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.