HARDWICK – A revised plan to manage storm water run-off from the Hazen Union School forestry campus, and protect mature white pine trees along the Eaton Brook trail behind the building, was approved at the Hazen Union School Board meeting, June 16.
plan drawing courtesy Hazen Union School
Concerns about the trees, slated to be cut down in the original plan, came to light when the Hardwick Trails Committee learned about the plan in the Spring.
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) “three-acre rule” requires storm water processing when an area’s hardscape exceeds three acres. While the forestry buildings are less than three acres, the hard-packed gravel driveway puts the area into the category requiring appropriate drainage and collection of run-off.
The original plan created a swale between the classroom buildings and sugarhouse to collect driveway run-off, added gutters and an engineered rectangular gravel collection area extending into the area close to the trail where white pine trees would need to be removed.
The revised plan retains the swale and gutters, altering the collection area behind the school to be longer and narrower, allowing more trees to remain.
The project plan indicates, “Contractor to remove trees and stumps as necessary to facilitate [the] project,” while the original plan made no mention of concern for trees.
During an extended period of discussion at its June 16 meeting, minutes report “board member ,
Patrick Kane shared that the subcommittee has met on-site twice since the previous
meeting to explore how to reconfigure the wetland in a way that preserves as many pine
trees as possible.”.
Facilities Manager Joe Houston then shared a revised drawing for the proposed wetland that showed it longer and narrower, remaining close to the building and further from the Eaton Brook Trail. The changes impact fewer of the mature trees behind the forestry facility. .
Helen Beattie with the Hardwick Trails Committee stated that they appreciate the responsiveness and the “chewing away” at a way to minimize the impact to the pines.
Board member Ranny Bledsoe and Houston discussed whether modifications to the permit would be required, with Houston saying state approval will be needed, though it will likely be “as built.”
He noted that he had not spoken yet about the timeline without direction from the board.
Bledsoe said the board wanted to go forward before the next meeting, asking to take action to approve it, contingent upon approval of several others who were not at the meeting.
Houston said parts of the project will not be invasive to the campus site but some of the
work will impact the school driveway. June 22 is the current planned start date.
Kane moved to approve the plan as presented and the motion carried
unanimously.
