Neighbors press board over cemetery, buffers and PFAS as Crandall Commons hearing continues

Attorney Matthew Landry, representing the Crandall Commons applicant, told the Planning Board the team submitted a scope of services and an estimated $12,000 cost from the Public Archaeology Lab for a desktop review and site evaluation but said PAL and state reviewers did not find known archaeological features at this concept stage. "We did submit a letter to the board, that attached a scope of services from PAL," Landry said, and added his client would re-engage the Historic Preservation authorities if future inspections revealed archaeological material.

Neighbors pushed back after an HPHC follow-up letter dated July 28 suggested a cemetery might be present near the development. William Camaro, a nearby resident, said the planned nine units felt like overbuilding: "If you wanna conserve, then you can't put 9 houses... It's absolutely ridiculous," he said, urging the board to require fewer units and stronger protections for habitat and buffers. Planning staff and the applicant agreed to incorporate HPHC input at the next phase if evidence emerges.

Board members focused on two technical points: the conservation-development requirement (the applicant said the plan preserves 50% open space) and the 75-foot no-cut buffer from property lines. The applicant said it is requesting limited relief from the no-cut buffer for roadway placement and a 0.06-foot rear-setback variance for one single-family dwelling, and argued that reconfiguring buildings would shift impacts toward other neighbors. A member recommended adding protections (HOA language, passive-use restrictions, or physical delineation) to reduce the risk that narrow protected strips become encroached by adjacent properties.

Public-health and utilities concerns surfaced during the hearing. Several residents asked whether the project falls inside a reported contaminated-well area and whether wells for new houses would be tested for PFAS. Kendra Furman, describing her well’s proximity to contaminated sites, said she was denied a DEM test and pressed for more town action: "They have no evidence of that that they can provide to me," she said of her contact with DEM. Planning staff said the town council and Department of Environmental Management are coordinating outreach and that the board will request whatever testing maps and information are available.

Next steps: the board agreed to schedule two site walks — starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday the 12th at 1588 Bogomosh Road with a follow-up at Spring Street — and continued the Crandall Commons public hearing to the Sept. 1 Planning Board meeting so staff, the applicant and outside reviewers can complete follow-ups requested by abutters and the board.