Planning board pauses Honeyman subdivision after neighbors raise wetlands, runoff and soil safety concerns

The Town of Middletown Planning Board on a motion to continue delayed final action on a preliminary plan for The Collection on Honeyman LLC after several abutters raised questions about wetlands, runoff, construction dust and the need for soil testing.

Chris Stuhamel, a professional engineer with Depreet Engineering, presented the proposal for a four‑lot minor subdivision on a 3‑acre parcel (Assessor’s Plat 114, Lot 139). Stuhamel said the plan provides the required minimum lot areas for R‑20 zoning (20,000 sq ft) with lots ranging roughly 23,000 to 34,000 sq ft, proposes 24 feet of pavement on the new public road (seeking a 2‑foot waiver), underground utilities and a stormwater system designed "to present conditions for the 1 to 100 year storm." The applicant noted public water and sewer availability and said the private sewer would be owned and maintained by the subdivision’s homeowners association.

Multiple neighbors spoke during public comment. Kathleen Mitchell, an abutter at 447 Turner Road, asked for written confirmation — an overlay plotted against her survey — that the proposed drainage easement will not encroach on her driveway; the applicant agreed to supply the plan sheet and planning staff said easement documents would be required before final approval. Charles McBean and other nearby homeowners sought details on grades, dry well sizing and construction‑period erosion control; the applicant described silt basins, silt fences and inspection during construction.

Several residents challenged the applicant’s assertion that the site contains no freshwater wetlands. Kathleen Kroger, who lives at 215 Honeyman, said the area historically held standing water and raised health concerns about dust during excavation and an allegation that malathion and arsenic were used on the property in prior agricultural use. "We're gonna be flooded," Kroger said, adding her fear about dust exposure: "I have grandchildren. I've had lung cancer. I need it to be not dusty and dirty breathing in the dirt that I'm breathing in." Town staff and the board reiterated that the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) determines wetlands and that DEM and the building inspector are the proper authorities for contamination or construction‑practice enforcement.

Board members asked several technical questions about private sewer maintenance, the location of the proposed drainage easement, sidewalk expectations and slope setbacks; the town engineer’s Roads & Utilities memo and TRC comments remain outstanding. Planning staff said final approval would be administrative if the applicant provides required easement documents and the town engineer signs off on the final stormwater management plan.

Given unresolved concerns from abutters and a member’s request to inspect the site in person, the board reopened the public hearing and then voted to continue the Honeyman application to the July 8 meeting, with a site visit to be scheduled in the intervening weeks and abutters notified. Staff listed proposed conditions that must be satisfied before administrative final approval, including submission of recorded easement documents and the town engineer’s final stormwater review.

The continued review gives the board time to confirm topography on the ground, resolve outstanding TRC items, and ensure the technical materials and easement documentation address abutters’ concerns before the board issues final action.