The Site - School & Fields

LARGE, YES...BUT COMPLICATED

The Lynch School site is both the largest (almost 18 acres) and most restricted the EFPBC has ever worked with, as much of it is wooded or subject to flooding and of course there's an existing building to be abated and demolished, as well. The site lacks adequate parking, has two separate unconnected vehicular access points with neighborhoods on each side, and has wetlands on site. Horn Pond Brook, which connects to the Aberjona River, abuts the property.  The site also includes a large play field shared with the Town Recreation Department.  Significant portions of the Lynch Elementary School site, which includes soccer and baseball fields, lies in the floodway and/or 100-year flood plain. 

REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS & LIMITATIONS

The developable areas of the site are defined by wetland and river setbacks, wellhead zones I & II protection areas and FEMA 100 & 500-year floodplain.  Most of the athletic fields lie in the FEMA 100-year floodplain of the Horn Pond Brook that flows north to south along the east side of the site.  A 200-foot riverfront area of Horn Pond Brook overlaps the east end of the existing building  Any work in the riverfront area is subject to Town of Winchester Conversation Commission approval and must comply with DEP regulations.  The architect/engineer has engaged with the Conservation Commission June through September in these early phases, including the submission of a preliminary Riverfront Analysis.  Most of the site is within the wellhead protection Zone II and the Zone I circle overlays most of the central developable area of the site.

What about the wellhead protection zone?  In 1937 a driven well field was constructed in the Horn Pond Brook Valley (see Water Department land in site plan, above).  This well field was used for years to supplement Winchester's supply from the reservoir (long before MWRA partnership).  In 1952 the well field was designated as a reserve source only and in 1957 during a drought, the wells were pumped dry.  The pump house was burned by vandals shortly thereafter and the wellfield has been abandoned ever since.  The pumphouse foundations can still be found in the woods today.  This fairly large parcel of land was identified early on as key in facilitating the New Lynch.  Although already "Town" land, the MSBA requires all land used for a school project to be under the control of the School Committee, so a land transfer would be required.