Conservation Commission Unanimously Approves River Street Sidewalk Permits and Waivers

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- April 15, 2025, West Bridgewater Conservation Commission clears final regulatory hurdle for a half-mile River Street sidewalk extension. The commission voted unanimously April 15 to approve the notice of intent, a standard Order of Conditions, and four separate waivers, including approvals to work within the 50-foot buffer zone, the riverfront area, and the floodplain, for Phase 3 of a multi-year sidewalk project running from Howard Street to South Elm Street at a total project cost of roughly $500,000. Environmental consultant Chris Lucas of Lucas Environmental told the commission the project results in a net cut of approximately 14 cubic yards in the floodplain and just under 15,000 square feet of riverfront impact, but meets limited project standards and will have "no adverse effect." A $260,000 MassDOT Complete Streets grant funding the work must be spent by December 2025, with construction targeted for mid-to-late summer.