Saugus conservation board OKs I-95 roadbed plan

SAUGUS – The Saugus Conservation Commission unanimously approved an order of conditions with 58 requirements for the Department of Conservation and Recreation?s I-95 roadbed project Wednesday night.Some of the conditions include written progress reports every two weeks, a maximum of 3:1 slope on all embankments and planting of 6-to-8-foot tall trees along the embankment.The order also includes 18 “special conditions,” including the removal of a maximum of 236,000 cubic yards of sand, verification of the amount of sand removed after the project, planting and construction of a foot bridge and walking path, money from the DCR for an engineer to provide routine inspections, a dust and road control plan and a two-year guarantee on all plantings.Commission Chairman Albert Trifone acknowledged a “great deal of input and opposition” from residents.?It?s very disheartening that there are so many residents who believe this commission has not put forth its best effort ?.” he said. “In the past eight months the commission has worked many hours ? as chairman I believe this project is an improvement to the existing conditions of the roadbed that has filled in a thriving wetland area.The conditions also state that the proposed salt marsh restoration project, which was said to be planned for after the sand extraction project, would be funded by a federal grant and money from the Winthrop Beach project.The original plan called for 350,000 cubic yards of sand to be removed to restore Winthrop Beach.Trifone also said wildlife will “not be chased out of the area” and the project has “all positive impacts on the salt marsh area.”Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian has been leading the opposition to the project, and after Wednesday?s meeting he said the commission “did not avail” itself to the best experts.?It was suggested by town attorneys that they get expertise and I don?t think they liked being told that ?” said Manoogian.Resident Bill O?Malley said he was disappointed with the outcome because the DCR will be removing “a buffer” from Route 107 and Wheelabrator.?It was so good to have that there and I?m just worried that once they start ? these contractors are going to come in and do what they want ?” he said. “Every time we came here before the commission I always got the feeling we were the enemy and the DCR was going to do what they wanted. When we came up with suggestions they looked at us like, ?What the heck do you know??”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].