Pepperell Planning Board Continues Heritage Estates Sidewalk Decision, Awaits Town Counsel

PEPPERELL — February 21, 2023 — Pepperell Planning Board defers Heritage Estates sidewalk removal and hears first food hub market analysis in same session. Meeting with only three of five members present on February 21, Chair Al Patna continued a minor modification request from Heritage Estates applicants Ken Talley, Hugh McGovern, and George McGovern Jr. to remove required sidewalks from a 30-lot subdivision plan originally approved in 1999, citing unresolved questions for town counsel about whether the modification is legally permissible given that lots have already been released and whether bond funds can be redirected to a town sidewalk repair account. Four homeowners spoke unanimously in opposition to installation, with resident Catherine Macklin-Ribera stating, "There hasn't been anyone that has said, I want the sidewalk." Separately, Holly Fowler of Northbound Ventures Consulting presented phase-one findings from a 78-page market study showing 16 of 28 surveyed farms are potentially ready to participate in a regional food hub, with three other food hubs — including Boston Area Gleaners and Three Rivers Farmers Alliance — already expressing willingness to buy Pepperell-area product. Fowler pegged shared kitchen rental demand at roughly $19 per hour against a national average of $25 to $35, and noted that food hubs nationally typically do not reach break-even until after five years and one million dollars in annual sales. Both the sidewalk matter and food hub next steps were continued to March 6.