Thomas Christopher of Christopher Environmental presented a proposal to enlarge a previously permitted pond on a 64‑acre Fall Line LLC property used for dog training and asked the Gardner planning board whether the expansion would pose a threat to the Snake Pond well Zone 2.

Christopher recounted that DEP examined earlier approvals and issued a superseding order recommending a full Notice of Intent because the excavation reaches within about 4 feet of groundwater and because the site sits in a Zone 2 drinking‑water area that overlaps neighboring communities. He said ledge was encountered at about 5.5 feet and that the proposed enlargement was intended to provide more continuous training area for dogs.

Board members and staff noted Gardner’s limited regulatory authority in neighboring Hubbardston and Templeton, where portions of the Zone 2 fall, and reviewed the history of interjurisdictional ‘best effort’ outreach tied to Snake Pond’s 1997 approval. Several members said the current record lacked critical data — soil borings, groundwater monitoring, and peer review — to determine whether the pond expansion could increase risk to downstream wells. One member noted DEP guidance flags man‑made ponds within Zone 2 as a potential concern because they can provide a direct interface with groundwater.

Christopher offered to provide historical project documentation and the older soil analyses he has on file. The board asked him to coordinate with the building commissioner and city engineer, and suggested the applicant seek state‑level determinations and provide additional technical information before the planning board issues a formal opinion. No formal determination was made at the meeting.

What’s next: the applicant will supply soil/groundwater records and historic documentation for staff review and coordination with the building commissioner; the board indicated it may revisit the request once the technical data and any state determinations are available.