Pepperell Planning Board orders traffic study before ruling on Dunkin' Donuts permit

PEPPERELL — January 9, 2017 — Pepperell Planning Board continues Dunkin' Donuts hearing, orders traffic study over police-station access concerns. The board voted unanimously Monday to continue the public hearing on a proposed new Dunkin' Donuts franchise at 61–63 Main Street to January 23, directing applicant Catalano Companies to commission a traffic circulation study before that date. Engineer Brandon Duchamp reported the project has cleared all other hurdles — the Conservation Commission issued an Order of Conditions, additional soil testing confirmed adequate groundwater separation, and a drainage upgrade was agreed to for a Main Street catch basin near Donnellan's — leaving only the site's western entrance configuration in dispute. DPW Director Ken and the Police Chief have both submitted written comments opposing the two-way ingress-and-egress layout as shown on the plans, citing potential interference with emergency vehicle access from the adjacent police station. Board members said the consultant must meet with both officials before the January 23 meeting, and indicated that if those town professionals remain opposed after reviewing the study, the board will require a one-way configuration. The board separately tabled a vote to endorse the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan, with members saying they had not reviewed the document and wanted clarification from its author on how it relates to a recreational study recently funded at Town Meeting.