Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Prescott Street Home, Septic Upgrade in Wetland Buffer

PEPPERELL -- May 14, 2024, Pepperell Conservation Commission clears two wetland-buffer projects and a long-stalled compliance certificate at its May 14 meeting. The commission voted unanimously to issue an order of conditions for applicant Lindy Casanelli's proposed single-family dwelling at 11 Prescott Street, approving a revised plan that narrows the driveway to 12 feet and adds a five-foot snow storage easement along the westerly property line after consultation with the fire chief. A brief dispute arose over whether routine mowing of an on-site farm swale, a tributary to an Outstanding Resource Water, requires a state 401 water quality certificate, with engineer Bruce Ringwall arguing maintenance does not constitute wetland alteration and the commission agreeing to leave the question to the Department of Environmental Protection. The board also issued a negative determination allowing Donald Ispolitry to replace a failed 1977 septic system at 85 Mount Lebanon Street with a Presby alternative system in raised fill, and issued a certificate of compliance for a house at 73B River Road that sat largely unfinished for roughly 15 years. Staff closed the meeting with a warning that the town faces a budget shortfall and that the Select Board was set to discuss potential position cuts the following evening.