Planning board allows Nordhaven applicant to commission hydrogeologic assessment amid debate over scope and town consultants

At the meeting’s old-business item, the planning board revisited a request that the Nordhaven applicant provide a hydrogeologic assessment after a neighbor reported well-water concerns. The applicant said it had contacted certified hydrogeologists recommended by the state but found only one willing to take the work; the submitted scope would examine whether new wells could connect hydraulically to a neighbor's well and whether the site has sufficient capacity.

Board members pushed for a scope that addresses two clear questions: whether the proposed additional wells provide adequate water supply for the development and whether the project is likely to affect groundwater quality or neighbouring wells. "If we can get the engineer that we've found... to answer those two requirements — the capacity of the property and the potential contamination or impact on surrounding abutters — that would be acceptable," the applicant representative said. After further debate about whether the town should hire its own reviewer, a motion by Tia Anderson to allow the applicant to proceed with the identified engineer, while staff researches consultants the board could call on, was moved, seconded and approved.