Littleton Conservation Commission Approves Mill Road Order of Conditions, Advances Turtle Mitigation Plan

LITTLETON — June 4, 2024 — Littleton Conservation Commission advances Taylor Street well permitting, clears Mill Road order of conditions. The commission heard June 4 that the Taylor Street well — which will add 500,000 gallons per day to Littleton's water supply and deliver 65,000 gallons daily to more than 1,000 Boxborough residents without safe drinking water — now hinges on a Blanding's turtle conservation management plan expected from the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program within 30 days. A March pumping test found that four of nine monitored ephemeral pools showed measurable water-level impacts from well pumping, prompting Natural Heritage to require a plan that will include a new turtle nesting area, a constructed year-round deep pool, and long-term habitat monitoring, all on private land recorded with the Registry of Deeds. The commission is targeting a close of the notice of intent at its July 9 meeting. Separately, the commission voted 6-0 (with one abstention) to approve an order of conditions for renovation work at 97 Mill Road, MassDEP 204-1004, including a perpetual prohibition on snow storage within 50 feet of the river.