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Concord approves front‑yard variance to site emergency generator at Pilgrim Road pump station
Summary
The Zoning Board granted a variance allowing the Town of Concord to place a diesel emergency generator in the front‑yard easement at 96 Pilgrim Road to back up a pump station that serves more than 300 homes, citing public‑health and operational urgency; board carved conditions on screening and access.
The Town of Concord Zoning Board of Appeals voted Sept. 19 to grant Public Works a variance to the front‑yard setback so the town may install a diesel emergency generator at the lift station behind 96 Pilgrim Road.
Giovanni Casares, the town’s water and sewer engineer, told the board the pump station serves “over 300 homes” and is vulnerable in extreme weather and power outages. Casares said the site has no nearby natural gas service, so the town selected a diesel unit and plans to screen it with shrubs and a short fence. He said the generator — including its belly tank — will be about 69.3 inches tall, roughly 77 inches long and 34.7 inches wide, with weekly or biweekly test runs of about 15 minutes.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jeff Morawski and Casares told the ZBA that without a permanently sited generator the operations crew must rush to deploy portable generators within 20–30 minutes to avoid sewage backups. “If we lose power our response time needs to be within 20 to 30 minutes,” Casares said, noting backup delays risk basements flooding and public‑health impacts.
Board members questioned why a variance was required and whether the bylaw’s narrow language on hardship would fit this case. Member Thomas Swaim (spoken as “Tom”) said the zoning text focuses on soil, shape or topography and cautioned the board about stretching the standard; other members, including Elizabeth Dwyer Lanet, argued the public‑safety consequences and the particular shape and location of the easement supported a finding of “otherwise” hardship.
The board discussed conditions recommended during deliberations: preserving an existing pine tree, reusing or replacing shrub screening, adding a short picket fence segment at the homeowner’s request, and ensuring the generator placement would not prevent maintenance or fueling access. Jeff Morawski said Public Works would work with the homeowner, Leo Balsam, who the town said supports the project.
Ravi Feah moved to grant the variance under zoning bylaw sections 6.1 and 11.7; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board directed staff to draft a written decision that incorporates the findings and conditions discussed. Staff said the decision will be filed with the town clerk on the coming Monday, which starts the 20‑day appeal period.
Next steps: Public Works will finalize the site plan and screening details to be included in the written decision and will coordinate installation and access protocols with the homeowner and operations staff.
