Pepperell Planning Board eyes Lomar Park cold storage for proposed regional food hub

PEPPERELL -- May 20, 2024, Pepperell Planning Board advances food hub cold storage plan and defers subdivision rules overhaul. The board heard a phase two update from consultant Holly Fowler and Agricultural Commission member Cheryl Rosa on a proposed food hub partnership with Local Food Works, a Central Mass Grown initiative that sources from 180 farms and feeds 190,000 people, identifying 2,400 square feet of available cold storage at Lomar Park as a likely anchor site. Fresh Start Farms told researchers it could double weekly produce purchases to between $5,000 and $10,000 with a Pepperell storage intermediary in place. Town Planner Jason Lutzka, one month into the role, reported a $517,000 state One Stop grant application for the Fitzpatrick Collaborative building is due June 5, with $50,000 in town matching funds designated for facade work. The board directed Lutzka and Conservation Commission member Paula Taurasi to draft a formal letter to the developer of Scotch Pond Farm Way after new pavement was installed without approvals and stormwater continued to drain onto an adjacent lot near wetlands. On a 4-0 roll-call vote, members continued the public hearing on revised subdivision rules and regulations to July 15, choosing to prioritize the draft accessory dwelling unit bylaw, now in a sixth revision, which the board plans to review line by line at its June 3 meeting.