Included in the city's 2023 budget was $1 million to reconstruct the rubberized quarter-mile running track at Taconic High School and reorganize field features to better serve the athletes.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission signed off on the replacement of two footbridges in the Pittsfield State Forest and Taconic High School's track reconstruction.

The high school's track has been cited for its drainage issues and called an "accident waiting to happen" by community members. Conditions have also caused many cancellations.

Included in the city's 2023 budget was $1 million for the project, which includes reconstruction of the rubberized quarter-mile running track and reorganized field features to better serve the athletes.

The project area is the existing track and field on the north side of the campus abutting Lakeway Drive.

Included in the plans is an erosion control barrier, which was emphasized as being an important component when the commission issued a negative request for determination of applicability for the work.

The item has been continued from a previous meeting for needed adjustments to the wetland boundary.

"The wetlands are really close to the work area but the wetlands are also up-gradient of the work area so when they build this track back in the day, they cut into the slope, the slope weeps water, so they cut into the groundwater table and so the wetlands are on a slope," Conservation Agent Robert Van Der Kar explained.

"Provided that they have really good erosion controls, they shouldn't have to worry about working into the wetlands because they're up-gradient along the slope so as long as we have good erosion controls I'm not worried about the project area being in the wetlands."

Hay bales and a silt fence are recommended for erosion controls.

It was also emphasized that the project will have to address the drainage issue.

The commission issued a negative request for determination of applicability regarding the Wetlands Protection Act for the replacement of two existing trail bridges on Lulu Brook and Parker Brook with longer simple timber structures. Lulu Brook will have the same sized bridge and Parker Brook will have a more narrow bridge with a restored bank.

The work is being conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation.

"What I like about this project is it moves the existing footbridges back from the inland banks and it removes some of the cribbing that is there currently," Van Der Kar said.

"In certain instances, it's just great beams and in one instance it is just a great beam on existing ledge so there are really not a lot of structural components to one of the footbridges so really not a lot of work."

In other news, the commission also issued a negative RDA for minor grading, repaving, and construction of a new retaining way at 500 Hubbard Ave., which is now owned by Casella Waste Management.

Casella purchased the waste transfer facility on Hubbard Avenue from Community Eco Power LLC, which filed for bankruptcy in 2021 and has demolished it for redevelopment.

A strip of the more than 5-acre site is located within the outer portion of the riverfront area associated with the Housatonic River.

All of the work is proposed to be done in a previously disturbed area, which is about 16,600 square feet. 

"The main buildings on site, excluding the scale house and employee trailer will be demolished. Included in the demolition are components of the steam transfer operation that fed live steam to Crane's Mill, with the steam pipes crossing the Housatonic River capped outside the river limits. The main incinerator building will be replaced with a smaller transfer building, and other site improvements will be made. Notably the stormwater components on the site will be improved to meet the requirements of the City's Stormwater Ordinance and the state Stormwater Standards. The proposed demolition and improvements are shown on the accompanying plans," the application reads.

"Only limited demolition and construction will take place within the Riverfront Area. Most activity will occur within the limits of existing pavement and outside of the Riverfront Area. Erosion controls and other protective measures, including a natural berm that exists between the paved area and River, will be in place to prevent any siltation of the Riverfront Area, the Housatonic River buffer zone, and all stormwater structures. Activity will be regulated through the Pittsfield Demolition Permit process. Currently, Casella maintains an industrial Stormwater General Permit and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) through the EPA's NPDES Program."

Because the plant was built before many current wetland regulations and has changed ownership, Commissioner Jonathan Lothrop said that he wants to make sure runoff will not affect the river.

The applicant's representative explained that anything falling onto the pavement will be treated through oil water separators or oil gas separators and then through deep sub-catch basins to the oil water separators which then will flow to the on-site detention basin.

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