NHS Expansion Proposal Gains Aquifer Protection Endorsement

By Andrew Gorosko

Following an environmental review of the proposed Newtown High School expansion and renovation project, the Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC) has found that the project would have no significant adverse environmental impact on the underlying Pootatuck Aquifer.

Acting as the town’s aquifer protection agency, IWC members on January 9 unanimously came to that conclusion following a review of an aquifer impact statement submitted on behalf of the Board of Education, said Rob Sibley, the town land use agency deputy director.

The Pootatuck Aquifer is the source of two public water supplies, plus the source of many domestic well water supplies. The high school site lies within the town’s Aquifer Protection District (APD), a tightly regulated overlay zone situated above the Pootatuck Aquifer.

As the aquifer protection agency, the IWC makes recommendations concerning aquifer protection to the Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z). P&Z is scheduled to conduct a February 7 public hearing on the Board of Education’s request for a special permit for the $41 million high school expansion project, which is designed to alleviate student overcrowding.

In their review of environmental information submitted by the applicant, IWC members determined that the high school expansion project meets 11 sets of aquifer protection criteria listed in the town’s zoning regulations. Those criteria concern the direct and indirect effects, both short-term and long-term, of the proposed construction on the environment, in general, and on the Pootatuck Aquifer, in particular.

Those criteria also concern the presence of any hazardous materials that would be used, handled, stored, generated, treated, or disposed of on the site.

Also, the aquifer impact review covers subjects including the site’s proximity to private water wells and public water wells, plus the site’s waste disposal plan and its water supply. The review also addresses the withdrawal of water from the underlying aquifer, as well as its replacement.

Additionally, the aquifer review covers stormwater control on the site.

It also addresses emergency plans to prevent and control hazardous materials leaks and spills, including spill containment measures and cleanup procedures, as well as informing public officials of such spills.

Last November, P&Z determined that the high school expansion project is consistent with the provisions of the 2004 Town Plan of Conservation and Development.

The Fletcher Thompson architectural firm of Shelton and Hartford is designing the high school expansion project for the school system.

Last June, town voters approved spending $2.75 million for the architectural design phase of the high school expansion project. The vote was 1,372 in favor, and 912 opposed. The total 2,284 votes represented only 14.4 percent of the then-registered 15,886 town voters.

Construction of the high school project would be subject to voters’ spending approval at a referendum later this year.