Medford Conservation Commission Approves MBTA Commuter Rail Vegetation Plan Unanimously

MEDFORD -- September 3, 2025, Medford Conservation Commission unanimously approved a five-year MBTA vegetation management plan and continued a South Street planting dispute to September 17. The commission voted 5-0 Wednesday to issue a positive 2a determination confirming wetland resource area boundaries along the commuter rail right-of-way and a negative 2 determination finding that herbicide and mechanical vegetation control work will not harm protected areas, adding limiting language specifying the boundary confirmation "is only valid for the sole purpose of the vegetation management plan as approved by MDAR" and cannot be cited in unrelated permitting actions. Matt Donovan of Benesh, presenting for Keolis, described a spray-truck program restricted from wetland buffer zones by a color-coded map system and monitored by an on-board environmental technician. Separately, the commission found itself without confirmed minutes from an earlier session at which property owner Greg Maynard says he received approval to plant five swamp mallows, seven shrubs, two flowering dogwoods, one eastern redbud, and three red maples at 54 South Street; staff agent Dennis agreed to conduct a site walk with Maynard the following morning and compile photographic documentation before the September 17 meeting.