Cheshire Selectmen Read Review of Dollar General Traffic Study
 The Selectmen received an independent review of Dollar General's traffic study. |
CHESHIRE, Mass. — An independent review of Dollar General's traffic study pointed to the same dangers related to a curb cut on Route 8 but said the report was properly conducted.
The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission conducted the independent peer review of traffic study at the request of the Selectmen. The report was received last week and read at Tuesday's meeting.
Chairwoman Carol Francesconi read that the report addressed problems they were aware of but stated it is of "quality work" and "provides factual information."
"They did bring up the same problems as far as lefthand turns as well as site distance on West Mountain Road which we already knew about," Francesconi said. "I think their biggest concern was the lefthand turns when people try to get out of there."
The proposed construction of the box variety store at the corner of West Mountain Road and Route 8 drew attention from many residents. In late November, several asked if the board would request a peer review study of Dollar General’s report because they felt it may not be accurate.
Resident Eileen Quinn asked if the concerns in the peer review will have any effect in the state Department of Transportation decision to provide Dollar General with a curb cut.
She cited that the report urged the town to have the driveway installed on West Mountain Road because of the danger of making left turns onto Route 8.
Francesconi said the peer review will be sent to MassDOT, which knows there cannot be a driveway on West Mountain Road because there is not enough sight distance.
"Even if it was a house being built there, they couldn't get a driveway on West Mountain Road because it doesn't make driveway requirements," she said. "We just send it to Mass Highway and they can do with it what they want."
MassDOT has yet to give Dollar General permission for the curb cut it has requested.
The board agreed to finalize the form and send it to MassDOT.
In other business, Fire Chief Thomas Francesconi requested a letter be sent to the Adams Ambulance Service Board of Trustees asking for meeting to discuss personnel behavior.
Francesconi said there have been issues with the Adams Ambulance Service for the past six months.
"We have had more issues with them being rude to our firefighters on the scene and saying stuff over the radio," he said. "We are just at our wit's end, and it is getting to the point where my guys won't go to medical calls anymore."
He said he worried that the current issues may negatively impact the number of volunteers on the squad.
"We are the first responders, and we are doing it for nothing," he said. "I don’t need an outside agency like Adams when we have an agency that will do it much easier and just as quick in North Adams and in Pittsfield."
He said the town has sent a letter requesting a meeting in the past and the trustees never responded.
Highway Superintendent Peter LeFebvre said he had to close off Stewart White Road on Christmas Day and had to do some work on Jenks Road on Christmas Eve because of mud issues.
"With cold weather coming everything is back in check," LeFebvre said. "Couple cars got towed, they got stuck in the mud."
Tags: ambulance service, dollar store, traffic,
