Easton Planning Board Declines to Weigh In on Auto Shop Aquifer Permit

EASTON -- July 13, 2026, Easton Planning Board declines to advise on auto shop aquifer petition, elects new chair. The five-member board voted unanimously July 13 to provide no comment to the Zoning Board of Appeals on a special permit application at 254 Washington Street, the former Borgesen's Auto, seeking to reestablish a motor vehicle repair facility within the town's aquifer protection overlay district. Town Planner Ken outlined the property's history as a gas station and repair shop dating to before modern zoning, noting the fire department, board of health, and building department had all returned positive reviews and that no contamination has ever been documented at the site. One member argued that regardless of history, "all it takes is one accident" to compromise the aquifer, while others called the matter too complex to recommend either way. The board also voted unanimously to elect member Joanne as chair, reappoint member Kidd to the Committee for Climate Action Planning and Stormwater Utility Steering Committee, reappoint member Katam to the Community Preservation Committee, and appoint Joanne to the Capital Planning Committee seat vacated by former Chair Stson.