Residents deliver petition opposing Pussies Pond parking lot; board urged to pause plan

Residents told the board during the public portion that a proposed parking lot near Pussies Pond in Springs would harm an environmentally sensitive and historic area and asked the board to pause the project. Jackie Esposito said a petition of more than 640 signatures opposing the lot had been submitted and urged the board to "give the public meaningful opportunities to provide input."

Speakers highlighted possible code and drainage problems, including that the site lies within an H‑pod district and that clearing could exceed allowable limits. "The idea that trees could be cut down to create a parking lot in this environmentally sensitive and historic area has understandably generated significant concern," Esposito said. Other commenters asked the town to compile all community feedback into a single list and to address traffic and drainage analyses before approving any budget allocation for the site. Planning staff had earlier described shoreline restoration and water‑quality benefits for Bayview acquisitions, which residents said should be matched by transparent documentation for any parking‑lot plans.