CHESHIRE, Mass. — As of now, the Cheshire Reservoir is clear of the troublesome tape weed that has been causing issues this summer. 

 

"For the time being, we are done with the weeds, as far as I know," Department of Public Works Director Peter LeFebvre told the Selectmen on Tuesday. "It came out looking really decent this time around."

 

The weeds not only caused trouble for boaters whose ramps were clogged but for the Fire Department because it was unable to pump water from the reservoir because the weeds clogged the portable pumps.

 

Last week, Solitude, the water management company that has been cleaning up the lake, returned with a harvester to finish the job.  

 

The invasive tape-weed proliferation was attributed to the mild winter and the hot summer temperatures.

 

LeFebvre said with the weeds cleared, up the DPW can finally paint crosswalks near the school and get to line painting on the roads.

 

"Line painting, weather permitted, will be done some time probably in the beginning of next week for the center lines of the roads," he said. "It will be done at night."

 

The Selectmen also heard from resident Chris Megaro, whose farm on Sand Mill Road has lost business because of the closure of the road's bridge last year. The loss of the bridge has created an inconvenient detour.

 

The town decided to use Chapter 90 state road funds to repair the bridge but has to wait on the state to approve the plans.

 

"I am getting killed. I have three new boarders that were going to board horses at my farm, and I had three people leave," Megaro said. "They do not want to use Fales Road, especially in the winter."  

 

She added her daughter's business also has been hurt by the bridge closure because trucks cannot deliver her supplies.

 

Chairman Paul Astorino said the town has contacted the state and its state representatives, who have been unable to make any progress.  

 

"From the town's end, we have done everything we can to expedite it but it is hung up in Boston," he said. "I feel for you but there is little we can do. Our representatives know it is a problem and a call from you could help."

 

LeFebvre said the new DPW truck that the town borrowed $125,000 to purchase has been ordered and it should be ready in six months.

 

He will use the balance from the nearly $113,000 purchase to buy any additional equipment. 

 

"It would be for another flatbed so we can put our calcium tank on so we can have that prepped and ready to go when we need it if the price is cheap enough, which it should be," he said.