Groton Open Space Association

Planning Opens Hearing On Great Brook; GOSA Intervenes Again

GROTON–The Planning Commission on June 8, 2004, opened public hearings on the Great Brook subdivision application, the same day GOSA submitted its notice of intervention in the Planning unit’s proceedings.

The subdivision, which would be served by individual septic systems because state regulations prohibit sewering in this area, would be located on land that drains into Great Brook. The brook is the main channel by which water passes from the Morgan Pond and Ledyard reservoirs in the north to Buddington Pond and Poquonnock Reservoir in the south. Groton Utilities’ distribution facility is located at the southern end of the Poquonnock Reservoir.

Attorney Timothy Bates, representing would-be developer Downes-Patterson Corp., said that the density of the proposed 63-lot subdivision on 125 acres is about one house per two acres, which he said is “in the ballpark” of applicable state regulations designed to protect public drinking water. In addition, he noted that covenants–enforceable by the Town of Groton, City of Groton or a homeowners association–would restrict use of the land by homeowners in ways designed to shield the water. Clint Brown, a principal of DiCesare-Bentley, engineers for the project, had said earlier that the convenant “hopefully will educate” homeowners in a 12-step program covering such matters as lawn fertilization, septic system maintenance, car washing, use of insecticides and disposal of animal waste.

Genevieve Cerf, a GOSA director, objected that while the convenant in theory was enforceable no mechanism had been set up for making sure it was observed.

“I come from a European background,” she said, “and there these things are enforceable because Europe has had to face pollution and crowding long before the U.S. In the U.S., everyone thinks they have a God-given right to do whatever they want on their property. You can tell Americans not to wash cars in their driveways but they’ll do it anyway.”

Mr. Bates replied that even if the convenant were entirely ignored, the development still would not harm the drinking water supply. He said the covenant is intended only to provide an extra layer of protection.

Joan Smith, a GOSA director, summarized GOSA’s intervention document for commission. The document contends that the development would impair the public water supply; pollute Great Brook, three vernal pools and the Poquonnock Reservoir with herbicides, insecticides, nitrates, fertilizers and other nutrients, de-icing treatments, salts and petroleum products; and destroy habitat of aquatic life important to insect control and water quality. Ms. Smith noted that the subdivision regulations require the Planning Commission to provide for the public health, safety and general welfare of the town and to prevent the pollution of air, streams and ponds.

GOSA earlier had filed a separate intervention in the Inland Wetlands Agency hearings on Great Brook. The IWA is expected to announce its decision on the Great Brook application on June 23. The Planning Commission is to continue its hearing on Great Brook at its July 13 meeting.