Politics & Government

Fight Brewing Over Housing Proposal

Development on Kensington Road is not welcome by neighbors.

 

Neighbors on Kensington Road near Elton Road have gathered signatures on a petition to try to block the construction of an eight-lot subdivision on nine acres, citing several concerns.

The next step towards resolution of the issue will be the Inlands Wetlands Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 27.

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Carl Ciarcia, owner of Absolute Auto on the Berlin Turnpike, and a life-long resident of town, has proposed to build the homes hundreds of feet off the road on Kensington Road.

While Ciarcia did not want to comment about his proposal he pointed out his record of positive housing development in Berlin, like that on Orchard and Angeli Court, as well as his safety with blasting near his own shop. Ciarcia did say that the first house in the subdivision would be his own house.

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Pam DonAroma, who lives on Kensington Road, said she and her neighbors are opposed for many reasons.

"The neighbors have their concerns and the Berlin Land Trust has their concerns and we will be able to share them at the Inlands Wetlands meeting on the 27th," DonAroma said. "I never wanted to become the point person for this but we feel the houses wouldn't fit into the town's Plan of Conservation and Development. Why have a plan if you're not going to follow it.

"We all have wells. What happens if they have to do blasting and a well or a house's foundation is cracked, who is responsible for that, the developer or the town?"

The key points the neighbors are worried about are:

  • Vernal Pools: Vernal pools are small ponds or pools that contain water in the spring and at different times of the year but usually do not carry water for the full year. Ecologically they are extremely important. The neighbors say that there are several vernal pools on the property but Ciarcia's experts maintain they are not.
  • Filling Wetlands: In order to develop the site, wetlands will need to be filled. What will be the impact of filling the wetlands?
  • Blasting and Ledge Rock Removal: Blasting will take place to clear ledge rock. According to Jim Horbal, the Berlin Deputy Director of Public Works Wetlands/Flood Hazard Agent, roughly 5,330 truckloads of rock will need to be hauled away. How will blasting and 5,330 truckloads of ledge-rock impact traffic, the condition of the roads and quality of life of neighbors?

Michael DeLorenzo, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, sent a letter to Horbal on Feb. 16 outlining some of the same concerns and deems the project "not consistent with the town Plan of Conservation and Development."

"When Mr. Ciarcia bought the land from the Caliandri family, there was a handshake agreement that he would build his retirement home on that land and nothing else," DonAroma added. "The Caliandris thought there was too much wetlands for anything more than one house. They were stunned by the news that he was trying to put in eight houses. We feel like it doesn't belong in this neighborhood."

 

 

 

 


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