Plympton Zoning Board Delays Ricketts Pond Ruling as Nitrogen Data Disputed

PLYMPTON — March 24, 2026 — Plympton's Zoning Board of Appeals continued the Ricketts Pond Estates comprehensive permit hearing after a Board of Health hydrogeologist presented calculations showing the proposed 25-lot development would expose private drinking water wells to nitrogen concentrations more than double the state and federal drinking water standard. Scott Horsley, a hydrologist who teaches at Harvard University and Tufts University and was retained independently by the Plympton Board of Health, testified that the development's design wastewater flow of 13,860 gallons per day over 12.13 net developed acres produces a nitrogen loading of approximately 1,049 gallons per acre per day — roughly twice the Title 5 maximum of 440, or 550 with nitrogen-reducing technology — and calculated that wells on lots 2 through 12 could receive nitrogen at approximately 22 milligrams per liter, more than double the 10 milligrams per liter drinking water standard. Brad McKenzie of McKenzie Engineering Group, the applicant's civil engineer, disputed the findings, saying the applicant is proposing enhanced nitrogen removal technology and that the project's own paid peer-reviewer, GEI, has concluded the project meets Title 5. The board voted unanimously to adjourn to April 7, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom to allow applicant principal Peter Opaczynski time to consult counsel before deciding whether to fund further expert review, with the current permit extension deadline set at April 28.