Pepperell Commission Continues Brookline Road Wetlands Case, Eyes June 24 Decision

PEPPERELL -- May 27, 2026, Pepperell Conservation Commission continues contested Brookline Road wetlands permit to June 24 and advances Reed Homestead restoration talks. The commission unanimously voted to continue the Notice of Intent for zero Brookline Road, Map 34, Lot 14, Lot 1, after abutters at 201 Brookline Street submitted a letter citing DEP technical comments identifying potentially unpermitted work including cabin construction, access road clearing, and vegetation removal within the 100-foot riverfront area between 2019 and 2021. Consulting engineer Frank committed to respond to the abutters' seven-point question list by June 5 to allow DEP circuit rider review before the June 24 hearing. Separately, a three-nonprofit partnership among the Townsend Historic Society, Quantico Greenways, and the Indigenous Landscape Initiative presented a long-term invasive-species removal and native planting plan for the rail corridor and Reed Homestead as partial mitigation for previously unpermitted tree cutting at 72 Main Street, with a formal Notice of Intent filing targeted for the same June 24 hearing. The commission also voted 4-0 to recommend appointment of Brian Pinkerton to a commission seat with a term ending June 30, 2028.