The Jaffrey Zoning Board approved a request Tuesday night allowing grading and earthwork within wetland setbacks on Prescott Road as part of MilliporeSigma’s plan to improve wastewater treatment capacity at its facility.
MilliporeSigma requested a variance to regrade and excavate within the 75-foot wetland setback in order to construct a new tank.
The proposed tank would serve as a second equalization tank, adjacent to an existing one, and would be part of the site’s wastewater treatment system. The tank would be enclosed within a concrete containment structure designed to prevent spills or leaks from entering the surrounding soil.
Engineers from Woodard & Curran, representing MilliporeSigma, said the chosen location for the tank requires regrading in the area, which would impact the wetland setback. The tank structure itself, however, would not be located within the setback.
Lauren Swett of Woodard & Curran, who presented the project to the board, said the proposal also includes adding crushed gravel within the setback area and establishing a temporary equipment staging area. No permanent structures would be placed within the setback, she said.
No members of the audience offered any feedback on the proposal.
The Zoning Board unanimously agreed to waive a site walk for the project.
ZBA member Marc Tieger said that MilliporeSigma was “an integral part of the town,” and had been before the Zoning Board and Planning Board for other projects.
“My perception is that they’ve always done what they said they were going to do, in a workman-like manner, and I don’t see any reason this wouldn’t be,” Tieger said.
The board unanimously approved the application.