Pepperell Conservation Commission Issues Compliance Certificate, Reviews Culvert Priorities

PEPPERELL — March 6, 2018 — Pepperell Conservation Commission reviews aquatic barriers, issues compliance certificate, and takes up returning subdivision proposal. Meeting on March 6, the commission approved minutes, authorized payment of $641.25 to Beaver Solutions for annual beaver-deceiver maintenance and $125 to a member for conference attendance, and unanimously issued a certificate of compliance for 44 North Street (DEP 259-775), where R.H. Wilson's had completed a required detention basin and berm extension. The bulk of the session focused on a culvert-and-dam assessment by state specialist Carrie Banks, who rated Granados Dam near Prescott Street as the top priority among local aquatic barriers with a score of 80 out of 100, while structures at Berkenshaw and Sartell scored only 30; the Brookline Street culvert was identified as a significant barrier but cannot be replaced for approximately four more years due to a five-year pavement moratorium. The commission also reviewed an Environmental Notification Form for a returning proposal to build eight single-family homes off South Road on 31.8 acres, with roughly 59 percent preserved as open space and trail access connecting to about 180 surrounding acres, with comments due to the state by March 27.