Wyman Farms stormwater runoff concerns neighbors, prompts site plan change

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By Laura Hayes, Senior Community Writer

The Wyman Farms development is located at 935 Main Street. Wyman Farms stormwater runoff concerns neighbors, prompting site plan change.
The Wyman Farms development is located at 935 Main Street.

SHREWSBURY — Modified site plans to improve stormwater runoff infrastructure at the Wyman Farms development in Shrewsbury went before the Planning Board July 1 as neighbors also raised concerns. 

Wyman Farms is a 55+ community consisting of 26 units on 935 Main Street. James Tetreault of Azimuth Land Design said that, so far, seven of the units have been completed.

“We’re not making any other changes to any other aspect of these site plans, except for the drainage pick up behind number 27,” Tetreault said.

He explained that, during some of this spring’s rainstorms, water was coming down an easement behind one of the development’s units with “such velocity that it was jumping over the stone surface bowl that had been created to pick up that runoff.”

Storms producing more than one inch of rain were causing issues, Tetreault said.

The new modification aims to improve the pick-up of the water and decrease the water’s speed as it flows. 

According to Tetreault, developers plan to accomplish this by installing a manhole in the drain line in the easement, which will drop the water just under four-and-a-half feet before discharging it into a new headwall. Water will then flow to a stormwater structure under the stone surface bowl.

Tetreault said developers plan to do additional grading around the bowl to make sure stormwater flows into a nearby inlet if it overflows in the bowl. 

Town Engineer Andy Truman noted that a town drain picks up water from neighbors upstream.

The Wyman Farms development is located at 935 Main Street. Wyman Farms stormwater runoff concerns neighbors, prompting site plan change.
The Wyman Farms development is located at 935 Main Street.

“We have no issues with lowering,” he said. “I think, long term, it will help stabilize that slope from eroding.”

Adam Costa, who is an attorney for Wyman’s neighbors, said his clients, the Razzanos, were concerned about the slope Truman mentioned. He asked if the town would be collecting a form of a surety bond to ensure that the work is done. 

“If the slope fails, Wyman Farms may feel some of the impact, but the Razzanos feel the greatest impact because it’s their backyard that will collapse down the hill,” Costa said.

Town Planner Bernard Cahill said there’s a tri-party agreement involving Wyman that would cover any damage. 

Truman said he would inspect the work himself, though Tetreault said the developers wouldn’t object if the project was inspected by a third-party geotechnical engineer. 

“We’re concerned about the water,” area resident Mark Radcliffe added. 

He said he had recently observed more veins appearing off Hop Brook, which runs through the site. 

“The wetlands are getting wetter,” he said.

“It’s ruining my property,” Radcliffe continued. “I can’t really strain water back out to the wetlands from my land anymore because so much is coming to me.” 

The Planning Board may vote on the modified site plans on Thursday, Aug. 5.

Photos/Laura Hayes

 

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