Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Two Wetlands Permits at October Meeting

PEPPERELL — October 19, 2021 — Pepperell Conservation Commission approves two wetlands permits and hears Community Preservation Act pitch ahead of November 6 town meeting. The commission voted unanimously at its October 19 meeting to issue Orders of Conditions for a septic replacement at 18 Cranberry Street, submitted by engineer Jack Visniewski on behalf of Harbor Classic Homes, and for completion of a long-stalled single-family house at 181A South Road, where applicant Kendra Spoth must now comply with a Natural Heritage-approved turtle protection plan prepared by Butter Consulting. Select Board member Mark Matthews presented a detailed case for adopting the Community Preservation Act, projecting roughly $283,000 per year in combined local and state funds at a 32.3 percent state match rate, with an average annual cost of $53.76 to the owner of a $400,000 home. Conservation Agent Paula noted the commission currently holds about $50,000, a figure she called inadequate given that recent land acquisitions like Pepper Springs required roughly $500,000 in town matching funds. The CPA warrant article goes before fall town meeting November 6, with a town-wide election vote to follow in spring 2022 if it passes.