Human-made basin at Brandeis University reclassified by Conservation Commission

The Waltham Conservation Commission voted during last Thursday’s meeting to reclassify a human-made basin on Brandeis University’s campus that was previously classified as a wetland. 

The basin is located alongside the university’s Harlan Chapel and was constructed in the 1960s. Commission member Gerry Dufromont conducted a site visit on Aug. 21 and shared with the group that he believed the basin to be more of a pool than anything else.

Brandeis grounds manager Chris Gould and director of capital programs Michael McGerry attended the meeting and showed the commission current photos of the basin and its surrounding location. It is currently filled with invasive plants and sediment. Due to its designation, the university would need to get permission from the Conservation Commission to remove the plants and other material to restore the basin to its original state. 

Commissioner Lisa Limoncello expressed concerns about future maintenance of the basin, but Gould reassured her that the maintenance of the basin would be continual after the initial clearing.

“The hope is that we can maintain it correctly in the future,” said Gould.

Commission member William Doyle noted that while the city’s map calls the location a vegetative bordering wetland, that designation requires a larger wetland to be directly adjacent to the parcel. The basin is bordered by stone walls, which makes the designation virtually impossible. “In this case, it’s a concrete pool with no wetland benefits,” said Doyle.

Commissioner Mike Donovan recounted that the city’s GIS map had needed to be amended in other cases, so redesignating this parcel wouldn’t be unprecedented. All five members voted to remove the wetland designation from the basin so that restoration work can commence.