Board raises safety, flood and access questions about Brian Mitchell’s Filamina Drive proposals

The Goshen Planning Board discussed multiple related proposals by property owner Brian Mitchell along Filamina Drive — including a community outreach center, storage for a landscape business and a privately developed baseball field dubbed "Field of Dreams."

Members questioned whether the proposed uses remain agricultural or constitute new commercial activity that should trigger different standards. One planner noted that if activities are public or commercial, the town may require improved access, improved road surfacing or additional exits for emergency vehicles.

Environmental review dominated much of the exchange. Board members said salt piles and stored equipment should be covered or contained to protect the nearby Will River and groundwater; they urged covered salt storage, controls for oil and hydraulic fluid from landscape machinery, and water‑quality testing where appropriate. The board specifically recommended that any large salt pile be covered to prevent rainwater washing salt into adjacent soils and waterways.

Access and safety on Filamina Drive were central to the board’s concerns. Although Filamina is a private, narrow road, members said it must be maintained to allow emergency vehicles if the owner invites public use. Several members suggested the town and owner establish a maintenance agreement or require paving if the property becomes a public venue. The board also flagged the need for signage and fire‑lane planning.

Next steps: the board requested clearer statements of proposed uses, documentation about floodplain status (or a letter of map amendment if warranted), site plans showing storage and containment measures, and an access/road‑maintenance arrangement if the owner intends to invite the public onto the property.