Billerica Board of Health Continues Talbot Dam Removal Hearing, Adopts Floodplain Rules

BILLERICA — July 2, 2025 — Billerica Board of Health continues Talbot Mills Dam removal hearing to July 7 while adopting updated floodplain rules. The board voted 4-0 to postpone action on a variance from Chapter 5 floodplain regulations and a waiver from the Chapter 6 stormwater bylaw sought by CRT Development BLG, which proposes removing most of the Talbot Mills Dam spillway on the Concord River and restoring roughly 10 acres of mill pond to natural wetland. Engineer Jill Griffiths of Gomez and Sullivan Engineers argued the project does not trigger the town's stormwater bylaw because it is an ecological restoration, not development, funded through an ARPA grant administered by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, with construction targeted for summer 2026. Peer reviewer Brian Dunn of MDL Land Development, who received updated plans only the Friday before the meeting, warned that granting blanket waivers of both chapters "sets a precedent in this town" and reduces board oversight. Mill owner Juan Tarray said he opposed any decision without a clear analysis of effects on the sluiceway running under his Faulkton Mill building. In a separate unanimous vote, the board adopted amendments to Chapter 5, Section 5 bringing the town's floodplain regulations into compliance with FEMA standards and establishing a formal floodplain administrator role.