Pepperell Conservation Commission Accepts Sampas Property Deed, Faces Floodplain Bylaw Deadline

PEPPERELL -- January 21, 2025, Pepperell Conservation Commission accepts land deed and faces urgent federal floodplain deadline. The four-member commission voted unanimously at its January 21 meeting to accept the deed to the former Sampas property, which had been executed in late December but required a formal commission vote to finalize. Commission Administrator Paula told members the town received a letter of final determination roughly one week ago confirming that updated FEMA floodplain maps are now official, triggering an obligation to adopt both the maps and a revised floodplain bylaw at the May 5 annual town meeting or risk residents losing eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program. The state has provided a model bylaw pre-approved by FEMA and the attorney general's office and is actively assisting Pepperell along with roughly 20 other Nashua watershed communities facing the same deadline. The commission also received its annual $100 donation from trail stewards Carl and Lisa Hebert.