Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Emergency Water Main Certification for Willard School

PEPPERELL -- June 18, 2026, Pepperell Conservation Commission approves emergency water main certification to address drinking water quality at Willard School. The commission voted unanimously at its June 18 meeting to authorize an emergency certification for 150 linear feet of 8-inch water main at the rear of the Willard School, allowing work to begin the day after the last day of school to address chronically low chlorine residuals in a dead-end section of the distribution system. Director of Public Works Mark Ryan called the installation "imperative" and said staff have been flushing the main multiple times a week from May through October as a temporary fix. A full notice of intent covering the remaining roughly 550 linear feet of the 700-foot looped connection to the Highland Cemetery must be filed by July 8. The commission also issued an order of conditions for a saltwater in-ground pool at 565-564 Nickel Street, amended an order of conditions for electrical and fire water infrastructure work on the Moderna Therapeutics campus, and elected Katherine as chair, Kinsey Mustafa Woodberg as vice chair, and Mark Mendigo as treasurer following the resignation of the previous chair. A notice of violation hearing for 69 Boston Providence Highway, involving a compromised stormwater berm and bare soil along Purgatory Brook, was continued to July 8 pending an enforcement order.