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Residents warn of water risks if Carriage House parcel is redeveloped
Summary
Several residents told the special town meeting they fear redevelopment near Carriage House Apartments could draw down local wells and harm the Cedar Swamp watershed; speakers urged retaining public access so neighbors can monitor environmental impacts.
MANSFIELD — Environmental risk to nearby waterways was a central theme among residents who opposed the discontinuance of Carriage House Drive at the Aug. 10 special town meeting.
Allison Hilding described the site’s proximity to the Greater Cedar Swamp watershed and said earlier proposals in the area had raised contamination and drawdown concerns. "It sits directly above a high slope above the Cedar Swamp Brook," Hilding said, warning that new wells could drain the brook and that loss of public access would make it harder for neighbors to monitor pollution. Charlie Osberger, who served on the affordable housing committee, echoed that drilling more wells for a much larger development might further draw down stream flows and harm local trails and fisheries.
Speakers asked that environmental impacts be thoroughly examined during planning and zoning review; no technical studies were presented at the meeting. Town staff and councilors noted that discontinuance only affects the road's public status and that environmental review would occur as part of future planning and zoning and permitting steps.
