Selectmen May Seek Peer Review of Dollar General Traffic Study

Residents Richard Scholz and John Tremblay asked the board to request an independent review of Dollar General's traffic study.

CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Selectmen may request a peer review of the Dollar General curb cut traffic study.

But not until they review it themselves.

Residents Richard Scholz and John Tremblay approached the board with a letter Tuesday night asking them to request the peer review of the traffic study by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission.

"With all of the concern, a lot of it emotional but a lot of it possibly in real hazards, what is the harm if someone is willing to do the peer review of an existing study to see if it meets all requirements and whatever conclusions are drawn form it are valid?" Scholz said.

The discount chain store has show interest in purchasing and demolishing the dilapidated historic property at the corner of West Mountain Road and Route 8 to make way for a Dollar General.

Scholz said the survey is very complicated and it is impossible to see if the independent group Dollar General conducted the survey properly.

"If the study was not done at a time where there was the most traffic in a busy season, we should know that," he said. "If somebody can help us study it, that is an independent group, we don't have to rely on just a site developer funded study is."

Tremblay said he believes the BRPC will not cost Cheshire any money because of its contracts with the town and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

"The BRPC has resources to do this, and it would be covered under state highway," Tremblay said. "They have three traffic engineers and it would be in support of what the state is doing."

The board has yet to see the Dollar General study and was unsure if a permit had been awarded yet. Tremblay, who requested the survey through the state Public Records Act, said he would supply the selectmen with a copy if it would aid their decision.

However, both Scholz and Tremblay said they felt no harm would be done if the board voted to request a review that night without seeing the original survey. Tremblay added the survey is most likely beyond the board's understanding and peer review would be beneficial in any case.

Although Selectman Robert Ciskowski agreed with Scholz and Tremblay, Selectmen Paul Astorino and Chairwoman Carol Francesconi said they would feel more comfortable seeing the study first and voting next week.

"I have never made a decision of this importance with so little information, and I am not going to change my mind," Francesconi said. "Dollar General is going to cause problems in this town for a long time, and I am not making any harsh quick decisions just because you want it done tonight."

Schloz said he understood their need to see the study, but said there is a sense of urgency in getting information to BRPC and MassDOT. He urged Town Administrator Mark Webber to at least contact BRPC and MassDOT and tell them that they may request the study.

Webber said he agreed it was a good idea.

In other business, Webber said he spoke to the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries about laws in place that prohibit feeding of wildlife. He said he was told that there are no state or federal laws prohibiting the action.

Last Tuesday, residents on Cheshire Reservoir complained about the increased geese activity because of feeding.

Webber said the only municipality in the state with an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of animals is Northampton. He printed out the ordinance so the selectmen could review and possibly construct a bylaw for Cheshire.

Webber added the Department of Conservation and Recreation agreed to increase signage on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to help remedy the issue.  

Webber said he received a call from the Lenox town administrator informing him that there is a new alternative route being proposed by Kinder Morgan for its Northeast Energy Direct Project natural gas pipeline would cross through the southern section of Cheshire.

Webber referred to the alternative route as the "Lenox avoidance line." Lenox has been the most outspoken against the plan to run the pipeline through towns south and east of Pittsfield. Kinder Morgan is now considering cutting through Stephentown,N.Y., into Hancock, Lanesborough, Cheshire and Windsor. The pipeline would cross the northern part of the state and possibly into New Hampshire on its way to a terminus in Dracut.

"I am sure we are going to get more involved in that," Francesconi said.

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