Pepperell Conservation Commission Approves Wetland Delineation at 161 National Road

PEPPERELL — April 16, 2019 — Pepperell Conservation Commission unanimously approves wetland delineation, debates forest plan for Pepperell Springs. The commission voted to issue an Order of Resource Area Delineation for 161 National Road after a third-party review by consultant Chuck Caron confirmed modest revisions to the original wetland flags, with survey work completed by Lantec. In the meeting's longest discussion, Liz Newlands, Conservation Restriction Stewardship Coordinator for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, presented on a required forest management plan update for Pepperell Springs, funded by a $3,700 grant to be applied through contracted forester Craig Birch. Commission member Pat Swain argued the property should be managed passively, saying "I would go for leave it alone or take out the pines," and Newlands acknowledged that a passive approach is fully permissible under the conservation restriction. Newlands also disclosed she observed unexpected oak canopy dieback on the property's western slopes during a site visit earlier that day, which the commission asked Birch to assess. The board also discussed potential rule additions covering digging prohibitions on conservation land and drone use, but took no votes on either, agreeing to invite Pepperell Community Media drone operator Dave Pease to a future meeting before acting.