Weymouth Approves Sewer Bypass Across Salt Marsh, Orders Wetland Watch

WEYMOUTH -- August 29, 2023, Weymouth Conservation Commission approves temporary sewer bypass across a salt marsh and grants a three-year order-of-conditions extension on a $7.1 million coastal stabilization project. Acting Chair Al Donovan presided over the August 29 meeting in place of Chair John Reilly, with the commission voting unanimously on all formal actions. The Weymouth Water and Sewer Department received a negative two determination allowing a 10-inch HDPE bypass pipe to be laid across the Next Street salt marsh while a repeatedly failing 12-inch sewer main is replaced, with daily monitoring required; Assistant Superintendent Jeremiah Murphy said work is targeted to begin in October and conclude by year's end. The commission approved a three-year extension for the West Aquidneck shore stabilization project, which is estimated at up to $7.3 million and has secured nearly $4.9 million in FEMA funding through Congressman Stephen Lynch. Commissioners also directed coordinated monthly wetland monitoring at the Hanover Company apartment site at 1325 Washington Street, where a historically wet wetland has appeared dry since April, and continued two separate violation hearings to September 26. In the conservation report, staff noted a $30,000 pilot underwater harvesting program treated approximately 0.7 acres of invasive aquatic vegetation in Whitman's Pond, the first phase of a five-year management plan backed by Mayor Robert Hedlund.