Lanesborough Hopes To Halt Peck's Road Truck Ban

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Town officials are making a last-minute pitch to stop the city of Pittsfield from implementing a commercial truck ban on Peck's Road and on Highland Avenue from the town line to Valentine Road.

The Pittsfield City Council has been looking at implementing a ban and two weeks ago voted to send the action to a second reading. Tonight, Tuesday, the council will take its final vote to send it to the State House for implementation.

The matter had first been raised a Pittsfield Traffic Commission meeting in January by Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli over complaints from residents along Peck's Road.

However, it was only recently that Lanesborough officials heard about the prohibition and will be calling city officials Tuesday to relay their concerns. The ban would shift commercial traffic for at least three businesses off Peck's Road and instead force the trucks over steep and winding Bull Hill Road.

According to Selectmen Chairman John Goerlach, town officials only became aware of the proposed ban when Gene Sayers, who owns Sayers Auto Wrecking on Potter Mountain Road, said the trucks from Albany, N.Y., that haul away crushed vehicles will now have to circumvent downtown Pittsfield in order to reach him — which adds both time and cost to the hauling.

Goerlach said contractor Jon Macht and Donovan Construction both also have gravel beds that will need commercial truck access.

"There has always been concern for trucks and vehicles going over Bull Hill Road. We've seen trucks roll over at the bottom of the hill," Goerlach said.

Selectman William Prendergast voiced frustration that the town had not had a say in the matter before now. Residents accused the city of simply shifting its problems onto Lanesborough.

"Without a word to us asking if we would have a problem, I'd say it ought not to be approved at all," Prendergast said.

Selectman Robert Barton, also unhappy with the lack of a voice, hopes that this issue will lead to a more open relationship with the city. The Selectmen agreed to send an open invitation to city officials.

"This might be a chance to start a broader discussion with the City Council and the mayor about other issues that the town's related," Barton said. "I don't know how long it's been since we sat down and shared concerns with Pittsfield."

Barton added that issues regarding the sewer system, the lake and the recent ban on wood movement are examples of items that city and the town could work closer together on.

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