Pepperell Conservation Commission Clears Mill Street Demolition, Delays Two DPW Permits

PEPPERELL — September 9, 2025 — Pepperell Conservation Commission approves a riverfront garage demolition and continues two major DPW infrastructure hearings. The commission voted unanimously at its September 9 meeting to issue a negative determination for Joe Mercado's request to demolish an existing garage and driveway at 45 and 47 Mill Street, finding the work within the buffer zone but not requiring a notice of intent. Two Department of Public Works notices of intent — one for pedestrian safety and accessibility improvements along National Road and Middle Street, one for a new PFAS water treatment facility at 13 and 13B Jersey Street — were continued after DEP had not issued file numbers or comments on either project by the 5 p.m. same-day deadline. The sidewalk project, presented by DPW's Paul Brinkman and TEC civil engineer Matt Perry as qualifying under 310 CMR 10.53(f) as a limited redevelopment project, was pushed to October 7 pending construction-level plans and updated FEMA flood maps effective July 8, 2025. The Jersey Street PFAS plant — carrying state revolving fund financing and MEPA review obligations — was continued to September 23, with October 7 as a fallback, contingent on test pit data and DEP response.