Cheshire Selectmen Discuss Water Pipe Damage
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Highway Superintendent Robert Navin told the Board of Selectmen about a sinkhole issue near Stonehedge Road caused by a damaged water pipe.
Navin said the Water Department told him they had fixed damage to a water pipe caused by a water line install. After using a camera to check, Navin explained to the board this was not the case.
"The inside of that pipe was never repaired. When they destroyed the concrete, they set the pieces back in there and backfilled it with gravel," he said. "So there was never a patch put in properly, it was never fixed. And it's right above the waterline. So the large quantities of water going into that drainage line, going down into the ground running along the waterline and caused the sinkhole problems. So that is bad and is the whole root of this whole problem down at the end there."
Navin said he informed the Water Department of the issue, and they are working on a temporary fix. Several board members thanked Navin for noticing the issue, saying it could have become a bigger problem if it had gone unnoticed.
A permanent fix is needed so the Highway Department can pave the area, according to Navin.
"Come next spring we will have to do some research because that whole area has been compromised. It's probably going to be dug out, and we can open it and compact it correctly and then it can be paved. The contractor, at least in my opinion, is responsible for any future issues that we're going to have down there. Getting him to come this week and fix that pipe is not the end of his responsibility.
Also discussed at the meeting, the board discussed a Recreation Economy for Rural Communities Grant that the town could be eligible to receive. The grant proposal would require Cheshire hire a planner within the state to help decide how to improve the area of Church Street and Main Street.
Several board members voiced their displeasure with the processes required for obtaining these kinds of grants.
"We're constantly asking for [tax dollars] back," said Chairwoman Michelle Francesconi. "If people were able to retain more money and local communities we're able to retain more money we'd be able to accomplish these things without having to prove that we're the community that deserves the money. And it's just a never-ending battle and very frustrating and takes 10 times as long as it should, if not more. Especially when we could accomplish some of this just on our own."
The board unanimously approved the seasonal population forms provided by the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
The town sent out notices regarding liquor licenses at the beginning of November and has received two back, which the board will have to approve in December. The ABCC has allotted 14 liquor licenses for the town, despite only issuing one in the past year.
The board unanimously approved the appointment of a new part-time police officer, Aaron Goodell. Goodell previously worked as a dispatcher in North Adams and as a part-time officer in Lanesborough.
"He's got all his qualifications. He's basically ready to go once he learns the streets," said Police Chief Timothy Garner.
The board unanimously approved a $12,418 grant from the Department of Fire Services for 20 Motorola Pagers.
Francesconi said the board has still not received a response from the Hoosac Valley Regional School District regarding questions they sent to them. Francesconi said she will reach out to the district again for follow-up.
Tags: water line,
