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Jaffrey ZBA approves MilliporeSigma variance to grade inside wetland buffer for equalization tank
Summary
On March 3, 2026 the Town of Jaffrey Zoning Board of Adjustment granted MilliporeSigma a variance to re-grade up to about 20 feet into the 75-foot wetland buffer at 11 Prescott Road to install a second equalization tank; the board approved erosion controls and a concrete secondary containment structure and voted 4-0 to grant the variance.
On March 3, 2026 the Town of Jaffrey Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance to MilliporeSigma to re-grade within the town's 75-foot wetland setback to construct a second equalization tank at 11 Prescott Road.
Lauren Swett of Woodard & Curran (present via Zoom) told the board the second tank would sit adjacent to an existing equalization tank and would include a concrete secondary containment structure intended to prevent leaks or spills from entering the surrounding environment. Swett said the proposed grading would extend roughly 20 feet into the wetland buffer and that the staging area shown on the plans would be about 50 feet from the wetland.
The board noted there would be no proposed new structures inside the 75-foot setback. The applicant described temporary and post-construction erosion controls, including double rows of sedimentation barrier downgradient of disturbed areas and a crushed-stone strip along the northern edge of the existing roadway to help manage stormwater runoff. The plans filed with the board are titled "MilliporeSigma Jaffrey, NH Second Casting Equalization Tank Project," Project No. 0235178.03 (Aug. 2025), date-stamped Feb. 10, 2026.
Marc Tieger moved and Carl Jevne seconded a motion to waive a site walk; the board voted 4-0 to waive the site walk. On a subsequent motion by Tieger, seconded by Jevne, the board voted 4-0 to grant the variance to re-grade and excavate within the 75-foot wetland setback as presented. The board recorded that the application met the five variance criteria and found the project would increase wastewater resiliency on the site while incorporating containment and erosion-control measures.
The board's decision records the plans and the erosion-control commitments; any required permits beyond the ZBA decision (for example, NHDES permits if applicable) remain the responsibility of the applicant. The ZBA did not identify regional impact and took final action at the March 3 meeting.
