Norton Conservation Commission demands drainage calculations before issuing high school athletic complex compliance certificate

Conservation Commission · Meeting of January 26, 2026

Norton Conservation Commission withholds compliance certificate for high school athletics complex after consultant discloses undisclosed 2022 drainage redesign. Kyle Rowan of Gale Associates, appearing for Norton Public Schools, acknowledged that contractors working on the Athletics Complex Improvements Project — permitted under DEP file 250-1091 — discovered buried drainage infrastructure during 2022 demolition that required adding two new outlet control structures and new pass-through piping never formally approved by the board. Commission Chair Julian Kadish and member Joe Corvallo pressed Rowan on whether combined flows through two 12-inch pipes can handle both pre-existing drainage from north of the site and overflow from the new synthetic turf field during a 100-year storm.

Rowan agreed to submit hydraulic calculations to Conservation Director John Thomas before the February 9 meeting. In other business, the commission closed three public hearings, approved orders of conditions for three projects including a Mansfield Avenue two-building, 72-unit apartment complex, and raised serious doubts about a preliminary proposal to store up to 99 used vehicles at 376 Old Colony Road near wetlands.

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Source: the Conservation Commission meeting of January 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.