Pembroke Water Works asked to review hydrogeologic report after discrepancy noted

The Pembroke Zoning Board asked Pembroke Water Works to have a hydrologist review the applicant’s hydrogeologic evaluation of the proposed Pembroke Sand & Gravel expansion after a planner’s note and public commenters raised concerns about a discrepancy in clearance distances.

A town planner’s letter in the record recommended the zoning board request comments from Pembroke Water Works and its contracted hydrologist. The planner and Water Works staff identified an issue in the Terracon report that references a 5-foot clearance in part of the proposed excavation while conservation guidance included in the packet indicates excavation should remain a minimum of 8 feet above the seasonal high water table in the Aquifer Conservation Overlay District.

Chair (speaker 3) told the board he wanted Pembroke Water Works to review the submitted report and, if the utility chose, to hire its own hydrologist to check the findings. The board directed the applicant to coordinate delivery of the Terracon report to Pembroke Water Works and continued the hearing until the utility’s review is complete.

Applicant representative Bridget Elsmore said the applicant is willing to coordinate the review and emphasized the Town’s and planning board’s subsequent processes will use the same technical information once Water Works has provided comment. Board members noted that if the Water Works requires an independent technical review, the utility typically requests the applicant cover review costs.

The outcome: the board continued the hearing and asked for Pembroke Water Works’ written comment from its hydrologist before the matter is returned to the zoning board.