Pepperell Conservation Commission continues Heald Street wetland crossing hearing to January 21

PEPPERELL — January 7, 2025 — Pepperell Conservation Commission continues Heald Street wetland crossing hearing and raises alarms over proposed 180-unit 40B development. The commission continued to January 21 a public hearing on a revised notice of intent filed by engineer Jack Visniewski of J.A. Visniewski, LLC for a driveway and wetland crossing project at 115 Heald Street, after DEP required the replacement of a 15-inch culvert with two side-by-side open-bottom box culverts and the repositioning of three wetland flags. Members also raised substantial concerns about a proposed 40B housing development on Layton Street, citing PFAS levels of five to 8,000 parts per trillion near the site, proximity to municipal wellheads, and stormwater drainage into Reedy Meadow Brook — a project that previously failed a 40R town meeting vote by roughly 300 to 90. The commission unanimously declined to exercise the town's right of first refusal on a $275,000 agricultural parcel at 96-104 Mount Lebanon Street, and ratified a certificate of compliance for 56 Blood Street. Conservation Administrator Paula reported she has requested $50,000 from the Community Preservation Committee for the town's conservation land fund.