Planning Board reviews Water Department's Well 4R project, declines to request public hearing

The Farmington Planning Board reviewed a Water Department notification for a proposed Well 4R during its March 4 meeting and decided not to request a public hearing.

Kyle Pimental, director of planning and community development, explained that RSA 674:54 provides an exemption for governmental land-use projects from the town's zoning and site-plan regulations, though boards may offer comments or hold a hearing if they wish. Charlie King, the selectmen's representative, said the Board of Selectmen had already reviewed the memo and chose not to hold a public hearing. King described the project details: the proposal adds two new wellheads adjacent to existing wells, abandons Well 4, keeps Well 5 as backup, and places Well 4R on cemetery-association property where the town already holds easements. He said the wells tap gravel-pack aquifers with good recharge; he also noted water-quality differences when drawing near peat bogs and that Well 4R is intended to balance system draw while avoiding organic-affected areas.

Chairman Rick Pelkey said he had no comment after reviewing the drawings. Pimental confirmed the notification met statutory requirements and emphasized that any Planning Board comments on the project would be non-binding. The board took no formal action on the project and did not request a public hearing at the March 4 meeting.