Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Nashoba River Hydro Repair Without Notice of Intent

PEPPERELL — June 4, 2024 — Pepperell Conservation Commission unanimously approved a concrete repair project at the town's hydroelectric facility on the Nashoba River and began planning a native plant restoration at the community center rotary pond. The commission voted to issue a negative determination of applicability for the Pepperell Hydro Company LLC at 128 Main Street, citing exemptions under 310 CMR 10.02(2)(a)(2) and 10.02(2)(a)(6), allowing the company to proceed with forebay wall repairs without filing a Notice of Intent. Ryan Miller, licensing compliance manager for the company, said cofferdam installation would begin in mid-June and all work would be completed by late October. Commissioners conditioned approval on contractor briefings covering state-listed species — including turtles and eels — after members cited rare species in the Nashoba River corridor. Separately, the commission learned that members have received layoff notices effective June 28 tied to a $1.5 million budget shortfall, with rescission contingent on a ballot override vote set for June 24. Deb Fountain of the town's invasive plant committee presented a tiered native planting concept for the rotary pond bank and offered to deliver cost estimates from New England Wetland Plants within days.