Northampton_MaintenanceLetter_6-4-21.pdf
40 Sylvan Road, Waltham, MA 02451
T: 781-907-4868Michael.Tyrrell@nationalgrid.comwww.nationalgrid.com
Submitted via Email
June 4, 2021
Mr. Kevin Lake, Chair
Town of Northampton Conservation Commission
210 Main Street, Room 11
Northampton, MA 01060
RE: Notification of Utility Maintenance Activities
Tree Removal - Sub T- 5 Line Right of Way (ROW) off Route 5
Massachusetts Electric Company
Dear Mr. Lake and Members of the Northampton Conservation Commission:
The Massachusetts Electric Company (MEC) is submitting this written notification to notify the Commission
of utility maintenance work required to ensure continued safe and reliable operation of electric service. During
a recent inspection of the 5-Line that runs adjacent to Route 5, two leaning Cottonwood trees were observed
dangerously close to the line in the area of Pole 3.5 (see below locus map and photos). Recently, this line was
subject to an outage when a tree in this same area fell and contacted the line.
The proposed tree removal work is necessary to prevent further outages. The Project is considered normal
maintenance of an existing facility used in the service of providing electricity to the public. No change in use
or increase in size will occur. Therefore, MEC will perform this work as exempt maintenance in accordance
with the provision of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (MGL 131-40)1 and Northampton Wetland
Ordinance.
1 MGL 131-40 allows for “maintaining, repairing, or replacing, but not substantially changing or
enlarging” existing transmission line structures or facilities without filing a Notice of Intent.
Michael Tyrrell
Lead Environmental Scientist
National Grid
Northampton Conservation Commission
June 2021
Page 2 of 2
MEC is sending this letter to provide notification of maintenance activities and to express our commitment to
protecting wetland resource areas. The sections below provide information regarding the activities and
resource area mitigation measures.
Maintenance Activities within Jurisdictional Areas
Based on a review of the area, the subject trees are located within the Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW)
associated with the Connecticut River Oxbow. The area is also mapped by NHESP as Designated Priority and
Estimated Habitat. Routine operation and maintenance activities are exempt from review pursuant to the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act Regulations (MESA) (321 CMR 10.00). MEC has an approved
Operations and Maintenance Plan with the NHESP and the proposed maintenance work is compliant with the
plan.
Specifically, access to the area will be by foot only and the tree removal will occur using a climbing crew. No
mechanized equipment will be used within wetland resources to complete the work. The work is anticipated
to take 3 days to complete and is schedule to occur within the next couple of weeks.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me at 603-801-
4140. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
MEC,
Michael Tyrrell
Lead Environmental Scientist
Cc: Lance Wade, National Grid Forestry Manager