But no one will know the outcome until wells are dug at a proposed minor subdivision of two houses on Perry Road
By: Linda Seida
LAMBERTVILLE A geologist has told about a dozen worried property owners a proposed minor subdivision of two houses would not dry up their wells.
The problem, he said, is no one knows the outcome with 100 percent certainty until wells for the new houses are dug.
"So there’s really no way of telling how it’s going to impact it without drilling?" Mayor David Del Vecchio asked at the Planning Board meeting Feb. 4.
"That’s it," replied the geology expert, J. Mark Zdepski of JMZ Geology in Flemington. Mr. Zdepski testified on behalf of developer Sumner Siecke during a public hearing before the board.
One neighbor of the proposed development on Perry Road gave the geologist high marks for his forthrightness.
"He’s honest," said Scott Elliott, one of the homeowners whose wells could be affected.
Mr. Zdepski noted the site sits south of the Flemington fault line, and smaller "fault features" pass through the site. The fractured rock is conducive to healthy wells, according to Mr. Zdepski.
"There is plenty of water underneath this part of Lambertville," he said.
He cautioned, however, that water levels for different wells may be different heights.
"So you don’t know until you dig a new well if one would affect an old one," he said.
If well interference occurred, he added, "I wouldn’t expect you’d have a significant drop."
When the alternative of hooking up to public water was raised, the discussion heated briefly between the mayor and the developer’s attorney, Steve Morland. The attorney said public water simply was not available at the site.
The mayor countered, "Public water is not available at the price you want to pay."
Mr. Morland said he had investigated a connection to public water through the utility that serves the area, United Water. The utility said it would accept a connection via one route only, and that route is too expensive, according to Mr. Morland.
By the end of the night, Mayor Del Vecchio and Mr. Morland agreed it would be beneficial if the mayor discussed the issue with the utility.
"United Water responds differently to the city than it does to Steve Morland. No offense to Steve Morland," the mayor said.
Worries over the possibility of three more houses going up on a nearby lot in the future should not have a bearing on the plan now before the board, Mr. Morland argued. The lot across the street "has to be dealt with if and when it comes in," he said.
He added, "It has nothing to do with my client."
The board, however, remained intent on looking at the future.
"We’re looking ahead to what we see is going to be the development of five houses here," said Chairman Tim Korzun.
The public hearing will continue March 3 when drainage issues will be discussed, according to Mr. Korzun.
The matter of possible well interference could come up again, too.
"As far as I’m concerned, everything’s open until it’s time to take a vote," Mr. Korzun said.
The plan for the construction of two houses on 6 acres has been before the board since last spring. The subdivision has faced several stumbling blocks. In September, environmentalists voiced objections in a desire to protect wildlife that take refuge on the site. In November, the board raised concerns over adequate drainage. Neither issue has been resolved yet.