Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Culvert Replacement at 32 Elm Street Driveway

PEPPERELL — November 17, 2020 — Pepperell Conservation Commission votes unanimously to replace a failed culvert threatening sole access road for Elm Street residents. The commission approved a notice of intent filed by property owner Sean Wannamaker to replace a crushed and debris-filled 12-inch culvert beneath a common driveway at 32 Elm Street serving roughly seven or eight households, upgrading it to a 15-inch pipe with rebuilt headwalls and riprap erosion protection. Civil engineer Jack Visnuski, representing Wannamaker, told the board the culvert failure had already caused the driveway surface to cave in and posed an access emergency ahead of winter. A DEP review letter citing roughly 12 stream-crossing-standard items under 310 CMR 10.54(8) arrived at 5 p.m. the same evening; commissioners authorized Conservation Agent Paula to work through the checklist with Visnuski and address items in the order of conditions without delaying the approval. The commission also heard Eagle Scout candidate Christopher March's plans to refurbish the Parker Keys kiosk with a professionally printed dibond panel and install three log benches at Marion Stoddard conservation area, directing March to coordinate final details with the conservation agent. The commission's next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2020.