Ayer Conservation Commission Continues Orion Park Drive Drainage Hearing to February 26

AYER — February 12, 2026 — Ayer Conservation Commission continues Orion Park Drive drainage hearing, seeks revised pipe alignment to protect vernal pool buffer. The commission voted unanimously to continue the public hearing on a notice of intent filed by School U.A. LLC under the town's local wetland bylaw — not the state Wetland Protection Act — after engineer Sean Malone of Oakleaf Consulting acknowledged a proposed stormwater pipe alignment cuts through both the 25-foot and 50-foot no-disturb buffer zones around a potential vernal pool. Total projected habitat disturbance for the build-out of lot four stands at approximately 55,000 square feet. Commission member John Schmallenberger suggested rotating the pipe alignment at the manhole to clear the 25-foot buffer, and Malone said the adjustment appeared feasible; the commission directed him to submit a revised plan before the February 26 meeting. A Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program review of the site remains pending, and applicant Joe Caldo said no property purchase will close until that review is resolved.