The Hudson Planning Board met on Oct. 22 to review a revised proposal for the Taybre Drive subdivision – a plan that has sparked debate among residents and officials. The project will divide property at 9 Alvirne Drive and 190R Derry Road into nine single-family residential lots, with improvements including a water line, septic system provisions, a cul-de-sac, and an access road.
Property owner Mike Lacasse revised the initial plan after concerns from abutters and town officials about a high-water table, drainage issues, and potential groundwater contamination.
“The beginning of the site is now served by open drainage, and that was due to having to change some slopes in the road after discussions with the Town Engineer,” explained William Hess of Hess Engineering. “We have made some minor tweaks, but we cannot do groundwater recharge due to the water table.”
Geologist Danna Truslow conducted groundwater and soil testing and submitted a report to the Planning Board.
“We didn’t look at the abutter wells – the wells were not part of what I was looking at. I was just looking at the site groundwater conditions,” said Truslow. “We looked at what the groundwater flow pattern was on the site, and it’s pretty much parallel to the property line.”
She added that groundwater would “not come up above the existing land surface.”
Board member Victor Oates expressed concern about the limited scope of the report.
“I guess my concern is that you stated that you just kept to the site, so we have no visuals into how this water could potentially impact the surrounding wells,” Oates said, requesting a peer review. “We’re missing so many data points.”
The Board ultimately voted down his request.
Vice-Chair Jordan Ulery questioned whether adding fill could raise groundwater levels.
“If you’re adding fill to this property, it’s putting on pressure, which pushes the water someplace, and water’s going to go to the lower levels,” Ulery said.
Truslow responded that the amount of fill would not increase groundwater levels. Town Engineer Elvis Dhima confirmed his department reviewed the report and pledged strict enforcement of the subdivision plan.
“What happens if the applicant gets it wrong? They’re going to have to fix it,” said Dhima. “If there needs to be changes because the property owner got the design wrong, they’re going to have to deal with it, and they’re going to have to tell the state about it.”
Several neighbors voiced concerns during public comment. Alexandra Ange urged more details on septic system impacts for homes relying on wells.
“We’re suggesting a possible reduction to the project, which would cut back some of the concerns we have,” she said.
Barbara Taylor worried about water flow near her property.
“The water flow line that was depicted on that map is literally alongside my fence, I think,” she said.
Tom Elliot questioned why homes were built in the area at all.
“The neighborhood should never have been built because it’s wet. My house is sitting in wetlands. I had a flooded basement in the spring of 2024, and I had to upgrade my system in order to survive that,” Elliot said. “I do also find it interesting that we took measurements during a dry summer. Let’s wait until the spring – let’s take measurements then.”
After weighing public input and engineering assurances, the Planning Board voted to approve the subdivision application.
The Planning Board will meet again on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m.
