Planning Board minutes 040319 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved 5/1/19 Randy Marshall said he understood a bond was not prudent or legally permissible, but wanted to make sure there 204 was an answer on the record of this fact.205 206 Michael Harvey indicated Mr. Phil Vilaro of Orange County Environmental Health was in the audience and would like 207 to address the Board concerning well and septic issues.208 209 Phil Vilaro spoke to Board to address concerns about well safety and water table issues. He reassured the Board 210 that it standard practice to have wells on multiple lots similar to the size proposed within this project and that it is not 211 an issue in his mind to have 20 individual wells created to serve these lots. M. Vilaro did not believe development of 212 this project would impact water pressure or the water capacity of surrounding wells. Mr. Vilaro reminded the Board 213 Orange County does not have a true aquifer/water table. This is why you have such a disparity in well depth, water 214 quality, and generated gallons per minute from property to property in any given area. In discussing surface water 215 contamination he expressed the rarity of that happening in Orange County because of the standards required by the 216 County for every new well drilled. Mr. Vilaro said County requirements, with respect to the drilling and installation of 217 wells, were amongst the strictest in the State. Mr. Vilaro agreed older wells, installed prior to the adoption of local 218 comprehensive regulations in the mid 1980’s, were indeed subject to potential impacts from runoff given how they 219 were constructed (i.e. depth, casing, etc.). Such wells need to be replaced as they are not suited to address such 220 contaminant issues. 221 222 Craig Carter thanked Mr. Vilaro for his explanation and provided some history on the well his grandparents installed 223 on their property to provide additional context on his concerns with respect to well impacts and contamination issues.224 The well was constantly providing ‘muddy’ water and there were issues with contaminants at times.225 226 Phil Vilaro indicated he believed Mr. Carter and suggested part of the problem was the well was not installed deep 227 enough to avoid subsurface silt runoff and contamination. Current practice requires wells to be dug deep to address 228 this issue and to be properly incased/grouted to protect the integrity of the well. Mr. Vilaro reminded the Board 229 approximately 80% of the County was intended to be served by private wells and septic systems as there were no 230 plans by the County to extend/develop public utility systems.231 232 There was lengthy discussion amongst the Board and Mr. Vilaro on septic and well permitting.233 234 An unknown individual asked if there was an opportunity for this project to tie into public water from the Town of 235 Hillsborough. Pat Mallet indicated the property was not in a designated public utility service area, which meant there 236 was no opportunity for the project to be served by public utilities.237 238 Patricia Catto indicated she had the same concerns about stormwater runoff and well contamination as previous 239 speakers and further expressed disappointment in the notification process for this project. Ms. Catto indicated 240 property owners need to be kept notified whenever a development is proposed in the Town of Hillsborough so they 241 can have a voice in the process.242 243 Michael Harvey indicated the County had the most rigorous notification requirements in the region, well exceeding 244 State requirements. Mr. Harvey reminded the Board a neighborhood information meeting was held for this project, 245 with property owners within 1,000 feet of the parcel being notified of the date and time of the meeting via letters sent 246 first class mail. Staff posted signs on the property advertising the neighborhood meeting 10 days prior to the event.247 248 Michael Harvey said the agenda for this meeting was advertised in 2 local newspapers and additional notice was 249 sent to adjacent property owners of the meeting date and time via first class mail. Information on the project was 250 also posted on the County website with a detailed explanation of what the project entailed. Staff also posted signs on 251 the property advertising the date and time of this meeting where the Concept Plan was to be reviewed. Mr. Harvey 252 said he could not address Ms. Catto’s concerns about other projects in the Town of Hillsborough as the County did 253 not manage the Town’s planning program and suggested she make contact with the Town to address her issues.254