Concerns over rapid growth and infrastructure challenges took center stage at the Worcester County Commissioners meeting on October 7, 2025, as resident Laura Parker voiced her worries about the impact of new developments on local traffic and public safety.

Parker, a long-time resident of Gum Point Road in Berlin, highlighted her recent experience with a failed septic system that forced her to connect to the public wastewater system. She expressed her apprehension regarding the proposed construction of townhouses near the AGH/Title Health facility, fearing that increased population density would exacerbate already dangerous traffic conditions on Route 589.

"The traffic is deadly on 589," Parker stated, emphasizing that the volume of vehicles on Gunpoint Road has quadrupled in the past five years. She urged the commissioners to consider the implications of ongoing growth, particularly as they seek funding to replace a bridge on Hotel Road and address engineering requests for local infrastructure improvements.

Parker's testimony underscores a growing concern among residents about balancing development with the need for adequate infrastructure, as the community grapples with the challenges of rapid expansion. The commissioners will need to weigh these concerns as they plan for the future of Worcester County.