Cheshire Road Paving Pushed Back Because of Sand Mill Bridge Needs

The Selectmen are hoping to put more into the DPW account next fiscal year after running into road and equipment issues.

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Although patch work continues in Cheshire, many roads will not be paved until the Sand Mill Road Bridge repair funds are secured.  

Director of Public Works Peter LeFebvre told the Selectmen on Tuesday that patching on Route 116 is complete and patching on Stafford Hill will begin this week. However, he added that because of the Sand Mill Road Bridge reconstruction project that could cost nearly $140,000, paving on Depot and Church streets will have to be put off.

"The blacktop account that we have has near $60,000," he said. "One time you could blacktop two or three different roads for that price.

"Now that doesn't even cover the patch, never mend trying to put down black top. We have to rely on Chapter 90."

The bridge was given a failing grade by the state earlier this year and had to be closed; this created a four-mile detour for some residents. A full repair with full funding from the state would likely be far off in the future so the town decided to make partial repairs to the bridge, making it usable.

LeFebvre added that one of the town's one-ton trucks needs a new high pressure oil pump, which could cost about $3,400. He said the town needs the truck this winter.

"We are so far into the season that we can't say junk it and try to get another vehicle here in time for winter," he said. "I think our only option here now is to fix it."

He said the truck has given the town trouble since the beginning and already had the pump replaced once.

Chairwoman Carol Francesconi said the town has to look at increasing the DPW budget and capitol expenses next year.

"Your department is in major need of equipment, and the roads are in dire straits and are getting worse and worse," Francesconi said.

She also said she met with Adams-Cheshire Regional School District Superintendent Kristen Gordon recently to discuss what the board expects from the School Committee and administration during next winter's budget process. She said the town will hold off on any joint meetings with Adams until the School Committee solidifies an early budget that the selectmen can look at.

She added that the school district's Audit and Evaluation Subcommittee will hold a meeting soon because Lanesborough has asked for more solid numbers than the $1.6 million that Adams Town Administrator Tony Mazzuco said it could save by joining the district.

"Lanesborough wants some hard facts instead of just numbers thrown out," Francesconi said. "There are an awful lot of ifs about the whole proposition."

In other business, Francesconi said the Depot Street property the town took for taxes can be signed with a real estate agent. The town recently advertised the property but received no bids.

She said the service would cost under $35,000 so it would not have to be put out to bid, but the town must get three quotes from three different agencies before hiring one.

Francesconi said she has received multiple complaints from parents saying there is no parking at the elementary school to pick up students because faculty use them.

"The parents have to drive around and around because they can't park on School Street any longer," she said. "They won't let the kids out of the school unless the parents are there to pick them up, and the parents can't get to the door because they can't park. There has to be an answer."

She asked Police Chief Tim Garner to ask school officials and the church if faculty could park in the lower parking lot. 

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