Cheshire Will Seek Review of Dollar General Traffic Study
 The Selectmen approved a peer review of Dollar General's traffic study if doesn't cost the town anything. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Board of Selectmen voted to request an independent peer review of the Dollar General Traffic study.
After postponing a decision last week, the board met Tuesday and discussed their opinions of the study after reading it.
Last week, residents Richard Scholz and John Tremblay approached the board with a letter requesting a peer review of the traffic study for the proposed discount chain store by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. They said they believe this study to be free of charge.
One of the concerns Scholz brought up was whether or not the study represented peak traffic situations.
Chairwoman Carol Francesconi said after reading the study, she felt it did.
Selectman Paul Astorino said he was concerned about the sight distance of the driveway but felt confident that it would be safe after reading the study.
"I know where the driveway is going to be. I know it is going to be wide enough to make right turns out of there easy enough," Astorino said. "Left turns will be more difficult but I see that every morning."
Selectman Robert Ciskowski said he agreed with Astorino, but was concerned that the study did not mention the fire station that is across the street from the proposed location.
"You could stand on the opposed property and hit the fire station with a ball if you threw it," Ciskowski said. "I think if this was really looking at the big picture honestly and objective…I think the fire station should have been mentioned."
Ciskowski said he feels not mentioning the fire station is a critical oversight and because of that, it should be put under an independent peer review.
"I think if they didn't mention the effect it would have on the fire station, where seconds can mean life, I would really have to question how objective is this report," he said. "I would have no problem having Berkshire Regional Planning look at it."
The board unanimously decided to request the study but only if it costs the town no money.
Scholz said he thought the selectmen made the right decision.
"This thing screams from the silence that there is no fire station, and one would think there is a cow pasture across the street," Scholz said. "The fire trucks coming in and out aren't even mentioned, and I think if they don't object to the fact…I would be surprised."
