Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Maple Leaf Village Expansion to 110 Units

PEPPERELL -- May 20, 2025, Pepperell Conservation Commission unanimously approved an order of conditions for a 26-unit expansion of the Maple Leaf Village 55-plus retirement community at 6 Mason Street. The board, meeting May 20, also cleared four certificates of compliance for Scotch Pine Farm parcels and Elm Street utility work, and issued a negative determination for an accessory dwelling project at 49 Shirley Street. Engineer Jim Basile of Goldsmith, Preston & Ringwall told the commission the Planning Board had approved the Maple Leaf Village project the same day and that changes since the commission's prior review were limited to erosion controls around stormwater infiltration basins and notes prohibiting stockpile and snow storage in wetland resource areas, both in response to state DEP comments. Conservation Agent Paula briefed the board on the passage of a new FEMA-required floodplain bylaw at Town Meeting, with updated flood maps for Middlesex County taking effect July 8, 2025, a deadline that, if missed, would have ended Pepperell's eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program. The commission also confirmed that the Community Preservation Committee approved $50,000 for the Conservation Commission's trust fund at the same Town Meeting.