Preliminary plan for Barry Orchard draws contamination, wetlands and water-supply concerns

Fieldstone Land Consultants’ representative Dan Barowski presented preliminary subdivision plans for the Barry Orchard property on North Road at the Temple Planning Board meeting on Feb. 17, 2026, proposing 15 buildable lots plus two larger lots that would remain undivided for now.

Board members and conservation representatives raised immediate environmental and public-safety concerns. Mike Madden, speaking for the Temple Conservation Commission, read a letter from the Wilton Conservation Commission and said historic lead-arsenate pesticides were likely used on the orchard and are chemically stable in soils but can become mobile if disturbed. The Con Com asked that owners prepare a comprehensive soil-testing and groundwater plan, and requested the opportunity to review testing protocols before any soil disturbance occurs.

Abutter Boo Martin said she observed workers in full protective gear spraying the orchard roughly 60 years ago. Board members noted there are reports of a building on the property where pesticides were stored, though the location is unknown. Dan Barowski said he was not previously aware of the contamination reports and told the board he would look for past soil tests and seek expert advice to design an appropriate testing and remediation strategy.

Members also flagged regulatory and physical constraints that will affect any subdivision: some proposed lots lie in FEMA flood hazard areas and should be labeled on plans; wetlands were delineated last October; the brook that winds through Lot 1 is subject to NHDES rules; no test pits have been completed; and Lot 9 contains a cemetery. The board noted that Putnam Brook on the property flows into Wilton’s watershed and ultimately into the Souhegan River, and that the site’s aquifer extends into Wilton, potentially creating regional impacts.

The applicant discussed options to reduce development footprints, including conservation of portions of the property or use of a Planned Residential Development (PRD) to concentrate building while preserving open space. Dan said he would discuss conservation with the owners and consider a PRD to consolidate development areas.

Next steps the board requested: documentation that the property is no longer in probate, locating or commissioning any previous soil test results, a detailed soil and groundwater testing plan and remediation approach if contaminants are found, mapping of FEMA floodplains on the plan, identification of any pesticide-storage structures, and coordination with the Temple Conservation Commission. The board indicated it may require a regional impact determination and, if so, would notify the Regional Planning Commission.

The Planning Board did not vote on the project at this preliminary consultation. Dan Barowski summarized the items he would provide to the town and the board for the next phase.