Pepperell Planning Board strips redundant subdivision rules, schedules April 6 work session

PEPPERELL -- March 16, 2024, Pepperell Planning Board trims subdivision rules draft and advances Railroad Square response on a Saturday session. Chair Al Badenow led the four-member board through a line-by-line review of Section 5.2 of the town's subdivision rules and regulations, removing or referring to other departments a requirement for PFAS and PFOS groundwater testing, a mandate that developers drill and water-test all subdivision wells before plan approval, citing a recent cost of $28,000 per well, and a sweeping environmental impact analysis section that one member said left him with his "mind going blank." A long-range maintenance plan provision was rewritten to require a cleaner easement and ownership designation sheet. On Railroad Square, planning staff presented a draft letter to business owners documenting a net gain of 11 parking spaces after the reconstruction removes eight and adds 19, ahead of a June grant deadline; staff will hand-deliver the final version Tuesday after receiving member feedback by Monday. The board voted unanimously to continue its subdivision hearing to Saturday, April 6, at 9 a.m.