SOUTH BERWICK — Water safety issues and commercial development highlighted Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
Ellsworth informed councilors that DEP would issue an order prohibiting the drilling of water wells in the area due to contamination of carbon tetrachloroethylene, a known carcinogen, in the underground aquifer.
The contamination issue was addressed by the state agency in the 1990s but, during the Sept. 11 meeting of the council, it was noted that a Hooper Sands Road homeowner discovered the same contaminants in a recently dug well on their property.
Earlier during the meeting, Old Mill resident and Town Council candidate Abigail Kemble raised concerns regarding the discovery of elevated levels of arsenic in her local water supply.
Kemble referred to notices, issued by the South Berwick Water District, notifying homeowners and others of the arsenic concern.
According to the information provided, arsenic levels of 11 parts per billion have been found.
Specifically, a Maine Department of Transportation right of way in the area would not be large enough to allow access to a sewer line.
The town was considering using tax incentive financing funds (TIF), derived from new taxes incurred on Central Maine Power lines along Route 236, to establish sewer service to promote further commercial development in the area.
Also regarding development, councilors learned that a zoning board of appeals hearing on a proposed medical marijuana storefront had to be postponed.
Finally, the council appointed Ellsworth to manage two funds that benefit the South Berwick Public Library.