Sudbury Board of Health approves Sudbury Farms action plan after pest-control presentation

Roger Bowles, chief operating officer of Roche Brothers, told the Town of Sudbury Board of Health that a facilities needs assessment submitted Oct. 21 lays out three steps to address an ongoing pest problem at Sudbury Farms: complete immediate repairs, undertake a major remodel and strengthen monitoring and protocols.

The board convened the administrative hearing to review remediation already taken and the company’s proposed next steps. Bowles said the store, built in the early 1980s, has settled over wetlands behind the plaza, creating entry points for pests. He identified two remaining structural problems: a container attached to the back of the building that has settled and two degraded metal dumpster chutes that have gaps leading into the receiving room. "We think we've been able to rectify almost all of those opportunities," Bowles said, describing interim fixes including traps, basic camera monitoring and a new infrared alert system for pest activity.

Why it matters: Board members sought assurance that short-term fixes would be paired with long-term solutions and town oversight. Bowles described a remodel that will replace refrigeration with modern CO2 systems, strip and rebuild departmental floors and ceilings, reseal gravel pits and install meshing and other pest-proofing measures. He said the company will pursue the renovation in sections to keep the store open and intends to bring formal plans to the Town of Sudbury for permitting and review. "Our timing on this right now looks to be early spring," Bowles said.

The board pressed for clarity about customer communication, pest-control involvement during construction and the plan for adjacent businesses. Resident Janie Dretler of Goodmans Hill Road asked whether a prevention and abatement plan exists for neighboring storefronts and the wider property, noting that rodents could migrate to adjacent sites. Vivian, the health department staff member coordinating the case, described the department's investigative protocol — which she called "rodent patrol" — that includes inspections of adjacent storefronts, review of pest-control records and coordination with the landlord. She cautioned that wetlands behind the property make eradication more challenging.

Action taken: An unidentified board member moved to approve the action plan committing Roche Brothers and the health department to "continue to collaborate and work together with transparency" on rodent control; Carol Bradford seconded the motion. The board voted in favor, with the chair reporting three affirmative votes and the motion passing. The board asked that the company provide plans to the town during the permit review process and keep the health department and neighbors informed of major steps.

Details and next steps: Roche Brothers committed to weekly support-center walkthroughs, five-day-per-week pest-control monitoring, a designated in-store manager (Mike Pedrante) and higher-frequency visits from regional operations staff. The company said it has ordered replacement ice-bin carts and scheduled dumpster-chute repairs for early December, pending contractor availability. The board requested that any demolition or removal work (including the container) be coordinated with the pest-control provider and the health department to manage animal movement and capture opportunities.

The hearing record shows the board will continue oversight as the company proceeds through final design and permitting for the remodel. The board closed the matter after the vote; the health department will retain inspection and follow-up responsibility.