The Issue – What’s at Stake?

One of the most pressing issues is the expected surge in traffic. The development plans propose widening roads and installing new traffic signals, particularly on Paine Street. However, residents have raised significant concerns, including:

• Increased Congestion: The current road infrastructure is not designed to support the influx of thousands of new residents.
• Dangerous Road Conditions: The traffic study presented by the applicant fails to address accident and fatality data, leaving major safety concerns unaddressed.
• Cut-through Traffic:  Although this has been denied in the last meeting, architectural diagrams show otherwise. The project would link Woonsocket and Bellingham, potentially turning quiet residential streets into high-traffic thoroughfares.
• Emergency Response Delays: Increased congestion could slow emergency response times for police, fire, and rescue services, putting lives at risk.

Bellingham’s natural environment is at risk of irreversible damage from this project. The destruction of forests will have long-term consequences, including:

• Loss of Green Space: Hundreds of acres of forest will be destroyed, disrupting local wildlife habitats and decreasing air quality.
• Water Supply Concerns: Bellingham already faces regular water bans due to a strained supply. How can the town support thousands of new residents when it struggles to meet current demand?
• Flooding & Runoff Risks: Removing natural buffers increases the risk of flooding, affecting homes and local businesses.
• Noise & Light Pollution: Nearby neighborhoods will suffer from increased noise and artificial lighting from the large-scale development.

The scale of this project demands extensive land grading and blasting, which could have serious consequences for current residents:

• Blasting Hazards: The project requires extensive blasting to level the land. This poses a major risk to nearby homes, especially those with basements or sub-level concrete foundations.
• Structural Damage: Residents have expressed concerns about potential damage to their properties. While the town may require the applicant to install seismic sensors, there are no clear answers on who will be responsible for property damage.
• Noise & Air Pollution: Construction will bring years of loud noise, dust, and debris, significantly impacting quality of life..

Bellingham’s public services are already under pressure. Adding thousands of new residents without a clear plan for expansion could have devastating effects:

• Sewage & Infrastructure Issues: The town’s sewage system is in need of repairs and cannot handle additional capacity. Who will pay for upgrades? Residents already dealing with tax increases fear being further burdened.
• Overwhelmed Emergency Services: A 20% population increase will stretch local police, fire, and ambulance services beyond their limits.

Bellingham’s land holds historical significance, and this development threatens to erase part of our heritage:

• Pokanoket Indian Tribe Concerns: Investigations are ongoing regarding potential burial sites within the proposed development area. Destroying this land without proper research and consideration is not only irresponsible but also disrespectful to the indigenous communities with ties to this area.
• Loss of Town Character: This project represents a drastic shift from the town’s historical identity, prioritizing high-density housing over sustainable and community-focused growth.

Many residents are outraged that the current proposal is vastly different from what was originally pitched:

• State Representative Mike Soter has called out the developers for misleading the community. The 2017 proposal focused on single-family homes, but the current plan pushes for massive apartment complexes.
• The developer has failed to provide key environmental impact details, particularly regarding buffer zones that should be in place to protect existing neighborhoods.
• History of Pushing for Development: Every decade, NECC Holdings tries to force through a major project in this area. This time, they’ve ramped up their efforts, but our community is stronger than ever.