BETHEL – Discussion topics at the Board of Selectmen meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, March 1, in the town office include developer concerns about a fire department policy.

Ron Savage, president of Savage Land Development Inc. of Bethel, is to meet with the board regarding what he says is “a recent change in policy by the fire department” concerning fire protection and water needs for subdivisions.

At a January Planning Board meeting, Savage Land Development proposed to build a 31-lot project for high-end homes off the Mayville Road, halfway between the Irving station and River View Resort on the opposite side of the highway.

Last month, during work by planners on Savage’s subdivision application, concerns about fire protection were aired.

In a Feb. 8 letter to planners, Fire Chief James Young said the proposed subdivision lacks a year-round water supply. He also said that Savage Development’s proposed dry hydrant doesn’t guarantee year-round water availability.

That’s why he recommended that planners have the developer install a municipal-type water system or a fire cistern, providing a minimum of 30,000 gallons of water for fire protection services.

According to Feb. 11 Planning Board meeting minutes, Ron Savage said Young’s recommendation “is unreasonable.” He also “believes it is unreasonable to be held to a different standard than other subdivisions.”

Other agenda items at Monday night’s meeting include determining future town policy toward electrical inspections, a municipal quitclaim deed for an East Bethel Road lot, and a draft letter notifying Bailey Road residents that the town has postponed major roadwork on their road to summer 2005.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link