Environmental concerns on the ND

As the proposed ND moves down the tracks, concern seems to be mounting about the project. Personally, I attribute the November 6 PZC election results (in part) to the proposed ND. In particular, there's a substantial number of people in the south end of town who are "scratching their heads" over the residential... wondering "why?"

But now the retail part seems to be facing some real environmental questions...

On November 6, the MRJ (by Leslie Hutchison) reported:

The water quality of the Ten Mile River could be at risk from a proposed development in the north end, according to a review by the Southwest Conservation District. The review is the only study done specifically for the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission in connection with the application by W/S Development to build a 639,000-square-foot retail and residential center north of Interstate 691. "The development of this parcel would create a great deal of impervious surfaces," the report says. It estimates that parking lots and other surfaces would cover more than 36 acres of the 110-acre property. "The potential risks to the water quality are high," the report continues, "from a wide array of non-point source pollutants associated with these land uses during and after construction."

Btw, I understand the report was received by the town on October 29.

And yesterday, the NHR (by Pamela McLoughlin) raised questions about existing water quality:

The water quality of four brooks and a river was deemed "impaired" Saturday after 20 volunteers analyzed water samples by determining what kind of insects were living in the waterways. The sampling was arranged by Quinnipiac River Watershed Association executive director Mary Mushinsky as a "rapid bioassessment day," supported by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant... it was determined all five waterways are deficient, conditions at two affected by low water levels and all likely affected by human landscaping practices."They’ve lost their clean water organisms," Mushinsky said.The volunteer group of men, women and children first got a 90-minute preperatory lesson from DEP water specialist Michael Beauchene...Once educated, the volunteers fanned out in teams to five sites: Ten Mile River on the Southington/Cheshire line; Misery Brook in Southington; Harbor Brook in Meriden; Wharton Brook in Wallingford and Meetinghouse Brook, also in Wallingford.

I believe the next PZC meeting is Wednesday at 7:30pm.

Tim White
Town Council, 4th District