The Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 on March 18 to table a $23,700 scoping study proposal for water and sewer infrastructure along the Route 589 corridor until after pending rezoning applications and public hearings are complete.

Public Works staff and other commissioners argued the study would allow the county to "assume worst-case scenario" sizing so infrastructure is not underbuilt if high-density residential development occurs. Staff described the study as a way to recommend regional pump-station locations and force-main sizing so future developers would not individually construct small systems that increase county maintenance costs.

Commissioner Bertino and Commissioner Bunting opposed tabling the study, arguing the county should proceed proactively to plan for known development pressures. Commissioner Fiore, who supported moving forward with the study at the time, said the $23,700 study would protect the county from higher costs later. Commissioner Matresic said he sought to delay the study so its parameters could be refined based on public-hearing input for two pending rezoning requests — one a minor commercial amendment, the other a larger request for high-density residential on a parcel of more than 20 acres.

A Public Works representative told commissioners the study could be sized for a "worst-case" high-density scenario and later scaled if less infrastructure is needed. Opponents said having the public input first would allow the study to be better focused and more acceptable to affected residents.

The motion to table passed 5-2, with Commissioners Bertino and Bunting recorded as opposed.

Ending: Staff said they will return with a refined timeline and integrate the study scope with planning commission public-hearing schedules if the board later directs the study to proceed.