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Planning board flags salt storage and fire-pond maintenance as local water-safety concerns
Summary
Atkinson Planning Board members raised concerns that some condominium developments may be storing road salt outside approved site plans, which one member said is "dangerous to water sources," and discussed the cost and responsibility for maintaining fire ponds and hydrants.
Atkinson — Planning Board members on April 15 flagged potential threats to local water resources, centering on how some condominium developments store road salt and on maintenance of fire ponds and hydrants.
Member Ted Stewart told the board that condominiums are ‘‘improperly storing salt’’ in ways that are not included in their site plans and said that practice can be "dangerous to water sources." Chair Sue Killam said the issue should be brought to the Town Administrator and noted it could be a violation of the town’s MS4 stormwater requirements.
Board members also discussed fire ponds used for firefighting. Member Stewart said the Fire Department previously hired a contractor to dredge ponds and locate strainers, and that annual maintenance runs about $1,500. He said some ponds have gone dry and urged that future developments meet federal standards for water protection; he suggested the Town should maintain hydrants on private roads. Member Hank Turell suggested a special assessment to fund hydrant maintenance.
Chair Killam said she has requested a workshop with the Board of Selectmen to address the issues; the workshop had not been scheduled by the close of the meeting.
The board did not adopt new regulations at the workshop; members directed staff and the Town Administrator to follow up.
