Pepperell Planning Board continues Mill Street assisted living hearing to October amid unresolved concerns

PEPPERELL — August 26, 2019 — Pepperell Planning Board continued a public hearing on a proposed 62-unit assisted living facility at 42 to 46 Mill Street to October 7 after agency reviews and public opposition revealed sweeping deficiencies in the application. Engineer Steve Morrison of Morrison Engineering and architect Will Palermo of Mogul Architects presented plans for River's Edge Senior Living, a three-phase project proposed by applicants Michelle and Doug Wright on the former Newell farmstead at the corner of Mill Street and Nashua Road. Written comments from the Conservation Commission, Fire Chief Brian Borneman, DPW Director Ken Kalinowski, and planning consultant Lisa Davis collectively identified more than 40 outstanding items — including inadequate stormwater treatment near the Nissitissit River, insufficient rear fire apparatus access, missing pedestrian accommodations, and an undone traffic study. More than a dozen neighbors spoke in opposition, with concerns centered on traffic danger at the Mill and Nashua Road intersection, noise from delivery vehicles, light spillover, property values, and ecological impacts along the river. Morrison committed to providing revised plans before the Conservation Commission's September 17 continuation hearing. The board also voted unanimously to extend Special Permit SP 2008-01 for 17 to 19 Tucker Street, endorse an ANR plan for 12 to 24 Bancroft Street, and recommend Joyce Morrow for appointment as the board's associate member.