Raynham Conservation Commission Reviews Cell Tower Project Amid Wetland Concerns
Commission schedules special meeting to expedite application while ensuring environmental compliance
RAYNHAM - June 4 - The Raynham Conservation Commission is working to balance the timely approval of a proposed cell tower project with proper environmental protection, scheduling a special meeting after reviewing updated plans at their June 4 meeting.
Representatives from Vertex Towers presented revised plans for a cell tower on North Main Street, addressing concerns raised by the town's engineering consultant about wetland impacts and stormwater management.
The project involves constructing a cell tower with an access road that crosses wetland areas, requiring careful consideration of environmental impacts under both local bylaws and state regulations.
"We're not trying to stall you. We're just trying to get it right so that the interests of Raynham are protected and the wetlands bylaw is protected," Chair David McRae told the applicants.
The commission's discussion centered on a culvert design where the access road crosses wetland areas. The applicant proposed using two 12-inch culverts rather than an open-bottom box culvert that had been recommended by the town's consultant.
Bob Forbes from Zenith Consulting Engineers explained that the proposed culverts would be sufficient to hydraulically connect the wetland areas on either side of the crossing.
"We're proposing a Class 5 pipe that's capable of supporting this classified drive," Forbes said, noting that the design represents "a substantial improvement over existing conditions."
The town's engineering consultant had recommended an open-bottom box culvert to better preserve natural conditions, but Forbes argued this would require more extensive excavation and potentially cause greater environmental disturbance.
"A box culvert is a good solution, but in this case, it's just more impactful to the surrounding world," Forbes said.
Attorney Francis Ferrisi, representing Vertex Towers, expressed concerns about timing, noting federal regulations require towns to approve all permits for cell tower projects within 150 days.
"The more we continue this, the more I'm obligated to go into federal court to push this along," Ferrisi said, adding that the facility would be unmanned after construction, with minimal traffic on the access road.
This comment drew a sharp response from the town's consultant, who characterized it as an attempt to "intimidate the commission" and noted that federal requirements don't override local bylaws or the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act.
Commission members were reluctant to make a decision without a complete review of the newly submitted materials, which had been provided just before the meeting.
"If we close the hearing tonight and there's a snafu with his review, there's a number off or something that you missed... you cannot submit new information. You have to start all over," McRae cautioned the applicants.
To accommodate both the applicants' desire for a timely decision and the commission's need for proper review, McRae proposed holding a special meeting on June 25, rather than waiting until the next regular meeting on July 16.
"I can't remember the last time we held a special meeting for this purpose," McRae said. "We're trying to work with you."
The commission voted unanimously to continue the hearing to the special meeting, with the understanding that the town's consultant would provide comments on the revised plans by the following Monday.
In other business, the commission:
- Approved certificates of compliance for four different parcels associated with Advanced Development projects on South Main Street and King Philip Street.
- Continued a notice of intent for a proposed commercial building at Zero Paramount Drive to the July 16 meeting to allow for stormwater compliance review.
- Continued discussion of a request for determination of applicability for the proposed Raynham Public Safety Facility at 2254 King Phillips Street to July 16, pending a site visit to investigate potential wetland connections.
Commission members expressed concerns about possible underground connections between wetland areas on the public safety facility site after observing water flow patterns during recent rainstorms.
"I am going back to my original statement from day one that these wetlands are connected," McRae said, describing how water appeared to be flowing between wetland areas and then disappearing underground.
The commission and project representatives agreed to schedule a site visit to further investigate these concerns before making a determination on the application.
The Raynham Conservation Commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for July 16, with the special meeting for the cell tower project set for June 25.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of the Raynham Channel.
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