August 25, 2020 Bridgewater Planning Board 66 Central Square (Academy Building) Bridgewater, MA 02324 Patrick Driscoll, Chair Subject: Fruit Street Flex Building Claremont Properties Map 83 Lot 84 Dear Mr. Driscoll et al. The Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) would like to provide comments on behalf of the watershed on the proposed Flex Building development off Fruit Street currently before the Board. The TRWA does not oppose development however at a loss to why a Planned Development District was so designated in such a sensitive area that includes a Zone II aquifer for Town Raynham wells, the Hockomock Swamp Area of Critical Concern (ACEC) and Lake Nippenicket. For 32 years, TRWA has been a voice for the 562 square mile Taunton River watershed, an advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development, and responsible stewardship of our precious water resources. We are an Alliance of concerned residents, businesses, and organizations united to restore and properly manage water and related natural resources within the Taunton River Watershed. Our mission is to protect and restore the watershed’s natural resources for current and future generations; build and support responsible stewardship of fragile ecosystems, water quality, forests, farmland, and wetlands; provide opportunities for people to enjoy the river and the watershed’s open space; be an integral resource for environmental education and be voice for threatened land and water resources. TRWA, as stated before, doesn’t oppose development especially development in suitable areas however has serious concerns on the effect this project will have on the aquifer and of the Lake Nippenicket resource area. The building itself will cover 103,000 square feet not to mention the parking lot creating a large amount of impermeable surface over the aquifer which requires permeable surface for recharge. Massachusetts is currently in a severe drought and we are concerned what the effect of this impermeable surface would do to the recharge of the Lake as well as the aquifer. In this area that has been confusingly designated a Priority Development District with only 25 feet of buffer to wetlands we strongly encourage the use of sustainable practices such as permeable pavement and sustainable drainage. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you for considering these comments. Truly yours, Priscilla A. Chapman President .