Committee reviews possible town parcels for housing, considers perk testing and Atwood parcel options

Committee members reviewed potential town-owned parcels that could be used for affordable housing and discussed next steps for evaluating site feasibility, including additional perk testing and records review.

Paul (committee member) said he had investigated a lot at the corner of Pine Cone and Maple Crest and found records at the Board of Health showing earlier perk tests in a few locations but not a comprehensive set. He said a drain on the western edge of the lot empties into a reservoir and that regulatory setbacks may prevent placing a septic within 100 feet of the drain. "There were perks were done in a couple of locations on the lot. There's ledge on the western edge of that lot, but it also looked like there were some areas that had not been explored," he said.

Members noted at least one abutter who strongly opposes redevelopment and discussed the risk of community pushback if crews perform new excavation on a currently vegetated lot. Paul offered to ask the Board of Health to locate any existing records and to seek permission for additional perk testing; he said the Board of Health might not charge the committee and DPW could assist with a backhoe.

The Atwood parcel was also discussed. Committee members said one side of Atwood has lead contamination while another side may be buildable by right for two houses; they raised the option of acquiring a landlocked parcel behind Atwood to create a larger developable area. "The North end of the parcel you could put land, you could put something on, that would require the town meeting transferring the parcel to us or to an affordable unit like Habitat," one member said.

Ending: The committee asked a member to follow up with the Board of Health about existing perk-test records and to request permission for targeted additional testing; information will be reported at the next meeting.