmington
head the list of recommendations. (For details see the
community write-ups taken from Chapter 4 of the basin
report, as well as the summary matrix, both of which are
reproduced here on pages 36 to 46.)
Topsfield has no identified areas of existing septic
system problems, nor does Wenham. However, the latter
community does have a few small scattered areas adjacent
to septic system problems in Hamilton and Beverly. Hamilton
has both existing problem areas, as well as existing and
future land development classified as being potential sewer
service areas. (See methodology for delineating sewer
service areas in Chapter 4 of the Ipswich River Basin
Report, pages 4-2 to 4-5 and Figure 5. )
Therefore, Hamilton has several sewering options. One
would be that the community construct and manage five small
package treatment plants; another would be to connect to
the SESD Danvers-Beverly interceptor and join the South Essex
Sewerage District (SESD) ; and a third involves the construction
and maintenance of its own advanced sewage treatment plant on
the Ipswich River. (See the basin report, Chapter 4, .ages 4-5
to 4-12 including Tables 4-1 and 4-2 and Figures 6, 7 and 8 -the
three sewerirg concepts.) Obviously, Hamilton has some basic
planning decisions to make concerning its future. The
reconstruction of individual communal septic systems with
limited sewerage are more realistic management proposals for
the immediate future, coupled with the initiation and
continuance of amunicipal program for management and
maintenance of existing and future septic systems.
Middleton is another community faced with some hard choices
ahead. Unlike Hamilton, its existing septic system problem
areas are too small and too scattered to be effectively
handled by small package treatment plants. Moreover, the
soils in Middleton are not generally as suitable for
subsurface sewage disposal as are some of the soils in
Hamilton. Therefore, other than the reconstruction of
individual on-lot septic systems, coupled with a vigorous
municipal program of septic system management and maintenance
to prevent more extensive problem areas in the future,
-3-
reliance on communal subsurface sewage disposal is not
recommended for Middleton. Under sewering Concept 1, it
is proposed that the town join with Lynnfield and North
Reading and construct an advanced sewage treatment plant
in the latter community on the Ipswich River. Under
sewering Concept 2, it is proposed that Middleton connect
to the SESD Danvers-Beverly interceptor and join the South
Essex Sewerage District. Concept 3 contains the proposal
that Middleton construct and operate its own sewage treat-
ment plant with nutrient removal discharge into a suitable
swamp adjoining the Ipswich River. (See the Ipswich River
Basin Report, Chapter 5, pages 5-23 and 5-24 for a discussion
of management impacts.)
North Reading is the other community in the basin with a
difficult decision to make: whether or not to sewer. Since
existing population levels and expected future pressures
for growth and development are greater in North Reading
than in either Hamilton or Middleton, such choices will
probably have to be made sooner rather than later. Sewering
Concept 1 recommends the construction of an advanced treat-
ment plant with discharge into the Ipswich River; Middleton
and Lynnfield would also use such a new treatment plant.
Concept 2 recommends that North Reading join the MDC and
connect to the trunk sewer at the Reading-Wakefield boundary
as well as to the new MDC interceptor scheduled for
construction in Wilmington; since the community already has
an option to join the SESD via the new West Peabody inter-
ceptor, such an alternate possibility is also part of this
concept. Concept 3 recommends that two small package
plants be built in North Reading to take care of existing
problem areas only. Coupled with the last approach, a
formal septic system management program would have to be
instituted; the reconstruction of appropriate on-lot
septic systems is also a proposed option for North Reading.
Of the three existing AIDC members in the basin, Wilmington
has a relatively small area already planned to be sewered,
as compared to both Reading and Burlington. Therefore,
Wilmington still has certain options open to it. If the
town rezoned some areas from smaller to larger minimum
residential lot sizes, the reconstruction of future septic
systema becomes a more feasible alternative - coupled of
course with a municipal program of septic system maintenance.
Package treatment plants with limited sewerage are also
proposed options for Wilmington. (For details see the
summary matrices of structural and non-structural solutions,
as well as the accompanying community write-up from Chapter 4
of the basin report, all of which are reproduced later in
this handbook.)
_4_
Important Community Issues
The following sections of the handbook are the "community
profiles" taken from Chapter 3 of the Ipswich River Basin
Report, together with the summary matrices from Chapter 4.
The matrices indicate staff ratings of structural (largely
sewage disposal) , non-structural (primarily land development
controls) , and solid waste management options; stormwater
management recommendations for each community as found in
Chapter 4 are also included.
The reason for reproducing this material here is to allow
you to make your own ratings, if you think ours should be
improved or modified. Simply use a pen or dark pencil and
write in your own preferences on the matrix - after having
read the accompanying material and as much of the basin
report as you can. Space is provided after each question
for you to write in your reasons for making each change.
Additional questions on your preferences for the various
sewering concepts and alternative sewering/land use schemes
are included. (An index of page numbers in order to find
community specific information and the summary matrices
follows.) At the end of the handbook on pages 63 to 66
three additional questions of a special nature for your
considered response.
Please tear out the pages on which you have responded,
or make a copy of them, and return them as explained
on page 1.
i
COMMUNITY PAGE INDEX
SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF
SUMMARY OF SUMMARY OF NON- SOLID WASTE STOIUMATER
"PROFILE" OF STRUCTURAL STRUCTURAL MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY PROBLEMS SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS OPTIONS OPTIONS
Burlington pp. 5 - 6 pp. 32 - 35 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 - 55
& Table 1 p. 39, Table 2 p. 52, Table3
Hamilton pp. 7 - 9 pp. 36 - 38, pp. 47 - 50, pp. 53 and 56
P. 40, Table 2 p. 52, Table 3
Middleton pp. 10 - 13 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 57
P. 41, Table & Table 3
North Reading pp. 14 - 18 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 58
p. 42, Table 2 & Table 3
Reading pp. 19 - 22 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 59
P. 43, Table 2 p. 52, Table3
Topsfield pp. 23 - 25 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 60
p. 44, Table 2 & Table 3
Wenham pp. 26 - 27 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 61
p. 45, Tablet & Table 3
Wilmington pp. 28 - 31 pp. 36 - 38 pp. 47 - 50 pp. 53 and 62
P. 46, Table 2 6 Table 3
Labe
L i1
-5-
■ BURLINGTON : EXISTING PROBLEMS
■!r Storm Drainage Discharges - The headwaters of the Ipswich River
are found in northeastern Burlington where it drains 3.5 square
miles. Nine major discharges of stormwater are found in the
area, and all drain either into Maple Meadow Brook or its
tributary. (The Mystic and Shawsheen Rivers drain 6.4 and 2
square miles, respectively, of the town. Nine storm drainage
discharges occur in the Shawsheen River portion, and eight in
the Mystic River part of Burlington. Vine Brook drains a
substantial portion of the Shawsheen watershed, and receives
discharge from five of the nine storm drains. The community
has a number of water supply wells near the confluence of Vine
and Sandy Brooks.)
S_eptage Disposal - Although So percent or approximately 19,500
persons are presently served by the MSD sewerage system, the
remaining 20 percent of the population is served by on-site
subsurface systems. Based on an existing population of 4,900
persons still on septic systems, an estimated 610,000 gallons
of septage are generated per year (1,700 gpd) . Four pumpers
are currently licensed to pump and haul septage within Burlington.
Septage is disposed of into a municipal sewer manhole, which is
surrounded by a fence and located on Beacon Street near Route 126.
Salt - Burlington uses water from the Shawsheen River and ground
water pumped from wells for its public water supply. Raw water
from the river and finished water leaving the treatment plant
usually is monitored by the State three times annually. water
samples from about ten wells are checked at the same time,
although some wells may not be in production due to low consumption,
well maintenance, or excessive iron or manganese concentrations.
Chloride content of treated river water fluctuated about an
average concentration of 62 mg/l in 1974 and 1976; sodium content
always exceeded 20 mg/l. Long-term changes in chemical composition
of Burlington's groundwater, s).own previously on the graph, indicate
that dramatic increases in chloride content occurred in the
middle and late sixties. Although the upward trend has been
arrested, there has not been significant reduction in chloride
levels since 1972. Because the data for Burlington does not
include analyses from the severely contaminated well field at
Great Meadow Road, the curve reflects a conservative estimate
of average quality of ground water supplies. In 1960, chloride
content was about 8 mg/1, a natural background level attributable
dominantly to atmospheric precipitation. By 1965, analyses from
five wells indicated that chloride had tripled; by 1970, data
from eight wells shows that chloride content again tripled,
reaching highs ranging from 60 mg/l to 85 mg/1. In 1970, all
wells were producing water that contained more than 20 mg/l sodium.
Burlington stopped using salt on highways in 1970 when the
chloride content atone well field (not included in calculations
`. of averages here) reached 272 mg/l, a figure exceeding the
Federal limit of 250 mg/l in July of 1970. In one year salt
(
-6-
content dropped to half its former level, but this Wall
field still has salt levels two to three times above those
measured at most other wells.
Chloride levels have decreased slightly during the past six
years in seven of the eight wells used in the Burlington
analysis. The average chloride content in 1976 was about
61 mg/1. All eight walla exceed the sodium warning standard;
their 1976 average was about 30 mg/1 sodium.
About 150 tons of municipal road salt were stored at the
highway department yard across from Burlington Mall. Due to
serious water quality problems in down stream wells, the
storage site was moved last year to a temporary site on
Wayside Road where storage "in the open" was used. The Highway
Department is now planning a permanent, protected storage
facility, but no site has as yet been selected.
Town wells in the Vine Brook basin are located downstream from
major road salt sources. The State maintains a large salt
storage depot west of the intersection of Winn and Cambridge
street. Sodium runoff from this site will drain to Sandy
Brook, a tributary to Vine Brook. Major road salt problems
originate due to runoff from Route 128, parts of 3A, and the
snow dump at the Burlington Mall parking area.
BURLINGTON : POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - The area of Burlington drained by the
Ipswich River is approximately 75 percent sewered; the remaining
undeveloped land consists of thin soils over bedrock, shallow
hardpan, wet soils and wetlands. Since the area is expected
to be subject to pressure for growth and is zoned for 20,000-square
foot residential lots, failing septic systems would probably result
if future development were not sewered. Town regulations for
sewage disposal require that buildings connect to the municipal
collection system when a septic system fails or becomes a
nuisance. The Board of Health is currently enforcing such
connections within 14 days; about 20 properties which reported
septic system failures in 1976 were required to connect to the
sewer system. All newly constructed buildings must connect
to accessible public sewers. (In that part of Burlington drained
by the Mystic and Shawsheen Rivers, areas zoned for industrial
uses near Routes 128 and 3 would have to be sewered in order to
be developed in the future.)
Stormwater Runoff - The town is presently undertaking a compre-
hensive drainage study by its consulting engineers. Wetlands and
floodplain maps for zoning purposes are included within the in-depth
study. (Burlington is presently the only community of eight
in the basin which does not have some form of wetlands or floodplain
zoning.) Channel improvements, retention basins, and other
structural solutions are also being included in the drainage study.
-7-
HAMILTON: EXISTING PROBLEMS
Storm Drainage Discharges - The town has nine major dis-
charges of stormwater. Four drain into the Miles River or
its tributary, and five drain into a tributary of Idlewild
Brook; all are within the watershed of the Ipswich River.
Two of the cosmunities' four water supply wells are located
downstream of these stormwater discharges, but no water
quality problems have been reported in connection with Ham-
ilton's drinking water from this or any other possible
source.
Failing Septic Systems - The health agent of the Hamilton-
Essex-Manchester (HEM) Regional Health District in conjunc-
tion with the Hamilton Board of Health has reported several
septic system problem areas. The Asbury Grove and Pleasant
Pond areas located between Highland Street and the Wenham
Swamp are both areas of former seasonal houses now inhabited
year-round. A high water table and relatevely small lot
areas are the principal reasons for failing septic systems
in these areas. Two other areas of converted summer cottages
into year-round residences are located on Chebacco Lake off
Gregory Island Road and Shore Drive. In addition to insuf-
ficient leaching areas on small lots, a high water table and
bedrock create severe soil limitations for on-site systems on
the lake. Four other septic system problem areas are: (1)
Howard and Linden Streets caused by a high water table; (2)
Postgate Road area off Route 22 due to old systems with inad-
equate capacity; (3) Gardner Street near the Ipswich town
line caused by clay or hardpan in the subsoil; and (4) Miles
River Road near Bridge Street (no reported cause) . About 45
septic system failures were reported in Hamilton during the
last year.
Septage Disposal - Nine pumpers are currently licensed to
pump and haul septage within Hamilton. The town maintains
septage disposal facilities for septage originating within
its borders. A fee of $2 is assessed for each septage load,
but these regulations are not strictly enforced, and limited
dumping from other towns is suspected. Based on an existing
population of 6,700 served by septic systems, an estimated
990,000 gallons of septage would be generated per year
(2,700 gpd) .
Hamilton's septage disposal facility consists of three shal-
low pits., each 50 feet wide by 150 feet long, located at the
town's solid waste landfill off Chehacco Road. Septage is
pumped directly from the hauling vehicle to any one of the pits.
The soil at the site is a well-draining gravel which allows
percolation of the liquid. When dried septage solids accu-
mulate to depth of 1 to 1 1/2 feet, a pit is backfilled and
r abandoned. Three new pits have been constructed in the last
five years. The state has ordered that improvements be made
in existing disposal methods, and this may lead to the
closing of the site.
-E-
Nearby Gravelly Pond, one of two sources of Manchester's
water supply, has not exhibited any water quality problems.
Text wells recently dug between the disposal site and the
pond indicate no underground flow in that direction. To the
contrary, all indications are that both surface and subsur-
face flows are to the north in the direction of Chebacco Leks.
Leachate from landfill - Hamilton operates a landfill off
Pine Street adjacent to the Essex and Manchester town lines.
The site is in a hilly, forested area with a wetland 100 feet
to the south and a public water supply of Manchester (Gravelly
Pond) located approximately 500 feet to the west. The drainage
in the area appears to be primarily to the subsurface through
the surficial deposits of fine sand. The site rests upon a
high yield aquifer that extends west of Gravelly Pond. The
nearest municipal well lies roughly one mile to the northwest
between Chebacco lake and Bound Pond. A consultant's study
paid for by Hamilton determined that contaminated groundwater
is not flowing west from the facility toward Gravelly Pond
or the public well.
At the time of the site visit (December, 19761 the landfill
was well-graded into a mound shape, and was well-covered with
an impermeable layer of clay and a surface layer of sand.
There was no evidence of leachate, nor of conditions that
would promote leachate.
The wetland to the south of the site was seriously contami-
nated, most likely as a result of deficiencies at the Man-
chester landfill to the south, which encroaches upon this
same wetland.
Engineering plans for the continued operation of this site
are being prepared. Approximately 15 more years of operation
at this site would be possible, according to estimates by the
Mass. DEQE.
Particularly in view of the presence of public water supplies
in the area, Hamilton should take great care in maintaining
high operating standards at this site, including placement of
clay over each lift and careful grading in order to maintain
slopes. Periodic testing of groundwaters around the periphery
of the site would be advisable as a check on the effectiveness
of the operation.
Salt - Three well sites supply water to Hamilton residents.
Samples from two wells in production in 1960 show that
chloride levels were about 10 mg/1, a concentration equiva-
lent to natural background levels. By 1972 average chloride
concentration in the three wells had increased to 32 mg/1.
Since then, no significant change in chloride levels has
occurred although the School Street well has been producing
water with more than 20 mg/l sodium since 1979.
r
-g-
No problems originate from improper storage because the Has-
ilton DPW stores road salt in a covered shed behind the Tom
Hall and because there are no State depots. Chloride and so-
dim in the School Street and Pleasant Pond wells most likely
originates from both road salting and domestic septic systems
in those areas.
HAMILTON; POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - Hamilton is entirely served by septic
systems. Future pressures for growth in areas zoned for 20,000
square foot residential lots may lead to more failing septic
systems due to severe soil limitations. Such would be the
case especially between Route lA (Bay Street) and the Miles
River where wet soils with a high water table predominate.
Even small areas zoned for 40,000-square foot lots located
between Route IA and Highland Street and along Route 22 in
eastern Hamilton may be susceptible to future septic system
problems due to a high water table where wet soils predominate.
Only in the 2-acre residential zoning district are no poten-
tial problems predicted. This is because the probability of
water pollution from septic systems is decreased as minimum
lot sizes are increased. Larger lot sizes afford the greater
possibility of finding suitable soils with adequate percola-
tion rates, provide for alternate or future areas for new
leaching fields, and allow generally for more infiltration
of precipitation to the groundwater table. When a private
well is also found on the same lot, the probability of
drinking water contamination decreases with increased dis-
tance from septic systems based on increased minimum lot
sizes under zoning.
Surface and Groundwater Protection - Most of the larger ponds
in Hamilton are protected by public or quasi-public open
space. Manchester owns the land around Gravelly Pond for
water supply protection purposes, and Gorden College owns
much of the land around Round and Beck ponds. Only Chebacco
Lake, located largely in Essex, remains relatively unprotect-
ed by public or private ownership. A zoning conservancy dis-
trict protects all wetlands and floodplains except along a
stretch of the Ipswich River, which also serves as the border
between Hamilton and Ipswich.
A great deal of Hamilton serves as an aquifer recharge area
for groundwater with a high yield potential. The town re-
ceives all of its water supply from underground wells. While
pressures for future growth and development do not appear to
be so great as to put this groundwater supply in jeopardy,
land use regulations which are sensitive to the need to max-
imize this natural recharge function should be considered by
the town for future adoption. (See Appendix C for a general
discussion of solutions and Chapter 4 for particular refer-
ence to Hamilton. )
I
i
-1D-
MIDDLETON : EXISTING PROBLEMS
Sewage Treatment Systeme - One of the five non-municipal sewage
i treatment plants in the basin is located in Middleton. The
facility is an activated sludge package plant with effluent
disposal to sand infiltration beds and separate cooling water
discharges. It is operated by the USM corporation, Hostik
Division, and is located in southwestern Middleton adjacent
to the Ipswich River. It reportedly treats both sanitary and
industrial wastewater.
Special state legislation was passed in 1972 that permitted
Middleton to became a member of the South Essex Sewerage
District (SESD) ; however, only that portion of the town occupied
by the Ferncroft Village development was allowed to discharge
wastewater to the SESD system. Middleton is assessed by the
SESD for operation and maintenance costs associated with the
collection and disposal of sanitary waste from the development,
and the town in turn assessed these costs to Ferncroft Village.
State and county institutions located in Middleton are also
members of the South Essex Sewerage District. A small portion
of Danvers State Hospital is served by the SESD. However, the
buildings at both the Essex County Sanitorium and the Essex
County Industrial Farm have been demolished, and therefore no
wastewater is currently discharged from them.
Storm Drainage Discharges - Although information on the town's _
stormwater collection system is incomplete, there are at least
two major discharges. One drains the center of town and discharges
into a small tributary of the Ipswich River, while the other
discharges directly into the Ipswich Fran Route 62 (Maple Street) .
Failing Septic Systems - Locations and causes of septic system
failures as reported by the Middleton health agent include the
following: (1) Central Street and Washington Street area near the
Howe Manning School caused by a high water table; (2) Route 114
near the intersection with Essex Street without a reported cause;
(3) Brigadoon Village area due to clay or hardpan; (4) Route 62
south of South Main Street due to clay or hardpan; (5) Hilldale
Street in the Riverview Drive area near the Ipswich River with no
reported cause; (6) Maple Street and Liberty Street area due
to clay or hardpan soils; (7) Johns Avenue area near Mill Pond
due to a high water table; and (8) Arrow Street area caused by a
high water table. In addition to the problem areas noted above,
many summer homes in the area of Middleton Pond are served by
septic systems which have an inadequate capacity and insufficient
leaching area to support year-round occupancy. The Board of
Health has therefore restricted residence in this area to the
summer months in order to prevent possible contamination of the
pond, which serves as a reservoir for the Danvers water system
and which in turn also supplies Middleton.
-11-
Septage Disposal - Middleton is entirely served by septic systems,
except for Ferncroft Village and the institutions mentioned
previously. Two pumpers are currently licensed to pump and haul
eeptage within the town. There are no eeptage disposal facilities
currently provided within Middleton, and septage is reportedly
hauled to neighboring communities for disposal. Evidently, a
former disposal area on Essex Street near Boston Brook, which was
closed nearly ten years ago, reportedly continues to leach into
an adjacent wetlands area. Based on an existing population of
3,950 served by septic systems, an estimated 620,000 gallons of
eeptage would be generated per year (1,700 gpd) .
Leachate from Landfills - Middleton presently disposes of its
solid waste at a public landfill off River Street in the southern
section of town adjacent to the Ipswich River. This facility is
reaching capacity and is scheduled to be closed during the summer
of 1977 in conformance with DEQE orders.
The landfill is located adjacent to the river's floodplain in
an area of former sand and gravel pits. Drainage in this sandy
area is primarily subsurface with a number of poorly connected
ponds and pits in the area. Groundwater appears to rise to the
surface seasonally, saturating the base of the landfill nearest
the river. The groundwater beneath the site is classified as a
high yield aquifer. There exists two wells adjacent to the
river - one in Middleton, roughly one mile downstream, and
another in Danvers, about one-half mile downstream. The Danvers
well is reported to suffer water quality problems and is used
only during August.
At the time the landfill was visited (March, 1976) the surface
grading was not sloped as prescribed in regulations. Daily
cover was sandy, yet adequate, but intermediate cover with
impermeable material was not evident. Given these covering
and grading conditions which would allow rainfall to infiltrate,
together with the high groundwater conditions, it is likely that
leachate is formed and that it migrates with the groundwater
through the sandy deposits to the Ipswich River. Although the
impact of this contaminated groundwater is uncertain, it is
probably not significant to the Ipswich River due to the factor
of dilution. Groundwater monitoring would, however, be advisable
in order to assess the likelihood of the impact on either of the
downstream wells.
The final closing procedure at this site should include re-grading
and covering with impermeable material, with a surface cover
of 2 feet of seeded, compacted loam; such measures would prevent
rainfall/infiltration and leachate formation.
Middleton plans to develop a new landfill adjacent to the old
site for future disposal needs. The new facility will be a
minimum of 100 feet from the Ipswich River with a harrier to
i
-12-
protect
2protect the operation from a 100 year flood. The facility
should be developed and operated to avoid the problems at the
old site. Groundwater monitoring downgradient of the site would
be advisable from the outset as a check on operating conditions.
A former private demolition material landfill in the northeast
section of town near Nichols Brook was closed by the DEQE in
the spring of 1976. The facility, which had experienced problems
with fires in the refuse, is in the process of being capped
with a planted layer of loam. Although this facility was
reported to have dumped refuse below groundwater level in
some areas, it apparently did not affect the quality of the
Ipswich River to the extent of interfering with downstream
diversions of Ipswich water to Wenham Lake by the Salem and
Beverly Water Supply Board. This facility is also on a high
yield aquifer, and therefore should be carefully closed and
capped to prevent interference with future uses of the groundwater.
There were also reported to be two unassigned dumps in Middleton
along Route 114 which have been closed in recent years by the
town board of health. Although the conditions of closing and
the possible effects are unknown, both sites are believed to
be located adjacent to wetlands but not over aquifers. One of
the sites was near Emerson Brook which flows to Middleton Pond
and serves as a water supply. Sampling of this brook would be
advisable to assess continuing impacts and the need for remedial
measures.
Salt - Middleton obtains water through a joint supply system
with the town of Danvers. Water analyses taken from a tap
in the Middleton distribution system indicate chloride
content in 1976 was less than 16 mg/1 and the sodium content
was less than 10 mg/1. Monitoring since 1970 shows no
significant increase in either chloride or sodium in water
delivered to Middleton.
The town stores road de-icing salt near Middleton Pond, a
reservoir of the Danvers system. In 1976 the site was not
covered. The state maintains no storage sites in town.
MIDDLETON: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - In the context of pressures for
future growth and development, Middleton has a number of
potential problem areas with septic systems. Large areas of
the town have severe soil limitations for on-lot subsurface
systems, including wet soils with a high water table, hardpan
or clay, bedrock, and steep slopes. Areas presently zoned
for 20,000-square foot single-family lots in and around the
center of town seem particularly vulnerable to future septic
system failures. There are also areas of 40,000-square foot
minimum lots in the Gould Hill area between the Ipswich River
and Nichols Brook, as well as in more scattered locations of
town, which may also be susceptible to future problems
-13-
with on-lot systems. In addition, a large area zoned for
industrial and commercial uses on Route 114 in southern
Middleton not far from the Ipswich River would probably have
to be sewered in order to be developed in accord with existing
zoning. An alternative would be to rezone the area for less
intensive land uses, especially since it is also the town's
only area of high groundwater favorability and since well
fields in both Middleton and Danvers are found on the nearby
Ipswich.
Surface Water Protection - As previously mentioned, Middleton
Pond is a water supply reservoir for the Town of Danvers from
which Middleton buys its water. The pond is protected by
public ownership of most of the land surrounding it. Emerson
Brook is also a source of water supply at certain times of the
year, and it is protected by a deed restriction in certain
parts, as well as by a conservancy district for most of its
length. The conservancy district protects almost all of the
wetlands and floodplains in town, with the exception of two
stretches of Boston Brook. Since Boston Brook may serve as
an impoundment for the Danvers and Middleton water systems
in the future, it needs some added measure of protection.
(See Appendix C for a general discussion of solutions and
Chapter 4 for particular reference to Middleton.)
-14-
NORTH READING: EXISTING PROBLEMS
Non-municipal Sewage Treatment Plants - Three of the five
non-municipal sewage treatment plants are located in North
Reading. The Park Colony treatment facility, constructed
in 1972, serves 150 units with approximately 450-500
residents in the Park Colony Garden Apartments. It is
located on Route 28 (Main Street) just north of the Ipswich
River. The plant provides secondary treatment, employing a
field-erected Smith and Loveless package activated sludge
plant operating in the extended aeration mode. The treatment
facilities cannot be bypassed. Since the plant effluent is
discharged to the ground an NPDES permit is not required.
Data Realty Management Corporation is responsible for operation
of the treatment facilities. The plant is not an existing
problem; it provides a high degree of treatment, achieving
BOD and TSS removals of 98 percent.
The Greenbrier Apartments wastewater treatment plant serves
seven apartment buildings containing 187 units with approxi-
mately 350-400 residents. The facility is on Route 28 to the
north of the Park Colony. Treatment facilities were designed
for 247 units, but plans to expand the Greenbriar Apartment
complex have been abandoned. The plant, which began operation
in 1973, provides secondary treatment employing a field-erected
Davco package activated sludge plant operating in the extended
aeration mode. The treatment facilities cannot be bypassed. low
NPDESthe plant effluent is discharged to the ground, an
NPDES permit is not required. The facilities are operated and
maintained by the Greenbrier Apartments' superintendent.
The plant is not an existing problem; it is providing a high
degree of treatment,achieving BOD and TSS removals of 98 percent.
The John T. Berry Rehabilitation Center, located off Route 62
near Martins Brook and the Wilmington town boundary, has a
primary treatment facility to treat its sanitary wastes. Unlike
the two private facilities described above, the existing
treatment plant is in very poor condition. It is odoriferous,
the sand filters are in need of rehabilitation or reconstruction,
and some of the underdrains are plugged. Only one of the 15
sand filters is currently in use. Raw and untreated wastewater
characteristics and volumes were not available. The Massachusetts
Department of Mental Health is responsible for the operation
of the plant, which serves 310 persons.
This treatment facility was originally constructed in 1905 to
serve the North Reading State Sanatorium. In 1932, the
facility was reconstructed and upgraded to serve approximately
2,000 persons. A manually-cleaned bar screen, two primary
settling tanks, a dosing chamber, seven sand filter beds, and
two sludge drying beds were constructed at that time. During
the 1950's, an additional eight sand filter beds were constructed,
chlorination facilities added, and one of the primary settling
-ls-
tanks compartmentalized into two smaller tanks. When the
North Reading Rehabilitation Center opened in 1964, the
former state Sanitorium treatment plant was used to treat
its wastewater.
Incoming raw wastewater is passed through a manually-cleaned
bar screen, settled in the primary clarifiers, passed through
sand filters, chlorinated, and dishcarged to an effluent ditch
leading to Martins Brook. The effluent ditch is approximately
8 feet wide, 5 feet deep, and 1,200 feet long. Boiler blowdown
water is also discharged to this ditch. Flow through the
treatment plant is entirely by gravity; the plant cannot be
bypassed. The plant has an NPDES discharge permit.
Sludge Disposal - Sludge from the first private treatment plant
described above, the Park Colony treatment facility, is hauled
to an unknown disposal point. About 800 to 1,000 gallons of
sludge are wasted daily from the extended aeration process to
the aerobic digester. The contents of the aerobic digester
are pumped out every 6 to 8 months. Approximately 43,000
gallons of sludge per year are generated from the treatment
plant at the Greenbrier Apartments. Excess activated sludge
is wasted to the aerobic digester 2-3 times per week.
Aerobically digested sludge is pumped monthly and reportedly
hauled to a disposal site in Reading. At the John T. Berry
Rehabilitation Center treatment plant, sludge is emptied from
the primary clarifiers and placed on drying beds 3-4 times per
year. Each drying bed has an area of 1,200 square feet and
underdrain piping. Underdrainage is mixed with the effluent
from the sand filters, chlorinated, and discharged. Dewatered
solids are buried on-site with the screenings.
Storm Drainage Discharges - North Reading contains 15 major
discharges of stormwater. At least six drain the town center;
seven drain directly into the Ipswich River; and one drains
into a tributary of the Ipswich. Four major discharges are
found near the Skug River, which in turn drains into Martins
Pond. Three major storm drainage discharges are on or near
Martins Brook. Some flooding problems occur in North Reading's
stormwater collection system. Often these problems are due
to inadequate pipe sizes or flat terrain.
Failing Septic Systems - Except for the apartment complexes and
rehabilitation center served by the treatment plants described
above, the entire community relies on septic systems. The two
main areas reported by the Health Department to have chronic
problems with septic systems are on the western shore of Martins
Pond• and in the Marshall Street-Hickory Lane area. The first
area has wet soils as well as bedrock near the surface. In
addition to these two specific areas, there are many unspecified
*Professional consultants have just recently prepared a eutrophi-
cation study of Martins Pond which recommends the town pursue a
reclamation program.
-16-
problem areas scattered throughout the town. Approximately
35 to 45 septic system repairs are required per year, however,
there has been no evidence of ground or surface water
contamination from failing septic systems according to local
health officials.
A North Reading Sewer Study Committee conducted an investigation
of septic system problems in the community in the early 1970'x•
Of 1,027 responses to a questionnaire, 29 percent indicated that
they had experienced some problems with their septic systems,
and about half indicated that they had problem at least once
per year. Twenty-nine percent of those responding indicated
that their septic system has been replaced or rehabilitated
within the past 10 years. Responses to the question on how
often septic systems were pumped are presented below in Table 3-3.
Table 3-3
FREQUENCY OF SEPTIC SYSTEM PUMPINGS (percentage)
3 months 6 months 1 year 2 years 3 years no
or less or more response
1.4 3.0 11.1 16.7 10.6 57.2
SOURCE: North Reading chapter of "North Coastal and Ipswich
Basins, Inventory and Evaluation of Public Wastewater .m/
and Stormwater Facilities" - Camp, Dresser 6 McKee, 1977.
Stage Disposal - The Board of Health recommends, but does not
require, that septic systems be pumped out every two years.
Seven pumpers are currently licensed to pump and haul septage
within the town. There are no septage disposal facilities,
public of private, in North Reading. Most of the septage is
thought to be disposed of into an MSD sewer in Reading.
Based on an existing population of 11,300 served by septic
systems (excluding the 800 people living in the two apartment
complexes) , an estimated 1,500,000 gallons of septage would
be generated per year (4,200 gpd).
Salt - Four gravel-packed wells are the primary source of
groundwater supplying North Reading. In 1960 two wells were
producing water with an average chloride content of 6 mg/l.
By 1965 three wells were in production, and average chloride
levels had risen to 15 mg/l. Chlorides increased steadily by
about 4 mg/l annually there after, reaching a high of 49 mg/l in
1974; two wells also had sodium levels greater than 20 mg/1.
The three wells in use in 1976 showed a slight decline in
chloride levels to 42 mg/1. Of the three, the Skug River well
field has consistently produced the best quality water, and
its sodium content has never exceeded 15 mg/l.
-17-
About 90 tons of municipal road salt are stored in a
covered shed with an impermeable floor located on Chestnut
Street. The State Highway Department now stores salt in
a newly-constructed building at 75 Main Street (Route 28) .
No salt contamination problems should be expected from
either storage site. Increases in salt content of well
water are due primarily to road salting, with perhaps some
addition from residential septic systems within parte of
the drainage basins of these wells. The town DPW has
instituted a salt-conservation effort that may be in part
responsible for reversing increases in the chloride content
of its drinking water since 1974.
NORTH READING : POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - In the context of pressures for
future land development, North Reading has numerous potential
problem areas with septic systems. Soils with severe limitations
for on-lot sewage disposal predominate in the town. Wet
soils with a high water table, bedrock on or near the surface,
hardpan or clay soils, and steep slopes are the reason. Much
of the town is zoned for 40,000-square foot single-family lots,
and based on expected growth pressures over large areas with
} severe soil limiations, Future septic system failures may result.
LA 120,000-square foot minimum lot district in the vicinity of
Swan Pond, where bedrock and wet soils are found in abundance,
serves to protect water quality. This is because the probability
of water pollution from septic systems is decreased as
minimum lot sizes are increased. Larger lot sizes afford the
greater possibility of finding suitable soils with adequate
percolation rates, provide for alternate or future areas for
new leaching fields, and allow generally for more infiltration
of precipitation to the groundwater table. When a private
well is also found on the same lot, the probability of drinking
water contamination decreases with increased distance from
septic systems based on increased minimum lot sizes under zoning.
Surface and Groundwater Protection - Swan Pond, which serves as
a reservoir for the Danvers-Middleton water supply system, is
protected by the 120,000 square foot residential district that
surround it. North Reading employs both wetlands and floodplain
zoning districts. Except for a few wetland areas and a short
_ stretch of the Ipswich River, surface water bodies and courses
are protected both by such zoning and by public ownership of
land in selected areas.
North Reading receives all of its water from groundwater sources.
The area generally located west of Route 28 (Main Street) and
north of North Street is considered to be an area of high
groundwater favorability. In order to protect this underground
I
source of water supply, land use regulations which are
sensitive to the need to maximize the natural recharge
function should be considered for adoption by the town.
In particular, the area along and to the west of Route 28
which is presently zoned for highway business uses needs
to be regulated differently. (See Appendix C for a general
discussion of solutions and Chapter 4 for particular reference
to North Reading. )
Stormwater Runoff - Existing levels, together with expected
levele of population and land development in the town will no
doubt create more potential pollution problems due to increased
levels of stormwater runoff from urban development.
f� READING : EXISTING PROBLEMS
LSanitary Sewer Overflows - Reading has a separate Sanitary
sewer system that is tributary to the MSD, and the town expects
all of the present population to be serviced by sewers by 1980.
The existing collection system consisted of approximately 73
miles of sewers in 1975 and six pumping and ejector stations.
There are two points of overflow in separate sanitary sewer
manholes,one at King and Hancock streets, and one at Eaton
and Elm streets. (The latter overflow is located outside of
the Ipswich River basin in the North Coastal Basin. It discharges
to a brook and marsh, which is drained by canals that bypass
Lake Quannapoint in Wakefield and enter the Saugus River
upstream of Lynn's surface water supply intake. Wakefield
also has a groundwater supply well in this area; it is located
about 7,000 feet below the sewage overflow. There are no
reported instances of contamination by the overflow at either
supply source.)
Reading's collection system is extensively surcharged at times
because of inadequate capacity at both the Willow Street
pumping station and the MSD pumping station in Wakefield.
Surcharging is most intense during the spring when high rates
of infiltration/inflow cause overflows to occur for 3 or 4
days. Excessive surcharging at the overflow manhole at
Hancock .and King streets occasionally causes flooding of the
local area. A relief sewer from the western side of Reading to
the MSD system in Woburn, in order to accommodate half of
Reading's wastewater, is scheduled to be constructed during the
spring of 1977. This relief sewer is expected to alleviate
present surcharging conditions.
Storm Drainage Discharges - There are eleven significant storm
drainage discharges in Reading, and they occur in the drainage
basins of three major rivers. The Ipswich River drains
northern Reading, which contains four discharges into tributaries
of the Ipswich. (Four stormwater discharges are located in
southeastern Reading, which is drained by the Saugus River.
Three discharges are found in southwestern Reading, which is
drained by the Aberjona River, a tributary of the Mystic River.)
That part of the town drained by the Ipswich is the least
developed part of town, and therefore should generate less
contaminated stormwater than the more urbanized south-central
portion of the community.
Failing Septic Systems - Only about 15 percent of the town's
population is served by septic systems, and this number
decreases each year as the sewer service area is expanded
under a program to service the entire town by 1980. The
Board of Health reports no persistent problem areas, although
forty septic tank overflows were reported in 1975. The few
problems that do occur are attributed to inadequate capacity of
old systems under currently increased waste loads. New subdivisions
are provided with municipal sewer service, and there have been
-20-
very few new applications for septic systems. When new sewers
are built, properties with disposal problems are required to
connect immediately; other properties must connect within »
5 years.
Septage Disposal - Eight pumpers are currently licensed to
pump and haul septage within Reading. Septage is disposed
of into an MSD sewer manhole off John Street near its inter-
section with Route 129. Based on an existing population of
3,550 serviced by septic systems, an estimated 507,000 gallons
of septage would be generated per year (1,400 gpd) .
Leachate from Landfill - Reading presently incinerates its
refuse at a facility off John Street in the southeastern
portion of town near the Wakefield border. The incinerator
residue is landfilled at a site opposite the incinerator on
the north side of John Street. Much of the site used for
ash dumping appears to have been originally wetland areas
that have been filled over the years. The site is drained
by several channelized branches of a stream which flows through
the site and then northeast around Lake Quannapowitt, before
joining the Saugus River just downstream of the lake outlet.
The aquifer underlying the site is rated moderate in yield,
with a Wakefield town well located slightly over one mile
downgradient on a high yield aquifer.
The disposal site is roughly 10-15 acres in area, with depths
in some former wetland areas of 20-30 feet. Grading contours
were too level for optimal runoff, and depressions excavated
in previously filled areas served as ponding and infiltration
points. Although present filling is above water level, past
dumping filled the wetlands. Cover mdterial was applied less
than daily and appeared (May 1976) too sandy to prevent
infiltration. No impermeable intermediate cover was evident,
nor was final, vegetated cover on any sections where landfilling
is complete. Although incinerator residue lacks the organic
constituents of unburned refuse, it does contain heavy metals,
some of which are subject to leaching to surface and groundwaters.
Although water analyses were not performed at this site, there
was very little visual evidence of leachate formation and
contamination of the streams flowing through the site. A
town-wide water quality survey scheduled by the town in the
near future should nevertheless evaluate drainage from the
site for water quality problems. If possible, groundwater
downgradient of the site should also be analyzed to assess the
possibility of detrimental impacts to the Wakefield well on
the Saugus River.
The ash disposal is expected to reach capacity by 1980. If
the incinerator remains in operation bevond that date, a
new disposal area will have to be located and developed. Any
new site should be selected in an area which avoids the
deficiencies of the old site - wetlands, aquifers and adjacent
streams.
-21-
When capacity at the existing site is reached, it should
be covered promptly in the manner prescribed by the DEQE.
Final cover specified by the DEQE consists of 2 feet of
material graded to a minimum slope and planted.
Salt - All public water supplied to Reading in 1976 was obtained
from groundwater supplies at two well fields. Most drinking
water is produced at the Hundred Acre Meadow site in the
Town Forest, but gravel-packed wells at the amaller Revay
Meadow site are also an important part of the supply system.
Both well field areas are in the Ipswich River drainage basin.
At the larger well field natural iron levels are high, and pH
is sufficiently low to warrant treatment to remove iron and
neutralize acidity. The methods used cause chloride content
of finished water to be two to three times higher than that
of raw groundwater. Chloride content of treated water was
used in calculations for the graph showing trends in the quality
of Reading municipal water. However, at the Hundred Acre
field average chloride levels in raw groundwater rose from
11 mq/1 in 1960 to nearly 63 mg/l by 1970. Three analyses in
1970 indicated that an average chloride content of the treated
water was 125 mg/1. Since 1970, chloride in raw water has
fluctuated irregularly between 60 and 72 mg/1; treated water
has remained between 92 mg/l and 115 mg/l. Sodium levels have
exceeded 20 mg/l since 1970 in both raw and finished water.
m1mr Wells at this field produce water both by induced infiltration
from the Ipswich River and by intercepting groundwater moving
toward the river from a recharge area in the vicinity of Grove
Street. Local officials indicate that municipal crews do not
salt roads near wells. However, raw water at the wellfield has
been persistently deteriorating since the early sixties. In
1976 groundwater contained about twice the chloride level of
river water. Interstate Highway 93 crosses the Ipswich approxi-
mately 3,000 feet upstream of the well field. Runoff and
roadside infiltration from about 10,000 feet of main highway
and two cloverleaf interchanges (826 and 827) is probably exerting
adverse effects on well water quality, although the magnitude is
difficult to assess.
At the Revay Meadow field, water from a gravel-packed well
has been adversely affected by road salt. Likely responsible
sources are a previously ill-protected State salt storage depot
at Causeway Road, heavy salt application by State crews at
Interchange 826 (Route 129 and I-93) , and salting along Lowell
Street just east of the interchange. Groundwater chloride
concentration at the well site in 1960 was 12 mg/1. Analyses
show nearly a ten-fold increase occurred between 1960 and 1965.
By 1970, average concentration was 140 mg/l, and it continued
rising to 170 mg/l in 1974. A slight decrease to 153 mg/l
chloride occurred in 1976. This well has greatly exceeded the
sodium warning level of 20 mg/l since 1965. Increased effort
to reverse the rising trend at this well field is certainly
warranted.
F-22-
An a result of treatment methods at the Hundred Acre field
and road salt contamination at the Revay Meadow site, muni-
cipal drinking water in Reading has consistently exceeded
that of other towns in the basin with respect to chloride
concentration. Although the data is not as complete, sodium
levels in Reading water probably follow similar trends and
have exceeded 20 mg/l since the mid-1960's.
READING: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - Given the community's policy to
sewer new subdivisions, potential problems with septic
systems may not materialize. If certain areas to the south
of the Ipswich River with wet soils and hardpan were to be
developed without sewers under current zoning regulations of
20,000-square foot single-family lots, then septic system
problems might well occur.
Surface and Groundwater Protection - All wetlands in town
are protected by existing wetlands and floodplain districts.
A high groundwater favorability area in northeastern Reading
is protected due to its status as public and quasi-public
open space. A similar high yield aquifer in northwestern
Reading, other than the town forest and wellfields, is now
zoned for single-family lots of both 20,000 and 40,000 square
feet. Consideration should be given to various land use
regulations which are sensitive to the need to maximize !w
natural recharge. (See Appendix C for a general discussion
of solutions and Chapter 4 for particular reference to Reading.)
The Drinkwater Realty Trust's activity on the northern banks
of the Ipswich River in North Reading across from Reading's
wells has been a continuing cause of concern to local officials.
Although no specific water qulatiy impacts have yet been demonstrated,
filling and rip-rap would probably be detrimental to flood
control in more than one community along the river.
Stormwater Runoff - The community has a fairly comprehensive
stormwater collection system. At the present time, Reading
has consulting engineers making an in-depth study of storm
drainage. Existing levels, together with expected future
levels of population and land development in the town will
no doubt create more potential pollution problems due to
increased levels of stormwater runoff from urban development.
-23-
1 TOPSFIELD( EXISTING PROBLEMS
Package Treatment Plant - One of the five non-municipal sew-
age treatment plants in the basin is located in Topsfield.
The facility is a package treatment plant that was designed
about 20 years ago to treat wastewater flows from approxi-
mately 200 persons, but which now serves about 65 persons who
live in 16 military residences on an abandoned O.S. Army Nike
Missile facility. The site is located east of Route 1 (New-
buryport Turnpike) , just outside of the watershed of the
Putnamville Reservoir in Danvers. The plant's treatment
processes include comminution, aeration, clarification and
chlorination, with ground disposal of the effluent through
three infiltration beds. There is no full-time operator,
and detailed information on the facility and its operation is
lacking.
Storm Drainage Discharges - Topsfield has eight major dis-
charges of stormwater: three into the Ipswich River itself,
three into Fish Brook, and two into Mill Brook - both tribu-
taries of the Ipswich. Maps of the stormwater collection sys-
tem were not available, so this information may be incomplete.
Failing Septic Systems - Topsfield is the only community
without a sewerage system on the whole North Shore which has
no reported septic system problem areas at the present time.
The health agent of the Boxford-Topsfield-Wenham (BTW) Re-
low gional Health District in conjunction with the Topsfield
Board of Health notes that existing system failures occur at
a rate of less than one percent per year, and that failures
are primarily attributable to older systems with exhausted
capacity.
Septage Disposal - Except for the package treatment plant
serving the military facility, the town is entirely served by
septic systems. Topsfield neither licenses pumpers nor oper-
ates municipal septage disposal facilities. Prior to 1976,
a state-approved private septage disposal area (drying beds)
was maintained, but the area is now closed, and the town op-
poses similar private operations. Based on an existing pop-
ulation of 5,900 served by septic systems, an estimated
800,000 gallons of septage would be generated per year (2,200
gpd) •
Topsfield operates a sanitary landfill off Bare Hill Road in
the northwestern section of town near the Boxford line. The
site occupies an area of former gravel pits approximately
1,000 feet to the west of Pye Brook. The area drains primar-
ily via the subsurface through highly permeable sands and
gravels. Groundwater flow in the moderate yield aquifer be-
neath the site is probably toward the east and south to the
adjacent high yield aquifer underlying Pye Brook and Howlett
Brook. Municipal wells are located between one-half and one
mile to the east and south.
1
-24-
The Topsfield landfill receives primarily household waste
from Topsfield and Wenham. The remaining life of the site is
estimated to be in excess of 15 years. Although the facility
was not visited as a part of this project, the Mass. DEQE re-
ports that it is an excellent operation and that it meets
sanitary landfill standards. Filling has apparently not taken
place in wetlands nor below groundwater. Engineering plans
for future operation are presently being developed. Since
the locally available cover material and the subsurface de-
posits are highly permeable, the potential for leachate for-
mation and migration to the groundwater should be investigated
as a part of the preparation of plans.
Although the Mass. DEQE does not suspect that local surface
and groundwaters are being affected at this site, it is rec-
coamiended that regulations for application of impermeable in-
termediate cover be carefully observed to minimize the po-
tential of leachate production.
Salt - Drinking water in Topsfield is now obtained from three
well sites, one of which is operated by the Wyledwood Water
Works. Town wells at Perkins Row and the Wyldewood system
were in operation in 1960 and at that time produced water
with an average chloride content of 8 mg/1, a level equiva-
lent to natural background sources. Chloride content tripled
at both sites by 1970. A new site was developed at Pumphouse
Lane by 1972, but the average chloride level from it was
nearly equal to that in the two older well fields. Between 1�
1970 and 1976, no significant changes in chloride content have
occurred. Sodium levels in all Topsfield groundwater supplies
are well below 20 mg/l.
Topsfield stores municipal road salt at the School Street
depot without protection from precipitation. A small brook
draining the area flows to the Ipswich River about 5,000 feet
south. No wells are threatened by the storage facility.
Water quality data from the brook is not presently available.
TOPSH ELD: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot sewage Disposal - Topsfield relies almost exclusively
on on-lot septic systems. Expected pressures for future land
development in parts of the 40,000-square foot lot residen-
tial district just to the north, east and west of the town
center might lead to septic system failures in the future
due to the predominance of hardpan and wet soils. Similarly,
pressures for future growth in parts of the 20,000-square
foot lot district surrounding the town center, as well as in
the commercial district itself, may lead to future problems
with septic systems.
R
-25-
Potential problems are not anticipated in the outlying areas
of Topsfiend due primarily to the existence of a 2-acre resi-
dential lot district. This is because the probability of
water pollution from septic systems is decreased as minimum
lot sizes are increased. Larger lot sizes afford the greater
possibility of finding suitable soils with adequate perco-
lation rates, provide for alternate or future areas for new
leaching fields, and allow generally for more infiltration
of precipitation to the groundwater table. When a private
well is also found on the same lot, the probability of
drinking water contamination decreases with increased dis-
tances from septic systems based on increased lot sizes
under zoning.
Surface and Groundwater Protection - Through a combination
of public and quasi-public open apace and a floodplain
zoning district, most of the water bodies, water courses,
wetlands and floodplains are protected in Topsfield. A few
wetlands are not included in the zoning district, as well as
Hood Pond, which is in Ipswich. The Salem and Beverly Water
Supply Board has recently acquired land in Topsfield for a
new reservoir located just to the northwest of their Putnam-
ville Reservoir in Danvers, and in the former's 2-acre mini-
mum lot residential district.
Much of Topsfield in underlain with groundwater of a high
%► potential yield. The town relies upon groundwater supplies
for all of its drinking water, and its two well fields are
also located in the 2-acre lot single-family district. While
pressures for future land use development do not appear to
be so great as to put this groundwater in jeopardy, develop-
ment regulations which are sensitive to the need to maximize
the natural recharge function should be considered by the
town for future adoption. (See Appendix C for a general dis-
cussion of solutions and Chapter 4 for reference to Tops-
field.)
4'
II
f
-26-
WENHAM7 EXISTING PROBLEMS
Stomp Drainage Discharges - Two major discharges into Wenham
Swamp were reported by the highway superintendent, but maps
of the collection system were unavailable and information on
storm drainage in the town is incomplete. However, there are
plans to install a new drainage system in School and Cabot
streets with discharge to the wetland area near the head of
Pleasant Pond.
Failing Septic Systems - An area of failing septic systems
on Lord's Hill, caused by hillside springs, has been allevi-
ated by the construction of perimeter drains around the
leaching fields. The health agent of the Boxford-Topsfield-
Wenham (BTW) Regional Health District also has reported that
there is concern in Wenham with the possible contamination of
Pleasant Pond from septic systems on Pleasant Street. The
town's only well field is located at the head of the pond,
but there has been no water supply contamination. Conversion
of seasonal properties to year-round residences is prohibited
near Pleasant Pond, unless sufficient leaching area beyond ..
that available on standard small lots is available. Wenham
has plans to develop a small municipal beach at the pond.
Gordon College in the southeastern section of town near Route
128 has been expanding its campus septic systems, but it now
plans to connect to the South Essex Sewerage District (SESD)
system through Beverly. The proposed connection will consist
of a pumping station at Gordon College, a force main into
Beverly along Grapevine Road and Hall street, and a short
section of gravity sewer to connect to the Beverly collection
system at Arbella Drive. These improvements have been de-
signed, and construction is scheduled for this spring. There
has been no evidence of septic system failure at the college,
but the town imposed a moratorium on the future expansion of
septic systems in the area and favors the SESD connection.
Septage Disposal - The Board of Health neither issues pumping
licenses nor maintains records on septage disposal. Based on
an existing population of 3,400 persons served by septic sys-
tems, an estimated 425,000 gallons of septage would be gen-
erated per year (1,200 gpd) .
Salt - Two gravel-packed wells supply groundwater to Wenham.
Both were in operation in 1960. Although there is no
difference in quality of water produced, the #2 well is
presently relegated to stand-by and emergency status.
Analyses of water samples indicate that chloride levels
nearly tripled between 1960 and 1970. No significant
improvement in quality has occurred since then, but the
rising trend in chloride content appears to have been
arrested. Neither well has ever yielded water that
exceeded 20 mg/l sodium.
About thirty tons of municipal de-icing salt is stored in a
covered shed at 138 Main Street (Route IA) . No State depots
-27-
exist in town. No well water quality problems originate from
municipal storage facilities. The small increase in chloride
level of well water at the Pleasant Street field probably re-
flects input both from road salt and domestic subsurface
wastewater disposal in the drainage basin southeast of the
field.
WENHAM; POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - The whole town relies on septic sys-
tems and, except for a Small commercial area, is zoned for
single-family residential use on 40,000-square foot minimum
lots. Expected pressures for future land development in
areas of hardpan and wet soils in southwestern Wenham off
Route 97 (Topsfield Road) and in areas of bedrock and wet
soils in eastern Wenham might lead to future problems with
septic systems.
Surface and Groundwater Protection - The Salem 6 Beverly Wa-
ter Supply Board's reservoirs (Wenham Lake and Longham Res-
ervoir) in Wenham are protected by the land around them being
owned by the board. Wenham Lake's only potential problem is
with salt contamination from Route 1-A; however, due evident-
ly to some recent roadside drainage improvements by the state,
` the level of chlorides reportedly has gone down in the lake.
The land around Coy Pond is owned by Gorden College. Nearly
all water courses and wetlands in the town are protected by
a floodplain zoning district.
The large majority of Wenham serves as an aquifer recharge
area for groundwater with a high potential yield. The town
relies on this groundwater for all of its water supply.
While pressures for future growth and development do not ap-
pear to be so great as to put this groundwater supply in
jeopardy, land use regulations which are sensitive to the
need to maximize the natural recharge function should be con-
sidered by the town for future adoption. (See Appendix C for
a general discussion of solutions and Chapter 4 for particu-
lar reference to Wenham. )
_28_
WILMINGTON: EXISTING PROBLEMS
Cooling Water Discharges - Two industrial seasonal cooling
water discharges are located in Wilmington. One empties
into Maple Meadow Brook from AVCO Systems Division, and the
other discharges into the Ipswich River from General Electric
Aerospace. The daily average temperature of the former as
allowed in the discharge permit in 720 F, while that of the
latter is 830 F.
Storm Drainage Discharges - Nine major storm drainage
discharges are located in Wilmington, seven of which discharge
into the Ipswich River or its tributary, Lubber Brook.
(Two discharges are found in the Shawsheen River basin,
which drains the western and northern tips of Wilmington.)
Lubber Brook drains 5 square miles of the central part of
the community and includes Silver Lake. Two stormwater
discharges are into this lake from collection systems on
Route 38 (Main Street) : and three other discharges drain
into Lubber Brook.
Failing Septic Systems - Except for a small sanitary sewer
system that is tributary to the NSD and that serves industries
and a small number of residences in the southeastern corner
of town, 97 percent of Wilmington's population is sewed by
septic systems. According to the town's sanitarian, the
only area which presently experiences septic system problems
is north of Silver Lake. System failures have occurred not only
because of a high water table, but because summer homes on
small lots have been converted to year-round residences.
(Wilmington has recently voted major sewer extensions to
serve the Silver Lake area, as well as other areas of the com-
munity, and these extensions are discussed in the next chapter.)
Septage Disposal - The Board of Health requires that septic
tanks have a minimum capacity of 1,250 gallons (higher than the
1,000 gallon capacity used as a standard size by CDM for purposes
of calculating the generation of septage) . Based on an existing
population of 17,000 sewered by septic systems and a minimum
tank capacity of 1,250 gallons, an estimated 2,720,000 gallons
of Septage would be generated per year (7,500 gpd) .
Twelve pumpers are currently licensed to pump and haul septage
within Wilmington. Septage is disposed of at a locked sewer
manhole on Woburn Street near the Woburn town line. Use of the
septage depository is restricted to working days and Saturdays
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Septage from Billerica and Tewksbury
is also deposited there under one-year contracts with Wilmington
and the MSD. Each town annually pays $1.25 per non-sewered
person to the MSD and $10,000 to Wilmington for disposal
privileges.)
_29-
Leachate from Landfill - A private landfill off Lower Main
Street in southern Wilmington accepted the town'a refuse
until 1975-76, when it was closed by order of the Mass. DEQE.
The landfill is located in an area of wetlands and former
gravel pits above a high yield aquifer. Past dumping has
filled wetlands drained by Maple Meadow Brook, which flows
through the site. A section of the Brook has been culverted
to provide separation from the refuse.
At the time the site was visited (December, 1976) the large
area to the west of the brook contained uncovered and ungraded
demolition waste with an abundance of asphalt shingles. The
section to the east of the brook contained residential waste
which was poorly graded to an irregular contour and covered
with a permeable stoney material.
The past dumping of refuse in wetlands together with the
inadequate cover and grading practices guarantees the
production of leachate which has visibly affected Maple
Meadow Brook. Depending upon the nature of subsurface
materials, leachate could also migrate down to contaminate
the underlying aquifer. A town well located less than a mile
downstream in the probable path of groundwater flow could be
affected. Leachate impacts on groundwater would include
aggravation of an existing problem with high natural levels
of iron. and manganese.
The facility is reported to have been capped with loam and
then seeded as prescribed by the DEQE. This final cover should
greatly reduce the amount of rainfall infiltrating through
the refuse and should therefore reduce the amount of leachate
production. Leachate will, however, continue to seep from
the landfill for years since refuse was originally placed below
water level. To determine the significance of the continuing
impact, and the need for additional remedial measures,
monitoring should be conducted in Maple Meadow Brook and in
the groundwater down-gradient of the landfill.
At the present time, Wilmington's refuse is hauled to the B.F.I.
commercial landfill in Chelmsford. A proposal to develop a
new town landfill on public land adjacent to the old site was
defeated in town meeting in March of 1975. A subsequent Solid
Waste Disposal Committee report identified several alternatives
for future disposal including out-of-town hauling, town landfilling,
and the state regionalization plan. If, after expiration
of the three year contract for disposal with B.F.I. it is
decided to develop the proposed new town landfill site,
measures should be taken to avoid the surface and groundwater
problems experienced at the old site.
Salt - Groundwater supplied to Wilmington residents is pumped
from up to six well sites, two of which were in production in
1960. At that time chloride content of subsurface aquifers was
10 mg/l or less. A dramatic change in chloride occurred in
-30-
these two wells between 1960 and 1970 that resulted in
about an eight-fold increase in salt levels. One of the
older wells at Browns crossing has shown a continuous
increase. in chloride and sodium content through 1976,
when chloride levels reached 82 mg/1. Sodium levels have
exceeded 20 mg/l since the first sodium monitoring in
1969-70. The older well at Barrows Crossing experienced
continuing salt consentration increases to 93 mg/l in 1974
and a sharp drop to 58 mg/l in 1976. During the late sixties
and early seventies six additional well sites were developed,
although the Aldrich and Butters wells were shut down due to
iron problems. Of four sewer wells in production in 1976,
all were producing water with more than 20 mg/l sodium;
chloride levels ranged from 31 mg/l to 65 mg/1. Only one
of the four showed significant decrease in chloride level
in the past two years, two experienced slight increases, and
the one with the highest chloride level at Chestnut Street
showed no change.
Municipal road salt is stored at Federal Street east of Wildwood
Cemetery. There is no State depot in town. At the town site,
salt is stored on permeable material about 2,000 feet from the
Ipswich River and is not protected from precipitation or in-
filtration. Saline leachate certainly affects the marshland
between the site and the river. Because chloride is an ion
not utilized by biologic systems and not greatly subject to
immobilization or precipitation by natural or chemical actions,
chloride enrichment of the river is also likely. Approximately '00
6,000 feet downstream on the river, Reading's Hundred here well
field has shown persistently rising chloride levels in the past
twelve years. Wilmington wells are not affected by the town
storage facility.
Changing chloride levels in groundwater at Browns and Barrows
Crossing fields reflect road salt impacts from interchange 428
ant #29 on Interstate Highway 93. Drainage from both inter-
changes flows directly past the Browns Crossing field just
downstream from Woburn Street. Runoff from about 3,000 feet
of state highway and adjacent Woburn Street flows past the Bar-
row's site. Within Wilmington, reduced salting On Mill and
Chestnut Streets may improve chloride levels at the Chestnut
Street well.
WILMINGTON: POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
On-lot Sewage Disposal - In terms of pressures for future
growth and development outside of these areas to which sewers
are to be extended, Wilmington has a number of potential
problem areas with septic systems. Much of the town has a
high water table and wet soils, and therefore severe limitations
for septic systems; numerous areas of bedrock and hardpan
are also there. In particular, areas presently zoned for
industrial uses near Route I-93 in the north Of Wilmipcton s ould
either be sewered or rezoned to a less-intensive, rest ential
-31-
district. Areas to the southwest of Route 28 (Main Street)
y, with high or moderate pressures for future land development,
a✓ which are now presently zoned for single-family lot sizes of
22,500 square feet, should also probably be either severed or
rezoned to larger minimum lot sizes. (See Chapters 4 and 6
and Appendix C for further discussion related to such choices) .
Surface and Groundwater Protection - Practically the whole
town, except for the southwestern portion mentioned above,
is in a high groundwater favorability, class. Not only does
Wilmington rely exclusively on wells for its water supply,
but it serves as the headwaters of the Ipswich River. Other
than those areas located along Route 28 to Silver Lake and
north to I-93, to which MSD sewers are to be extended, properly
functioning septic systema would be beneficial to recharge of
this groundwater supply. Wilmington should consider enlarging
its minimum lot size of 22,500 square feet in order to
protect the recharge function by decreasing impermeable,
urban surfaces; residential cluster options in areas with
adequate soils for septic systems should also be considered
in conjunction with this basic change. The town also needs
to extend its flood plain zoning district to include all
wetlands, since in Wilmington most of these constitute part
of the groundwater table. (See Chapter 4 and Appendix C
for a more detailed discussion of these kinds of land use
regulations for surface and groundwater protection) .
Stormwater Runoff - Wilmington already suffers from bad
drainage problems during heavy rainfalls. The town does not
have a comprehensive stormwater collection system, but
rather a number of small piped systems dishcarging to one
of the numerous streams or wetlands. (Such storm drainage
discharges were previously discussed.) Existing levels,
together with expected future levels of population and
land development will no doubt create more potential
pollution problems due to increased levels of stormwater
runoff from urban development.
i
-32-
Summary Matrix of Structural Solutions
The accompanying matrix attempts to summarize by community the
alternative structural solutions presented in Chapter 4 (and
more generally described in Appendix C) of the Ipswich River
Basin Report.
Among the options included in the matrix (Table 1) are
traditional sewerage with either local or regional treatment
plants, as previously discussed under the sewering concepts;
package plants, or communal subsurface systems with limited
sewerage; and individual on-lot septic systems. Septage
management options are limited to a formal program for the
management and maintenance of septic systems and to disposal
of septage at existing wastewater treatment facilities
In the structural matrix, wastewater management options are
assessed for the existing and potential problem areas in each
community. Two ratings are used to indicate the relative
appropriateness and perceived urgency as judged by the MAPC's
208 staff at the present time. Letters are used to denote
whether the proposed option is appropriate to solve existing
or potential problems. The letter A means that the option is
very appropriate; the letter B means that the option is
appropriate and the letter C means that the option is
inappropriate to deal with the problems.
A rating of "very appropriate" (A) indicates that the option MR
is likely to be technically and economically feasible, and
environmentally and politically acceptable to the community.
A rating of "appropriate" (B) indicates that the MAPC staff
assessmert identifies possible difficulties (i.e. , economic,
social, political, etc. ) in implementing this option.
Numbers indicate the time interval within which the management
option could reasonably expect to be implemented. A number 1
denotes that the option is likely to be implemented in the
short-range future (0-5 years) ; a number 2 indicates that the
option may be implemented within the medium-range future (5-
10 years) ; and a number 3 denotes options that should be
studied for implementation in the long-range future (10-20
years) . (The additional letter P indicates options presently
in use, under construction, or in the planning stage. )
In developing the summary matrix, existing and potential
problem areas within a community were rated according to;
the technical feasibility of each alternative;
geographic proximity to existing sewer systems or to
those extensions now programmed;
• general physical features of the problem area; and
estimated peak daily wastewater flows generated
from all dwellings within the problem area.
. C7
Table 1
STRUCTURAL OPTIONS FOR THE IPSWICH RIVER BASIN
G
5
OPTIONS F o55 pF5
2 W 5 M $ 5
m o s a a S4
Sewage Disposal m x E z �9a ; ; Brief Comments
1. Traditional Sewerage P/A 3B 2B 2B P/A - - 2B See previous discussion of sewage
disposal and severing concepts for
2. Package Plants C 2A 2B IA C - - 2B explanation of traditional sewerage
with limited sewerage and package plants.
3. Communal Septic Systems C 2A C C C - - C .Soils on the North Shore are gmer-
with limited sewerage ally unsuitable for communal sys-
tems.
4. Reconstruction of Individual C lA lA 2B C - - 2B -No present or future problems ars
On-lot Septic Systems foreseen in Topsfield. Wenham has
and is expected to have few if any
problems; see end of Chapter 3 and
remainder of Chapter 4 for details
Septage Management- on these two and other communities.
1. Management and Maintenance of - IA lA lA - IA IA IA - See Appendix C for general descrip-
Septic Systems tion of such a program.
2. Disposal at Existing Waste- P/A P/A P/A • Recommendations for Hamilton, Mid-
water Facilities dleton, North Reading, Topsfiald,
and Benham are deferred pending
separate study of septage manage-
ment.
Key:
A: Very Appropriate 1: Short-Range Future (0-5 years) 'The MAPC 208 Project is preparing a
separate planning study of regional sep-
B: Appropriate 2: Medium-Range Future (5-10 years) tage treatment and disposal options,
including the need for new treatment
C: Inappropriate 3: Long-Range Future (30-20 years) facilities; this study report is expected
to be completed and available late in the
Not Applicable P: Present Circumstances year.
-33-
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR REASONS FOR WRITING IN CHANGES, IF ANY,
ON THE PRECEDING MATRIX (Structural Options) :
No change.
-34-
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY, WHICH OF THE THREE SEWERING CONCEPTS
(as described in Chapter 4 and on Figures 6, 7 and 8 of
the basin report) DO YOU PREFER:
MOST LEAST
PREFERRED PREFERRED
CONCEPT 1
"Maximized Sewer Service:
Addition of New Treatment
Facilities"
CONCEPT 2
"Maximized Sewer Service; X
Utilization of Existing
Treatment Facilities"
CONCEPT 3
"Minimized Sewer Service:
Abatement of Existing
Problems Only"
The reasons reasons for my preferences are:
The Town of Reading will be virtually 100% sewered
by 1980.
r
-35-
FOR THE IPSWICH RIVER BASIN AS A WHOLE, WHICH OF THE SAME
THREE SEWERING CONCEPTS DO YOU PREFER MOST AND WHICH DO
YOU PREFER LEAST (see preceding question) :
MOST LEAST
PREFERRED PREFERRED
CONCEPT I x
CONCEPT Z
CONCEPT 3 x
My reasons for these preferences are:
The Town of Reading recognizes that groundwater recharge is a very
mportant aspect of the water supply facilities of down stream communities
nd the continued transport of potential recharge water out of the basin
ill have devestating impacts on the future water supply of communities
ithin the basin.
Wherever possible, non—structured solutions and protective measures
hould be implemented to improve, protect and provide future water supplies
A possible addition to any of the concepts for communities will be
ewered would be the implementation of an all—out program for water conser—
ation. Reading, for example, is an MDC member community and all of the
ater discharged into it is derived from the Ipswich River Basin. It
herefore follows that the downstream communities will benefit from a water
onservation program in Reading.
It should be the duty of the towns sewered (due to soil conditions, et . )
o implement water conservation programs if we are to expect other communit es
o provide zoning changes which will protect existing water recharge areas.
-36-
Summary Matrix of Non-Structural options
The accompanying matrix attempts to summarize by community
the alternative land development controls, which are presented
in this section and which are more generally described in
Appendix C at the back of the report. These non-structural
options are intended to prevent future water quality or water
quality related problems, as discussed previously in Chapter 3
under "community profiles". They should not be considered
mutually exclusive of the sewering concepts and structural
options presented in the first part of Chapter 9. Rather,
a community should try to pick and choose from among the
various solutions in order to arrive at what is considers
to be the best and moat realistic set. As a general rule,
moat of the structural and non-structural options described
in the regional or basin-scale report will need a considerable
amount of fitting or tailoring to the local or site-scale
level of specificity before they can be implemented.
(Chapter 5 of the Ipswich River Basin Report sets out two
combinations of land development controls, one which
minimizes their geographical application and another which
maximizes their extent; at the same time, Alternatives I
and II also combine the various sewering concepts - see
Figures 9 and 10 in the basin report.)
f
Table 2
NON-STRUCTURAL OPTIONS FOR THE IPSWICH RIVER BASIN
u
Z
LOCAL OPTIONS
z z a o z
Land Development Controls ZDy w £¢
SaS 0 E O N Y Z
1. Zoning Regulations m g z p µZj 3 Brief Comments
A. Natural Resource Districts F a
1. wetlands district 1 1 - Burlington is the only town in the basin
currently without some form of wetlands or
2. floodplain district 1 floodplain zoning; Wilmington's floodplain
district excludes many wetland areas.
3. aquifer recharge district- 3 2 3 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 -North Reading and Wilmington have relatively
large areas of high groundwater favorability
subject to considerable pressures for future
development; Burlington and Middleton have
relatively small areas of high groundwater
favorability.
4. stream/pond buffer district 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 -Part of Chebacco Lake in Hamilton is unprotected
(it contains wells which serve as Essex's sole
water supply) ; Middleton has a couple of brooks,
portions of which are currently unprotected,
which are either used or likely to be used for
surface water supply.
5. watershed protection district 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 -North Reading, Middleton, Topsfield, and
Wenham have or will have water supply reser-
voirs which while not currently unprotected
may need further protection of their watersheds.
6. water resource protection district 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 -Burlington and Wilmington may want to consider
a more comperhensive water resource protection
district in the process of enacting wetlands/
floodplain zoning.
B. Use and Density Regulations 2 2 11 1 2 2 2 1 -Wilmington and North Reading have need for
C. Cluster, PUD Regulations 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 increased minimum lot sizes in certain areas
D. Site Plan Review Powers 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 from the point of view of severe soils limita-
tions for septic systems and in the context of
protecting the recharge function; Middleton
needs larger minimum lots in certain area due
to severe soils limitations for on-lot sewage
disposal. All three towns are expected to have
COO"
Table 2 (cont.)
u
OW
�a u ❑
Z z
= 4 ❑ O 3 3
m x s z
E. Site Development Regulations (comment cont.)
1. grading and slope regulations 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 considerable pressures for future land
2. minimum open space requirements 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 development. (North Reading already has
3. parking area regulations 3 ' 3 13 3 3 3 3 3 cluster zoning and PUD regulations.)
2. Subdivision Rules and Regulations 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 -Local rules and regulations should contain
requirements for sedimentation and erosion
control plan as part of drainage requirements.
3. Innovative Dew to ment Controls 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 -performance standards, growth management
techniques, or transfer of development rights
say or may not be appropriate in the context of
a community's total regulatory system.
Other Local Controls
1. Health Codes 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 -Burlington, Middleton, and Wilmington currently
require only 25 feet as a minimum distance
between leaching fields and water bodies or
courses.
2. Land Acquisition .212 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 means appropriate to deal with problems immediately
2 means appropriate to deal with problems in the short-run
3 means appropriate for future consideration
- means currently in use or otherwise not applicable
The adoption of an aquifer recharge district is closely
related to (a) adequate minimum lot sizes; (b)cluster
provisions for residential uses; and (c) site plan
review powers. (See Appendix C for a more complete
discussion.)
-37-
PLEASE INDICATE YOUR REASONS FOR WRITING IN CHANGES, IF ANY,
ON THE PRECEDING MATRIX (Non-Structural Options) :
Table 2 Non—Structural Options.
Possibly add water conservation practices as an additional option.
Board discussion on the matter — perhaps should include the various
items reflecting Board and Town policies .
Also explained in Appendix C.
J
a
-38-
PLEASE VOTE FOR EITHER:
ALTERNATIVE I
"Maximized Reliance on Sewerage" (See Figure 9 and Table 5-2
in Chapter 5 of the basin report) based on either Concept I
or Concept U , or a combination thereof, and including
wetlands/floodplain and stream buffer zoning districts;
OR
ALTERNATIVE Ir -
"Minimized Reliance on Sewerage" (See Figure 10 and Table 5-3
in Chapter 5 of the basin report) based on sewering Concept IE
and the same land development controls as noted above, plus
certain zoning use and density changes.
Check Favorite
ALTERNATIVE I X
ALTERNATIVE II
i�
My reasons for voting as I did are:
Same reasons as stated on page 34.
w
BURLINGTON
Wetlands/Floodplain Zoning Districts - Burlington is the only
town in the basin which does not presently have some form of y
wetlands or floodplain zoning. Accurate maps of floodplains
are already being compiled as part of the conmtunity's
comprehensive drainage study. Therefore, a floodplain/wetlands
zoning district should be delineated and adopted by the town
within the next year or so.
Use and Density Zoning Regulations - Two basic choices that
face Burlington are: (a) whether to sewer areas zoned for
industrial uses near Route 128 and Route 3, or whether to
rezone the areas to less intensive uses (relatively large
single-family lots) ; and (b) whether to sewer areas zoned
for 20,000-square foot single-family lots in eastern and
southern Burlington, or whether to rezone them to 1-acre
to 2-acre single-family lots. (See the section of this
chapter on structural solutions for a more complete discussion
of sewering options.)
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Burlington should amend
its local rules and regulations to require that an erosion
and sedimentation control plan be required as part of all
approved subdivision plans.
Local Health Code - Burlington should increase the minimum
distance of 25 feet between septic tanks or leaching fields
and watercourses or bodies of water permitted under its
lcoal health code. (Under Title V of the New State Environ-
mental Code, this distance must now be at least 50 feet,
although it can be mors, as local conditions warrant. )
-40-
HAMILTON
Buffer Zoning District - A buffer zoning district of at least
100 feet should be established along the southeastern shore
of Chebacco Lake. This is the only undeveloped and unprotected
part of the lake in Hamilton, which is located largely in
Essex and which has gravel-packed wells as the only water
supply of that community.
Density Zoning Regulations - Areas between the Miles River
and Route lA (Bay Street) currently zoned for single-family
lots of 20,000 square foot will either need to be re-zoned
to at least 40,000 square foot lots or may need to be sewered,
either with conventional systems or with package treatment
plants or communal subsurface systems. (See the section of
this chapter on structural solutions for a more complete
discussion of sewering options. )
Cluster Zoning/Site Plan Review - Much of the aquifer
recharge area which protects the high yield groundwater
supply underlying Hamilton is already zoned for single-
family lots of either 40,000 square feet or 2 acres. A
cluster option should be adopted in these two zoning districts,
along with the contingent site plan review powers. The idea
is to minimize interruption of the aquifer's recharge function
by controlling the siting of structures and other impervious
surfaces. However, soils for on-lot sewage disposal or
communal subsurface systems must be adequate in the area pro-
posed for clustered development, otherwise sewering of some
sort would be needed.
Subdivision _Rules and Regulations - Hamilton should amend its
local rules and regulations to require that an erosion and
sedimentation control plan be required as a part of all
approved subdivision plans.
-41-
MIDDLETON
Buffer zoning District - Those portions of Emerson Brook
and Boston Brook not included in Middleton's conservancy
district should be protected either by extending the
existing zoning district, or by adopting a new stream
buffer district of at least 100 feet from each brook's banks.
Use and Density Zoning Regulations - Areas currently zoned
for single-family lots of 20,000 square feet in and around
the center of town should either be re-zoned to at least
40,000 square foot lots, or should be provided with some
type of sewage disposal other than on-lot septic systems.
Industrially and commercially zoned areas along Route 114
(South Main Street) between the town center and the Ipswich
River will either have to be re-zoned to less intensive
residential uses or sewered, either by a conventional
collection system or by package treatment plants. (see
the section of this chapter on structural solutions for
a more complete discussion of sewering options. )
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Middleton should amend
its local rules and regulations to require that an erosion
and sedimentation control plan be required as a part of all
approved subdivision plans. 3
Local Health Code - Middleton should increase the minimum
distance of 25 feet between septic systems or leaching
fields and watercourses or bodies of water permitted under
its local health code. (Under Title V of the State
Environmental Code, this distance must now be at least
50 feet, although it can be more, as local conditions warrant. )
i
-42-
NORTH READING
Aquifer Recharge Zoning District - An aquifer recharge
protection district should be adopted in areas of high
groundwater favorability. These areas are generally
located west of Route 28 (Main Street) and north of North
Street from Haverhill Street on the east to Martins Pond
on the west. (More accurate maps than are currently
available from MAPC's Water Quality Project would be
necessary. See appropriate section in Appendix C for
more background information on an aquifer recharge
district. )
In particular, the area to the west of Route 28 presently
zoned for highway business should be rezoned to single-
family lots of at least 400000 square feet. The current
cluster residential development, along with contingent site
plan review powers, would then pertain. The idea is to
minimize interruption of the aquifer's recharge function by
controlling the siting of structures and other impervious
surfaces. However, soils for on-lot sewage disposal or
communal subsurface systems must be adequate in the area
proposed for clustered development, otherwise sewering of some
sort would be needed.
Density Zoning Regulations - Areas east of Route 28 (Main
Street) and Haverhill Street, and north of the Ipswich River
currently zoned for residential lots of 40,000 square feet
should be rezoned to lots of 80,000 square feet; otherwise,
many of these areas may require conventional sewers or
package treatment plants.
Subdivinion Rules and Regulations - North Reading should
amend its local rules and regulations to require that an
erosion and sedimentation control plan he required as a part
of all approved subdivision plans.
-43-
READING
Aquifer Recharge Zoning District - Part of nnrthweetern
Reading is classified as an area of high groundwater
favorability. In conjunction with the existing zoning of
single-family lots of 40,000 square feet in the area,
provisions for clustered residential developments along with
contingent site plan review powers should be adopted. (lore
accurate maps than are currently available from the NAPC's
Water Quality Project would be necessary. see the appropriate
section in Appendix C for more background information on an
aquifer recharge district. )
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Reading should amend its
local rules and regulations to require that an erosion and
sedimentation control plan be required as a part of all
approved subdivision plans.
_44_
TOPSFIELD
Cluster Zoning/Site Plan Review - Much of the aquifer recharge
7 area which protects the high yield groundwater supply under-
lying Topsfield is already zoned for single-family lots of
either 40,000 square feet of 2 acres. A cluster or PUD
option should be adopted in these two zoning districts, along
with the contingent site plan review powers. The idea is to
minimize interruption of the aquifer-a recharge function by
controlling the siting of structural and other impervious
surfaces. However, soils for on-lot sewage disposal or communal
subsurface systems must be adequate in the area proposed for
clustered or planned residential development, otherwise
sewering of some sort would be needed.
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Topsfield should amend
its local rules and regulations to require that an erosion
and sedimentation control plan be required as a part of all
approved subdivision plans.
-45-
WENHAM
_cluster Zoning/Site Plan Review - The aquifer recharge area
which protects the high yield groundwater supply underlying
Wenham is currently zoned for single-family lots of 40,000
square feet. A cluster option should be adopted, in this
zoning district, along with the contingent site plan review
powers. The idea is to minimize interruption of the aquifer's
recharge function by controlling the Siting of structures
and other impervious surfaces. However, soils for on-lot
sewage disposal or communal subsurface systems must be
adequate in the area proposed for clustered residential
development, otherwise sewering of some sort would be needed.
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Wenham should amend its
local rules and regulations to require that an erosion and
sedimentation control plan be required as a part of all
approved subdivision plans.
Table 3
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
p p �Zp mZ Z
z O F F 6 y
Landfills m x E E E i 2 3 3
1. Monitor - A A A A - A A - A
2. Upgrade - IA C - - - C C - -
3. Close and Seal - 2A IA 3A P/A - IA 3A - P/A
Future Disposal
1. Municipal Landfill C P - P - C C B C C
2. Regional Landfill P 2B - C - P 2B P P P
3. Regional Resource Recovery - 2A 2A - 3A - 2A 2A 3A 3A 2A
4. Incineration C C - C - C P C C C
5. Recycling P P - A - A P P A A
Key:
A: Very Appropriate 1: Near Future (0-5 years)
B: Moderately Appropriate 2: Intermediate Future (5-10 years)
C: Inappropriate 3: Distant Future (10-20 years)
Not Applicable P: Present Circumstances
Footnotes:
• Present Middleton landfill Note: See accompanying text for explanation
•• Planned Middleton landfill of option ratings.
••• Former private demolition material landfill in Middleton
_48-
cost-effectiveness
• secondary effects
• severity of water quality problems
Landfills - Presently, seven of the eight basin communities
dispose of their municipal solid waste in landfills. Hamilton
and Middleton operate individual town landfills; Topsfield
operates a facility which also accepts refuse from Wenham.
The estimated remaining life at these facilities is 5 years
at Hamilton, 20 years at a new site in Middleton, and 15-20
years at the Topsfield landfill.
The towns of Burlington and Horth Reading utilize the private
Shaffer landfill in Billerica, while Wilmington is served by
the Browning - Ferris Industries disposal company, which dumps
at a private facility in Tewksbury. A third private regional
landfill, which is potentially available to basin towns, is
operated by the SCA disposal company in Amesbury. Estimating
remaining life at these private facilities is difficult in
that significant changes may occur in daily tonnage received,
land area available and number of lifts or levels used.
Despite these uncertainties, these facilities could be limited
to several remaining years of operation, unless circumstances
favorable to their existince prevailed.
Reading is the only town in the basin which does not directly
dispose of refuse in a municipal or regional landfill. Refuse
is burned at the town incinerator, and the remaining ash is
landfilled at a nearby site. The ash disposal facility is
nearing capacity and will have to be closed in several years.
water quality monitoring of each site in the basin is
recommended as a first, necessary step in assessing the
degree to which present and former landfills in the basin are
affecting water resources. The time period during which
monitoring is appropriate has not been indicated, since this
determination depends upon the results of sampling at each
site. Where a closed landfill gives evidence of continuing
impact, monitoring should continue after remedial measures
have been taken and should proceed until measurements
indicate that a permanent abatement has been achieved.
Similarly, monitoring should be conducted at present operating
facility as a check on the operation of the facility, and
should continue beyond the closing of the facility to determine
the adequacy of the capping procedure. In addition to
providing information to assess impacts and operations,
monitoring provides basic data necessary for the preparation
of upgrading or closureplans. The type and intensity of
monitoring required will vary both with the purpose and with
the site. A further discussion of monitoring procedures and
costs is presented in Appendix C.
_46-
WILMINGTON
Wetlands/Floodplains Zoning District - Many large wetlands are
currently unprotected by a separate zoning district in Wilmington.
The town needs either to extend its present form of flood-
plan zoning to protect all wetlands, or to enact a separate
wetlands district. (See the appropriate sections in
Appendix C for a more complete discussion of wetlands, flood-
plain and other forms of natural resource zoning district. )
Aquifer Recharge Zoning District - Nearly all of Wilmington
serves as an aquifer recharge area for a high yield supply
of groundwater. The only areas currently zoned for single-
family lots of 60,000 square feet are situated on the
outskirts of town. In conjunction with this existing low
density residential district, the community should adopt
zoning provisions for cluster developments along with
contingent site plan review powers. The idea is to minimize
interruption of the aquifer's recharge function by controlling
the siting of structures and other impervious surfaces. How-
ever, soils for on-lot sewage disposal or communal subsurface
systems must be adequate in the area proposed for clustering,
otherwise sewering of some sort would be needed.
Use and Density Zoning. Regulations - Undeveloped areas,
particularly to the southwest of Route 26 (Main Street) , which
are currently zoned for single-family lots of 22,500 square
-ft.. feet should either be re-zoned to at least 40,000 square foot
lots (with a cluster option) , or should be provided with some
type of sewage disposal other than on-lot septic systems.
Industrially zoned areas, especially in the northern part of
town near Route I-93, should be sewered if they are to be
developed; otherwise they should be re-zoned to relatively low
density residential lots. (See the section of this chapter
on structural solutions for a more complete discussion of
sewering options. )
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Wilmington should amend
its local rules and regulations to require that an erosion and
sedimentation plan be required as a part of all approved
subdivision plans.
Local Health Code - Wilmington should increase the minimum
distance of 25 feet between septic tanks or leaching fields
and watercourses or bodies of water permitted under its
local health code. (Under Title V of the new State _
Environmental Code, this distance must now be at least 50
feet, although it can be more, as local conditions warrant. )
-47-
Solid Waste Management ;
The solid waste management heading is divided into two sections: .�
landfills and future disposal. The first section on landfills
lists measures to assess and correct water quality problems
due to landfill leachates. Included are upgrading, closing
and sealing, and water quality monitoring. Future solid waste
disposal options include regional sanitary landfills (public
or private) , regional resource recovery, town landfills and
recycling.
In Table 3, solid waste management options are rated by
community according to their appropriateness for the specific
problems discussed in the previous chapter. Also indicated
is the future interval during which considerations of each
alternative is deemed pertinent. These intervals are
approximate and include: (1) near future (0-5 years) ; (2)
intermediate future (5-10 years) ; and (3) distant future
(10-20 years) . Also indicated as a (P) for present circum-
stances, which include existing situations, actions in the
process of implementation, and facilities under construction.
Ratings of appropriateness are not necessarily given to
present circumstances, since these conditions have evolved
from past trends and factors which preceded the mandate of
the Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. Future
alternative solutions may be more fairly evaluated in light
of recent water quality goals.
The appropriateness ratings include (A) very, (H) moderately,
and (C) inappropriate. The staff ratings are judgmental and .
are based upon subjective weighing of numerous factors in
addition to water quality enhancement. The assessments in the
matrix are presented as a tabular summary of, and an adjunct
to, information concerning community problems in Chapter 3,
and structural solutions in Appendix C. To avoid the over-
simplification inherent to tabular summaries, the text which
accompanies attempts to explait. the ratings and the factors
involved in the evaluation.
Solutions to existing landfill problems or future disposal
problems are considered and rated for the future time period
in which they are considered relevant, given the adequacy
of existing facilities, their life expantancy, and the lead
time required for planning and implementing a given alternative.
General factors involved in the rating of appropriateness of
a solution to a landfill or solid waste problem include:
water quality enhancement
• technical feasibility
regulatory constraints '�
_49_
The summary matrix indicates that the Hamilton landfill is
the only facility recommended for upgrading. Although
operating conditions were good at the time of the site visit,
the proximity of water supplies requires that the highest
standards of operation be maintained at this site. For the
same reason, it is recommended that the groundwater surrounding
the site be monitored on a continuing basis, and that the
site be carefully sealed and closed in the intermediate future
when site capacity is reached. The landfills expected to
operate into the distant future in Topsfield and Middleton
are not recommended for upgrading, since the former is
presently well run and the latter is not yet in operation.
Both sites should, however, amintain excellent operating
practices and provide groundwater monitoring to insure that
local aquifers and wells remain uncontaminated. When site
capacity is reached, these sites should also be promptly and
carefully sealed.
Near future closing and sealing of the Reading ash disposal
site and the Middleton municipal landfill is recommended, as
capacity has been reached at the former and soon will be at
the latter. Water quality monitoring should precede the
preparation of closing plans in order to assess the problem
and the degree of control required. The former Wilmington
landfill and the private demolition dump in Middleton have
been, or soon should be sealed.
Future Solid Waste Disposal - The second part of the solid
waste management matrix evaluates future disposal options for
the basin' s communities. Each option is discussed and
assessed on ageneral level in Appendix C.
New disposal facilities will be required by five basin
communities, possibly within 5 years, due to limited town
disposal facility capacities and uncertainties surrounding
the future operation of private regional landfills. Topsfield,
Wenham, and Middleton are the only basin communities which
are likely to meet their disposal needs in the distant future
with existing or planned local facilities. Since the
Topsfield landfill serves two towns, it is considered a public
regional landfill for Topsfield and Wenham in the summary
matrix. This present facility is deemed very appropriate for
both communities, in that it represents a well-run facility
with costs shared by two towns of rural character with low
population and adequate land availability. The planned
Middleton landfill, although strictly a municipal facility,
offers similar long-term service to an area of similar
characteristics. The absence of a more favorable option to
these towns, at least into the intermediate future, certainly
enhances the appropriate use of these facilities.
The towns utilizing private regional landfills (Burlington,
North Reading and Wilmington) may require alternative facilities
within 5 years, as remaining capacities at these facilities are
questionable and expansion to new areas may be problematic,
given growing local opposition and increasing enforcement of
-50-
anviromental regulations. Hamilton and Reading may also be
seeking disposal alternatives in the near or intermediate
future: Hamilton, due to limited landfill capacity, and
Reading, due to the increasing cost of incineration and the
need for a new ash disposal area. Although present facilities
used by these five communities are not optional from a water
quality perspective, appropriatenessis not rated due to the
lack of practical, more favorable alternatives in the near
future.
Future disposal at new town landfills in communities presently
without such facilities (Burlington, North Reading, Reading
and Wilmington) is rated inappropriate, as these communities
are more developed, generate more waste, and have less
available land for site selection than do towns such as
Topsfield and Middleton, which intend to continue long-
term landfilling. New landfills in these four towns would
represent a costly duplication of facilities, which should
become increasingly expensive and environmental regulations
become more stringent or become more strictly enforced. Future
disposal by landfilling in these communities is also less
appropriate because of the availability of potentially more
favorable resource recovery alternatives in the near to
immediate future.
Currently, the only operating resource recovery facility in
the region is the plant in Saugus, which is a 1,200 ton per
day (tpd) mass-burning operation utilizing two refuse-fired 1
steam generators. The steam produced is used by the nearby �/
G.E. plant in Lynn for electricity, heating and cooling, and
manufacturing. A materials recovery subsystem extracts
ferrous materials from the post-combustion residue. The
total process reduced the solid waste to about 10 percent of
its original volume. The plant is now processing about 1,000
to 1,150 tpd, 75 percent of which comes from area communities,
with the remainder coming from various commercial establish-
ments. The plant design includes provision for possible
addition of two more boilers in order to double capacity. Air
quality standards are being met, and all water used is self-
contained and treated within the facility. Residue disposal
at the adjacent landfill is subject to the same requirements
as landfilling of raw refuse.
Current disposal charges as RESCO vary with the length of the
contract as follows:
20 year contract - $13/ton
10 year contract - $14/ton
5 year contract - $15/ton
Contracts also specify an escalation formula for the adjustment
of disposal fees according to certain economic indices.
^51-
+. Several other resource recovery facilities are in the planning
`}. stage in the region. Theme include the South Essex Solid
Waste Council (SESWC) facility in Peabody, the Tri-City
plant in Beverly, and the Northeast Solid Waste Committee
NESWC) plant in North Andover.
The South Essex Solid Waste Council (SESWC) , which presently
consists of 15 Northshore communities, is planning a two-
phase facility to be constructed and operated by Combustion
Engineering at the site of the present Peabody landfill. Phase
I would consist of a shredding operation with magnetic
separation of ferrous materials and landfilling the shredded
waste in an expanded and upgraded Peabody landfill. Phase II
would involve the production of a refuse derived fuel.
Implementation of phase II would procede once a fuel-user is
secured. Estimated disposal fees at a 1400 tpd facility are
$9.78/ton during phase I, and $7.11/ton during phase II.
Actual costs may be affected by problems concerning the
capacity and water quality impacts of the present landfill
at the site. Costly remedial measures may be required to
prevent long-term degradation of surface and groundwater, due
both to past operations and planned disposal of shredded waste
or process residue. A recent project timetable indicated
phase I beginning in 1980 and phase II implementation by
1983-1987.
The Northeast Solid Waste Committee (NESWC) project is being
planned with the technical and financial assistance of the
Massachusetts Bureau of Solid Waste. The facility presently
proposed for a site in North Andover is one of seven facilities
proposed under the state solid waste management plan, whose
aim is to provide statewide coverage. The NEWSC facility would
be privately designed, constructed, owned and operated by
Universal Oit Products (UOP) of Des Plaines, Illinois. The
facility is planned to process 3,000 tons of refuse per day in
3 steam generating combustion units, which will drive a turbine
generator for producing electricity. Post-incineration ferrous
metal scraps would be recovered for sale. Residue consisting
of 8 percent of original refuse volume will have to be land-
filled, but efforts are underway to investigate profitable
residue uses, including roadbed or other construction purposes.
Disposal fees at full utilization of capacity are estimated
by the state at $5.50/ton. Costs could escalate to $10.60/ton,
if the facility is operated at two-thirds capacity. Disposal
fees at this facility and the other proposed facilities would
be adjusted according to economic indices. A transportation
cost-sharing plan is being considered by the NESWC communities
to equalize the burden among participating communities. The
large size of the geographic area required to provide 3,000 tons
of refuse per day requires that the more distant communities be
encouraged to participate through such a subsidy.
The earliest possible date for beginning operation of this
facility is mid-1981. This schedule assumes that the present
-52-
site is acceptable, and that contract negotiationsbetween
Uop and the communities will be concluded within one year.
In addition, the 1981 date requires that the construction
Period be limited to 3 years as presently scheduled.
�j
The facility itself will exert minimal impacts on water
quality, as the plant's evaporative cooling system does not
entail a discharge into receiving waters. Landfilling of
residue could, however, be a potential impact depending
upon the procedures and controls utilized.
A fourth resource recovery project, Tri-City, is being
planned by the City of Beverly and the United Shoe
Machinery Company (USM) . A five-acre site on Elliot Street
in Beverly is being considered for the plant, which would
process 500 tons of refuse per day to provide steam for
USM and the local hospital. Electricity would be generated
in the existing USM power pland and sold to both USM and the
New England Power Company. Recent cost analysis show a
disposal fee of approximately $12/ton, which is adjustable
according to costs and revenues. A late-1980 operational
date is scheduled, although the project is still at an early
planning stage. Potential water quality impacts are limited
to the manner of disposal of unit tons/day of residue, which
the City of Beverly hopes to sell as road base aggregate, if
granted state approval.
These resource recover o were
y tions p compared in a planning
workshop report by the Harvard University Department of City
and Regional Planning (An Evaluation of Solid Waste Disposal
options for Rockport, Mass. , Feb. 1977.) Evaluation criteria
included financial, time factors, reliability, environment,
and institutional/legal. The results of this evaluation will
not be reported here as factors pertinent to such a comparison
are subject to rapid change when each of these projects is in
the planning stage. It is evident, however, that the region
cannot provide the tonnage required to support all of the
existing and proposed facilities. Basin communities in need
of new disposal facilities in the near- to intermediate-future
should initiate or continue active participation in these
projects and work towards the implementation of the proj ect(s)
which offer the most favorable solution to their mutual long-
term solid waste disposal needs.
Incineration, as a future disposal method, is rated inappropriate
in the summary matrix for all basin communities except Reading,
which is presently using this method. Incineration is not
expected to be competitive with resource recovery in the future,
since the former method sacrifices the energy value of refuse.
Recycling programs exist in Burlington, Hamilton, Reading and
Topsfield. These programs are voluntary and generally accept
paper, glass, and cans. According to a 1977 recycling survey
conducted by the Mass. Bureau of Solid Waste, the Hamilton
and Reading programs receive roughly 572 and 334 tons,
-53-
respectively, of material annually. Corresponding revenues,
not including disposal cost savings, amount to $7,248 in
Hamilton and $4,821 in Reading. In addition to the financial
!l and resource conservation benefits, water quality may also be
+�? served through recycling programs by reducing the tonnage of
waste landfilled. For these reasons, active recycling
programs are viewed as very appropriate in all basin communities.
Stormwater Management
The purpose of this section is to apply alternative solutions
(described in Appendix C) to the specific stormwater runoff
problems identified in the Ipswich Basin. Due to the data
problems discussed in Chapter 3 for both stormwater discharges
and receiving water quality, this analysis is limited in terms
of the solutions which can reasonably be considered. At this
time, there is no basis for evaluating the relative impact
and cost-effectiveness of one solution over another. until
such data is generated, there will be no criteria or basis upon
which to justify structural solutions or other capital-intensive,
high operation and maintenance-dependent solutions. The emphasis
of this preliminary report is therefore on the application
of non-structural solutions or "Best Management Practices"
(BMP's) for controlling pollution from stormwater runoff.
Best Management Practices for stormwater runoff control generally
fall under three of the four possible control areas as described
in Appendix C. They are at the land surface,on the road surface,
and in the storm drainage system. Controls applied to the
land surface, such as erosion and sedimentation regulations,
are most typically applied in new or developing areas and are
not well suf [ed for controlling existing problems. Examples
of road surface and in-system controls are street-sweeping, street
vacuuming, catch basin cleaning or vacuuming, neighborhood
sanitation, and brook channel maintenance.
f�
-54-
BURLINGTON - As described in the previous chapter, Burlington
has an extensive stormwater collection system. The inventory
of stormwater facilities performed by Camp, Dresser & McKee
(CDM) located twenty-six stormwater systems and their tributary
drainage areas. The majority of these systems serve fairly
small tributary areas. Only four areas are over 100 acres in
size. Of more significance is the fact that all these systems
discharge to tributaries of the Ipswich, Shawsheen and Mystic
Rivers. In the Ipswich Basin, nine systems discharge to Maple
Meadow Brook. Four of the systems located in the Mystic Basin
discharge to Little Brook. Four others discharge to Cummings
Brook. Five of the nine systems in the Shawsheen discharge
to Vine Brook. Three others discharge to Sandy Brook, and
the last to Long Meadow Brook. The largest and possibly the
most significant is the drainage area consisting of the Burlington
Mall and upstream tributaries including Long Meadow Brook. The
total area of this system is 3658 acres and includes the head-
waters of Vine Brook. This inventory and identification should
serve to focus the attention of the Department of Public Works.
the Town Planning Board and the Conservation Commission in the
on-going operation and maintenance of the existing system and
the planning and design of additions to the existing system.
This survey should also serve to focus the implementation of
BMP's (as described in the previous chapter and in the appen-
dix) geared toward maintaining water quality in these small
receiving streams.
The Town's Department of Public Works is responsible for the
operation and maintenance of the stormwater system. Presently,
regular catch basin cleaning is the only practice used by the
DPW. The following recommendations are intended to be imple-
mented in the near future by the town and to guide the town's
officials in their stormwater management program for the
next five to ten years.
DO YOU AGREE?
In addition to regular catch basin cleaning, the DPW
should institute a semi-annual program of inspecting
outfalls and receiving streams to determine the need
for instituting stream maintenance programs and the
need for installing grates or other structural devices YES NO
to control sediment build-up and channel erosion on —
and around outfalls.
Future land development, where possible, should make
maximum use of existing drainage structures. Other
development should, to the greatest extent possible,
make use of natural drainage patterns and new facilities
should be designed accordingly.
-55-
The drainage system serving the Burlington Mall should be
studied to determine the characteristics of the system
(plans are not available) so that alternative measures
can be investigated to control oils and grease and sediment YES NO
associated with extensive paved areas used for transportation
related purposes from having a negative impact on Vine Brook.
The foregoing recommendations are general in nature and are
not meant to take the place of - but rather are intended to
complement - the comprehensive drainage study currently being
undertaken by Burlington's consulting engineers.
My reasons are:
-56-
HAMILTON - Hamilton is one of the less urbanized communities
in the Ipswich Basin. As such, stormwater runoff is not con-
sidered to be a problem at the present time. Nine small storm-
water systems were identified in the town. Five of these dislow
-
charge to Idlewild Brook. The remaining four discharge to the
Miles River. As the town continues to develop and grow, however,
stormwater can be expected to require careful consideration.
Presently, catch basin cleaning is done on an annual basis
by the Highway Department. Recommendations to the town include: YES NO
DO YOU AGREE?
outfalls and receiving streams should be inspected on
an annual basis and cleaned or repaired as necessarv.
In site planning for future land development, maximum
use should be made of natural drainage and non-structural
runoff control measures.
My reasons are;
-57-
14IDDLETON - As discussed in the previous chapter, the Ipswich-
Parker River Basin water Quality Management Plan (DWPC 1976) ,
indicates that stormwater runoff from the center of Middleton
could contribute to the coliform bacteria and nutrient levels
in the Ipswich River. Information was only available for two
stormwstar systems as plans have not been maintained by the
town. One collection system drains an area of 13 acres and
discharges to the outlet of Middleton Pond. The other system
drains a 39-acre area and discharges through a 12-inch pipe
to the Ipswich River at Route 62. Middleton itself is not
a very urbanised community, which suggests that runoff from
Middleton Center may not be the source of the coliforms and
nutrients referred to in the Basin Plan. (A more likely
candidate is the Norris Brook drainage area, which drains
an area of 4.8 square miles in Peabody and Lynnfield and which
joins the Ipswich River just as the river turns northward in
southern Middleton. This drainage area will be discussed in
Chapter 4 of the North Coastal Basin report under Peabody.)
Operation and maintenance consisting of annual catch basin
cleaning is done by the Highway Department. Based on the pre-
ceding discussion, the following recommendations are made
to the town: DO YOU AGREE?
Effort should be made by the town to update its data
YES NO
base on the location and characteristics of stormwater
drainage systems located within the town for which plans
�. have not been maintained.
In site planning for future land development, maximum use
should be made of natural drainage and non-structural
runoff control measures.
My reasons are
58-
NORTH READING - The Ipswich and Parker Rivers Basin Water
Quality Management Plan (DWPC 1976) states that urban runoff
from portions of North Reading may contribute to the coliform
bacteria and nutrient pollutant levels in the Ipswich River.
The inventory of stormwater collection systems performed by
CDM identified fifteen systems. Of these systems, seven
discharge to Martins Brook, seven discharge directly to the
Ipswich River, and one discharges to a tributary of Bear
Meadow Brook. As stated in CDM's report to MAPC, street
drainage systems are scattered throughout the town and
usually drain small areas to a nearby watercourse or wetland.
Drainage areas at the systems identified range in size from
7 to 74 acres, with only one system being larger than 43
acres.
The Highway Department currently performs catch basin cleaning
once a year. Recommendations to the town are:
DO YOU AGREE?
Inspections of both catch basins and outfalls should
be undertaken by the Highway Department to determine:
a) the need for more frequent catch basin cleaning; and, YES NO
b) the need for outfall and stream maintenance at the
same time as (a) above.
A study should be undertaken in the Skug River-Martins
Pond drainage area to develop solutions to the flooding
problems which occur in those areas due to inadequate pipe
sizes, topography or both. Any solution investigated should oaf
be multi-purpose in nature, addressing both the flooding
problem and the water quality of the receiving water.
In site planning for future land development, maximum use
should be made of natural drainage, the existing drainage
systems, and non-structural runoff control measures.
My reasons are;
t
_59-
READING - The inventury of stormwater collection systems prepared
by CDN for the 208 program identified eleven systema in the
town of Reading. Four of these systems discharge to a wetland
tributary to the Ipswich River. Three systema discharge directly
to the Aberjona River at its headwaters. The remaining four,
and the largest of the stormwater systems, discharge to the
headwaters of the Saugus River above Lake Quannapowitt in
Wakefield.
The Highway Department is responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the stormwater system. Catch basins are
cleaned at least twice per year. Additionally culverts and
ditches are cleaned as needed to prevent flooding. Recom-
mendations to the town are: YES NO
DO YOU AGREE?
A program of outfall and receiving stream inspection X
and maintenance should be developed and implemented. —
In site planning for future land development, maximum use
should be made of existing drainage systems, natural
drainage patterns, and non-structural runoff control
measures (in areas where no drainage system presently
exists) , X —
My reasons are
Measures to protect public property from potential flooding condition
and to help avoid causing drainage problems due to the combination of in-
creased runoff of upstream basins.
i
TOPSFIELD - plane of the stormwater collection system have
not been maintained by the town. However, CDM was able to
identify eight stormwater systema through verbal communica-
tion with the Highway Superindent. Of these eight systems
three result in discharges to Fish Brook, two to Mile Brook,
two discharge to the Ipswich River, and one discharges to an
unnamed tributary to the Ipswich. Seven of these systems
range from 10 to 37 acres in size, with one system draining
90 acres.
Catch basin cleaning is done twice a year by the town's
Highway Department. Stream and culvert maintenance is
also done at the same time. As stormwater is not considered
to be a problem in Topsfield at this time, recommendations
are limited to the following: DO Y00 AGREE? YES NO
In site planning for future land development, utilization
of natural drainage and non-structural runoff control
measures should be maximized.
My reasons are:
1
J
-63-
Scenic Rivers Designation (See page 6-47 and 6-48 of the basin
report for details)
. Would you favor designation of the Ipswich River as a
"scenic river" by the state?
Yes.
Would your coimsunity favor such a designation?
-
Yes .
�I
-64-
Water Conservation (See pages C-24 and C-25 of the basin
report for information on such a program)
If your community is already sewered, expects to be sewered,
or has any prospects of becoming sewered within the
foreseeable future - particularly if the treated wastewater
is discharged into the ocean - would you and your family
be interested in participating in a local water conservation
program?
Yes.
• Under the same conditions as described above, would a civic
organization or municipal body (board, commission, committee
or department) in your community be interested in instituting
a voluntary water conservation program?
Yes.
• If so, which local organization or body?
Board of Public Works - Reading, Massachusetts 01867
Paul C. Dustin, Chairman
John W. Price, Secretary
Lawrence R. Blood
John H. Russell
Alexander T. Botka
E. Roger Louanis, Superintendent
-61-
WENHAM - Stormwater runoff is not considered to represent a
threat to water quality in wenham, as it is essentially
still unurbanized in character. No plans of the stornrvater
system in town have been maintained. Discussions with the
Highway Superintendent indicated that most drainage is natural
with few piped systems. Two small systems were identified;
a 9-acre and a 7-acre area discharge to the Wenham Swamp.
The Highway Department is responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the stormwater collection system. The depart-
ment flushes plugged lines in the spring. A private con-
tractor is hired to clean catch basins in problem areas
twice a year. Recommendations to the town are:
DO YOU AGREE? YES NO
The town should initiate a program of identifying problem
areas requiring catch basin cleaning and of identifying
the outfall and receiving stream associated with problem
catch basins.
Care should be taken to capture solids flushed from
drain lines during the town's spring flushing program
in order to prevent slug loads from building up and
settling in receiving streams. Receiving streams should
be inspected, solids deposited from past flushing activi-
ties should be cleaned out, and other channel maintenance _
should be performed as necessary.
' in site planning for future land development, maximum
use should be made of natural drainage and non-structural
runoff control measures.
My reasons are:
-62-
WILMINGTON - The Ipswich and Parker Rivers Basin Water Quality
Management Plan (DWPC 1976) suggests that stormwater runoff
might be contributing to the nutrient and coliform bacteria
levels in the Ipswich River. The inventory of stormwater
collection systems done by CDM for the NAPC's 208 program
revealed that the town is not served by a comprehensive
collection system, but rather by a number of small systems
discharging to streams and wetlands. Nine systems were
identified throughout the town. Two systems discharge into
the Shawsheen River. Two discharge to Silver Lake at the
headwaters of Lubber Brook, a major tributary of the Ipswich
River. Three Other systems discharge directly to Lubber
Brook. One system discharges to Maple Meadow Brook, another
tributary to the Ipswich, and the last system discharges to a
tributary of Martins Brook. These drainage system areas
range in size from 4 to 31 acres. As mentioned in the previous
chapter, sampling and monitoring stations have been set up on
Lubber Brook at Concord Street and on the mainstream of the
Ipswich at Woburn Street in Wilmington to determine water
quality conditions under a variety of seasonal conditions.
This information will be made available as part of a final basin
report.
The Highway Department presently performs annual catch basin
cleaning and stream maintenance programs. Recommendations
to the town include the following:
DO YOU AGREE?
In site planning for future land development, maximum YES NO
use should be made of the existing drainage systems,
and the use of natural drainage and non-structural
runoff control measures.
My reasons are:
-65-
Ipswich River Watershed District: The District includes the
communities of Andover, Beverly, Boxford, Burlington,
Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield,
Manchester, Middleton, North Andover, North Reading, Peabody,
Reading, Rowley, Salem, Topefield, Wenham and Wilmington.
(Por details see page 6-29 of the basin report.)
• Without having read the basin report, would you know what
the District is or what it does?
Yes
• Given the significant water resources in the Ipswich River
Basin, but little or no coordination, do you think the
District should and/or could play a stronger role in water
quality and resource management in the Basin?
Yes
Please respond to each of the following parts in answering
the general question just posed.
(a) evaluating competing uses of water and in developin
criteria or guidelines for their allocation? ?es
(b) re-evaluating minimum flows? Yes
(c) monitoring municipal pusping? Yes
(d) monitoring state and local efforts having to do with
protection of critical and fragile environmental areas
(wetlands, floodplains, aquifer recharge areas, and the
banks of rivers, streams or ponds)? Yes
(e) studying the impacts of existing groundwater law on
these water resources and suggesting ways in which
groundwater law can be changed to provide more control
over the private pumping of groundwater supply? Yes
r
i
-66-
(f) allowing more representation from, or liaison with,
interested groups such as local conservation
commissions and the private, non-profit Ipswich
River watershed Association? Yes
• In general, should the District have more authority;
should it be advisory, supervisory, or regulatory?
Advisory
1'1�
IPSWICH RIVER BASIN
All maps listed below are available at the scale of 1 inch equals
3000 feet for reference at the MAPC Water Quality Project Office,
11 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
ENVIRONMENTAL PATTERN: Maps used to develop it are -
Wetlands
General Soils
Soil Limitations for Septic Systems
Topographic Slope
Groundwater Favorability
Flood Hazard Areas
Critical/Fragile Areas (composite of environmental data maps)
Land Development Capabilities
DE FACTO PATTERN: Maps used to develop it are -
Existing Land Ose
Zoning Districts
Zoning Overlay Districts
Public and Quasi-Public Lands
Landscape Analysis
Soil Limitations for Homesites
Suitability for Development (composite of De Facto data maps)
CONFLICTS BETWEEN EXISTING ZONING AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PATTERN
EXISTING SEWER SERVICE AREAS
WATER QUALITY AND TREATMENT FACILITIES
k
I1APC 208 Papers Available for Review previous
distribution
to 6/6/77
(1) Technical !lean. M1 4/18/75 G .�
Describes lister Quality and
Pollution Problems from a
Basin-wide Perspective
(2) Technical Memo. M2 (revised) 9/3/15 G
Describes Water Quality and
Pollution Problems by River
Segments
(3) Water Quality Project - A Summary 10/10/75 G
Background and Proposed
Coverage of the Study
(4) Summary of Municipal Sewerage Needs 11/10/75 0
as perceived in Meeting of
DUPC and 208 staffers
(5) N.R.C.S. Population Projections vs. Costs 10/27/75 0
Estimated Costs of Certain Hypo-
thetical Configurations of Sewerage
and Treatment
(6) Summary of the Implementation Schedules 11120/75 0
for Municipalities under NPDES Permits
(7) Significance of Recreational Vessel Haste 10/29/75 0
In Marblehead Harbor
(8) The 208 Planning Process 11/13/75 G
(9) Glossary of Terms 1/6/76 G
(10) Legal Authority for Guiding Growth (OSP) 11/75 0
Analysis of Existing Mechanism for
Managing Growth to Promote !later
Quality
(11) Town Profiles 1975 0
Demography, Housing. Amenities
Utilities: -
a. Duxbury
b. Hanover
c. Uarshfield
d. Norwell
e. Rockland
f. Scituate
- 2 - previous
MAPC 203 Papers distribution
to 6/6/77
(12) lister Supply 12/31/75 0
1990 Projected !feeds with Comments
�. Re SENE and CDM 1969' Studies
(13) Visual Inspection of River Segments 1975 0
Reports of Observations and Lists
of Photos
Assabet Sudbury
Lower Mystic Lower Charles
Neponset Upper Charles
Aberjons to Upper Middle Charles
Mystic Ileymouth Fore
Upper Ipswich
(14) Potential Land UselCbntrols 1/12/76 0
(15) Analysts of Nater Quality Impact 1/12/76 0
of Landfills
(16) Agricultural Runoff in the North/South 1/12/76 0
Basin ,
(17) Management Alternatives (OSP Draft) 3/76 0
A of Possible Institutional
Formsrms and Activities for Areawlde
liastewater Management
(18) Interim Output I 4/6/76 G
Part 1 - Sewer Service Areas
" 2 - Preliminary Recommendations for Priority
Construction Grant Projects 1976-1981
" 3 - Existing and Projected Population,
Employment and Land Use
4 - Preliminary Masteload Estimations
5 - Recommendations on the basis for
Revision of tiasteload Allocations.
NPDES Permits and Industrial Discharges
to Municipal Systems
" 6 - Preliminary Alternative Implementation
Mechanisms and Institutions
(19) Interim Output i - Summary 6/29/76 A.C.X
Parts 1 thru 6 as above
(20) Interim Output I - Final Draft 10/14/76 A.C,D.T.X
Addendum to Part I
Revision to Part 2
Supplement to Part 3
Partial Revision of Part 4
Revision of Part 5
Supplement to Part 6
f
- 3 - previous
NAPC 200 Papers distribution
to 6/6/77
(21) Preliminary Alternative Implementation 5/10/76 G
Mechanisms and Institutions
Constitutes Part 6 of interim Output I
and is Designed to Supplement OSP
Report of Nov. 1975
(22) A case Study of the North/South River Basins 5/28/76 D
Part 1 Demography and Land Use
I1 De Facto Pattern Projection
IIi Environmental Pattern Projection
IV Structural Solutions
" V Non-Structural Solutions
VI Legal and Institutional Implications
(23) Summary of Case Study of N/S River Basins 6/1/76 A,C,T
(24) Phase 1 Sampling Program 4/76 A,C,T.X
Description and Cost Estimates of Program
to Fulfill Requirements of PCP Tasks 05101
and 05202
(25) Future Land Development A Water*Quality 5/76 0
Basis of Discussions at Basin Meetings:-
a. Weymouth e. Mystic
b. Neponset f. Ho. Coastal
c. Lower Charles g. SuAsCo
d. Upper Charles h. Ipswich
(26) later Quality Classifications 6/28/76 G
P.iPC's Classifications of hater Quality
and Categories of Assimilative Capacity
(27) The E141A Study 6/29/76 0
In-House Memo describing Relationship of
EMMA to 208
(28) Phase
DescriptionSampling
and CostProgram
8/20/76 A,L,T,X
Estimates of Program
to Fulfill Requirements of PCP Tasks 03108.
03203, 04106, 05103, 05107, 05108
(29) Land Use Regulations (Existing) Fall 76 0
North/South Basin Upper Charles Basin
teymouth " teponset "
Ipswich Lower Charles "
No. Coastal " Mystic "
SuAsCo "
(30) Public Participation Program 12/6/76 A,C.T
'40
previous
MAPC 208 Papers 4 - distribution
to 6/6/77
(31) Governmental Assistance for Financing 1/77 0
_ Pollution Control Systems and
208 Management
Discussion Ilays inIlhich Incentive
Programs could he,Combined with
Regulatory Programs for Maximum
Effectivennss
(32) Metcalf I. Eddy Reports re Industrial
Discharges
a. Preliminary Listing of Significant 10!26/76 0
Industrial Discharges 1/28/77
b. Industries in Unsewered Areas
without NPDES Permits
c. Industries with unknown SIC Odes 3%22%77
d. Interim Report
e. Industrial Discharges Survey Cont.
(charts in 5 volumes)
(33) Executive
onS203aAreawideInterim
IndustrialReport
to 3/23/77 E
Discharge
Project
In-Nouse Summary of [1,E Report Above
(34) Camp, Dresser F,, McKee Inventory and Evaluation E,'!'
of Public 11astewater and Stonmwater Facilities /71
a. North/South and lleymouth 3/ /77
�. b. SuAsCo Basin
c. No. Coastal and Ipswich Basins 4/ /77
(35) Primary Sedimentation a Deer Island 2/ /77 0
Discussion of Certain EMM1A Study
Recommendations
(36) 208 Management Elements 3/23/77 A,C,P,T,Y
includes Legal Requirements and
Integration Problems; offers 3
Management Alternatives Encompassing
a Broad Range of Possible Management
Frameworks
(37) Eff`Iatercts oResidential
ofiSmallllvStreamss int nn 77 y
the
North River Area
(38) Environmental Pattern Methodology ' 77 v
Purpose, Rationale, Data Sources;
Defines 'Critical" and "Fragile" Areas;
Identifies 'Development Capabilities" .
Previous
r7
5 _ distribution
IIAPC 208 Papers to 6/6/77
(39) Sources of .later Pollution 5/77 P
Graphic and Verbal Description of
Ten Major Sources var
(40) DeFacto Projection 4/77 0
Methodology and Projection
(41) Impact Assessment 4/77 0
Categories and Methodology
(42) Construction, Agriculture and Sedimentation '77 0
(43) Landfill Sampling Analysis X77 0
(44) Institutional Framework: Changing to 6/77 0
beet Present and Future Mends
A Part of the North/South River Basin
Report
(45) Resource Mapping Systems. Inc. Reports '77 0
Area Measurement of Suitability for
Development and Environmental Pattern
a. Gorth/South Basin
b. Vie vmouth "
c. No. Coastal "
d. Ipswich "
e. Ileponset
f. SuAsCo "
g. Charles
(46) Analysis of the Impact of Septic Systems '77 Town
on the Surface of Groundwater in Acton, IV!
(47) Policy Positions of CAC V
a. 201-208 Relationship 2/15/77
b. Plater Supply 3/15/77
3/15/77
c. Ocean Outfall
(48) North and South Rivers Preliminary 6/77 A,C,D.
E ,G L.
Basin Report P,S,T,
I:, X
(49) Water Quality Profiles (Aug. #3) 8/29/77 D,E,S
(50) Landfill Sampling Analysis (Aug. #4) 8/29/77 D.E,S
(51 ) Treatment Plant Sampling Data (Aug. #5) 8/29/77 D,E,S
(52) 208 Management Elements - Comments 8/31/77 D,E.S
and Revisions 8/28/77 (Aug. #6)
6 -
distribution
(53) Leachate Formation in Solid Waste
Disposal Sites 6/1/77 0
(54) Weymouth Preliminary Basin Report 6/77 A,C,D
E,G,L,
P,S,T
W
Key to Distribution
A. APAC
C CAC
D Executive Director
E EPA
G General
L Local Government
0 No External Distr.
P Public
S DEQE
T Technical Subcommittee
V Various Individuals
W DWPC
X Executive Committee
Z Full Council 40
A