The Revere Conservation Commission (ConsComm) held its regular monthly meeting last Tuesday evening, July 7, in the City Council Chambers. Chair Nicholas Rudolph, Joseph LaValle, Brian Averbach, Bernardo Sepulveda, Thomas Carleton, Wilson Correa, and Anthony Parziale were on hand for the session.
The first matter was a request for approval of a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the partial removal of the dam at the historic Slade’s Mill on Mill Creek (which dates back to 1721). Mill Creek runs parallel with the Revere Beach Parkway along the Chelsea-Revere border.
Megan Kearns, a Professional Wetlands Scientist with Weston and Sampson, presented the application on behalf of the petitioner, the City of Chelsea. Kearns told the commissioners that Mill Creek is a highly-altered tidal system that has been impacted by historic filling, shoreline modification, and industrial development over the past 250 years.
A restoration assessment that was conducted in 2019 highlighted opportunities to restore habitat, improve tidal function, increase resilience, and enhance public access.
Chelsea officials have developed a plan to implement these measures. The plan calls for partial removal of the Slade’s Mill Dam (an historic earthen berm that was part of the tidewater-powered spice mill), removal and treatment of invasive species, removal of trash and debris, stabilization of the bank, and the establishment of waterfront access.
Kearns said the berm creates a narrow channel between the dam and the mill building that results in high flow velocities, erosion and scour, and navigation concerns. She noted that the berm creates little ecological value and exhibits ongoing deterioration, including exposed rebar and remnant timber.
The centerline of Mill Creek forms the border between Chelsea and Revere and thus the ConsComms of both communities will be involved in the process. Most of the work of the dam removal will be conducted on the Revere side of the creek.
In addition to the Chelsea and Revere conservation commissions, the Massachusetts., Chelsea, and Revere historical commissions also have been involved in the project.
Kearns added that no work will be done between February 15 and June 30 for the protection of rainbow smelt and American eel. Kearns told the commission that MEPA has reviewed the project and partial funding for the project has been approved.
After asking a few questions, the commissioners unanimously approved the NOI and issued an accompanying Order of Conditions (OOC).
Next up was a Request for a Determination of Applicability (RDA) from Hancock Associates pertaining to a patch of land on Salem St. near Overlook Ridge that is adjacent to Route 1 where the state, which owns the right-of-way, may be considering changes to the roadway and an off-ramp.
David Cowell, a Senior Wetlands Scientist with Hancock Associates, told the commissioners that the land consists of a depression that contains some phragmites. The issue is whether the land is within vegetated wetlands. Cowell said the land does not meet the criteria for a vegetated wetland because it does not contain either wetland plant species or hydric soils. In addition, he said the land is considered to be “isolated.”
The commission voted unanimously for a Negative Determination of Applicability, which means that the project will not fall within the purview of the ConsComm.
The next matter was an application from Oscar Botero and Marta Brand for construction of an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) consisting of 856 sq. ft. at 28 Shawmut St.
Shawmut St. is located just north of Wonderland Station and west of No. Shore Rd. The property abuts wetlands, The ADU will be built on pilings 14 feet above ground with parking for two cars underneath. Rudolph pointed out a number of present deficiencies in the project that will require permits from the city, as well as drainage and filtration issues.
The ConsComm was unable to take a vote on the matter because the state DEP had not assigned a file number as of the date of the hearing. The owners will have to return next month in order to obtain their OOC, by which time they presumably will be able to provide answers to the commissioners’ concerns.