To the Editor:

There are a lot of concerns about the density of the proposed Castle Hill cluster housing development, not the least of which is the impact on our already crowded roadways and especially the impact to historic Main Street with additional resident, service and delivery vehicles entering/exiting onto Route 6. And, it will be a construction nightmare over the next five years. Surely a traffic impact study should be required.

The environmental impact should be taken seriously. We know storm events are becoming stronger and more frequent. The Town needs to be absolutely sure that abutting properties will be negatively impacted by this development before approval.

An economic impact study should be done. Studies show that the cost of developments like this one actually add costs to the town for schools, emergency response and road maintenance, both for staffing and vehicle replacement.

Finally, this development plan requires an open space parcel be left undeveloped. However, it will not be for passive recreation by the public. Other than the trail that dissects the two parcels, no access will be afforded to residents of Newtown. While this restriction includes residents of the development complex, they will have easy access to Taunton Lake and will likely use it when other town residents cannot.

Holly Kocet

Newtown