Neighbors are pressing officials to cut down the proposed Cedar Ridge housing project because they worry the development could create new water woes in town.

Holliston-Hopkinton Action Committee members met last night with the Board of Water Commissioners to review what John Lynch said was a lack of data on where toxins may lie in the Marshall Street property eyed for a 200-unit development.

"The (Zoning Board of Appeals) is authorized to (order testing)," said Lynch, spokesman for the HHAC. "Why they haven't is a reason none of us can fathom."

But developer J. Michael Norton of Greenview Realty said water commissioners and the HHAC are against his project, and he won't pay for a hydrogeologic soil test -- to determine whether existing pollutants risk groundwater -- until he gets ZBA approval.

"I don't have to do it, I won't do it until the town issues me a permit," said Norton. "The studies will be done, but it will be done after a permit (is issued)."