Aquarion’s New Substation in Greenwich is in the Works: Dozens of Trees to Be Removed

The RTM voted to approve an easement for the water company, Aquarion, to put in a new pump station behind Julian Curtiss School. Specifically the substation will be alongside Anderson Road, near the intersection of Mallard. The plan is for the water company to build 20′ x 50′ underground concrete structure.

In April, the Board of Selectmen voted in favor of Municipal Improvement status for the easement on town property.

Trees will be removed in the process, but the company has agreed to replace them. The company is also paying the Town $310,000 for the permanent easement on town property. They will also restore any paving and sidewalks.

At their March meeting, the Board of Education voted 7-0 with one abstention to approve the request for the easement.

Inside existing pump station. Photo: Aquarion

The proposed station is 60 ft from the grade school’s playground, and would be constructed of concrete in a below grade structure, which should help muffle noise. The work that would affect the sidewalk would only be performed when the school is not in session. The noise level of the proposed pumping station would be similar to the existing pumping station, which is also below grade.

Because trees will need to be removed from the property, the Town’s Tree Warden Bruce Spaman has been consulted. Mr. Spaman did not find any special specimens that needed to be saved, but indicated the trees, including invasive Norway Maples, would need to be replaced on site or at another location in town. The town’s policy is to replace trees on a one-for-one basis, though the replacement trees might be located on another school property or in the Julian Curtiss neighborhood.

There is also an area to the east of the replacement station where Aquarion has offered to plant new evergreens to screen adjacent residential properties on Mallard Drive. The Tree Warden will also work with Aquarion on recommending plant types, height and spacing.

According to Aquarion, the existing station would need to remain in service while the replacement pump station is built, as it is the only facility that can transfer water from east to west in the Greenwich system.