Residents press for environmental testing as Bourassa Construction plans material removal on Newington Road

Attorney Krista Gennell told the Board she had provided a revised hauling schedule and estimated removal of "approximately 9,600 cubic yards to 11,000 cubic yards of material" from the Smith Farm. The revised schedule proposed hauling beginning Aug. 10 and continuing through Oct. 29, with contingency dates through November. The proposal was discussed under the appointments section of the meeting.

Neighboring residents, including Ann Kelly and Sarah Linehan, raised health and environmental concerns about processing and removing road millings and other construction materials. Residents "requested baseline and post-removal environmental testing and comprehensive dust control measures before and after the removal process." The Board said some concerns require further research and legal review and asked that the Memorandum of Understanding provided by Attorney Gennell be forwarded to the Town Attorney for review.

Alan Smith (Smith Farm) clarified that 157 acres of his property are in the South East Land Trust (SELT) and are inspected annually, and that the land used by Bourassa Construction is not included in that SELT parcel. Board members and residents discussed preferring a condensed two-week removal period to limit prolonged disruption, but any final schedule will be contingent on weather and legal review.

The Board did not vote on the removal schedule at the meeting; next steps are review of the MOU by the Town Attorney and additional input from neighbors before a final schedule or permit conditions are approved.