FARMINGTON — Neighbors of the proposed Brookside Village housing project off Fairbanks Road voiced concerns to the Planning Board on Monday following a presentation by a project engineer.

The board tabled the project applications and set a walk over the property followed by a public hearing for its next meeting April 9.

A small, shallow pond on the property near the proposed 32-unit apartment building for income-qualifying elders and people with disabilities is the proposed site for storm-water drainage. From the pond, water would follow a small stream under the road and end up in the Sandy River, Tom Greer of consulting engineers Pinkham and Greer of Falmouth said.

Brad Smith, whose real estate office and buildings are in front of the proposed development, asked the board to consider the town’s 1997 approval of well-head protection zones. Smith presented information to show that the pond is under a well-head protection zone.

Gasoline, antifreeze, salt and oil could seep from older vehicles owned by low-income tenants into the pond, he said. The stream to the Sandy River runs about 150 feet from the town’s water supply, he said.

“I think the project is good, but the location is not,” Smith said.

The stormwater treatment plan for the pond is included in the application, Greer said. It requires approval of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and would be reviewed every five years.

The water district has deemed the project acceptable, he said.

The board asked that the water district’s approval be submitted in writing and that Greer provide a layman’s explanation of the storm water system.

Neighbors questioned who would occupy the apartments: elderly or low-income.

The project is similar to other apartment complexes in town, including Deer Crossing, Ethel Walton and Farmington Court, developers William Marceau and Bryon Davis said.

The Brookside apartments would be for people 55 years old and older and for disabled adults who qualify by income. Mike Deschenes asked about younger people with drug issues who would qualify for disability. The developers assured him that a check on each applicant’s credit and criminal history would be done by local management.

“It’s all in the management,” Marceau said, referring to his Thomas Apartments across from Deschenes where tenants do not cause problems with neighbors.

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