Neighbors raise road‑safety and stormwater alarms over proposed five‑lot subdivision; board orders referrals and schedules follow‑up

A proposed subdivision that would split a hilltop parcel into multiple lots drew strong opposition from neighbors at the planning board's June 24 meeting, with residents warning that a narrow, eroding town road and local drainage channels could be heavily impacted by construction traffic and additional stormwater.

The applicant's representative described the proposal as restoring an earlier lot configuration and said some future homebuilding was possible, but residents said the local road is already deteriorating: one resident told the board the road "is crumbling there" near the driveway to a new house and described places where water and erosion have undermined the edge. Multiple residents warned that construction for up to five houses would bring frequent heavy trucks, increase stormwater runoff and could overwhelm a small on‑site bridge and downstream ponds.

The board's Chair acknowledged the concerns and explained limits to the planning board's enforcement authority: "we actually have no enforcement code... the only thing we can do within scope is make a referral to the building department and the town attorney," the Chair said, and the board opened referrals to the highway department and the health department for technical review. Members emphasized that hydrology, well testing and highway standards must be resolved before the board proceeds to final approvals.

Board members also debated whether to hold a site visit and a formal public hearing. Some members urged a site visit and a public hearing so neighbors could present technical evidence in person; others stressed the existing code baseline and noted that the applicant has rights under current zoning. The board scheduled multiple follow‑up actions: referrals to the highway department for road and weight‑limit issues, to the health department for septic/well review, and coordination with the applicant on stormwater mitigation plans and possible site visits. The board set related public hearings for July 22 where pending technical reports will be considered.

Why it matters: The dispute highlights how subdivisions in rural/edge neighborhoods can strain existing infrastructure and raise questions that require engineering, hydrologic and public‑works review beyond the planning board's immediate authority.

What comes next: The planning staff will collect engineer and health‑department reviews, post any updated application materials for public comment, and the board will consider those reports, site‑visit findings and any proposed conditions at its July 22 meeting.