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Commission hears calls to study sewers, Munger Brook contamination and development constraints
Summary
Members and participants discussed long‑standing sewer infrastructure gaps along Route 80 and Munger Brook, noting failed development prospects and recurring septic issues; presenters suggested expanding testing to other tributaries and using the town farm‑river management plan to prioritize fixes.
During questions following the East Shore presentation, commissioners and participants urged the town and the health district to consider broader infrastructure and watershed issues beyond the immediate sampling sites.
One participant noted repeated septic failures along Route 80 and Munger Brook and said sewers have been discussed for decades but not built; "There are septic systems everywhere, many of which have been built long before planning and zoning ... nothing has ever gotten done," the participant said. Commissioners and participants described cases where businesses had to relocate because of septic constraints and referenced a stalled Cherry Hill project that once held promise for extending sewer service.
Commission members recommended sharing GIS mapping with East Shore and suggested site visits to a pig farm and other properties of concern to determine compliance with past agreements. Another member emphasized that a 2021 Farm River Management Plan exists and should be used to prioritize impairments, from pesticides and culverts to sediment and contaminated culverts that block public access.
No formal action was taken on sewers at the meeting; the discussion focused on possible next steps for mapping, targeted testing, and regulatory or remediation follow‑up.
