BRUNSWICK

A meeting scheduled in Brunswick this week — regarding a permit for the proposed train shed to be built on track between Church Road and Stanwood Street, near the Bouchard Drive neighborhood — has been postponed.

The meeting, which was set for Thursday, Nov. 13, will be rescheduled for a later date — as yet to be determined — according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, which also announced a public hearing will take place prior to the rescheduled meeting. Under the DEP’s rules for processing of applications, the commissioner may conduct a hearing on any application, according to the DEP.

“Due to the unique circumstances of this case and the substantial public input, I am exercising my discretion to hold a public hearing relating to the stormwater issues on this project,” said DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho in a news release.

A hearing will assist the department in understanding the technical evidence submitted, and allow further evaluation and consideration. The DEP, in its announcement, noted the typical public meeting-only process would not be as effective as conducting the hearing in addition to the meeting.

While the public may provide input at the meeting, the hearing will be a more formal process, where people would have to apply for intervener status in order to testify, according to DEP representative Karl Wilkins.

The hearing and meeting centers on the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s application for a storm water permit, needed before construction can begin on the $12 million, 60,000-square-foot train shed.

The meeting is expected be contentious. Many neighbors are opposing the facility, citing concerns over decreased property values, and the possibility of vibration, noise and pollution.

“This is a huge step forward for us,” said Robert Morrison, who requested the hearing and is a member of the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition, which opposes the facility being built in its proposed location.

Morrison said the DEP’s decision to hold the hearing is a sign that the department “continues to monitor the situation closely.”

Morrison said the coalition would be gathering experts to testify at the hearing, and that the NNEPRA application leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

“I think most people would agree our storm water system is just about adequate, or just lacking in terms of handling large storms,” said Morrison.

Other coalition concerns include the potential pollution of groundwater, wells and the aquifer, as well as the impact construction may have on the aquifer.

Morrison said he is also worried about airborne particles emitted by engines gathering in rain water or snow, and leeching into the groundwater and aquifer.

NNEPRA’s previous permit had been vacated by a superior court judge, and a subsequent application was deemed incomplete.

DEP finally found the rail authority’s application acceptable for processing Oct. 3. The department is expected to decide on the application by Dec. 17.

THE PUBLIC HEARING and meeting centers on the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s application for a storm water permit, needed before construction can begin on the $12 million, 60,000-square-foot train shed.