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.